VISTA – Collaboration & Resource

Connecticut Foodshare Inc•Wallingford Center, CT

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

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. Note this is a full-time, one year volunteer assignment. VISTAs are provided with a living allowance and other benefits detailed below. 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

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