Americorps Vista

The Agency

Since 1966, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut (BBBSCT) has been changing the lives of children across Connecticut. As an independent 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation’s oldest youth mentoring organization, the mission of BBBSCT is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Through the excellence of our programs and the commitment of our volunteers and staff, BBBSCT is recognized widely as the face of child and youth mentoring in the state of Connecticut.

The Position

The Big Futures’ AmeriCorps VISTA Member will assist in the creation and support of mentoring relationships between professionally screened and trained adult volunteers and identified youth/young adults within the communities we serve. The VISTA member will work alongside the Big Futures Director to design a rotating educational curriculum and identify post-secondary planning gaps between students from low-income families and those with more affluence, as well as for students of different ethnicities.

This position is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the not-for-profit sector and develop work experience in a hands-on environment with individuals who respond daily to critical community issues. It is also a great chance to develop above-entry-level skills during the Service Year.

The VISTA’s efforts will serve to break the cycle of poverty by identifying and closing the gaps of access to education, resources, and opportunities for youth who come from high-need and low opportunity communities. The VISTA will help young adults get the training, education, workplace knowledge, apprenticeships and key supports they need to be productive workers earning a living wage, and contributing members of their communities.

Member duties:

• Participate in collaborative effort in improving program systems to provide increased services and match support to Big Futures mentees and their respective mentors such as survey administration, data entry, creation and disbursement of resources and opportunities, etc.
• Reinforce research, development, and implementation of a Big Futures curriculum which engages matches and works toward achieving desired program outcomes.
• Leverage resources in the creation of program materials-outlining best practices, policies, and procedures.
• Identify and create program activities for Big Futures mentors and mentees.
• Aid with expanding the program recruitment plan to include partnerships with local colleges, universities, Connecticut youth-serving nonprofits, BBBSCT Board Member networks and connections, and military partnerships.
• Organize additional service opportunities for participants of the program.
• Complete any other tasks as directed by the VISTA Supervisor.

Program Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health Coverage*, Stipend, Remote Work availability*, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Training.
*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit: http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare

Terms
Permits working at another job during off hours, Permits attendance at school during off hours.

Service Areas : Children/Youth, Education, Community Outreach .

Skills : Writing/Editing, Team Work, Computers/Technology, Youth Development, Education, Communications, General Skills.

SUMMARY
Program Type: AmeriCorps VISTA
Program Big Brothers Big Sisters of CT: Big Futures Program
Education level High school diploma/GED
Age Requirement Minimum:18

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• Choose your own hours
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Experience:

• Youth Engagement: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hartford, CT 06106