ReStore Volunteer Development (AmeriCorps VISTA), Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia

Posted by on May 14, 2012

ReStore Volunteer Development (AmeriCorps VISTA), Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia

Posted on: April 26, 2012

Background:

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is an independently chartered affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Locally, Habitat Philadelphia is on a mission to transform lives and our city by building quality homes in partnership with families in need, and uniting all Philadelphians around the cause of affordable housing.

The ReStore is Habitat Philadelphia’s non-profit storefront, which accepts donations of new and gently used building supplies, furniture and home goods. With the help of volunteers, the ReStore re-sells these items to the public at reduced prices; all profits go towards funding future home construction, as well as Habitat’s various programs and operating costs.

Description:

The Volunteer Development VISTA member will help our affiliate build the capacity of the ReStore and its volunteer program, enabling it to increase overall numbers of volunteers and utilize volunteer labor more efficiently throughout the process of accepting, stocking and selling donations. By increasing the ReStore’s productivity, the member will help the ReStore generate more income and thus allow the affiliate to serve more families. Much of our fledgling ReStore’s success is thanks to the planning and start-up efforts of our previous two VISTA members. At its current rate of growth, the ReStore increasingly relies on volunteers to carry out day-to-day operations, and the Volunteer Development VISTA will help to meet this need by developing a self-sustaining ‘culture of volunteerism’ in the ReStore’s community. The member position will develop a core of long-term volunteers by building on existing practices of outreach, recruitment and retention. It will expand relationships with individuals and institutions in the community and create a crew leader training program for regular volunteers. In addition, it will boost volunteer participation (and overall ReStore revenue) through marketing and publicity projects. Taken together, these projects will be instrumental in expanding the scope of the ReStore volunteer program, allowing it to collect, process and sell more donated items, thus increasing the number of houses the affiliate can build each year.

Service Week:

Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Evening meetings once a month, lasting approximately 90 minutes each.

Member Duties & Responsibilities:

Develop and implement programs that expand the number of volunteers at the ReStore, and simultaneously improve the quality of their work output. This will include a volunteer-management training program, for volunteer team leaders and future staff. Document programs and teach staff/volunteers to use them, to ensure ongoing use beyond the service term.
Increase the community’s awareness of the ReStore and its understanding of ways to contribute or get involved, through publicity campaigns aimed at local community organizations and community residents. Develop e-newsletter, social media templates, print and other marketing materials for use beyond the end of the service term.
Build relationships with members of faith-based organizations, senior/community centers, schools and government agencies, in order to establish consistent sources of volunteers. Document interactions and create plans for the ReStore to maintain ongoing partnerships.
Working with affiliate Volunteer Coordinator, develop and implement processes for tracking ReStore volunteers in affiliate’s new volunteer scheduling system (to be implemented in September 2012). This will include processes for communicating with volunteers and recruiting skilled volunteers to match specific needs of the ReStore (e.g. electronics repair). Document processes for ongoing use beyond service term.
Assist the ReStore Director in preparing reports.
Complete all AmeriCorps paperwork and reporting requirements in a timely manner.

Position Requirements:

Understand Habitat’s philosophy, and have the desire to promote it
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Strong organizational/time-management skills
Strong office/computer/database skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook)
The ability to effectively work with diverse populations, including those of a different race, religion, or socio-economic status
Attendance at meetings, trainings and events required by Habitat for Humanity International and by Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia
The VISTA position is full time, and the member is prohibited from holding additional employment during the service term.

Compensation and Benefits:

Although listed as a job, an AmeriCorps position is not technically employment; it is a year spent serving the community. Members must have the desire to work with an underserved community, and receive the following benefits:

A living allowance of $11,400 for the 12-month service term;
A monthly grocery gift card or SEPTA Transpass;
An education award of $5,550 upon successful completion of the term of service;
Health benefits through AmeriCorps’ health insurance carrier;
Educational loan forbearance with interest accrual payments.

Other:

This position is for 1 year, from August 2012 to August 2013. Before applying, make sure you thoroughly understand the AmeriCorps program (its goals, requirements, benefits, etc.). You can learn more on the AmeriCorps website.

http://www.americorps.gov/Default.asp

Benefits

For full description, visit the AmeriCorps benefits page.

http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/benefits/index.asp

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/gcb5SDDgmk5P/