VISTA – Collaboration & Resource

Description

Connecticut Foodshare is the food bank serving all of our neighbors across the state. Working with a strong network of community-based hunger relief programs, we help provide nutritious food as well as long-term, sustainable solutions to food insecurity. By joining Connecticut Foodshare, you will be part of a team that helps drive community awareness, garners support, leverages research, and engages volunteers, to realize our vision of a thriving community free of hunger.

What is a VISTA?

Founded in 1964, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is an anti-poverty program designed to provide needed resources to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to increase their capacity to lift communities out of poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA provides opportunities for Americans 18 years or older from a diverse range of backgrounds to dedicate a year of full-time service with an organization to create or expand programs designed to empower individuals and communities in overcoming poverty.

 The VISTA volunteer will connect and support food pantries and community kitchens who are members of the Connecticut Foodshare partner network. The VISTA volunteer will support agency partners through the On Site Partner Support Program evaluating partners that would benefit from customized capacity building support. Potential topics are, but not limited to, food and fund sourcing, volunteer management and recruitment, and leveraging digital media. The VISTA volunteer will serve at the partner programs following a period of orientation and resource exploration. 

The VISTA volunteer will reduce barriers to access for people served and build guest engagement while strengthening food assistance programming. The VISTA will document all lessons learned and recommendations for future program improvements through a thorough program evaluation following the support sessions.  

Responsibilities:

• Promote capacity building resources and support within the agency partner network and identify good candidates
• Provide customized capacity building support for partner program staff and volunteers 
• Continue to provide support and assistance to ensure success
• Reduce barriers to access for people served 
• Document all lessons learned and recommendations for future program improvements
• Conduct a thorough program evaluation following support sessions

Benefits:

• A biweekly living  allowance 
• Members receive free basic healthcare coverage during their AmeriCorps service 
• Childcare assistance (Eligible members receive a subsidy for children under 13 years) 
• A choice of either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($7,395.00 to pay off student loans and pay for tuition) or cash stipend ($1,800) at the end of the service year 
• 1 year of noncompetitive eligibility for federal jobs 
• Eligibility for scholarships and fellowships at a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs across the country 
• Eligibility for forbearance for most federally guaranteed student loans 
• 1 year of professional experience with a cutting-edge Top Workplace winning nonprofit  
• Potential for hybrid work model  
• Develop skills and explore career interests 
• Build professional network 
• Make a positive impact on the lives of Connecticut’s food insecure neighbors 

Requirements

Minimum Education/Experience:

• High school diploma/GED 
• Experience with Microsoft Office Products
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation

Preferred Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1-3 years of experience in a similar or related role
• Experience with and comfort with public speaking, meeting facilitation and community organizing
• Experience in teaching or training environment or with public speaking
• Some Spanish speaking ability

Pay Range 

The AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer roles are volunteer positions. Volunteers do receive a modest living allowance. Please see the current Living Allowance Chart. The range is reflective of where the role is based. Wallingford is in the South Central Connecticut Planning Region and Bridgeport is in the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region. 

Benefits 

AmeriCorps offers many benefits, including an end of service benefit in the form of either an educational award or end of service cash stipend, childcare for children under 13,  healthcare benefit plan, personal and medical leave (10 days of each) , professional development opportunities, loan forbearance and deferment, educational award match and relocation travel allowance. For the full list and explanation of benefits visits AmeriCorps VISTA benefits