Program and Community Organizing VISTA
This Program and Community Organizing VISTA will be hosted by the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (Northwest Side CDC) in Chicago, IL. The Northwest Side CDC is a part of the Housing Action AmeriCorps Network, an AmeriCorps VISTA program managed by Housing Action Illinois since 2010. As such, this position will receive customized training, support, guidance, and networking opportunities, in addition to the traditional opportunities for AmeriCorps VISTA positions. Learn more about the program on Housing Action’s website.
The mission of the Northwest Side CDC is to provide the Northwest Side and Belmont Cragin with the tools and resources to preserve affordable housing and prevent displacement and provide business development assistance to local small businesses. The VISTA Member will support our rental and business counseling staff with evaluating programs, following up and referring participants with additional resources, and conducting research around affordable housing. The VISTA will venture into community organizing by connecting renters and homeowners with resources about affordable housing options and community development strategies that prevent displacement.
An ideal candidate will:
- Thrive with high levels of autonomy
- Succeed in fast-paced environments that often require quick thinking
- Loves finding innovative solutions to challenging situations
- Does well in collaborative spaces.
- Spanish/English bilingual with a strong desire to advance Latinx communities both economically and socially.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Reach out to past participants with unresolved counseling outcomes and provide referrals to participate in other Northwest Side Housing Center (NWSHC) programs that aim to lift families out of poverty such as financial coaching and workforce development.
- Support the creation of workshops designed to teach current and potential landlords best practices on running listings and interacting with current tenants.
- Support the NWSCDC’s goal to develop residents into community leaders by connecting them to discuss issues affecting them.
- Create a comprehensive organizational resource guide to provide every program participant, regardless of their counseling outcomes. This will ensure that every participant is aware of the additional resources provided by the NWSHC/NWSCDC, and by other nonprofits and service organizations across the city of Chicago.
Benefits – Financial
Bi-Weekly Living Allowance: $575
Choice of two End-of-Service Awards:
- Segal Education Award: $6,345
- Cash Stipend Award: $1,800
Forbearance or Deferment of Student Loan Payments While in Service
Non-Competitive Eligibility Status
Healthcare Allowance
Leave Days: 10 Personal and 10 Medical
Positions located in the Chicagoland area that use public transportation to commute to and from your office receive or are reimbursed for an unlimited pass to use the public transit system.
Some organizations can offer supplementary financial benefits in the form of a housing or grocery stipend. Ask your interviewer if they offer any supplemental benefits.
Benefits – Training
In addition to the training offered by AmeriCorps to all members in the VISTA program, Housing Action coordinates two mandatory, multi-day, trainings. One in September focused on setting AmeriCorps members up for success during their term of service, and one in the spring focused on setting AmeriCorps members up to secure their next professional endeavor after their term of service. Both trainings are highly specialized based on Housing Action’s experience running the program, contemporary best practices, and trends, and input from the currently serving AmeriCorps members themselves.
Benefits – In-Kind
- Waived registration fee for annual Housing Action Conference
- Waived registration fee for annual Housing Action Benefit Event
- Informational interviews through your hosting organization and Housing Action network(s).
- Peer networking among the cohort.