Program VISTA

AmeriCorps VISTA Overview

Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is a national service program created in 1964 that places volunteers throughout the United States to help fight poverty through community partnerships; operated by The Corporation of National and Community Service (CNCS), now known as AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change by living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions.

Organization Overview

Since 1996, New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) has worked to fill in the gaps within New York City’s child welfare system through partnerships with foster agencies, community-based organizations, and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). NYFC’s mission is to protect, promote, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our city’s children and families, with a focus on older youth in foster care and those aging out. NYFC serves about 1,000 youth annually - ages 18 to 26 - through our direct scholarships, innovative pilots, wraparound supports such as academic coaching and mental health support, emergency funding, and youth development events. In addition, we also serve as a thought leader, helping to implement innovative programming to push the New York child welfare landscape forward. Overall, we aim to enroll youth in college, support them through graduation, and help them gain the skills needed to enter the workforce with the ultimate goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.

Program VISTA Position Description

The Program VISTA’s project goal will focus on expanding the organization’s data and reporting capabilities, enabling us to better understand the impact of our programs, in addition to more accurately provide data requests to grant funders; and helping to plan or support youth development and fundraising events. The work of the VISTA will build on that of the previous Program VISTA, but also include an expansion of that work. The Program VISTA will report to the Director of Communication, Development, and Grants, working closely with the Development Associate, and engage in the following activities which include but are not limited to:

Improving Data-Related Capacities

• Building out NYFC’s program participant data entry, collection, tracking, reporting, and analyzing capabilities; working with our client management system, Salesforce, which they will be trained to use.
• Assisting with implementation of Salesforce upgrade and customization to better customize the database to our needs, working closely with an external consultant and NYFC staff.
• Assisting in 2021 and 2022 data collection and analysis, comparing program data year over year to identify trends and outcomes.
• Pulling specific data as needed for funding reports and the Annual Report or other campaigns
• Collecting and analyze qualitative data such as testimonials and direct feedback from youth, which could also include assisting in administering and tracking pre- and post-program participant surveys.

Planning and Supporting Events

• Providing support as needed to program staff at youth events – such as virtual Youth Advisory Board and Peer Mentoring Meetings - in order to perform outreach and collect feedback and strengthen the services provided.
• Assisting in the planning and implementation of fundraising and related events, especially those targeted to new audiences such as young professionals

Program Benefits & Additional Information

Length of Service: 12 months

Approximate start date: May 2022 

Hybrid Schedule: NYFC operates on a hybrid schedule, three days in the office and two days working remotely.

Benefits provided through CNCS and AmeriCorps VISTA include: a biweekly living stipend of $829.36; a health coverage allowance; childcare assistance, if eligible; relocation allowance (if moving 50+ miles); an end of service education award of $6,195 paid upon successful completion; and federal loan forbearance or deferment.

Benefits provided by NYFC include: As the VISTA will start their year of service virtually due to the pandemic, NYFC will ensure that the selected candidates have computer and Internet Access, as well as access to the NYFC database. Additionally, while we are remote, the VISTA will also be reimbursed for use of their cell phones (up to $75 per month), and once we resume working in the office, the VISTA will be provided with a designated desk space, desktop computer and a landline phone.

The VISTA will also receive monthly transportation stipends/Metro Cards so they can get to and from the office. NYFC will also provide opportunities for additional professional development and coaching.

Key Qualifications

• Former experience in or with the foster care system a plus;
• Must have graduated from college/university or have equivalent capabilities;
• Ability to engage young people and work from a strength-based, trauma-informed lens;
• Strong leadership and communication skills;
• Strong organizational, attention to detail, time management, and administrative skills;
• Ideal for someone interested in pursuing a career in public administration, social work, advocacy;
• Motivated, self-starter who can follow directions but also create and lead new initiatives;
• Preference will be given to candidates who have experience or an interest in working with data.

How To Apply:

All applicants must submit the application here for consideration: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=110613

You may also email DeVon Nolt, Director of Communication, Development & Grants at [email protected]  with a copy of your resume once your application has been submitted via the AmeriCorps portal listed above. Applicants who do not apply through the AmeriCorps portal will not be considered.