VISTA Member Position Description
Bridging the Gap
Organization Description
The Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (MACH) is a nonprofit corporation that serves as the homeless assistance coordination and planning organization serving Montgomery, Autauga, Elmore and Lowndes counties. The activities of MACH include, but are not limited to, identifying and quantifying the needs of the homeless population in the area; coordinating the efforts of various agencies providing assistance to the homeless and at risk of homelessness population; planning the development of services to homeless people; providing information outreach to the homeless population; capacity building/training events for providers of services to homeless people; advocating for activities that prevent homelessness; and obtaining and advocating for funding that enables MACH’s member agencies to provide shelter and/or services to their client population.
Goal
The Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless (MACH) will expand the organization’s capacity to benefit homeless, low income, and/or at risk of homelessness individuals and families through the identification of community resources for the homeless or at risk of homelessness population, identification of the number and needs of homeless persons, and increase the involvement of community agencies to meet the identified needs. The AmeriCorp*VISTA Project will increase the active membership in a coalition of organizations interested in service coordination along with the development of useful and reusable survey tools and processes to identify community resources and to conduct annual needs assessments.
Required Qualifications
· Commitment of one year of service
· Able to communicate effectively (written & oral)
· Must be a self starter and able to work independently as well as in groups
· Be proficient in Word & Excel and have a comfort level in learning new computer applications
· Knowledge and some experience with website management or development
· Bachelor’s degree preferred
Attributes
- A self-starter who is motivated to make a difference in people’s lives
- A person willing to initiate contact with agency directors and staff to engage those agencies in MACH membership
- A person who is energetic without outside commitments that will interfere with required activities
- A person who is respectful of both cultural and social differences
- A person who understands the limited recourses of nonprofit and implements ideas those are cost effective.
Job Description
- Recruit into MACH membership the organizations in the community that provide services to a target population of person who are homeless, low income or at risk of homelessness.
- Develop a mechanism that tracks and encourages participation in MACH meetings.
- Develop a mechanism to communicate pertinent information to the MACH membership and community through an internet site.
- Identify existing affordable housing units.
- Develop a database or resource guide of affordable housing units to be used by MACH members.
- Identify the existing shelter beds and improve the process of inventorying existing shelter beds for homeless persons.
- Improve the survey forms and process for the annual homeless enumeration and homeless needs assessment.
- Develop improved mechanism of data collection.
· Other duties may be assigned to assist staff with the capacity building of MACH.
Compensation
AmeriCorps VISTA living allowance (approximately $900/month), health benefits, child care assistance, student loan forbearance or deferment , a $1200 end of service stipend or $4,725 educational award.
For more information see: http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/ready/programs_vista.asp
This one year AmeriCorps VISTA position is offered in conjunction with the Volunteer and Information Center’s “Building a Better Future for the River Region VISTA Project”.
How to Apply
Program start/end date: August 2009-August 2010
Accepting Applications: June 6, 2009 to July 15, 2009
To apply:
For further information about the program or application process please contact Henry Stough, Executive Director at 334-261-6182.
Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless
PO Box 242201 Montgomery, AL 36124-2201
Phone 334-261-6182 Fax 334-265-3391
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