Community and Program Associate (Innovative Initiatives) - ACC Member

Lead For America • Baltimore, MD

13d • $33,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The American Connection Corps (ACC), an AmeriCorps program of Lead For America (LFA), is a service fellowship program aimed at helping communities build the digital connectivity necessary to expand opportunity and economic mobility, ranging from healthcare access to quality employment. ACC Members spend a year serving with locally-rooted organizations, helping address the digital divide and strengthen access to opportunity. Through their service, they gain hands-on experience, build in-demand skills, and explore career pathways while making a tangible impact in their communities.

Innovative Initiatives, Inc.'s mission is to connect capital and leadership capacity to empower rural communities. They believe that rural communities can thrive when local economic development organizations (EDOs) are strong. The EDOs they work with need deeper connections, more flexible capital, and stronger leadership. To accomplish their mission, they partner with mission-focused funders and community-minded for-profit businesses to help expand their reach to rural places.

The ACC Member will support staff-led community outreach and engagement efforts that strengthen the nonprofit's capacity to connect with and serve community members across the region. Under the guidance and supervision of program staff, the Member will assist with outreach campaigns, help coordinate community events, support the collection and sharing of community feedback, and contribute to building lasting relationships between the organization and the populations it serves. Through these capacity-building activities, the Member will play a meaningful supportive role in expanding the organization's reach and impact.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Be 17 years of age or older by the start of service.
• Have not already served four (4) or more AmeriCorps State/National terms.
• Passion for community service and connecting your neighbors to the digital tools, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Interest in gaining experience in community development or digital inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Support staff in preparing and distributing outreach materials (flyers, social media content, newsletters) to raise awareness of programs and services.
• Assist with identifying and connecting with community partners, local organizations, faith communities, and neighborhood groups to broaden organizational reach through approved outreach activities and under staff direction.
• Help track outreach contacts and compile a summary of engagement data for staff review.
• Participate in tabling events, community fairs, and information sessions to share resources and gather community input.
• Assist staff with the planning and implementation of community engagement events, including logistics, participant engagement support, and materials preparation.
• Support the setup, facilitation, and breakdown of events, including workshops, listening sessions, and resource fairs.
• Compile post-event feedback and attendance summaries to share with program staff.
• Assist staff with maintaining and updating a database of community partners, stakeholders, and referral contacts.
• Support communications with partner organizations by helping prepare meeting agendas, document meeting notes, and prepare follow-up summaries for staff review.
• Help identify new stakeholders and community assets that may advance organizational goals, sharing findings with program leadership.
• Participate in coalition meetings or community working groups as a representative of the organization under staff direction and within the approved scope of AmeriCorps Member service activities.
• Assist staff in conducting an initial community listening tour in the first 1–2 months to gather input from a diverse range of community members.
• Help administer and distribute community surveys or feedback forms, and collect responses for staff analysis.
• Compile and organize data collected through outreach and engagement activities into clear summaries for staff.
• Share observations and emerging community themes with program staff to inform service delivery and approved program improvement efforts.
• Assist staff in identifying and compiling a community resource directory covering housing, food access, employment, healthcare, and other social services.
• Support the distribution of resource information at community events and through digital and print channels.
• Help community members navigate available resources by sharing information and directing them to appropriate staff contacts or established referral pathways, without determining eligibility for services or providing case management.
• Update and maintain resource materials under staff direction to ensure accuracy and accessibility.
• All functions and activities performed by the AmeriCorps Member are completed under the guidance, supervision, and direction of program and host site staff.

Benefits

• A $33,000 living stipend (dispersed bi-weekly over the course of the service term)
• A $7,395 Segal Education Award through AmeriCorps, which can be applied to education-related expenses after the program concludes (including repayment of qualifying student loans).
• Healthcare coverage (if applicable).
• Access to childcare benefits.
• Student loan forbearance during your year of service.
• Fully-funded ACC Winter Institute druing the year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED