Volunteer Coordinators are members of DREAM's DreamCorps and a part of regional teams. DREAM strives to achieve our mission of closing the opportunity gap for children in low-income housing (which is a root cause of why almost half of low-income children become low-income adults) by building trusting mentoring relationships, providing summer enrichment and out-of-school experiences, and investing in post-secondary support. Volunteer Coordinators serve by supporting Youth Service Managers with training, supporting and recruiting volunteer mentors from college campuses. A two year commitment is preferred, but not required.
DREAM is committed to serving our youth with culturally appropriate programming. We seek members who contribute to the diversity and excellence of The DREAM Program and who foster an inclusive environment.
Objectives:
- Build a relationship with every volunteer mentor.
- Volunteer mentors express a passion for and an understanding of social and racial justice as it pertains to the opportunity gap for low income youth.
- Volunteer mentors understand the Village Mentoring model and their role as a mentor.
- Volunteer mentors have the resources and training to provide a high quality mentoring experience.
- Campus mentoring programs operate effectively as a student-led group and campus club.
Key Results for Term:
- 100% of assigned mentors express they have had a conversation with the VC by February 28, 2021.
- 100% of mentor meetings assigned by YSM are attended by and reported on by the VC.
- Three volunteer training sessions are completed and ready to be presented by February 28, 2021, as measured by trainee comprehension surveys.
- 100% of training participants express comprehension of subject matter as measured by a comprehension survey by March 1, 2021.
- 100% of volunteer mentors assigned are compliant with background screening policy by December 1, 2020 or within 3 weeks of enrollment.
- 100% of summer enrichment coordinator volunteer positions are filled by May 1, 2021.
- 50% of summer enrichment coordinator volunteer positions are filled by mentors by May 1, 2021.
- 100% of training sessions for summer enrichment coordinators are complete by June 1, 2021.
The experience:
- Developing a relationship with and assisting/responding to the direction/needs of the YSM and the campus mentor programs is critical to success.
- Members should expect to serve late morning into the evening hours on multiple days of service - the other days will be on a more traditional office schedule (9-5, for instance) - a regular schedule will be created.
- Evening times will be spent in meetings with and conversing with volunteers and mentors, as well as conducting training.
- Preparation for training and meetings is completed prior to arriving in the training or meeting.
- Communication with and mentors and partners occurs every week (or more frequently as circumstances may direct).
- Recruit, prepare and communicate with a summer enrichment volunteer corps for our summer activities (this is a large portion of responsibilities and critical to the success of the position).
- Attendance at weekly experience/support meeting.
- Weekly member professional/experience enrichment activity.
- Participate as a member of one committee.
- Summer months will transition to supporting the YSM and the summer enrichment coordinators in creating and delivering activities that fight the “summer slide” and build engagement, academic enrichment and fun for youth (daily and weekly schedule will likely change to support activity times).
Position type/expected hours of work: This is an AmeriCorps position with a negotiable term length (options below). A commitment must be made to serve the assigned volunteers for a calendar year. The minimum amount of hours is required by AmeriCorps to receive the end-of-term education award. For successful completion of the service term, DREAM indicates an average number of hours per week of service, through the end-of-term date indicated on the member agreement. Some terms include regular evenings and occasional weekend events over the course of the academic year (including quarterly overnight member retreats). During the summer season, when school is out, the position experiences a transition in hours and service. While there is no maximum hours – DREAM expects members to continue serving average hours a week for the service term chosen until the end-of-term date of their service commitment – DREAM encourages a healthy work/life balance, including taking vacation, lunch time and other time off.
- Service term options:
- Half Term (full time hours - average 39.5 hours/week - 900 hour min. requirement)
- February 8, 2021 - August 20, 2021
- $8,458.38 ($604.17 every two weeks)
- Additional monthly housing stipend for the entire term (delivered directly to housing provider, monthly.
- AmeriCorps Segal Education Award (upon successful completion of 900 hours, minimum): $3,097.50
- Applicants are encouraged to consider continuing service with the DREAM Program by continuing the position from Fall 2021-Summer 2022. Feel free to discuss this option with your primary point of contact throughout the application process.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position supports volunteers and AmeriCorps members, but does not have any direct reports.
Work environment/physical demands: This position operates in multiple spaces. The spaces included may have characteristics similar to a professional office environment, an indoor/outdoor environment with active children and students, a community center, a classroom/campus, and/or the homes of our members and/or participants. This role routinely uses standard office/school equipment (such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and printers) as well as equipment characteristic of an outdoor youth day camp (pop-up shade canopies/tents, hand tools, food preparation equipment, storage spaces and sports equipment/toys).
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee/member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
This position requires comfort working in outdoor environments, regardless of the weather. This position can be very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing. While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear. The employee/member must occasionally lift and/or move items over 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Travel: Travel includes local travel (colleges, partners and communities with which we work) and regional travel (visiting other DREAM geographies and for retreats and special events) during the work hours described. Out-of-the-area and overnight travel will be expected.
Required qualifications:
- Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.A. due to AmeriCorps requirements.
- Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service OR be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service participating in a program
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent OR not have dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant (and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award) OR obtain a waiver from the Corporation OR be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis
- Members must agree to the following Criminal History Checks to be performed in order to serve as an AmeriCorps Member: NSOPW (Public Sex Offender) Check, Statewide Criminal Repository Checks (for State of Service and State of Residence), and FBI fingerprint-based Criminal History Check. The member is aware that that their identity must be verified with a government-issued photo ID. The results of these checks will be kept confidential, but could affect eligibility to serve in AmeriCorps.
- First aid and CPR certification by the time summer sessions begin.
Preferred qualifications/experience:
- Experience working or living in a diverse and inclusive environment with elevated, demonstrated awareness of issues of social equity and social and racial justice.
- Demonstrated practice or education serving diverse communities or populations of people of color in an equitable manner and a manner that is respectful and aware of the community's experience.
- Experience supporting the recruiting, training, experience and nuance of a volunteer experience.
- Experience designing and delivering training to volunteer groups.
- Experience communicating remotely using technology.
- Computer proficiency: comfort with Microsoft Office apps, Google's GSuite and email communication; Salesforce CRM experience; accounting software experience.
- Exceptional communication and facilitation skills with a focus on direct communication.
- Demonstrated ability to manage time and set priorities while giving consideration to those serving, your fellow team members, the organization, and the self.
- Current driver’s license, proof of insurance, and clean driving record.
Helpful experience:
- Creativity, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
- A contagious energy for DREAM’s work.
- Comfortable working in an outdoor environment in all seasons.
AAP/EEO Statement: The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
At will employment: The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.
Other duties: Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee/member for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Terms and benefits:
- Living stipend stated above in term options.
- End of term of service education award upon successful completion and exit of term ($6,195.00 for full term and $3,097.50 for half term)
- Student loan forbearance and interest payments forbearance, if qualified.
- Child care assistance, if eligible.
- Access to support programs with regard to health care assistance, food assistance, rent assistance, energy assistance, public transportation assistance.
- Reimbursements for work-related travel.
- Opportunity for professional development.
- DREAM gear/uniform provided and required.
- Incredible, life-changing experiences!
WHY WE DREAM.
[Visit our website (dreamprogram.org) or see us social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)]
Our Beliefs
- We believe that the opportunity gap is unfair and unjust.
- We believe that childhood is a precious part of the human experience and worthy of great investment.
- We believe that all children have immense potential to contribute to our society and that lost potential for one is lost potential for all.
- We believe that change is possible.
Our Vision
We seek a world in which all children have the opportunities, resources, and relationships necessary to achieve their dreams.
Our Mission
Our mission is to close the opportunity gap for children living in low-income housing.
Cultural Values
- We live in the grassroots. We see ourselves as more of a movement than an organization. We value bottom-up development and look to our volunteers for leadership.
- We are relationship-oriented. When relationships are done well, they can change the world and build bridges across differences. Relationships are at the center of all we do and are our greatest source of impact, influence, and learning.
- We value transparency. We are an open organization and invite all to participate in decision-making. We see honest communication as the foundation for creating trust and understanding.
- We like to play. We sing, surprise, act spontaneously, play games, and imagine. We see potential for something magical in every interaction. We think play is the ultimate vehicle or delivering our services.
- We think the high dive is fun! Positive risk-taking plays a crucial role in development. By pushing our comfort zones, we broaden our world views and expand our options.
- We think anything is possible. Call us naïve.wait a minute, don’t do that! Just join us!