Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters is a ground-breaking nutrition education program that helps families by teaching them how to prepare healthy low-cost meals and receive the most nutrition from a limited budget. Since 1993, the program has utilized the strengths of professional chefs, nutritionists and financial advisors in roles as volunteer instructors, teaching classes for adults, teens and children living on low incomes.
Cooking Matters offers courses that take a cooking-centered approach to nutrition and household budgeting. Nutrition courses are taught by chefs and nutritionists who volunteer their talents to teach families how to make healthy food choices on a limited budget. Courses are offered for adults, teens, children, parents and children together, and those living with HIV/AIDS, and include six two-hour sessions. Each class includes hands-on meal preparation led by a chef who teaches participants that cooking healthy foods can be simple, enjoyable, and delicious.
Share Our Strength is seeking a full-time AmeriCorps member to help with its local partnering program Solid Ground in Seattle, WA
Members will work with Cooking Matters staff to implement effective cooking-based nutrition education courses for low-income families. Members will:
- Coordinate courses including managing the classroom, securing needed food and materials, and supporting volunteers and participants.
- Work with community-based agencies who host courses for their clients in efforts to expand reach of program.
- Recruit, train, and retain culinary, nutrition, financial, and support volunteers who lead Cooking Matters' courses.
- Increase awareness of Cooking Matters and develop more community support.
TRAINING:
AmeriCorps members are part of the local and national Cooking Matters team and take part in all associated training and activities. AmeriCorps members will receive orientation training from Share Our Strength's national Cooking Matters team as well as from Solid Ground's Cooking Matters staff. Members will be part of a peer network of AmeriCorps members from around the nation and be a part of regular training opportunities including monthly calls and an in-person retreat (for full-time members).
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of nutrition and/or culinary arts desirable
- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma, GED, or the desire to seek one
- College Degree preferred
- Knowledge of food assistance programs, hunger issues, poverty, and racism, and/or experience with social service agencies a plus
- Experience working with low-income and diverse populations
- Foreign language skills highly desired, especially Spanish
- Ability to manage volunteers or volunteer management experience
- Previous volunteer experience highly desirable
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task, stay organized and work under pressure
- Strong verbal and written communication skills. Candidate should be comfortable speaking in front of large groups
- Basic knowledge of computer programs including: Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and Publisher
- Driver's license required to drive program vehicle
- Local and occasional out of state travel required
TERMS and BENEFITS
Solid Ground is seeking:
1 Full-time member: 1700 hours of service within a 12-month period
The full-time member will receive a living allowance of $12,262, a basic health plan, training, child care (based on income eligibility), and an AmeriCorps education award of $5,350 upon successful completion of service.
AmeriCorps members are sought for terms starting mid- September 2012.
TO APPLY:
Submit a resume and cover letter stating why you want to take part in AmeriCorps and why you are interested in the Cooking Matters position at Solid Ground to:
Raquel DeHoyos, Program Supervisor 1501 N. 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98103, raqueld@solid-ground.org or 206-694-6750. This position closes on August 24th 2012
For questions about Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters and the AmeriCorps National Direct program nationally, contact:
Haley Beers
Americorps Program Coordinator
Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters
1730 M Street NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
Email: hbeers@strength.org
Phone: (202) 478-6534
