The Sanneh Foundation
Youth Programming Development Specialist VIST
2090 Conway St, Saint Paul, MN 55119
On-site · $25k–$43k (as posted)
First seen by offpeak October 21, 2026
See your drive time Apply on The Sanneh Foundation's site
VISTA Assignment Description
TITLE: Youth Programming Development Specialist VISTA
SPONSORING ORGANIZATION: The Sanneh Foundation (TSF)
GOAL STATEMENT: The Sanneh Foundation (TSF) is a 501(c)(3) serving Minnesota's youth. The Youth Programming Development Specialist VISTA will develop, implement and document a sustainable and comprehensive engagement and implementation plan for participant, volunteer and partnership engagement opportunities while contributing to curriculum development for new and existing sports programs planned for Sanneh’s program expansion in 2027. As a result of the VISTA’s service, the program will increase its ability to secure long-term participation and community support for the new Sanneh Center at Conway Park, ensuring TSF can continue to serve all youth and low income populations working to improve economic stability and self-sufficiency.
OBJECTIVE 1 (01/12/2026 - 01/11/2027)
Develop an in-depth understanding of the mission and services offered by TSF, the 2027 expansion plans and the overlapping programs of the Programming Department and how they relate to the Youth Sports program, the populations served and partner agencies in relationship with TSF.
Member Activities:
Step 1: Participate in the AmeriCorps VISTA Virtual Member onboarding and TSF’s onboarding orientation.
Step 2: Learn the history of Sanneh’s core programs and events through meeting with previous VISTAs, and on-site shadowing at each program delivery point as available (Sports Leadership, Conway Community Center, Nutritional Services, Workforce Development, Operations).
Step 3: Review impact reporting and survey data and identify opportunities for improvement.
Step 4: Work with direct supervisor to assess gaps in programming needs and identify a detailed work plan for the year based on assigned VAD.
Step 5: Meet regularly with the Site Supervisor and other Program VISTAs to identify capacity gaps and collaborate on developing solutions for work plan for the year based on assigned VAD.
Step 6: Shadow Sports Leadership team members to become familiar with program processes and initiatives.
Step 7: Meet with relevant TSF Staff to learn 2027 Expansion plans and operational opportunities for the new Sanneh Center at Conway Park including learning room usage, proposed programs, and opportunities for new sports programming.
Step 8: Review community feedback survey data and Youth Advisory Council findings for desired programming (sports, STEM, etc) to familiarize yourself with voice and choice of community in relation to Step 7 findings.
Step 9: Identify three personal development resources to increase knowledge related to program development, partner engagement, and community outreach.
OBJECTIVE 2 (01/12/2026 - 01/11/2027)
Increase awareness, outreach, and participation in the Youth Sport programs and new Sanneh Center building at Conway Park by engaging with local schools, families, and community organizations. Strengthen relationships with local community organizations, schools, and stakeholders to increase capacity and leverage non-financial resources.
Step 1: Learn existing partnership software available and review any training guides or historic documents related to community engagement.
Step 2: Analyze Sanneh programs and identify key support needs, particularly those without an outreach plan or existing partnerships.
Step 3: Observe and conduct outreach to community members, schools, organizations, and local leaders to build and strengthen partnerships and identify communication methods and preferences.
Step 4: Learn planning and organization of community events that promote Sanneh’s programs, increase visibility, and attract potential participants.
Step 5: Shadow at meetings with potential partner agencies with Sports Leadership and Programming Directors. Document information about needs and resources available.
Step 6: Participate in local events to engage with community members, encourage program participation, and highlight Sanneh’s offerings. Collect information on effectiveness of events for future prioritization of Sanneh participation and resources.
Step 7: Identify key opportunities for outreach that align with Sanneh’s mission and increase awareness about the programs and services available.
Step 8: Create meeting agendas and materials, and schedule stakeholders relevant to youth soccer programming.
Step 9: Develop initial distribution plan for outreach materials at program and partner locations or events to help raise awareness about Sanneh’s programs and services.
Step 10: Provide regular reports on outreach efforts, community engagement, and program enrollment to ensure continuous improvement.
Step 11: Update strategies for effectively communicating Sanneh’s mission and impact to various audiences in the community based on observations and feedback from stakeholders.
Step 12: Identify and document contacts with schools and community organizations who identify and recruit youth participants.
Step 13: Locate one new partner or partners that could assist the program through off-site program hosting, technical expertise, regular ongoing volunteering or in-kind equipment.
Step 14: Continue tracking partnership engagement feedback log to collect and preserve contact information and key information for partners (annual recurring events, changes to their programs, communication channel updates).
Step 15: Collaborate on developing an integrated calendar for internal and external engagement events.
OBJECTIVE 3 (01/12/2026 - 01/11/2027)
Build organizational capacity by building internal planning and external training systems for new programming initiatives including Soccer In Schools and other physical activities new to TSF. Document program processes, compile best practices, and develop resources for sustainability. Propose, develop, implement and document program quality improvements to increase volunteer and youth participation and program partner retention.
Step 1: Review current program compliance measures and monitoring processes. Meet with TSF Programming Leadership to understand the purpose of Soccer in Schools program and outcome goals.
Step 2: Review current Step 1:materials and planning documents for Soccer In Schools or other in-school collaborations. Observe requirements that ensure all program activities and events meet program and reservation requirements.
Step 3: Attend Soccer In Schools and other Program Planning meetings. Observe and contribute to Conway Program Professional Development meetings.
Step 4: Create agenda and meeting templates and collaborate on drafting or updating resources and training materials for Sanneh Staff and school partners ensuring documentation for future is captured to create efficiencies later.
Step 5: Collect feedback from participants, families, and stakeholders on program effectiveness.
Step 6: Analyze survey data and identify opportunities for improvement.
Step 7: Compile a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and general recommendations report on program enhancements based on findings.
Step 8: Work with Programming and Youth Program Success VISTAs to report on quantitative data for future prioritization of Sanneh participation and resources. Include feedback or qualitative data when possible.
Step 9: Create, refine, and implement existing volunteer & staff training materials and quick guides for Soccer in Schools and/or new areas of youth programs (flag football, volleyball, dance, yoga, choir).
Step 10: Develop documentation and templates for ongoing program compliance monitoring. Assist the Direct Supervisor in developing systems and strategies that ensure the sustainability of Soccer In Schools program and the continued success of Youth Sport programs.
Compensation & Benefits
AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers receive benefits during and after their service as they make a difference across America. This includes loan forbearance, professional development, and for those with children under 13, an Americorps childcare benefit. AmeriCorps compensation does not count as income for Social Security benefits. (continued next page)
Pay rate - $957.46 bi-weekly (before taxes). Segal Education Award - $7,395 (before taxes, based on Pell Grant) is distributed via MyAmeriCorps.gov following a full term of service.
Sanneh is able to offer a housing, nutrition, or education stipend totaling up to $1000 per month to our full time VISTA members. Learn more about full benefit offerings here: https://www.americorps.gov/members-volunteers/your-benefits
Click here for a pdf if the Americorps website is down.
Requirements
18 years of age (no upper limit)
Pass a national service criminal history check
Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: U.S. citizen, U.S. National, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens and persons residing in a state that have the following legal residency classifications: Refugee, asylum or asylee, temporary protected status, or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status.
Apply
View these open positions and others at www.thesannehfoundation.org/careers. Americorps VISTA applicants are required to create an Americorps profile and submit an interest in the position in order to be matched at the end of our interview process. Apply by accessing our Career Center here!
Physical Demands and other notice
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to lift up to ten pounds. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information. VISION: See in the normal visual range with or without correction. HEARING: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.