Chop and Chat Program Assistant
We require candidates to submit an outside (non-Handshake) application, which can be found on our website.
Flexible schedule: 675 hours must be completed within one full year of service starting in Sept ’24 or later.
Food insecurity and social isolation both have a large impact on the health of older adults due to lack of income and an increased risk of eating disorders caused by depression and anxiety. To help alleviate these issues, Faith in Action developed the program “Chop & Chat,” to encourage older adults to consider healthier eating habits and provide socialization. The program brings vegetarian recipes and fresh ingredients to senior centers for participants to chop up while engaging in conversation with one another. They then take the meal home to cook and enjoy. Each meal provides 3-4 servings, and most dishes can be frozen and saved for later. Chop & Chat provides healthy alternatives to pre-packaged food, the opportunity to make and maintain friendships, and presents new ways to enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables at no cost to the participant. With the rising cost of food, Chop & Chat helps offset some of that cost and eases the financial burden many seniors face. And, they enjoy the time they get to spend with their peers. Many participants that come regularly have commented that because of Chop & Chat, they are eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, are socializing more, and believe that it has a positive impact on their health.
Position Details:
- Represent the Council and Faith and Action Volunteers in public, specifically at the local senior centers.
- Assist the program coordinator with the planning, preparation and execution of Chop & Chat sessions.
- Encourage conversation and engage with participants during Chop & Chat sessions.
- Research healthy recipes and nutrition information.
- Obtain data and statistics about the program by analyzing surveys, attendance, the cost of meals, and other record keeping tasks.
Please note: AmeriCorps positions are unlike traditional jobs or internships. An AmeriCorps position runs for a set amount of time for a set number of hours (675). Throughout the course of their term, the member receives a living allowance of $8,500, broken into bi-weekly payments. At the end of the member’s term, they receive an education award of $2,817.14 to put towards education expenses (tuition, student loans, etc).
Requirements:
- US Citizenship or Permanent Residency
- A high school diploma or GED
- In-person service in Binghamton, NY
We require candidates to submit an outside (non-Handshake) application, which can be found on our website.