AmeriCorps*VISTAs, or Volunteers in Service to America, commit a year of their lives to build capacity for a nonprofit, government agency, or community organization to fight poverty in America. The VISTA program is different from other volunteer programs because VISTAs are committed 24/7 to creating sustainable change.
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) has selected Greater Homewood Community Corporation (GHCC) to provide a substantial professional development program to our VISTA members. With more than three decades of experience in recruiting, training, and managing AmeriCorps members, GHCC is uniquely qualified for this role and is proud to support the development of future nonprofit leaders.
2013-14 GHCC-Sponsored AmeriCorps*VISTA Program
GHCC is accepting applications for more than 20 full time 2013-14 AmeriCorps*VISTA members, beginning in July 2013, to serve for a period of one year on projects designed to build organizational capacity and create sustainable solutions to eradicate poverty in Baltimore City and other Maryland communities.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning Monday, March 25 until Friday, May 24 or until positions are filled.
All interested applicants first must complete an online myAmeriCorps application no later than May 24. Go to my.americorps.gov and click “apply to serve” to begin your application today. Upon completing the application in the portal (which should take 1-3 hours), please apply to the position(s) you are interested in by following the links below. Qualifying applicants will be contacted by both GHCC staff and the service site for interviews before final decisions are made.
Open Positions
2013-14 GHCC VISTA Project Leaders
Site: Greater Homewood Community Corporation in Baltimore, MD
Have you already served as a VISTA? GHCC is seeking a team of two Leaders to support a dynamic group of 25 VISTA members in their year of service in Baltimore City and Maryland! GHCC VISTA Leaders coach and coordinate the cohort of VISTAs as well as complete a special project that aligns with their professional goals and the goals of GHCC.
Affordable Care Act Outreach Coordinator
Site: Charm City Clinic (CCC) in Baltimore, MD
Do you know how the Affordable Care Act will affect you? Help Baltimore’s impoverished citizens gain access to healthcare coverage at this crucial time in history!
College and Career Counselor
Site: The Intersection in Baltimore, MD
Elevate the aspirations and lives of Baltimore high school students through the development and implementation of a college and career preparation program.
Communications and Marketing Associate
Site: Arts on the Block in Wheaton, MD
Help sustain and spread the word about an incredible program that empowers creative youth to see their potential and the potential of the Wheaton, MD community where they live.
Community Development Associate
Site: Project PLASE in Baltimore, MD
Provide a roof over the heads of Baltimore’s homeless for years to come through strategic fundraising and community outreach.
Community Garden Coordinator
Site: University of Maryland Extension in Riverdale, MD
Play an integral role in the collaborative development of a vacant lot into a flourishing vegetable garden for refugee families, youth, college students, and neighbors to sustain!
Community Involvement Associate
Site: Maryland New Directions (MND) in Baltimore, MD
Bridge the gap between low-income adults seeking jobs and the community and professional resources that can help them succeed!
Community Robotics Coordinator
Site: Johns Hopkins Center for Educational Outreach (CEO) in Baltimore, MD
STEM-ulate young minds through the implementation of a competitive, community-based robotics program for underserved students.
Development and Outreach Associate
Site: Lead4Life, Inc. in Hagerstown, MD
Make a difference in Maryland by raising funds, managing grants, and creating educational manuals to help youth and adults in the criminal justice system become productive members of society!
GEAR Workforce Client Services Specialist
Site: AIDS Interfaith Residential Services (AIRS) in Baltimore, MD
Create the operational procedures and educational programming that will prepare adults living with AIDS and homeless youth to gain stable employment and improve their quality of life.
Literacy Connections Coordinator
Site: Magic Johnson Community Empowerment Center (CEC) in Bladensburg, MD
Connect college students, elementary students, and innovative online technology to improve literacy proficiency in Prince George’s County, MD.
Marketing and Outreach Coordinator
Site: GapBuster in Riverdale, MD
Use your marketing skills for good! GapBuster needs your innovative approach to improve its marketing strategy, and increase the number of at-risk K-12 students served in Prince George’s County.
Neighborhood Food Advocates Organizer
Site: Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) in Baltimore, MD
Tackle the issue of food insecurity in Baltimore City with innovation, neighborhood organizing, and coalition building as part of Baltimarket and the Virtual Supermarket Program.
Pathway Project Coordinator
Site: Elev8 Baltimore in Baltimore, MD
Do you have a passion for education? Raise the aspirations of Baltimore youth to succeed as they transition from 8th grade to high school.
Project LIFTT Program Coordinator
Site: The Alliance for Community Teachers and Schools (ACTS) in Baltimore, MD
LIFTT schools to success! Develop productive teams of parents and teachers in Baltimore’s Public Schools to transform school culture and improve student achievement.
Sustainable Building Outreach Coordinator
Site: The Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) in Baltimore, MD
High energy costs mean low quality of life. Help reduce household expenses for low-income homeowners through outreach and education on sustainable construction.
Youth Workforce Development Coordinator
Site: Youth Empowered Society (YES) in Baltimore, MD
Channel your positive energy to help homeless youth achieve stability through the creation of a workforce development program tailored to their needs.
Schedule
2013-14 GHCC-Sponsored VISTAs will serve full time for a period of one year, beginning July 26, 2013 and ending July 25, 2014. All of the VISTA positions require full time service, often with responsibilities in the evening and on weekends. Note: Per the policy of CNCS, VISTAs cannot engage in paid work during their year of service.
VISTAs are required to attend a mandatory Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) prior to beginning their year of service (July 22-25 in a city TBA). All lodging and transportation costs to and from PSO will be covered.
Benefits
VISTAs receive an annual living allowance of $13,257 ($510 every two weeks) before taxes. They have the opportunity to enroll in the VISTA Health Benefits Program and to apply for SNAP (food stamps). GHCC-Sponsored VISTAs will also receive a monthly transportation stipend.
GHCC provides a local orientation and regularly scheduled professional development meetings tailored to the VISTA cohort throughout the year in collaboration with our network of partners. Training topics have included volunteer management, sustainable project planning, grant writing and reporting, effective communication, and community organizing, among others.
If relocating more than 50 miles to serve, CNCS will cover certain relocation costs. Additionally, GHCC will assist with finding affordable housing near the VISTA’s service site.
Finally, on completion of their year of service, VISTAs can choose to receive either an Education Award of $5,550 or End of Service Stipend of $1,500. The Education Award, which is subject to taxation, can be applied to any federally backed student loan or used to pay tuition in the future.
For detailed information about AmeriCorps*VISTA, including member benefits, please visit: http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp
Requirements
All applicants are required to 1) fill out an online application with CNCS and, if selected, 2) provide proof of age, social security number, and citizenship. All selected candidates are required to complete a criminal background check and child abuse clearance before beginning service.
Questions
Applicants may contact Allison Wilhite, VISTA Leader, at awilhite@greaterhomewood.org or 410-387-0088 to ask questions about the application process and GHCC’s VISTA program. Please do not send cover letters or resumes unless requested; only online applications will be considered.
