AmeriCorps VISTA - Employment Readiness Services (Hartford, CT)

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All applications must be submitted through the following link: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=74697&fromSearch=true

The Employment Readiness Services program will run in partnership with the Goodwill Career Centers (GCC). Goodwill operates 10 Career Centers offering free services throughout western and northern Connecticut and can improve our services to meet the needs of new U.S. residents.

In two of the cities we serve (Bridgeport and Hartford), VISTAs will connect with the community, survey resources and sample populations, and contribute to the cultural competency of our organization through program development. VISTAs will work to improve the services available for new U.S. residents and the other local organizations that serve them. New U.S. residents, comprising 13.7% of the total population, can struggle with financial literacy and empowerment, obtaining and sustaining employment, and knowledge of community resources. Of this population, 1 in 10 are living in poverty and on average earn less than native-born residents. This is why we need YOU!

Primary goals of the VISTAs will be to contribute to program design and curriculum development that assist new U.S. residents in being able to thrive in Connecticut through employment and community connections. VISTAs will assist in achieving this through developing training for staff in cultural competency, creating a population-specific financial literacy curriculum, and by building community partners to strengthen the network of services for new U.S. residents.

Work Schedule: Full Time.

Education Level: Minimum Associates degree.

Age Requirement: Minimum 18 years old

Program Location(s): Bridgeport or Hartford, CT, some travel required

Member Duties: VISTAs will build relationships and gather information for the financial needs of local new U.S. residents. VISTAs will build a sustainable cultural competency staff training program.
Program Awareness - Identify organizations, perform outreach to existing partners, and build new relationships.
Community Assessments - Create Community Assessment tool, interview key persons, identify services available and best practices, analyze data, create report and share strategies.
Persons-Served Assessments - Create a Persons-Served Assessment, survey individuals, determine financial literacy needs, analyze data, create report and share strategies.
Assessment of Data - Survey individuals on perceived cultural competency, meet with community partners and Goodwill's team.
Create Content - Evaluate current Goodwill cultural competency trainings, identify gaps, and apply research findings to improve content.
Implementation - Arrange and host focus groups, serve as point-person for team.

Program Benefits: Stipend, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend.

Terms: Car recommended, Permits working at another job during off hours, Permits attendance at school during off hours.

Service Areas: Community and Economic Development, Community Outreach.

Skills: Education, Social Services, General Skills, Team Work, Writing/Editing, Community Organization.