Food Access and Nutrition Education AmeriCorps VISTA

About SOS: The Star of the Sea Foundation is the largest huger-relief agency in the Florida Keys. Due to a severe lack of affordable housing, a plethora of low-wage jobs in the tourism and hospitality industries, and the highest cost of living in the entire state, almost half (45%) of individuals and families struggle to afford to live in Monroe County. Through direct food distributions, nutrition education efforts, and federal feeding programs, the Star of the Sea Foundation aims to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations in the Florida Keys. SOS VISTA members work out of its commercial-grade Community Kitchen and have the opportunity to be involved in multiple areas and programs of the organization.

Scope: The goal of the Food Access and Nutrition Education VISTA is to enhance and extend healthy food and nutritional resources to low-income and working-poor individuals, families, and senior citizens in Monroe County, FL. Working with local stakeholders, partner agencies, and recruited volunteers, the VISTA will increase the capacity and sustainability of the SOS Nutrition Education Program as well as the freshly prepared meals programs at the SOS Community Kitchen. The Nutrition Education program aims to meet the needs of various populations with the end goal of creating healthier generations of Monroe County residents, and the meal programs will provide direct hunger-relief to low-income children and seniors in the Monroe County community.

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

Skills : Computers/Technology, Social Services, Public Speaking, Public Health, Youth Development, Teaching/Tutoring, Leadership, Writing/Editing, Environment, Non-Profit Management, Communications, Team Work, Education, General Skills, Community Organization.

The VISTA position is a full-time, year-long assignment and entails an annual living stipend of approximately $27,886 (as determined by AmeriCorps VISTA). Housing assistance is provided. If the applicant already has housing secured, a housing stipend payable directly to the landlord will be provided. At the end of the service year, VISTA members are also eligible to receive either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395 to pay for student loans or continuing education, OR an end-of-service cash stipend of $1,800. Additional benefits include relocation assistance (if applicable), health care benefits, and student-loan forbearance or deferment. The selected candidate will attend a VISTA pre-service orientation at a TBD date and location prior to beginning service at SOS. Based on a satisfactory service year, the selected candidate may have the option to serve an additional year.

• For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit

http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare

• For more details about all AmeriCorps VISTA benefits, please visit

https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/vista/benefits

English proficiency required. Spanish, Haitian Creole, or French language skills a plus.