AmeriCorps* VISTA Volunteer
Community Strengthening Against Foreclosures
Lawrence, MA
Lawrence CommunityWorks Homeownership Education Center seeks an outstanding individual to provide one year of service through AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). Our VISTA volunteers will receive a small monthly living allowance made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. LCW is a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to support families and communities impacted by the current mortgage foreclosure crisis. Our AmeriCorps* VISTAs will function as a core part of our staff devoted to bringing low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.
The VISTA will conduct activities such as recruiting and training volunteers for outreach to families at risk of foreclosure, developing training manuals, scheduling classes or raising program resources. The VISTA will connect closely with other volunteers that are part of this national program to reduce the number of foreclosures, stabilize communities affected by foreclosures, and protect and build personal and community assets in low- and moderate-income communities.
This position requires a commitment to serve as a full-time employee for one full year. Compensation is paid directly to VISTA Leaders in the form of a living allowance from AmeriCorp* VISTA. Health insurance is provided. At the end of the term of service, an education award or cash stipend may be provided. For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA, see:
Training and Qualifications
- U.S. Citizen at least 18 years of age
- Responsible, self-motivated, and able to handle multiple on-going projects
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Relevant non-profit or community development experience
- Computer skills required (MS Office products proficiency helpful)
- Other language skills a plus
- Ability to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment and follow-through
- Maintains regular and timely attendance
- Thrives in a fast-paced work environment
Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2009.
Program Position Description:
The goal of the VISTA Member is to assist the organization develop a communication and support homeowner network that will lead to greater participation and neighborhood stability among these homeowners as well as expand marketing and outreach efforts for the organization’s foreclosure intervention and Post-purchase services. The VISTA Member will accomplish this goal in part by helping to helping to expand LCW’s Neighbor Circle model to homeowners, by developing and coordinating support volunteers and by conducting local market research and personal interviews. The VISTA Member will also coordinate a series of homeowner meetings with volunteers to focus on relationship building and connect homeowners to resources and to each other.
- Developing and implementing a Marketing Plan to outreach to and connect recent homebuyers to LCW’s Home Safe Post-Purchase Education and other workshops provided by LCW
- Develop a process and volunteers to set up the LCW Homebuyer “Wall of Fame.”
- Conduct information gathering via group forums or personal interviews to determine needs of homeowners
- Become trained as a Neighbor Circle facilitator to understand the program process and function
- Serve as liaison between CAM and Neighbor Circles coordinators and the Homeownership Department.
- Coordinate foreclosure prevention discussions among homeowners, that will assess their needs, and provide feedback to LCW Homeownership staff.
- Develop process that will connect homeowners to leadership development initiatives conducted by LCW’s Network Organizing Forum Dept.
- Develop a new LCW Homeownership Center Informational Brochure and Resource Guide.