Food Access & Equity Coordinator - AmeriCorps Position
Commonly known as the “Domestic Peace Corps,” AmeriCorps is a national service program that offers paid positions with significant professional development opportunities to individuals of all ages looking to make a difference in our community. Members spend their days face-to-face with community members and volunteers. The ICHD AmeriCorps State Program places members within Ingham County to work directly with neighbors in areas of food access and healthy lifestyle programming. Through member's community involvement and programming the AmeriCorps Program strives to alleviate hunger, install healthy habits within neighbors, reduce chronic diseases, and work towards a food sovereign community. AmeriCorps State members placed through the ICHD program will provide workshops to neighbors on gardening, nutrition and exercise to increase healthy lifestyles and reduce chronic diseases. Assist and organize food distributions, pantries, meal programs or manage the production of fresh produce for distribution to alleviate hunger, and support community garden programs through garden management, assistance to gardens & gardeners to work towards food sovereignty with neighbors.
Our Food Access & Equity Coordinator is housed with NorthWest Initiative and First Presbyterian Church of Lansing. The member will split their time between both organizations which reside in the same building. NorthWest Initiative (NWI) is a nonprofit community development organization working to improve the overall health of the community and the quality of life for low income residents living in the northwest quadrant of Lansing and Lansing Township. Lansing First Presbyterian Church (FPC) has been a staple in the community since 1972 supporting and helping neighbors, regardless of religious affiliation, with resources and skills
Role and Responsibilities: The AmeriCorps member should possess a desire to serve neighbors of Lansing’s North Side community. Member will split their time between NWI and FPC – which share a building together – on food access and healthy lifestyle programming. Member will be a vital part of both organizations monthly cooking classes and food distributions. Specific duties of the member will include:
- Coordinate with Lansing School District to organize food pick-up/volunteers for NWI’s bi-weekly Weekend Survival Kit assembly,
- Create, outreach and facilitate monthly cooking & kitchen safety classes to neighbors,
- Assist with FPC’s food pantry days, create and distribute panty recipes and samples.
- Facilitate and market FPC food pantry cooking classes once a month based on recipes/samples given out earlier in the month.
- Generate and implement FPC community garden site by creating garden guidelines, breaking ground and opening of garden site, recruit gardeners for plots, gather and distribute tools, seeds and starter plants to gardeners.
- Based on skill set and strengths, assistance with youth nutritional curriculum for NWI & FPC summer camps
- Provide neighborhood education & logistics for NWI’s Mobile Farmers Market
- Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to aid in programming.
- Participate in the AmeriCorps Program’s required meetings and data requirements.
Preferred Skills:
- Willingness and interest in working with a very diverse population while modeling patience, kindness, flexibility, respect and maintain privacy to those we are assisting in the community,
- Public relation experience with community organizations,
- Ability to function independently and in a team environment,
- Flexible in nature and well organized/efficient with time and schedule,
- Garden/farming experience & knowledge. Understanding of psychical demands in all weather conditions.
Minimum Qualification:
- Be at least 17 years of age. Minors must have guardian permission. Applicants must have HS diploma, GED or working toward the completion of one.
- U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident of the U.S.
- Agree to and pass the following checks: State of Michigan background check, DHS Central Registry Clearance, FBI Fingerprinting, and State & National Sex Offender Registry
- Ability to complete office work remotely; computer, stable internet connection, Microsoft Office Suite experience, G Suite familiarity & the ability to learn new computer software as needed.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
Compensation:
Members will receive a living allowance of $14,279 distributed bi-weekly from October 12, 2020 – September 22, 2021 and receive student loan forbearance for qualified loans. Professional development training given per program. Upon successful completion of service an education award in the amount of $6,195 will be issued. Members will serve ~36 hours/week. ICHD AmeriCorps Program is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations will be made for interview/service as needed. All interested candidates must be available to spend 40 hours in training the week of October 12th, submit a cover letter and resume to ICHD AmeriCorps Program Director, Andrea Villanueva at avillanueva@ingham.org no later than July 29th by 5pm.
This position is best suited for individuals who have graduated from school already, as this is a full time position.
Due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, this position has critical infrastructure tasks and is a hybrid of in-person and remote service, with all hours needing to be served during normal business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. This is subject to change at any time due to new COVID-19 health & safety guidelines declared Nationally, State-wide or locally.
To learn more about the AmeriCorps Program and to view all open positions CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE.