Mentor AmeriCorps

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Service Position Title and Type: Mentor AmeriCorps (Minimum-time, 300 hours)

Purpose : Our House - Founded in 1987, Our House is a comprehensive program for the working homeless serving over 1,400 clients annually. Operating on a 7-acre campus in central Little Rock, Our House empowers homeless and near-homeless families and individuals to succeed in the workforce, in school, and in life through hard work, wise decision-making, and active participation in the community.

Service Position Summary:

The Mentor AmeriCorps Members will serve at Our House’s out-of-school program, called Our Club which serves school-age youth in grades Kindergarten-12th grade. Our Club operates every day after school and all day during school breaks (winter break, spring break) and teacher in-service days. Our Club also operates a Summer Program for eight weeks over the summer. The Mentor AmeriCorps Member will mentor a small group of youth in one of three homerooms K-2nd grade, 3rd-5th grade, and 6-12th grade. Mentor AmeriCorps Members will ensure the safety of all children in the program, help the youth with their homework and tutoring, establish strong bonds with the youth and families, and create an enriching, fun, and safe environment for the youth.

The Mentor AmeriCorps Member will serve to meet established outcomes goals for Our House’s AmeriCorps project, including serving at least 150 school-aged children in Our Club, working to ensure 100 youth complete at least one semester in the program, and helping at least 85 of those who stay for at least three months to maintain or improve their report card grades in literacy and math.

Essential Functions of Position:

• Serve directly with youth during Our Club program hours (including after-school, summer, school holidays, and evening programming) in one of three homerooms K-2 nd grade, 3 rd -5 th grade, 6-12 th grade.

• Provide homework help to youth in the program: K-2 nd grade, 3 rd -5 th grade, 6-12 th grade.

• Utilize our two-generation model and serve the youth and families of Our House.

• Serve to meet established outcomes goals for Our House’s AmeriCorps project, including: serving at least 150 school-aged children in Our Club, working to ensure 100 youth complete at least one semester in the program, and helping at least 85% of those who stay for at least three months to maintain or improve their report card grades in literacy and math.

• Serve collaboratively with other AmeriCorps members, VISTA volunteers, and staff members to implement programs, achieve and track outcomes, and other activities to benefit the clients and programs of Our House.

• Participate in AmeriCorps Days of Service and additional service projects as approved by the program director.

• Attend Our House AmeriCorps meetings led by the VISTA Leader.

• Attend weekly Our House staff meetings and other meetings as directed by the supervisor.

• All members will undergo all required criminal history checks: NSOPW, FBI, and Arkansas State Police, as well as other states, as necessary.

The above functions may be completed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Marginal Functions of Position:

• When called upon, members may be asked to support disaster response and/or recovery efforts as needed by the State of Arkansas.

• COVID-19 Response Activities : Assisting with classroom/equipment sanitization, assisting with client health entry screening, or providing virtual support to adult and youth clients receiving resources from home.

• Community Outreach Activities: Members may engage in activities that directly support the AmeriCorps Program. For example, assist with member recruitment; assist with public relations to introduce the AmeriCorps program to the community and develop community partnerships; assist with efforts to build a culture of service in Arkansas.

This position does not duplicate the work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of workers, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in force, or an employee who is on leave.

AmeriCorps Eligibility: AmeriCorps eligibility requires that participants must be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States; be high school graduates, GED recipients, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service; and satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check criteria.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: The Mentor AmeriCorps Member will be thoroughly committed to Our House’s mission. All candidates must enjoy working with school-age youth, have a positive attitude, and serve as role models for the children in the program.

Other Requirements: AmeriCorps members serving at Our House must be vaccinated against COVID-19, willing to get vaccinated upon acceptance of the position, or meet the legal requirements for an exemption.

Academic and Experience Qualifications: High school diploma or GED required; a youth development background and/or relevant college courses preferred.

Service Conditions : This service is performed primarily indoors. This is a physically active role where you will engage with children in grades K-12.

Commitment Required: 5-10 hours a week for an twelve (12) month term beginning September 5, 2023, to August 23, 2024, for a total of 300 hours;

Orientation and Training:

• On-site Our House orientation

• First Aid/CPR

• Naptime Academy

• Conscious Discipline

• AmeriCorps Arkansas Training

• Any other training deemed necessary by the supervisor and/or Program Director

AmeriCorps Program Benefits:

• $1,459.26 Segal Education Award at the end of a successful service term
• Student Loan forbearance

Evaluation and Reporting:

AmeriCorps Member will participate in mid-term and end-of-term evaluation and review. AmeriCorps Member will submit their hours on a bi-weekly basis, write quarterly reflections, and attend quarterly meetings.

For more information:

• Paige Krueger, National Service Program Manager, 501-374-7383 ext. 168
• For more information about AmeriCorps State and National, go to https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-state-national/become-member .

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information and military service

Updated June 2023