START/END DATE: 6/5/2023 - 6/4/2024

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

**UWKC AmeriCorps members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the first day of service.** Help facilitate community connections by doing outreach in local communities and organizing a series of events, including cultural community-specific events, in HIP’s service area. The objectives of this initiative are to: Create places and spaces for BIPOC communities to gather, celebrate, and build community: Organize events to provide cooking/nutrition: strengthen HIP’s connections with local BIPOC communities. HIP operates in a neighborhood the city of Seattle has identified as having low access to opportunities and high displacement risk due to gentrification. The most recent 2020 census identifies the Lake City and Northgate neighborhoods, where most of HIP’s program participants reside, as some of the most diverse neighborhoods in Seattle. This VISTA project fights poverty by connecting underserved populations with supplemental food resources and nutrition education. This helps families stretch their dollars and live healthier lives with fewer resources being spent on healthcare. This project also helps build community by creating more spaces for BIPOC communities to gather, celebrate and share resources.

MEMBER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Organize community kitchen events in partnership with different BIPOC communities that create a space for gathering, community building, sharing meals, and nutrition/cooking classes.
• These events will strengthen HIP’s connections with local BIPOC communities and offer culturally specific nutrition/cooking education, meals, and resources with the goal of increasing food security.
•  Lead various outreach events and community celebrations that HIP participates in, including HIP’s Community Appreciation Event, Lake City Summer Festival, End-of-Summer Festival, Pumpkin Palooza, and Winter Fest.
• Coordinate recreational and educational events for children, youth, and parents to participate in throughout the summer months in collaboration with HIP’s summer meals team.
• Increasing food security and providing expanded access to educational activities to reduce learning loss during the summer months for children from low-income and BIPOC communities.

Position Length: 12 months

Benefits & Compensation:

• Bi-weekly stipend of $1027.88 (pre-tax)
• $6,895 Education Award or $1,800 End of Service Stipend upon successful completion of
• Loan deferment and payment of interest accrued during service year on qualified student loans (loans must be federally-backed; personal/private loans not eligible)
• Noncompetitive eligibility for federal jobs for up to one year after completing service
• Health benefits that meet the minimum standards of ACA compliance
• Childcare assistance
• 10 days sick leave, 10 days personal leave plus 11 federal holidays
• Enrollment in an assistance program with 24-hour access to phone counseling
• Access to emergency assistance program to mitigate unforeseen financial emergencies that put your continued participation in AmeriCorps service at risk
• Monthly team meetings, high-quality training, professional development, and networking opportunities
• Lifelong friends and colleagues who are passionate about service!

Professional Development Benefits:

• Robust professional development to support your personal, professional, and service goals and growth
• Skills to be gained include but not limited to: Interpersonal and Intercultural communication, community outreach, adaptability, relationship building, conflict management, customer service, resource navigation, data entry, knowledge of WA public benefits, knowledge of inner workings of non-profits and community college systems
• Career development trainings provided by UWKC AmeriCorps team
• Previous trainings include: How to Network, Resume Workshops, Mock Interviews, How to make your LinkedIn Profile Shine
• Networking opportunities within United Way and Community Partners

As a member of this cohort, you will be supported with a robust orientation, ongoing professional development opportunities, training, check-ins, and the tools and resources you need to succeed.

What We’re Looking For:

• Hunger and poverty disproportionately affect people who identify with multiple intersections of marginality—including people that identify as Black, Native, POC, queer, trans, disabled, first generation, etc. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage those that identify with these communities to apply
• Understanding of systemic racism and commitment to anti-racist work to ensure outputs are relevant and accessible to community members
• Flexibility and quick problem-solving skills to balance the variety of service activities and any potential shift in program priorities
• Experience working on multiple projects at once and ability to self-manage
• Ability to communicate clearly with staff members, partners, and AmeriCorps members
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with team, partners, and community members.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including public speaking skills

AmeriCorps Program Eligibility:

• Must be over 18 years old on the first day of service
• Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Unfortunately, F1 visas are not sufficient.
• Must be available 40 hours per week. Exact hours may vary by site placement, but will primarily be Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Must undergo a Washington State Patrol background check, FBI background check and National Sex Offender Registry Check, plus state of residence background check if not currently living in Washington
• High school diploma/GED
• Per United Way of King County Policy, AmeriCorps members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the first day of service. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. If you are a selected candidate, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination. Please reach out to unitedwayamericorps@uwkc.org if you need information on medical or religious accommodation.

Please note that United Way of King County has moved to remote and limited in-person operations. As such, be prepared to participate in interviews remotely and to complete service responsibilities in a hybrid environment (in-person and remote) should we move forward with your candidacy. If technology presents a barrier to applying, interviewing, or accepting the position, please reach out to unitedwayamericorps@uwkc.org for accommodations.

Additionally, per United Way and public health guidance, all AmeriCorps members must be able to transition from working hybrid to commuting to their site to serve 40 hrs. per week at any time during their service year. Service schedules will be based on your service site’s needs.

To Apply: Create an application on My AmeriCorps Portal or click here: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=117110

• No resume or cover letter is required.
• The application process moves quickly, please expect a response within 1-2 days.
• Please contact unitedwayamericorps@uwkc.org with any questions.