Posted on November 7, 2012

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Community Empowerment VISTA 2013 - 2014

AmeriCorps VISTA is a branch of AmeriCorps focusing on poverty. It is a one-year, 40-hour per week commitment; and VISTAs are expected to not work outside of the VISTA position. VISTAs are not paid a regular salary but receive a monthly stipend and an education award upon completion of their service year. For more information on how to become a VISTA and the responsibilities and expectations of VISTAs, please visit: http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp This position begins in February of 2013 - though the exact start date is not yet set as candidates will need to attend Americorp's Pre-Service Orientation, the date of which has not been set, prior to beginning their year of service with Horton's Kids. It may be possible to start at Horton's Kids earlier, but it is unclear as to how great this possibilty is.

Description:

Horton’s Kids, Inc., recent winner of the Best Non-Profit in the Washington City Paper’s Best of DC 2012 Reader’s Poll and the 2011 Washington Post Award for Excellence in Non Profit Management is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit tutoring and mentoring organization that benefits children living in Washington, DC’s Anacostia neighborhood. The cornerstone of our services is our thrice-weekly one-on-one tutoring program in the Rayburn House Office Building an d in the Department of Education. To support the children’s education, Horton’s Kids provides college and career planning for older youth, monthly field trips, eyeglasses, access to dental care, nutritious meals, warm winter coats, educational advocacy, and more. In addition, the organization provides holiday gifts and celebrations, family assistance, and other activities aimed at improving the quality of life for the children.

Goal Statement: To enhance family support services and programs at Horton’s Kids’ Community Resource Center by identifying community needs and recruiting community partners to assist Horton’s Kids in meeting these needs.

Responsibilities: Communications Support

• Design and administer surveys to identify needs and interests of the community and collect the residents’ ideas for meeting these needs.
• Host monthly focus groups (i.e. with parents, other family members, young men and women, program alumni, community leaders, etc.) to create a more detailed map of community needs and resources.
• Create and implement an outreach system to welcome new families to the neighborhood and increase awareness of Horton’s Kids’ family support services for families of currently enrolled students.

Service Expansion Support

• Design and implement an intake process to measure the number of clients in the Community Resource Center. Make this process compatible with uploading data into our Salesforce database.
• Work with Community Empowerment Director to implement a parent empowerment program to build stronger connections to Horton’s Kids and more self-sufficient households.
• Research and recruit community partners who can offer parent education courses such as GED classes, job training programs, financial literacy, and parenting classes that build awareness of child development.
• Develop relationship with DC Diaper Bank to make sure that families receive free supplies such as diapers, wipes, formula, and toiletries.
• Recruit health and legal partners such as physical, sexual, and mental health specialists, legal counselors, etc. to work with families.
• Collaborate with Health & Enrichment Associate to design field trips and enrichment opportunities that engage families and give parents opportunities to share positive experiences with their children.
• Work with Volunteer Assistant to organize, build awareness, and recruit volunteers from the DC community and the children’s neighborhood to participate in Horton’s Kids’ Annual Community Clean-Up Day and other activities at the Community Resource Center.

Skills/Experience Needed:

-Must have experience working with low income youth and families

• Proficient in Excel, Outlook
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong writing skills
• Strong commitment to community service
• Thoughtful and inquisitive
• Project management experience a plus
• Must be willing and able to manage projects with support, but little supervision
• Salesforce experience a plus

Application Instructions

The Horton’s Kids staff works in a metro-accessible office located on Capitol Hill. The Community Empowerment VISTA will be working two to three days a week in our Community Resource Center in Anacostia. Access to a vehicle is helpful but not required, though all applicants must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to drive the Horton’s Kids minivan.

If interested, please email your cover letter and resume in an email with the subject “Community Empowerment VISTA 2013-2014” to kavya@hortonskids.org. The email and the cover letter need to be addressed to Ms. Kavya George. No phone calls, please.

Applicants will be asked to undergo standard screening requirements, including an FBI background check, a Child Protection Registry check, and a TB test. Must be at least 18-years old to apply. Horton’s Kids, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.