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Industry: Hospitality, Human Services & Education

Type of Job: Hospitality, Human Services & Education

Type: Internship

Location: In-Person in Durango

Age Requirement: 18 and Up

$ Paid

Starts: Sep. 9, 2024

Ends: Aug. 31, 2025

Hours Per Week: 40

Available Days of the Week: Monday

Available Time of Day: Generally follows school schedule with some variance

Description

Program Overview:  Led by the United Way of SWCO (UWSWC),  Team UP AmeriCorps places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Southwest Colorado.  While these members serve as part of a regional cohort and participate in regional cohort trainings and activities,  they spend the majority of their term serving directly at a specific host site organization.  Through collaborative service,  Team UP AmeriCorps members develop their own professional skills and passions,  expand effectiveness of southwest Colorado organizations,  and ultimately support people to thrive.  Team UP has been utilizing collective impact initiatives since 2015 to collaborate across sectors and promote communication towards common goals within rural Southwest Colorado communities.

 

Compañeros:  Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center is a grassroots organization committed to empowering immigrants and their families in Southwest Colorado through resource navigation,  education,  and community engagement.  Founded in 1999 to prevent the construction of an immigration detention center in La Plata County,  Compañeros has evolved into a vital community resource.  Programs include resource navigation,  helping clients access essential services;  education outreach,  offering workshops and after-school programs like “La Escuelita”  to support immigrant children;  legal services,  providing assistance through the Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation program;  and community engagement,  fostering coalitions and promoting social justice initiatives.  Serving around 800 clients annually,  Compañeros addresses a wide range of needs,  from healthcare and legal assistance to education and community organizing and positively impacts approximately 3,000-4,000 local residents.  Through our culturally competent,  community-informed approach,  Compañeros strives to create a diverse,  empowered,  and liberated community of thriving immigrants.

 

Service Position Summary:  Compañeros is seeking a dedicated and passionate individual to join their team as the Youth Program Expansion Coordinator,  specifically to support the expansion of “La Escuelita,”  the after-school program for immigrant children.   La Escuelita collaborates with Fort Lewis College and various local organizations like the Mountain Studies Institute and Powerhouse Science Center,  to provide tutoring,  activities,  and excursions in a bilingual and culturally-competent environment.  Serving some of the most at-risk and disadvantaged kids in the area,  La Escuelita helps broaden their horizons and offers crucial support.  With a current combined attendance of approximately 500 at workshops and presentations,  and around 50 children participating in La Escuelita each year,  this program is committed to creating a positive and enriching experience for our community’s youth.  There is increasing demand for this program.  To meet this need,  the Program Expansion Coordinator will serve to build upon current programming and implement new initiatives as described below.

Responsibilities

 

Duties and Responsibilities:  Team UP AmeriCorps members serve directly at their Host Site organization to develop,  implement,  and enhance programs,  projects,  and activities through direct and indirect service.  Duties include:

  • Expand La Escuelita,  including but not limited to:
    • Increasing programming to run 4 days/week
    • Finding and organizing transportation
    • Expanding partnerships with local community organizations that work in youth education
    • Expanding the music program
    • Outreach to and coordinator volunteers,  with specific focus on college students
    • Create,  develop,  and implement a summer La Escuelita program
  • Create and track goals and metrics of both students and programming to ensure continuous improvement and success.
    • Measured Outputs include but are not limited to:
      • Program Participation
      • Session Attendance
      • Volunteer Engagement
    • Measured Outcomes include but are not limited to:
      • Academic Progress
      • Behavioral Changes
      • Parental Involvement
  • Member may participate in approved fundraising activities (for no more than 10%  of their total service hours)  to directly support member’s projects and programs within La Escuelita
  • Support expansion at Compañeros programs outside of La Escuelita as they relate to the goals of supporting youth and families
  • Track additional AmeriCorps data,  as required by state and Federal reporting requirements
  • Attend Team UP AmeriCorps regional trainings,  cohort connection days,  and Days of Service

 

Physical,  Emotional,  and Intellectual Demands:

  • Willingness to learn,  adapt,  and grow in a position
  • Ability to serve independently,  take initiative,  and be motivated by the projects they are doing
  • Compassion and awareness:  self-awareness,  awareness of cultural differences,  social differences and understanding of implicit bias
  • Strong commitment to justice,  equity,  diversity and inclusion

Qualifications / Career Path

Desired Qualifications:

  • Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;  computer literate
  • Comfortable working with elementary and school-aged children
  • Reliable transportation &  proof of auto insurance
  • Host Site requirements:
    • Bilingual in English &  Spanish
  • AmeriCorps requirements:
    • High School Graduate required (GED accepted,)  college graduate or equivalent work experience preferred
    • Ability to pass criminal history check
    • U.S.  Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required  

 

Term of Service -  Time Commitment:  This is a Full-Time national and community service position requiring,  at a minimum,  a total of 1700 hours during the year (approximately 40 hours/week.)  The position begins September 9,  2024 and ends August 31,  2025.  Flexible hours are required,  including occasional evening and weekend commitments.  Service on the following dates is required:

 

  • September 9-10:  Team UP AmeriCorps Member Orientation
  • September 11:  Host Site Orientation
  • October TDB:  Fall Group Service Day
  • Jan.  20 :  MLK Jr.  Day of Service Event
  • March 31:  Cesar Chavez Day of Service Event
  • 2nd Tuesdays of Nov,  Feb,  April,  &  June:  regional Team UP AmeriCorps Member Trainings

 

Training and Support Provided:  Team UP AmeriCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement,  project implementation,  leadership,  diverse populations,  and more.  Up to 20%  of total hours served may be spent in applicable,  approved trainings.  Members will be supervised and supported by Compañeros Co-Executive Director Enrique Orozco-Perez,  enrique@companeros.org,  as well as by Team UP AmeriCorps program staff.  The PY 24-25 cohort of Team UP AmeriCorps members serving throughout the region will also act as additional resources and support for each other.

Specific Host Site Training and Support:  Compañeros prioritizes the thorough training of AmeriCorps members to ensure they thrive in their roles within La Escuelita and our broader educational support programs for immigrant children.  Our training plan is meticulously designed to offer robust support both at the beginning of their service term and continuously throughout the year.

Host Site Orientation:

  • Program Overview:Comprehensive orientation covering Compañeros’  mission,  values,  and organizational structure,  emphasizing the goals and objectives of La Escuelita.
  • Position-Specific Training:  Detailed instruction on the AmeriCorps member’s responsibilities within La Escuelita,  including tutoring methodologies,  activity planning,  and organizing excursions tailored to the needs of immigrant children.
  • Cultural Competency:  Training sessions focused on cultural sensitivity,  enabling members to better understand the backgrounds and challenges faced by immigrant families and children in our community.
  • Collaborative Partnerships:  Introduction to strategic partnerships with Fort Lewis College,  Mountain Studies Institute,  Powerhouse Science Center,  and other local organizations engaged in youth education and outdoor activities.

Ongoing Professional Development:

  • Language Justice Training:  Workshops emphasizing equitable language access and support for bilingual communities.
  • Immigration and Immigrant Youth Workshops:  Sessions exploring key issues and strategies for supporting immigrant youth effectively.
  • Bilingual Education Techniques:  Training sessions on effective educational approaches for bilingual students,  promoting language development and academic success.
  • Trauma-Informed Care Trainings:  Trainings and workshops focusing on trauma-informed practices to better support students who may have experienced trauma.

Certifications:

  • Bridging The Gap Interpretation Training:  Potential sponsorship for the 42-hour interpretation training program,  enhancing members’  abilities to facilitate effective communication in multicultural settings.

Location and Service Conditions:  This position is based at 1099 Main Avenue #215 in Durango,  CO 81301.  Frequent other off-site engagement and partnership activities are required.

 

Benefits:

  • A living allowance of approx.  $1,000/per pay period (twice per month).  Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
  • An education award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of term of service.
  • Health Insurance
  • Childcare Assistance,  if qualifications are met
  • It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member
  • Mileage reimbursement for travel to required AmeriCorps trainings and gatherings
  • Non-tangible benefits including extensive training,  valuable experience,  networking,  and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need

 

Diversity and Equal Opportunity:  United Way values the diversity of our community.   In principle and in practice the diverse nature of our board,  staff,  and volunteers is recognized as one of our best assets.   We respect each individual’s unique gifts and prohibit unfair or discriminatory practices against anyone because of age,  race,  color,  religion,  national origin,  disability,  gender,  sexual orientation,  and any other protected category.

 

To Apply:

Email a cover letter and resume to Team UP AmeriCorps Coordinator Anne Poirot @   AnneP@unitedway-swco.org.  Be sure to indicate which position(s)  you are interested in.

 

View all open positions at https://www.unitedway-swco.org/open-americorps-positions

 

 

 

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