Americorps VISTA: Community Engagement Specialist
Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation
As a Community Development Corporation (CDC), OBCDC is rooted in geography and resident-driven goals. At the forefront of the national community health movement for CDCs, OBCDC is pushing the envelope for community organizations seeking to improve health. By addressing social drivers of health (including access to fresh foods, healthy housing and economic stability), we are better able to serve the residents and businesses of Old Brooklyn. Community health is the intersection of different disciplines coming together that impact a person’s overall health and wellbeing; when people talk about health, we need to talk about the whole person and their environment. In this project, we have combined multiple elements that highlight the connectedness of our work. But, the most important aspect is the community members we serve via our volunteer program, skill building, educational opportunities, and social connectedness through engagement. OBCDC would like to enhance our capacity to create and maintain a people-centered engagement model that enables the organization to effectively manage existing and new relationships with resident leaders and volunteers. Our current capacity to build the needed supports to sustain this network falls short of the neighborhood’s need. One of the most crucial parts of this VISTA project will be building capacity to engage with residents in a deeper and more intentional way through the volunteer program and engagement events, with the goal of creating a more connected neighborhood. This project would also support several other aspects of OBCDC’s community work, including healthy housing initiatives, fresh food access at the Old Brooklyn Farmers Market and economic development initiatives. Through this project, there will be opportunities to explore the multiple aspects of our work through this VISTA year, connect with leaders in Cleveland, and grow your skills!
Member Duties: Community health is the intersection of different disciplines coming together that impact a person’s overall health and wellbeing. The most important aspect is the community members we serve; it is crucial to engage with residents in a deeper, more intentional way, creating a more connected neighborhood. This VISTA project will connect with populations in Old Brooklyn that are under-engaged and under-represented. By first understanding the Old Brooklyn population, you’ll have the basis to develop relevant outreach strategies and materials, while expanding the work to increase volunteer engagement and outreach methods. Through this position, you will work with OBCDC staff to develop the overall strategy and program needs. In addition, this information and program will help share community services to a wider audience, including SNAP education, housing affordability programs, and food access initiatives.
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Program Benefits: Relocation Allowance, Living Allowance, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Education award upon successful completion of service, Childcare assistance if eligible, Health Coverage* , Training .
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Terms :
Permits working at another job during off hours .
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Service Areas :
Community and Economic Development .
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Skills:
Community Organization, Writing/Editing, Fund raising/Grant Writing, General Skills, Communications, Recruitment, Public Health, Public Speaking, Leadership.
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