Adoptions PR and Marketing AmeriCorps VISTA

Our History

In 1879, Father Bernard Donnelly established Mount St. Bernard’s Orphanage in Kansas City. With that one act of faith, hope and charity, many lives — and a community — were transformed.

And, from that humble beginning a strong tradition of compassionate care and social service took root, thrived, and grew to become Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Catholic Charities empowers at risk people to create a pathway out of poverty by alleviating their immediate crises to create stability; then providing robust support to lift them to dignity and self-reliance.

Today, millions of lives have been transformed, in the communities we serve.

We have office locations in the Kansas City metro-area, St. Joseph, Missouri, a Food Pantry in Kansas City and another in Cameron, Missouri, while serving a 27-county region.

Mission

Helping people move to a better life through hope-filled care, services, and advocacy; calling all those of goodwill to join us.

Vision

By lifting people in need to the dignity of self-reliance, and encouraging others to help, our communities will become one human family.

Values

Hope/Faith, Trust, Commitment, Collaboration

Program Overview

The AmeriCorps VISTA – Adoptions PR & Marketing Capacity Builder will strengthen the public relations, marketing, and outreach infrastructure of the Adoptions Department to increase community awareness, family inquiries, and long-term program sustainability. This role focuses exclusively on capacity building, not direct client services, by developing marketing systems, outreach tools, and messaging strategies that support ethical, mission-aligned adoption services for families impacted by poverty and instability.   

This VISTA program provides a living allowance of $957.46, bi-weekly, that enables each member to live very frugally, like members of the communities they are serving. 

For more information about the VISTA program and to apply, please visit:  Volunteer Benefits | AmeriCorps This link will explain all of the information/benefits VISTA employees would receive, in addition to the living allowance listed.  

This position is listed under Catholic Charities USA, job ID #131196, 26-27 Kansas City Adoptions PR & Marketing.  

This VISTA position is a full time one that will be based on site at Catholic Charities of Kansas City - St. Joseph's main Kansas City office, located at 8001 Longview Rd., Kansas City, MO 64134. This position is based on a 38-hour compressed work week, hours are M-Th 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.  The agency is closed on Fridays.  This position may be eligible for a remote hybrid schedule after 90 days.  

Member Activities (Capacity-Building Only) 

The VISTA member will not provide direct client services, counseling, or casework. All activities focus on systems-building and sustainability. 

Essential Duties

Marketing & Communications Development 

• Support development of adoption-specific marketing materials, messaging guides, and outreach content. 
• Assist with drafting and organizing content for newsletters, website updates, and social media related to adoption awareness. 
• Help ensure adoption messaging aligns with Catholic Charities branding, mission, and ethical adoption standards.  

Public Relations & Outreach Systems 

• Develop outreach toolkits for parishes, community partners, and referral sources (e.g., talking points, flyers, digital content). 
• Assist in documenting outreach workflows and engagement strategies to support consistency over time. 
• Support planning of awareness campaigns tied to adoption-related observances or recruitment efforts.  

Data Tracking & Marketing Evaluation 

• Assist in organizing and tracking adoption inquiry data related to marketing and outreach efforts. 
• Help analyze trends in inquiries and engagement to inform future marketing strategies. 
• Develop simple tracking tools to monitor outreach effectiveness and support leadership decision-making. 

Systems Documentation & Sustainability 

• Document marketing processes, outreach timelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). 
• Create reusable templates and guides that staff can maintain after the VISTA term concludes. 
• Identify opportunities to strengthen long-term visibility and outreach capacity within the Adoptions Department.  

Capacity-Building Outcomes 

As a result of the VISTA’s service: 

• The Adoptions Department will have clearer, more consistent marketing and outreach systems. 
• Program leadership will have improved tools to track and evaluate outreach effectiveness. 
• Community awareness of ethical, mission-aligned adoption services will increase. 
• Sustainable marketing and PR infrastructure will remain in place beyond the VISTA term.  Program Development & Systems Building.

Required:

• Interest in marketing, communications, public relations, nonprofit administration, or social services. 
• Strong written communication and organizational skills. 
• Comfort with basic digital tools (content drafting, spreadsheets, simple analytics). 
• Ability to work independently within a structured work plan. 
• Commitment to Catholic Charities’ mission and Catholic Social Teachings.

AmeriCorps VISTA Requirements 

• Position is capacity-building only and does not include direct service. 
• Full-time service commitment for one year. 
• Participation in required AmeriCorps VISTA trainings and activities. 
• Adherence to all AmeriCorps policies and prohibited activities guidelines.  
• Commitment to the AmeriCorps VISTA mission of alleviating poverty.

While performing job duties, staff will:

• Follow the Catholic Social and Moral Teachings in all aspects while performing job duties.
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and resolve conflict to achieve the greater good.
• Respect the diversity of talents and gifts of others and believe in cultivating those to promote personal and professional development.
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment for helping others improve their own lives.
• Adheres to our values of Hope/Faith, Trust, Commitment, Collaboration.