Resource Generation and Management Specialist AmeriCorps Member

Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program

Member Position Description

Position Title: Resource Generation and Management Specialist AmeriCorps Member

Position Type: Half-Time

Duration of Term: September 30th, 2024 - September 29th, 2025

Host Site: Avalon Housing

Reports to (daily): Family & Community Services Team Lead

Margaret Behnke

mbehnke@avalonhousing.org

Reports to (overall): Assistant Program Director

Eric Krogsrud

ekrogsrud@mihomeless.org

Program Objectives:

The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness AmeriCorps Program will support service providers by increasing their capacity to offer assistance and services to homeless and at-risk individuals and families. As an overall program, AmeriCorps members in the program provide direct, comprehensive services to those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in order to bring those individuals under the scope of services, assist with increasing self-sufficiency in the areas of income, life skills, and employment, and assist with obtaining/maintaining employment. Members will fulfill their specific positions, based on the needs of their host site organization, to contribute toward this increased capacity to serve their communities more efficiently and effectively.

Classification:

According to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, AmeriCorps members are not considered employees of the agency where they serve, nor are they employees of the program or the federal government. As such, members cannot engage in activities performed by employees of the host agency or otherwise displace employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Employment Support
   1. Network with employers to create access to employment opportunities
   2. Support clients with job searches
   3. Assist with resume writing, help with filling out employment applications
   4. Seek out employers/organizations who would be willing to assist at the agency for income and/or employment readiness
2. Volunteer Recruitment and Coordination
   1. Recruit, train, and manage volunteers to support various programs, including on-site tutoring and other community service activities, ensuring effective volunteer engagement and program success.
3. Educational Support
   1. Provide on-site tutoring, homework assistance, and educational programming for students residing in Avalon Housing.
   2. Coordinate and facilitate a structured homework club onsite.
   3. Assist students in developing study skills, time management, and goal setting related to education.
   4. Organize educational workshops or activities to enhance academic skills and knowledge.

Additional Member Activities

• Participate in the creation and/or facilitation of activities focused on advancing the voices and participation of people with lived experience (PWLE) within their community
• Recruit and train 10 volunteers during the term of service
• Attend member orientation, mid-year and end-year trainings, webinars, and other events related to AmeriCorps service
• Attend Michigan's AmeriCorps Member Celebration
• Attend Michigan's AmeriCorps Signature Service Project
• Plan and implement one service project which helps to address homelessness in their community
• Participate in one service project for an AmeriCorps sponsored national day of service
• Submit quarterly reports by the appropriate deadlines with all necessary information provided

Training:

Members are expected to participate in program and host site training throughout the service year, as scheduled and requested by the program. Basic training events will include member orientation, mid-year training, and end-year training. The program will also schedule various member conference calls and webinar topics. Host sites will be responsible for conducting an initial on-site orientation and training, as well as providing necessary continued training related to the service activities and professional development. For program-held training events, members will be provided the date and details at least three weeks in advance.

Service members will receive the following training during their service

• Homeless Management Information Service database systems entry
• Introduction to grant writing
• Introduction to strength-based interviewing
• Time Management
• Professional Development Planning
• SCARAB (Staff Committing to Anti-Racism and Anti-Bias)
• CSH Essentials Training Plan (Mental Health Basics, Hoarding Unpacked, Navigating Service Coordination in Supportive Housing, Introduction to Fair Housing, Trauma Informed Property Management Practices, Understanding Trauma, Establishing Boundaries, Cultural Humility, Introduction to Harm Reduction, Promoting Housing Stability through Active Engagement, Crisis Intervention & De-Escalation, Engaging the Whole Family in Services, Supportive Housing Onboarding Curriculum, Affirming LGBTQ+ Tenants, Loss and Bereavement in Housing, Substance Use and Supportive Housing)

Restrictions:

No more than 20 percent of the member's total time can be spent on fundraising or training activities.

Principal Working Relationships:

• Margaret Behnke, Avalon Family & Community Services Team Lead
• AmeriCorps Program Directors

Desired Skills:

• Experience in Educational Setting
  • Previous experience working in an educational setting or with youth, such as tutoring or mentoring, is preferred. This experience demonstrates an understanding of educational dynamics and youth development, which can enhance support for residents' academic success.
• Strong Communication Skills:
  • Effective communication with residents, school personnel, employers, and community partners is crucial for understanding needs and advocating for support.
• Organizational and Time Management:
  • Ability to coordinate educational programs, employment workshops, and other activities efficiently while managing multiple responsibilities and deadlines.
• Advocacy and Collaboration:
  • Advocacy skills to support residents in navigating educational systems and accessing resources, as well as the ability to collaborate with stakeholders to address systemic barriers and promote systemic change.
• Empowerment and Coaching:
  • Ability to empower residents to set and achieve educational and employment goals, providing personalized support, guidance, and encouragement along the way.

Minimum Qualifications:

⋅ Be at least 18 years of age

⋅ Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or a lawful, permanent resident of the U.S. and provide a copy of a birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card to prove citizenship

⋅ Must be able to complete a full term of service (one year)

⋅ Pass the following criminal history checks in accordance with MCAH's National Service Criminal History Check policy: State of Michigan, State of Residence (if applicable), FBI fingerprinting, and National Sex Offender Public Registry

⋅ Can arrange reliable transportation to and from service site, multiple mandatory training sessions in Lansing, and travel on behalf of site

⋅ Possess proficiency with word processing software and email

⋅ Be able to interact respectfully with individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds

• Experience working with people who are homeless, people with mental illness, chronic health issues, and/or addiction disorders, or similar populations
• Must possess a highly positive and enthusiastic attitude and strong commitment toward helping those in need
• Interest and experience in working with individuals who are difficult to engage and refer to traditional programs; experience with harm reduction and trauma-informed care
• Avalon Housing is dedicated to eliminating racial inequities. Successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to work well with diverse populations in a non-judgmental way.

Compensation:

• A stipend totaling $11,118 for HT, paid bi-weekly over the course of the service year
• Upon successful completion of the term, an education award, $3,697.50 for HT, which can be used towards qualified student loans
• Health insurance, provided for by the program, for full time members only

Avalon also encourages those with criminal histories to apply. Avalon doesn't request information about criminal histories unless and until an offer of employment is extended. Avalon may exclude someone based on criminal history if it determines the criminal history is related to or directly conflicts with the responsibilities of the position.