Food Access AmeriCorps VISTA

About SOS: The Star of the Sea Foundation is the largest hunger-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 (43%) 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.

Scope: The goal of the Food Access VISTA project is to enhance and extend nutritional resources to low-income and working-poor individuals, families, and seniors in Monroe County, Florida. The VISTA member will work with partner agencies to explore new avenues for food distribution in the Lower and Middle Keys with the goal of increasing the availability of food resources for low-income individuals and families; expand volunteer opportunities and recruit new volunteers to help ensure SOS is operating sustainable programs; and develop new local and national funding streams for SOS programs to ensure financial sustainability. Programs and initiatives will be tailored to various client populations with the ultimate goal of creating healthier generations of Monroe County residents.

Service Areas: Education, Veterans, Community Outreach, Children/Youth, Environment, Homelessness, Hunger, Disaster Relief, Health.

Skills: Community Organization, Disaster Services, Writing/Editing, Teaching/Tutoring, Leadership, Non-Profit Management, Education, Environment, Public Speaking, Social Services, Veterans, Fund raising/Grant Writing, Communications, General Skills, Team Work, Youth Development, Nutrition, Public Health.

Benefits: The VISTA position is a full-time, year-long assignment and entails an annual living stipend of approximately $26,962 (as determined by AmeriCorps VISTA). Housing 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 $6,895 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