AmeriCorps VISTA Member

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) Member

October 2024 - October 2025 (one year commitment)

Full-Time (~40 hours per week)

18 years of age and older

Hold one of the following citizenship or legal residency statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. Green Card status), and persons legally residing within a state.

Support the efforts of nonprofit organizations and public agencies fighting poverty in low-income communities. The Springfield Promise Neighborhood ensures the academic and social success of youth living in the under-resourced neighborhoods of the south side of Springfield, Ohio. We work with residents and community partners in three focus areas: increasing community participation in areas of safety, housing & youth development; creating sustainable extended learning opportunities for youth that serve their academic, social, & enrichment needs; and developing the local resources that lead to lasting social change. VISTA members help enhance, enrich, or expand programs, events and activities to best serve the families of Springfield.

Three areas of service:

Youth Development (designing and developing youth educational and enrichment activities after-school and in the summer)
Family Engagement (designing and developing family educational and enrichment events throughout the year based on family feedback and needs),
Community Garden (increasing capacity of the garden to produce fresh food and education around physical activity and nutrition).

Strong written and oral communication skills are a must; must multi-task and prioritize appropriately; must be self-motivated, flexible, proactive, and independent; must be able to navigate neighborhood culture, norms and barriers; must be a team builder and able to relate to those from different backgrounds.