The AmeriCorps *VISTA will be responsible for the continued development of improved co-curricular & after school programs, working with partner sites as well as the Advisory Council to identify “issues to impact” areas to be served through our Philadelphia University Mentoring Program (P.U.M.P.-up). The goal will be to increase academic achievement for at-risk K-12 students. P.U.M.P.-up is a two-fold program; the first component is to enhance our relationships with local agencies to create specific programs to meet their needs. This is currently being met in our first year of our program & the second component is to continue to assist the university’s office of community service in the placement of community service work study students & other volunteer opportunities with P.U.M.P.-up.

This position will continue to recruit new volunteers but also utilize existing program volunteers to assist with that recruitment and training of new volunteers. The AmeriCorps *VISTA member will help with ongoing project development, project assessment, implementation & recruitment of volunteers. The AmeriCorps *VISTA member will recruit college students and community members to serve as “consistent tutors” for this project. The AmeriCorps *VISTA member will train volunteers about the tutoring/mentoring relationship & community partner. The AmeriCorps *VISTA member will serve as the primary liaison between the community partners, Philadelphia University & the Advisory Council in the sustainability of P.U.M.P.-up.

The AmeriCorps *VISTA member will work with the community partners to assess project results & make modifications as needed to present to the Advisory Council. The AmeriCorps *VISTA member will increase volunteers for the project after the fall semester. The AmeriCorps *VISTA member, along with community partners & the Advisory Council will create and maintain a strategic plan for the project.