AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer
Community Strengthening Against Foreclosures
Lawrence, MA
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Lawrence CommunityWorks Family Asset Building Department 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. 
 
­­­­­­­In response to the growing foreclosure crisis in our area, Lawrence CommunityWorks will enhance its current programs to serve more families in need. We have been offering community building, housing, Financial Literacy, credit and budget counseling to low and moderate-income families for more than 8 years.  Now, when our community is especially gripped by foreclosures and their devastating impacts on the broader economic market, our efforts to support families have been redoubled with workshops and direct outreach to families in need. We are part of a national program in which VISTAs will be placed at community-based organizations (NeighborWorks Organizations or NWOs) around the country. Working together through NeighborWorks America, more than 150 VISTAs will build on a 30 year track record of working with communities to spur reinvestment and bring program expertise, research, and infrastructure support to maximize and replicate successful strategies. The VISTAs will generally build the capacity of NeighborWorks organizations (NWOs) 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.
 
Program Position Description:
 
          Under the VISTA program sponsored by NeighborWorks America, LCW will administer a project to reduce foreclosures, strengthen our Lawrence community affected by foreclosures, and protect and build personal and community assets in the low to moderate income community of Lawrence.
 
The VISTA Member will accomplish this goal in part by helping to expand the Asset Building education to low-income individuals and families, by developing and coordinating support volunteers and by conducting local market research. The VISTA Member will also coordinate a series of Asset Building Fairs with volunteers to connect low-income individuals and homeowners to resources and to each other.
 
  • Develop and implement a Marketing Plan to outreach to and connect Low-income participants to LCW’s Home Safe Post-Purchase Education and other workshops provided by LCW
  • Work with the Family Asset Building staff to strengthen financial education and personal asset building programs and promote awareness of financial education services, IDA programs, credit and homebuyer counseling, etc.
  • Help develop partnerships and collaborations (e.g., with churches, synagogues, mosques, community banks and credit unions, Schools, community colleges, etc.).
  • Become trained as a “Wallet Wise” Financial Literacy facilitator to understand the program process and function
  • Develop and Implement an IDA Success Stories collection system.
  • Develop process that will connect Individuals to leadership development initiatives conducted by LCW’s Network Organizing Forum Dept.
  • Develop a new Community Resource Guide.
 
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 
 
http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/programs/americorps_vista.asp.
 
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.