VISTA Opportunity: Homeless Services Center in Santa Cruz
Help change the lives of homeless families and individuals in Santa Cruz, California. Through this Americorps VISTA position, you will organize and coordinate the efforts of volunteers at the Rebele Family Shelter and other emergency and transitional programs. This Volunteer Coordinator position also involves recruitment, training, recognition, and evaluation activities. You can develop a wide array of job and community service skills while earning Americorps education benefits along with basic compensation and health benefits
Specific Duties
Reorganize and improve the Homeless Services Center’s volunteer program
Develop and implement volunteer recruitment efforts in a diverse range of communities
Working with staff, develop additional volunteer opportunities
Develop and implement new volunteer training activities
Supervise volunteer activities and projects
Necessary Skills/Qualifications
Good oral communication skills
Ability to work comfortably with a wide range of people
Good writing skills Computer skills sufficient to maintain volunteer records
Commitment to serving very low-income families and individuals
Ability to understand and work within the social and cultural realities of the homeless community
The VISTA Experience
Experience working in a volunteer service situation. Americorps VISTA members serve full-time for one year with flexible work hours beginning in July of 2008. The Americorps VISTA program provides a modest living allowance (approximately $1000 per month), health insurance, a choice between a post-service stipend of $1,200.00 and an education award of $4725, relocation expenses, and reimbursement for travel. The Homeless Services Center will provide a small housing supplement to assist with your rent, if needed. Extensive training in volunteer management is also provided.
Goals of the Homeless Shelter
The Homeless Services Center is dedicated to the coordinated provision of services for homeless persons. The goal of the Homeless Services Center is to provide both emergency and transitional services to homeless individuals and families that will enable clients to achieve self-sufficiency.
There are four programs: The Rebele Family Shelter (emergency shelter for homeless families with children); Page Smith Community House (transitional housing for single adults); Emergency Shelter Program (day-to-day emergency shelter for homeless men and women); and the Day Resource Center (day time meal, hygiene, and support services for all members of the homeless community).
Contact Information
Please contact Associate Director Don Lane at dlane@scshelter.org for information.
More information about the Homeless Services Center can be found at www.scshelter.org.
Information about the VISTA program is at: http://www.americorps.org/for_individuals/overview/index.asp