AmeriCorps*VISTA, Congreso de Latinos Unidos

Posted by on June 27, 2011

AmeriCorps*VISTA Positions

Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Inc.
216 W. Somerset Street
Philadelphia, PA  19133

Congreso has been providing high-quality services to the Latino community in Eastern North Philadelphia for more than 30 years. The agency’s mission is to strengthen Latino communities through social, economic, education and health services; leadership development; and advocacy. Recently named the 14th largest Latino nonprofit by Hispanic Business, Congreso serves over 14,000 individuals annually through 50 programs in the areas of education, employment, family services, and health.

Congreso seeks 3 VISTA volunteers for full-time 12-month positions to build Congreso’s capacity to improve children’s academic achievement, school attendance, and 21st Century workforce skills which will make them competitive in a global economy.

Nearly 50% of students in Eastern North Philadelphia drop out of school.  Congreso’s programs, including its innovative dual-language K-8 charter school, address academic and behavioral barriers to achievement and graduation, and provide opportunities for young people to learn skills that will make them successful in college and the workplace.

VISTA members will build tutoring and volunteer programs, develop parental involvement activities which help train parents to better support their children’s schooling and prepare them for college, and develop partnerships with area corporations and nonprofits to serve as internship sites and as sources for career mentors.  VISTA members will also contribute to grantwriting and fundraising efforts to bring additional resources to Congreso and its charter school.

Benefits include $977 monthly stipend; end of service education award of $5,550 or end of service stipend of $1,500.

Contact:
Apply online on My Americorps Portal and contact:

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do

Edward Garcia
Deputy Vice President of Children and Youth Services
garciaed@congreso.net
215 763 8870x, 7229

1.      Volunteer and College Prep Coordinator based at Congreso to develop programs in out-of-school-time programs K-8 serving 250 children with the goals of improving grades, reading scores, and the ability of parents to help their children with academics and college prep:

Main responsibilities:

a.      Establish a volunteer recruitment program to engage tutors in our after school programs in order to improve academic achievement

b.      Strengthen parent involvement with a special focus on training parents how to help their children’s academic achievement and prepare for college  (parent group, monthly parent group meetings and workshops)

c.       Develop systems for volunteer recruitment and management

2.      Partnership Coordinator based at Congreso to develop and connect youth with partnerships for Congreso’s high school age programs serving 200 youth:

Main responsibilities:

a.      establish or strengthen partnerships to serve as sources for in-school career awareness activities, guest speakers career days, shadow days and internships

b.      develop systems for tracking and matching partnering corporations and nonprofits and volunteers with students for internships, shadow days and career mentoring, and organizing in-school career activities

3.      Volunteer and High School Prep Coordinator based at Pan American Academy Charter School serving 500 K-8 students with the goals of increasing attendance,  parent knowledge about college preparation, improving grades:

Main responsibilities:

a.      Recruit volunteers to improve academic achievement through tutoring and other activities, and to provide supports at the school  which could include tutoring, classroom assistance, organizing special activities that enhance academics, such as reading to children, book fairs, health and nutrition fairs, and activities which provide career awareness to students

b.      Strengthen parent involvement at the school with a special focus on training parents how to help with their children’s academic achievement and prepare for college  (parent group, monthly parent group meetings and workshops)

c.       Develop systems for volunteer recruitment and management

Qualifications:

·         Bachelors degree required;  preferred fields include education, social work, sociology, marketing, or related fields

·         Excellent organizational skills including the ability to coordinate program details

·         Competence working with Microsoft Office programs and the internet

·         Ability to work in a context of individual and cultural differences

·         Ability to communicate ideas effectively verbally, in writing, and through technology to both youth and adults

·         Commitment to a team work environment

·         Ability to work in a fast paced environment

·         Bilingual English/Spanish a plus but not required

·         Dedication to improving education for young people a must