AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers Needed

Posted by on February 10, 2006

AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers Needed to Work with the Chester Youth Collaborative

Background: The Chester Youth Collaborative is a network of youth ages 12-22, community residents, youth serving organizations, and area organizations that support youth but don?t work directly with young people (for example, the Chamber of Commerce or the United Way). The Wellness Center, which is a part of Crozer-Chester Medical Center, is responsible for coordinating activities of the Chester Youth Collaborative. The vision of the Collaborative is ?a strong Chester community in which all youth reach their full potential and transition successfully to adulthood?. One section of the Chester Youth Collaborative is the Youth Serving Organizations Group. In order to achieve our vision, Youth Serving Organizations (YSOs) in the Collaborative are working on 1) strengthening the quality of our programs, by attending trainings in basic quality standards for out-of-school youth programs and then creating Improvement Plans; 2) making sure that we can offer participants a full range of youth development services- not just recreation, but academic and cultural enrichment, career and workforce preparation, and college access; and 3) tracking outcomes among youth participants, then using outcomes data to strengthen applications for funding.

Duties: VISTAS will work out of the Wellness Center?s office suite, but will spend significant time working with the Youth Serving Organizations (YSOs). VISTAS will work with YSOs to gather and analyze outcomes data, and participate in quarterly training and technical assistance sessions, aimed at helping YSOs further strengthen their out-of-school programs. VISTA members would subsequently use the results of data analysis help YSOs conduct prospect research and develop funding proposals.

Requirements:
Work Schedule: Full time
Service Area: Children/Youth, Community Outreach
Length of Commitment: 12 months
Age Requirement: Minimum: 21; Maximum: None
Skill Requirement(s): Communications, Computers/Technology, Fundraising/Grant Writing, Leadership, Youth Development, Teaching/Tutoring; Working in Urban Communities
Experience in program evaluation a plus, but training will be provided
Education Requirement: Bachelor?s Degree
Language Requirement: Spanish a plus, but not required
Additional requirements: Resume and cover letter; Valid driver?s license; Must agree to criminal and child abuse background checks, as well as drug screen; Familiarity with Chester a plus, but not required

Program Benefits: Childcare assistance if eligible, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Health Coverage, Living Allowance, Relocation Allowance, Training

For More Information:
Must apply through AmeriCorpsVISTA <a href="https://recruit.cns.gov">https://recruit.cns.gov</a>, but interested individuals are welcome to contact host organization for information before applying to AmeriCorps.
Contact Information: Bilal Taylor at Crozer Wellness Center (610) 497-7422; bilal.taylor@crozer.org