Food Access Fellowship

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Program Overview

The City of Philadelphia’s Food Access Fellowship program offers an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate-level students to contribute to fighting hunger in Philadelphia’s most vulnerable populations. Food Access Fellows engage in capacity-building work with identified meal providers and facilitate collaboration with social service organizations. Fellows help to increase both the quantity and quality of emergency meals served in Philadelphia, as well as the interconnectedness of social service organizations. In the process, Fellows will gain valuable experience for careers in City government and the non-profit sector. The position is housed within the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services (OHS).

Please note that this is an unpaid position which occurs during the Fall of 2019. Fellows must commit to working 12-15 hours per week from September 20th through December, 2019. Some of these hours will be spent in the OHS office and some will be spent at meal sites or off-site meetings.

Objectives

• Increase access to meals/food in safe and dignified spaces

• Increase connections to social and health services in meal spaces
• Increase nutrition of meals/food provided
• Address food insecurity through volunteerism and outreach

Responsibilities

• Organizing and engaging members of the meal provider network to build relationships and strengthen partnerships
• Collecting and analyzing data on emergency meal providers and guests
• Working with meal providers to increase skills and organizational capacity
• Facilitating connections to social services
• Aiding organizations in the development of a network of resources and outreach
• Other research and duties as assigned

Qualifications

Applicants must be an undergraduate or graduate student to be considered and should have a strong background in one of the following: social work, human services, community development, public administration, public policy, public health, urban planning, urban studies, statistics, political science, or nonprofit management. Strong written and verbal communication, problem solving skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are required. Weekend availability is a must. Ability to continue fellowship through the Spring 2020 semester is a plus.

Application and Interview Process

The Office of Homeless Services will contact you upon assessment of your cover letter and resume if you are selected for an interview. Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 13th, 2019. We accept applicants on a rolling basis and interviews take place as applications are received.

Please send a copy of your resume and cover letter to amara.oconnell@phila.gov . Hard copy applications will not be accepted. The subject line of your email should read: [Last Name, First Name] Food Access Fellowship.