Food Literacy & Access VISTA

Posted by Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger on February 29, 2016

The Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger (GPCAH), in partnership with Hunger Free America, is seeking a dynamic AmeriCorps VISTA member to join our team in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Founded in 1996, the Coalition strives to build a community where all people have the
food they need to lead healthy lives. The Coalition connects people with food assistance programs and nutrition education; provides resources to a network of food pantries; and educates the public and policymakers about responsible solutions that prevent people from going hungry.

The VISTA member will be part of the selective National Anti-Hunger and Opportunity
Corps (AHOC).* This position will be 1 of 3 VISTAs serving with Food Literacy Initiative Philadelphia (FLIP), a collaboration between GPCAH and the Free Library of
Philadelphia’s Culinary Literacy Center (CLC) and Greensgrow Farms to connect residents to food resources and education programs.

Position Description:
The Food Literacy & Access VISTA will increase public awareness of and access to
federally-funded and local food programs. To improve month-long and year-round
food security, literacy and nutrition, s/he will convene community leaders and members to identify and reduce barriers to participation in SNAP (food stamps), SNAP Employment & Training opportunities, farmers’ markets, pantries, summer meals and WIC. The VISTA will support the design, promotion, implementation and evaluation of programming of the Food Literacy Initiative Philadelphia, as well as the Free Library’s CLC and and Greensgrow. S/he will develop a pilot to assess and reduce disruptions in benefits among SNAP recipients, especially with GPCAH clients and FLIP participants.

Desired Qualifications:
● Experience with community outreach, teaching or training
● Knowledge of or interest in nutrition principles and food security
● Familiarity with food resources such as SNAP, farmers’ markets, urban
agriculture, pantries, summer meals (awareness of the Philadelphia’s foodscape is a plus)
● Access to a reliable car is helpful, otherwise comfort with public transportation
● Bilingual is a plus (e.g. Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Khmer, Creole, Arabic)

Requirements
● College degree
● 18 years of age or older
● Excellent verbal and written communication for diverse audiences
● Ability to multitask, and function independently or as part of a team
● Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Time Commitment:
This is a one year, fulltime position beginning with orientation in late June/early July
2016. You are expected to be available for the needs of your community and project at
all times, including days, nights and weekends. Because AmeriCorps VISTA service
requires a full immersion in the project and community, there are restrictions on outside full-time employment, along with some restrictions on political and religious activities.

For more information, please review the AmeriCorps VISTA Terms, Conditions and
Benefits information available here: http://www.vistacampus.gov/lessons/vista-terms-and-conditions?id=1576.

Program Benefits:
● $1026 Monthly living allowance, paid biweekly
● Segal Education Award ($5,775) or End-of-Service stipend ($1,500)
● Health benefits*
● Onetime housing or alternative assistance of up to $400/service term**
● Training support up to $500
● Potential to forbear or defer student loans while in service
● Relocation assistance (if applicable)
● Childcare assistance (if applicable)
● Optional life insurance
● One year noncompetitive status for federal government positions
● A network of over 180,000 AmeriCorps VISTA members and alums

*Members may need to apply for additional healthcare coverage per ACA. For more
information on health coverage provided through CNCS, visit:
http://www.vistacampus.gov/in-service/benefits-service#health_coverage

** Members are responsible for finding their own housing. A onetime housing assistance benefit of no more than $400 per service term is available to members; however, members will need to fund their own housing beyond that.

How to Apply:
By Friday, March 18th deadline submit a resume (no more than 2 pages) and letter of
interest (no more than 1 page) with FLIP VISTA in the subject line, to: Noelle Dames
at ndames@hungercoalition.org

Candidates are also required to complete AmeriCorps’ program application online.

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=12812

About the Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps:
An initiative of Hunger Free America since 2010, the national Anti-Hunger and
Opportunity Corps Program (AHOC) is one of the largest anti-hunger AmeriCorps VISTA projects in the country. Its main focus is to fight hunger and improve nutrition, primarily by breaking down barriers to accessing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) as well as by expanding economic opportunity and ensuring healthy futures for all Americans mostly through the SNAP Employment and Training program. Members also serve to increase the capacity of anti-hunger community organizations to help meet the needs of low-income community members, particularly to seniors, working families and non-English speaking populations.