Mentoring and Advocacy AmeriCorps opportunity with The Choice Program at UMBC
COVID 19 Remote Work Notice
Choice staff and AmeriCorps members are serving remotely due to COVID-19 until May 28, 2021. Candidates starting prior to May 28, 2021 can expect to have some intermittent optional opportunities for in-person services, with the bulk of their youth contacts being remote. Choice will re-evaluate the health landscape 45 days prior to May 28 in order to determine if we will return to mandatory in-person services on that date, or look to a later start date. When serving virtually, AmeriCorps members will not be required to be physically located in the Baltimore/DC metro region. When Choice returns to in-person services, AmeriCorps members and staff located outside of the region will be expected to relocate to enable them to serve in-person. Please feel free to ask any questions that you have about our remote work guidelines!
Are you motivated to serve your community? Do you want to tackle social justice issues in a meaningful way? Are you dedicated to personal growth and the growth of those around you? Join us for a transformative year of service investing in youth, supporting families, and building community.
The Basics
This AmeriCorps position is a one-year, paid, service-learning opportunity through UMBC's The Choice Program and The Shriver Center. Our AmeriCorps Members serve as advocates and work to connect families to self-identified, needed resources and reinforce a strengths-based, anti-racist, approach to youth development.
The Choice Program’s guiding principle is anti-racism, which we uphold through our accountability to the following values: 1) being youth-centered, 2) dismantling hierarchies, 3) practicing holistic development, and 4) believing in humanity. AmeriCorps members collaborate on teams that serve youth through individualized, strengths-based services and focus on restorative practices.
Choice has served Maryland’s youth for over 30 years and currently has several exciting service opportunities based in the Greater Baltimore area, Prince George's County, Howard County, and Montgomery County.
What You’d Do
Serving within a team model, AmeriCorps members share case management responsibilities for program youth, including welcoming them into the program through intake meetings, helping them to set goals for their time with Choice, checking in with them along the way through service plans, connecting them with community resources, and offering classroom and/or legal support. You’ll make meaningful connections with the young people you serve, offering informal counseling/mentoring on recreational outings, community service activities, arts programming, home visits and beyond.
To us, youth development means: being available to our youth consistently, often making visits to meet with them on a daily basis; using a strengths-based approach to promote positive self-image; using a holistic approach to honor every aspect of a person’s life; developing high expectations and holding youth accountable to their own progress on goals; forming a mentoring relationship that is built on trust and rapport; engaging with families and assisting as a communication link; fostering self-sufficiency by building life-skills; providing opportunities for meaningful engagement through structured after-school, weekend and summer activities.
Service is completed collaboratively at Choice, from case management of youth to organizational decision making. In addition to day-to-day case management responsibilities, you’ll participate in cooperative projects, team-based decision making, and organizational committees.
Due to the nature of the workflow and youth needs, AmeriCorps members must be flexible with their schedules. Members should expect some weeks to include serving hours beyond a 40-hour week.
You’ll serve your full year of service in one of two programs
Department of Juvenile Services Intensive Advocacy: This program aims to keep youth out of detention centers and connected to their communities. This is carried out through the service plan model, supporting youth in creating and attaining personal goals that bolster their personal success and aid in disentanglement with the juvenile justice system. (Locations: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, and Montgomery County)
Choice Jobs: This program provides youth with job readiness training in a classroom and workplace setting. This is carried out in our three social enterprise locations as well as through partnerships with community employers. (Location: Baltimore City)
Requirements
Use of personal, insured vehicle for work duties.
Availability on nights and weekends.
Completion of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
What’s in it for me?
$28,000 living stipend with health benefits and mileage reimbursement at 57.5c/mile. Eligible for AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,195. SNAP and childcare eligibility. May be eligible for loan forbearance.
This commitment offers you the chance to gain a wealth of experience in the fields of education, case management, youth development, human services, and social justice. During a service year, AmeriCorps members establish networks in the nonprofit and public sector and, most importantly, make an impact on the lives of youth.
AmeriCorps members are supported by a structured training program to develop their leadership in human services.
APPLY HERE!
https://listings.umbc.edu/ Search "Choice Program"
Connect with us!
Our Website: http://www.choiceprograms.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choicevoices/