Generations Incorporated, founded in 1991, unites older adults and youth in service to strengthen individuals and communities.  Generations Incorporated trains older adults to help low-income children who are struggling to read. We place teams of volunteers into public schools and afterschool programs to serve students in grades K-3. As an affiliate of AARP Experience Corps, we tutor and mentor children one-on-one and in small groups to improve reading skills and create mutually-beneficial relationships between older adults and students.

Generations Incorporated has a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service for 23 AmeriCorps *VISTA members. The Generations Incorporated VISTA program will place VISTA members in Massachusetts based non-profit organizations in August of 2012.  All members will be placed in organizations who serve low-income populations in one of the following categories

• Services for older adults (organizations who engage older adults in volunteer roles or who support older adults through a variety of services)
• Children’s Literacy (Organizations who help children succeed as they learn to read)
• Civic Engagement

VISTA members will serve full time at an organization for a period of 12 months (August 2012 through August 2013).  VISTA members serve in indirect roles building capacity for the organization they are serving. The AmeriCorps *VISTA Leader is crucial to making the *VISTA program operate smoothly and successfully. The AmeriCorps *VISTA Leader works closely with the Manager of Volunteer Training and Member Development to coordinate the program and support current and potential *VISTA members.  The *VISTA Leader sets an example of leadership for AmeriCorps*VISTAs, ensures positive relations, facilitates idea-sharing, and mediates issues with the community, the project, supervisors, and AmeriCorps*VISTA members.  

Responsibilities

Member Recruitment

• Refine and implement systems for AmeriCorps *VISTA recruitment
• Develop the GI AmeriCorps website to make it appealing to future applicants
• Manage intake process by screening applicants, providing support and materials upon acceptance, and ensuring that AmeriCorps *VISTAs are ready to serve
• Act as liaison between applicants and host organizations
• Maintain a record of best recruitment practices

Pre Service Orientation (PSO)

• Support the planning and creating of a valuable PSO experience for members (in collaboration with staff and corporate members)
• Lead PSO, including facilitating sessions, managing other presenters, schedule, and members
• Be the main contact for *VISTA member questions
• Guide *VISTA supervisors in planning On Site Orientation Trainings (OSOTs)

Member Support

• Promote information sharing and develop an AmeriCorps *VISTA support network
• Educate *VISTA members in maximizing the *VISTA benefits, including acquiring food stamps, deferring loans, obtaining transportation reimbursement, etc.
• Conduct regular one on one meetings with *VISTAs to provide support and advice
• Conduct site visits
• Provide on-going support as needed

In-Service Training (IST)

• Plan and facilitate monthly *VISTA Fridays
• Engage members in relevant trainings and workshops
• Arrange guest speakers, organize community outings, and provide enriching opportunities
• Plan and facilitate the two day *VISTA Retreat

Coordinating the VISTA Grant

• Work with staff to develop the AC *VISTA program
• Serve as a liaison to the Corporation for National and Community Service regarding matters related to *VISTA concerns and successes
• Coordinate members and develop monitoring, reporting, and project management systems
• Coordinate with host organizations in compiling data for mid-year and end-of year grant reports
• Create reports based on member and organizational goals and activities

Qualifications

• Completion of at least one term of service with AmeriCorps *VISTA
• Bachelor’s Degree
• A commitment to the mission of AmeriCorps *VISTA and that of Generations Incorporated
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills; ability to manage and coordinate others
• Respectful and positive attitude toward older adults and their capabilities
• Work well with a diverse group of community partners, volunteers, and the GI staff
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail
• Creative thinking and ability to take initiative
• Reliability
• Ability to work independently or with a team
• Develop and execute long-term plans with minimal guidance
• Adaptable to perform a variety of duties and meet deadlines
• Research skills, including ability to search the Internet and library resources
• Strong computer skills and able to learn new computer programs quickly
• Understand the limitations of nonprofit organizations with modest financial and human resources

Hours

• 40 hours/week, Mon.-Fri. Evenings and weekends as needed.
• 12-month term of service.

Benefits

• Gain valuable experience and training from a national leader of intergenerational programming
• A taxable living subsistence allowance of approximately $14,880 (approximately $1,240 monthly)
• Generations Incorporated housing assistance of $2,400 ($200 per month)
• May be eligible to receive either a taxable $5,350 education award or end-of-service taxable stipend of $2,400.
• 10 days of vacation time and 10 days of sick time (in addition to holidays)
• Limited health benefits through Seven Corners
• Transportation pass for local travel (“LinkPass”)
• May qualify for Student Loan Forbearance
• May qualify for payment of accrued interest on Student Loans
• May qualify for Food Stamps (value of up to $200 per month)
• May qualify for childcare allowance
• May qualify for relocation expense reimbursement

*Generations Incorporated is committed to seeking individuals with disabilities to serve as AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps *VISTA members.  Our organization can provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities upon request.  

For more information or to submit your application:
Caroline Trowbridge, VISTA Leader; (Tel) 617-399-4668 (Fax) 617-422-0626
Email: ctrowbridge {at} generationsinc(.)org   Web: www.generationsinc.org