Jobpost Details

Start Date: May 8, 2023 (or later) 

Service Site: Rhode Island for Community and Justice, 271 North Main St, Providence, RI 02903 (near downtown Providence; free parking; near bus line).

AmeriCorps VISTA Overview: AmeriCorps VISTA is a one-year volunteer position in which members serve in a capacity-building role at a nonprofit organization or a government agency. Members receive a living allowance (approximately $675 biweekly), healthcare benefits, transportation support, some childcare benefits, professional development & training, and the choice of an education award of $6,895 or cash stipend of $1,800 at the end of the service year. (For more info about AmeriCorps VISTA please visit www.americorps.gov). 

Position Overview: Rhode Island for Community & Justice (RICJ) fights bias and racism, building understanding among all races, religions and cultures, with programs in juvenile justice, diversity education and youth leadership. RICJ’s exciting cultural community prepares teens as inclusive leaders. Youth Facilitating for Change (YFC) is a summer jobs program where youth learn DEI and social justice facilitation. Youth Action Council (YAC) is a youth-led after school program that puts leadership into practice. Young Women’s Equity Coalition (YWEC) is a mentoring program for BIPOC young women. Project RESPECT is a 1-week social justice leadership camp. RICJ Youth are RI’s next generation of social justice leaders. We are proud that almost 100% of core youth remain in school, graduate, and go on to college or job training.

For information visit www.ricj.org.

The Youth Empowerment VISTA’s work helps disrupt the generational cycle of poverty and promotes leadership. You will recruit youth and mentors, outreach to community to promote programs and youth-led DEI training, document and showcase youth stories, help sustain programs, expand community networks and help build an intentional, bonded community for youth. We seek a VISTA dedicated to youth empowerment and at ease with high school aged BIPOC youth. You are organized, energetic, collaborative, tech-savvy, take initiative and are excited to outreach to schools, nonprofits, alumni, parents, and anyone who can support our teens.

Main objectives and tasks are as follows:

1. Sustainability at RICJ

This includes seeking new grants and resources for the youth programs; sharing youth stories; piloting new fundraising approaches; documenting successes; and maintaining and using a database for grants and program evaluation.

2. Recruitment and outreach to grow RICJ programming

This includes recruiting youth, mentors and volunteers; recruiting groups willing to host youths’ social justice workshops; broadening community networks; marketing and organizing trainings to support youth programs; maintaining and using database for outreach to youth, alumni, families, schools, donors. The VISTA will engage with youth and capacity build to support youths’ success through their VISTA service.

Personal Qualifications: 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills; strong attention to detail 
• Excellent computer and technology skills; graphic design experience helpful 
• Well organized; ability to multi-task and prioritize responsibilities 
• Comfort working with youth
• Comfort working in collaborative settings with a diverse set of stakeholders 
• Commitment to learning about issues related to juvenile justice, diversion, incarceration, & public health 

How to apply:

Please apply via the AmeriCorps portal here.

Interested candidates may also send their resume and cover letter to: Toby Ayers, Executive Director, RICJ at [email protected].

Applicants who meet our requirements will be contacted for an interview. 

To see other open VISTA positions on the Health and Justice in RI VISTA team, please visit: https://healthandjustice.org/about-us/#jobs