Shriver Corps Program Fellow, LIFT-Philadelphia

Posted by LIFT on December 15, 2014

Moving out of poverty is difficult. Shriver Corps Program Fellows work to lift families out of poverty – for good – by building capacity for LIFT’s regional offices. We are seeking emerging professionals with a passion for service and an interest in nonprofit management to join our team.

LIFT takes a people-powered approach to fighting poverty: A network of Community Members, Advocates and Advisors work together to build the strong personal, social and financial foundations people need to get ahead. We have resource centers in neighborhoods in Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles, where trained volunteers work with families to find a decent job, safe housing or a good education for themselves or their kids. Since LIFT’s founding, over 12,000 volunteers have served nearly 100,000 individuals and families. For more information, please visit www.liftcommunities.org.

POSITION SUMMARY

Program Fellows are responsible for providing the support structures necessary for community members to find jobs, secure safe and stable housing, enroll in public benefits and tax credits, and obtain referrals for services like childcare and healthcare. Program Fellows coordinate the recruitment of volunteer Advocates, lead volunteer trainings, and lead key areas of regional evaluation of program outcomes. Program Fellows also work to build relationships with community partners who can offer services to LIFT’s members.

Program Fellows may share some responsibilities for supporting LIFT’s robust volunteer Advocate team by providing ongoing management and coaching, answering questions and concerns, and leading debriefs. While Program Fellows may periodically work directly with community members as part of their professional development, the vast majority of the role will not involve direct service.

LIFT sites typically operate from 9 am-5 pm, Monday – Friday. Program Fellows receive comprehensive training when they join LIFT, as well as ongoing professional development opportunities throughout their term of service.

ABOUT THE SHRIVER CORPS PROGRAM

The Shriver Corps is a once-in-a-generation initiative of AmeriCorps VISTA members committed to helping people across the United States lift themselves out of poverty for good. A collaboration between LIFT, The Corporation for National and Community Service, and A Woman’s Nation, the Corps honors the legacy of Sargent Shriver, the founder of Peace Corps and the creator of VISTA, Head Start, and many other social programs as the architect of President Johnson’s War on Poverty. The focus of this new Corps is to strengthen LIFT’s poverty fighting efforts. The Shriver AmeriCorps Fellows will be on the front lines—building program and development processes to support LIFT’s efforts over the long-term. The Shriver Corps will serve as a beacon for the national service movement—making a cultural statement about the role of service in helping families access economic opportunity and achieve lasting success.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Commitment to LIFT’s mission and core values
• Successful completion of Criminal Background Check
• BA/BS strongly preferred; all majors and career interests are encouraged to apply
• US Citizen or Permanent US Resident (AmeriCorps requirement)
• Demonstrated commitment to community service and prior experience working with low-income communities is preferred
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to prioritize and multi-task
• Ability to thrive in the start-up environment of a fast-growing, entrepreneurial organization; must have flexibility, creativity, ability to take initiative, and a commitment to being a team player
• Sense of humor
• Proficiency in Spanish is a plus in all offices, though not required
• Willingness to work some weekends, evenings

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Shriver Corps Program Fellows receive a living allowance ranging from $12,311 to $16,394 depending on placement location, and rental subsidies will be available to members in certain locations, along with excellent healthcare coverage, generous leave policy, and a supportive and engaging work environment.

Upon completion of the year of service, LIFT Shriver Corps members are eligible to receive either a $5,645 education award upon successful completion of each year of service, which may be used to pay back qualified student loans or for future education, or a Cash Stipend of $1,500. Information on the Segal Education Award can be found here.

http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/segal-americorps-education-award

Shriver Corps members may also be eligible for student loan forbearance; see the VISTA website for more information.

http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/mJJW8wx7Mncp/