Volunteer In Service to America (VISTA) AmeriCorps Program Team Capacity and Impact Builder

Description

 Are you ready to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families struggling with food insecurity? We are thrilled to announce a VISTA opportunity serving Connecticut Foodshare serving the alongside the program team. This role builds capacity in our Mobile Pantry and Senior Commodity Supplemental Food Programs.   
Connecticut Foodshare is the food bank serving 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 contribute to driving community awareness, garnering support, leveraging research, and engaging 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 scheduled to start in June 2025. VISTAs are provided with a living allowance and other benefits detailed below.* 

Position Summary: The VISTA project will work to address poverty by increasing participation in the food banks’ two direct service food programs: The Mobile Pantry program which serves people at over 100 locations across the state and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) which distributes food boxes to low-income seniors at 67 sites in Connecticut. The VISTA member will build capacity at these programs by identifying ways to better promote the programs to food insecure individuals who could benefit from participation as well as making improvements so that programs better meet the needs of participants. These improvements will positively impact thousands of people who use these programs every month. The VISTA will develop systems to improve the quality of experience at the sites and increase the value of the program to participants.
The ideal candidate would have a passion for addressing social justice issues with dignity and creating a thriving community free of hunger. The candidate should be an excellent communicator with verbal and written styles and the ability to collaborate in a team setting. The candidate should be a self-starter, organized, and the ability to multi-task.

This position will be assigned to the Wallingford facility and reports to the Director of Community Programs. The candidate must have reliable transportation as some statewide travel occurs. Mileage reimbursement is available.  

Responsibilities: This position requires a caring person, able to connect in a genuine way with people from every demographic. Someone who radiates respect and compassion, is direct, honest and comfortable speaking to groups of people. Good Microsoft Office skills and the ability to troubleshoot and improve processes is preferred. Statewide travel required with mileage reimbursed. Transportation required.
Projects include, but not limited to: 

• Visit Mobile Pantry and  CSFP sites to understand program objectives, practices, and challenges
• Develop Mobile Pantry Instructional videos  demonstrating best practices for serving guests at mobiles. 
• Expand Lead volunteer recruitment at mobile sites (emphasis on Spanish on some sites) 
• Support our food insecure neighbors by recruitment of more than food resource partners/ third parties that are wanted and needed at mobile pantry and CSFP sites 
• Expand the offering of more than food resources by refining third party tracking process 
• Enhance process improvements to the Commodity Supplemental Food Program as indicated by the Management Evaluation by      DSS.
• Document lessons learned and recommendations for future program improvements to prepare for next VISTA year

Benefits: 

• A biweekly living allowance ( living allowance rate listed by state & county)   
• 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 through the National School of Service program
• 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 

Requirements

Minimum Education/Experience:

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

Preferred Education/Experience

• 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