Housing Counseling Outreach VISTA

This Housing Counseling Outreach Specialist will be hosted by Respond Now located in Park Forest, IL. Respond Now 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.

 

Respond Now exists to provide immediate relief for residents of Chicago's south suburbs who are in the most need while maintaining their dignity and affording them respect. The 22 communities Respond Now serves in the south suburbs of Chicago are stricken with the highest levels of poverty and unemployment in all of suburban Chicago. Recent studies show that nearly half of families living in these areas deal with food insecurity on a regular basis – representing more than 760,000 residents. Foreclosure rates in our service area are some of the highest in all of suburban Cook County. Some clients have recently been laid off while others live on fixed incomes, finding it difficult to make ends meet. Still, others struggle with disability and inadequate services. Most urgently, 30% of area children are living below the poverty line.

 

The position will focus on growing our Housing Counseling programming through outreach and communication efforts. This is important at a time when many families will be facing foreclosure in the coming years. Respond Now can assist families to avoid foreclosure. It is the role of the VISTA to let the community know that this opportunity exists.

 

The ideal candidate will have a commitment to building opportunities for communities in need. The candidate will be able to use social media for outreach and communication. An ability to represent Respond Now in public settings will be necessary, including communicating services that are available to the public.

 

Bi-Weekly Living Allowance: $575

Choice of two End-of-Service Awards: 

Forbearance or Deferment of Student Loan Payments While in Service

Non-Competitive Eligibility Status

Healthcare Allowance

Leave Days: 10 Personal and 10 Medical

Link to descriptions of all benefits of service.

 

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.

 

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