Way Finders - AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Community Outreach VISTA (Holyoke

At Way Finders, we are passionately invested in lifting up the region’s people, places, and systems. Though our team performs a wide variety of functions, we are united by our shared mission: to build and advocate for a thriving region; to improve the stability and economic mobility of families and individuals; and to develop and manage a robust range of safe, affordable housing options. Community Outreach VISTA The Community Outreach VISTA will strengthen systems that increase resident participation, expand leadership opportunities, and improve access to community resources in Springfield and Holyoke. Applicants must have a commitment to serving communities experiencing poverty; strong communication and organizational skills; an ability to manage multiple projects; and be comfortable working with people from varied backgrounds and communities. The Community Outreach VISTA will support coordination efforts for resident-led coalitions. For more information: Responsibilities include: Increase access to community resources through resident engagement, building strategic and sustainable communication systems, developing neighborhood leaders, and strengthening volunteerism Collaborate with staff to develop and implement communications and volunteer recruitment strategies and campaigns Attend assigned meetings for outreach and storytelling: capture and organize photos, stories, and interviews; ensure participant permission is obtained; post and distribute as serves the larger goal Develop systems and templates for social media and outreach communications to increase program visibility Clean and organize listservs and contact databases to ensure accurate and effective outreach Design flyers, presentations, and outreach materials for meetings and events Organize and standardize resource materials and marketing tools for outreach Develop systems for post-event follow-up, including thank-you communications, sharing highlights, and promoting continued engagement Create a feedback collection system to evaluate events and improve future programming Conduct focus groups with past participants to assess current training programs and identify improvements Facilitate collaborative planning sessions with Community Building and Engagement (CBE) staff and resident leaders Assist in the development and coordination of an enhanced resident leadership training series. Support the implementation of pilot training sessions in Springfield and Holyoke Develop systems for tracking participation, outcomes, and feedback Document training curricula and processes to ensure sustainability beyond the VISTA term Establish and support a resident volunteer appreciation event planning committee with resident advocates and staff; highlight volunteer impact and contributions; create tools and systems for ongoing volunteer recognition and engagement Conduct research on quality-of-life issues identified by residents; develop and present reports and summaries to staff and resident groups Build and leverage partnerships with external organizations and community groups Hiring Requirements/Preferences Exceptional coordination and organizational skills with the ability to lead others in expanding and sustaining community resources Strong oral and written communication skills Adept with technology including in training others on basic processes Enthusiasm for advocacy work Ability to multi-task, manage priorities, and work both independently and as part of a team Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) preferred but not required AmeriCorps VISTAs receive a living allowance, and an educational award or cash stipend at the end of the year. Way Finders is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position is available to all without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or veteran status. We provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals. #J-18808-Ljbffr Way Finders, Inc.