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VISTA Volunteer Coordinator Description:

Founded on the teachings of King, Chavez, and other social justice leaders, El Centro de la Raza works with community members to provide events and volunteer opportunities that support our community building services and programs. Our volunteer program includes coordinating volunteers, working with staff and community members to develop volunteer opportunities, building volunteerism infrastructure, and developing an recognition program to honor volunteers that support social justice work in low-income communities and communities of color.

The VISTA Volunteer Coordinator will assist with volunteer coordination for events and donor cultivation tasks, developing volunteer program procedures, and cultivating volunteers. Responsibilities include giving agency tours to volunteers, writing volunteer job descriptions, using a database to track hours for volunteers, working with volunteer groups, developing a recognition program for volunteers, assisting with fundraising strategies and developing sustainable volunteer program infrastructure. Bilingual in Spanish and English to communicate with our Spanish speaking volunteer base.

Organization Description:
As an organization grounded in the Latino community, our mission is to build unity across all racial and economic sectors, to organize, empower, and defend our most vulnerable and marginalized populations and to bring justice, dignity, equality, and freedom to all the peoples of the world.

Founded in 1972 after a peaceful three-month community occupation, El Centro de la Raza addresses problems of racism, poverty, literacy, health and education and serves over 18,000 children, youth, adults, families and seniors. Participants include low-income individuals from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, many of whom speak English as a second language.

El Centro has 23 programs and services which include child development, after school tutoring and mentoring, academic assistance, civil rights history and poetry classes, citizenship support, ESL classes, infant mortality prevention, senior wellness, basic healthcare plan sponsorship, homeownership and financial literacy counseling, job skills and employment counseling, teen parent and family support, and parent leadership development.

MLK VISTA Program Description:
The Martin Luther King VISTA Corps is dedicated to ending poverty in Seattle and King County. We place VISTA members with non-profit organizations and public agencies, where they develop, implement and manage new projects for their host agencies. Many of our projects focus on low-income housing, homelessness, undoing racism, financial asset development, access to technology and family support. In addition, the MLK Corps provides exceptional support for our VISTA members. We focus on leadership development through regular team meetings and trainings. Trainings vary from year to year, but typically include sessions on leadership, undoing racism, conflict resolution, communication skills, as well as CPR, first aid, and HIV/AIDS awareness. The MLK Coordinator and VISTA Leader provide constant support and guidance to members during their service year.

Desired Skills:
Excellent organizational skills, ability to communicate effectively both with program staff and potential donors, an ability to work in a team as well as independently, and attention to detail. Some computer proficiency preferred – position will utilize MS Word, Excel and Access as well as Adobe or other design software.

Required Qualifications:
An interest and commitment to providing service to communities of color, ability to work flexible hours (including evenings and weekends) and a completed Bachelor of Arts degree by the time position starts. This position is great for someone interested in learning about non-profit development and fundraising, events, volunteer coordination, community action agencies/advocacy, social justice work and supportive services for low-income communities. The Volunteer Coordinator must be bilingual in Spanish and English.

Benefits:
As an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, you would commit to one-year of full-time service. In exchange, you would receive:
• A living allowance of $977 (before taxes) per month, medical benefits, monthly bus tickets, and childcare assistance (if eligible).
• Education award or stipend. After successful completion of service, AmeriCorps members receive an education award of $4,725. VISTAs receive an educational award of $4,725 OR a $1,200 cash stipend. Additionally, members can defer their student loans during their service. Contact your lender for more specific information or to confirm your loan status during AmeriCorps or VISTA service.
• Training, including workshops on issues of interest to the community and leadership and skills development for the non-profit sector.
• Experience! National service members gain great job skills and a strong network of contacts among schools and social service agencies in the area.

Please visit www.solid-ground.org/AmeriCorps/Apply/Pages/default.aspx to apply to the AmeriCorps*VISTA program. Please call (206) 957-4779 ext. 115 or email americorpsinfo@solid-ground.org with questions or for more information. Select El Centro de la Raza as one of your preferred sites and your application will be sent to us for review. For questions about the position or our organization, please call (206) 957-4611 or email development@elcentrodelaraza.org. Gracias.