START/END DATE: 6/23/2025 - 8/24/2025

Neighborhood House and United Way of King County are partnering together and seeking a team of full-time Summer Meals Service Members to end hunger in King County. This team will help families and youth access nutritious food during the summer months.  

Neighborhood House Overview: Founded in 1906, Neighborhood House is one of the oldest human services agencies in the Seattle region. Today, we continue to provide services to address the needs of entire families, with a focus on low-income community members, public housing residents, immigrants, and refugees. We serve thousands of people annually in King County through our major program areas of early childhood education, youth development, employment and adult education, housing stability, aging and disability services, and community health. Neighborhood House is a proud Community Action Agency in Washington. 

United Way of King County: UWKC is working side by side with communities to build an equitable future for everyone by ensuring that everyone has access to resources, quality education, enough to eat, and a safe place to call home. Under our priority of breaking the cycle of poverty, we are committed to ensuring that all families have access to nutritious food. 

About Free Summer Meals: Access to good food and supportive relationships shouldn’t end when school is out. In King County, 100,000 low-income students have access to free meals during the school year, but less than 1 in 5 access free meals served during the summer. 

The Free Summer Meals Program is a critical resource to ensure that children continue to have access to summer nutrition support, by serving meals in the places where kids live, learn, and play. National studies show that summer meals programs increase food security and mitigate summer learning loss – but less than 15% of low-income youth in our region access Free Summer Meals programs each year. This is due to preventable barriers – including too few sites, lack of awareness about the program, and a lack of activities and incentives to engage kids and teens. 

Your Role: As a Summer Meals Service Member, you will be part of a passionate cohort of 60 total direct service AmeriCorps members working across King County in partnership with food banks and community-based organizations to connect families with the food they need. Training will be provided in site management, outreach, youth engagement, de-escalation, and data tracking – these skills will make your summer work influential AND they will look good on your résumé.    

Here at Neighborhood House, you will join other members in this work to support food security during the summer months in your local White Center or Auburn area. Five positions are available between the following sites:  

• Seola Gardens (11215 5^th AVE SW Seattle, WA 98126) 

• Burndale Homes (1044 18^th ST NE Auburn, WA 98002) 

• Firwood Circle (313 37^th ST SE Auburn, WA 98002) 

Summer Meals Service Members will work to implement creative solutions that increase access to the Free Summer Meals program by increasing the days, hours, and frequency of meal site operations, while also facilitating hands-on educational activities to engage youth. Additional duties include conducting grassroots community outreach to get the word out about available food resources, which is imperative in breaking down barriers. This position will support summer retention, social and personal development activities, literacy development and STEAM enrichment. Summer Meals Service Members will support Neighborhood House summer programming with the preparation and the delivery/facilitation of activities. This includes program lessons and materials that span academic, enrichment, and social-emotional topics. Your service will aid in protecting participation and access to the Summer Meals program and help ensure that our community is able to thrive.  

As a part of this team, you will be supported with a robust orientation, ongoing training, and the tools and resources you need to be successful.  

Desired Qualifications:   

• Self-starters who are passionate about supporting their community and public service   

• Experience working with children in high-energy environments  

• Resourceful and adaptable 

• Ability to build relationships and effectively communicate information to a broad audience, including conducting outreach to parents, youth and other community members 

• Experience working with diverse populations and an ability to apply a racial equity lens towards anti-hunger work 

• Strong verbal communication and outreach to parents, youth and other community members  

• Ability to create a fun environment while following site and food service rules  

• Ability to attend and support community events at sister sites or local organizations to outreach summer meal opportunities 

• Comfortable with facilitating activities to small groups of youth that includes crafts, games, or outdoor activities 

• Ability to act as a positive role model for youth ranging from K-12 grade while setting appropriate boundaries 

Members will frequently move or lift boxes weighing up to 30 pounds. This position may frequently involve service in outdoor weather conditions, and may involve standing, walking, or moving around the service location for the duration of a shift. This position frequently communicates with staff and community members and must be able to exchange accurate information. 

AmeriCorps Eligibility:   

• Must work full-time, 40 hours/week from June 23, 2025 to August 24, 2025. 

• Be at least 18 years old upon start date. There is no upper age limit.  

• Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien.  

• Members will need to provide ID documents in order to enroll (social security card, plus a US passport, enhanced state ID, or green card. If you only have a regular state ID, you will need to provide a US birth certificate or certificate of naturalization). 

• Not be listed in the National Sex Offender Registry database as having been convicted of sex-related crimes; and not be convicted of murder  

• Be willing to undergo a criminal history background check, including fingerprints. AmeriCorps assesses criminal history on a case-by-case basis when determining applicant eligibility.  

• To be eligible for the Segal Education Award, candidates must have a high school diploma/equivalent or be working toward completing one during the service year  

• AmeriCorps members may have additional employment outside of AmeriCorps, but this employment should not interfere with service hours.  

   Benefits and Compensation:   

• Living allowance stipend of $1,385.18, every two weeks (pre-tax)  

• ACA compliant healthcare   

• Unlimited public transportation card  

• Paid time off: 2 personal days, 2 sick days, 1 federal holidays  

• Eligible to receive Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,565.08 pre-tax) after successful completion of your service year.   

• Childcare assistance (will not cover entire cost)  

• Member Assistance Program: mental health counseling, and access to personal and professional life resources  

• Loan forbearance and interest accrual repayment on qualified government student loans  

• Unique cohort experience, including a 3-day orientation  

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. If technology presents a barrier to applying, interviewing, or accepting the position, please reach out

To Apply: Create an application on My AmeriCorps Portal or click here: https://fightpoverty.formstack.com/forms/2025_summer_service_member_application

• 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.