Steps 4 Success VISTA, Chester County Futures

Posted by Chester County Futures on July 23, 2018

CCF is a college-access program serving four school districts in Chester County, PA. Our mission is to provide comprehensive academic support, mentoring, and scholarships for motivated, economically disadvantaged youth to succeed in school, higher education, and life. During the 2018-19 school year, we will serve 480 low-income students in grades 7 through post-secondary school (current enrollment: 130 in middle school, 200 in high school, 150 in post-secondary school). School Districts served: Coatesville Area, Kennett Consolidated, Oxford Area, Phoenixville Area. CCF piloted our first college bridge program with 38 college freshman in 2016-17, called “Steps 4 Success”.

Steps 4 Success provides its students with the following resources:

• “College Boot Camp” provided to outgoing high school seniors to effectively transition into higher education; interactive workshops highlight specific skills and strategies for post-secondary success and completion
• Social Media Engagement through a closed Facebook group. All current post-secondary school students as well as alumni are invited to join. Posts include relevant articles and videos (study tips, employment opportunities, etc.) in addition to special event reminders, gamification and programmatic updates
• Alumni Associationon in which current post-secondary and post-baccalaureate Futures graduates engage in peer mentoring, community building, and special event support
• Scholarships provided to matriculating students who are eligible to receive $1,500 per year (total available scholarship $6,000) if they are enrolled full-time, maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, and attend bi-annual check-ins.

Upon onboarding, the Steps 4 Success Coordinator (S4SC) will be under the supervision of the Student Programs Manager (SPM). The SPM will provide training to the S4SC that will allow him/her to quickly develop a full understanding of the current status of S4CS and the goals that the organization has established for its expansion.

Responsibilities will include:

1. effectively utilizing the social media page;
2. researching and posting appropriate materials;
3. facilitating alumni focus groups;
4. inputting internal scholarship data entry and forecasting;
5. following up on lapsed student scholarships;
6. planning and facilitating Alumni Committee meetings;
7. planning and delivery of the “CCF College Boot Camp” event;
8. researching best practice college programs for first generation college students;
9. providing twelfth grade transitional support as needed.

Benefits & Compensation

AmeriCorps VISTAs commit to a full-time year of service for a minimal living stipend of approximately $14,136 per year. VISTA members are provided health coverage and loan forbearance for any current federal student loans. Upon completion of the full year, they also receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of $5920 that can be used to pay for future educational expenses and/or pay off federal student loans.  Read more at: https://www.vistacampus.gov/in-service/benefits-service

Apply for this position: https://my.americorps.gov/grantee/listing/viewListing.do?id=73951