The DREAM Program seeks to reduce the opportunity gap for children who are growing up in low-income housing. The Afterschool Enrichment Coordinator will be responsible for creating opportunities for community-based after school enrichment activities (1:1 or small groups) in support of the youth who live in the partner communities we serve.
Responsibilities of an Afterschool Enrichment Coordinator:
- Youth should feel that they have access to enriching out of school activities. This will be done by:
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Developing, offering, scheduling and holding regular after school enrichment activities based on student need and our objectives for enrichment.
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Objectives:
- Growing competent, motivated readers
- Encouraging creativity
- Empowering youth in problem solving
- Supporting healthy minds and bodies
- Engaging youth in conversations about their goals and interests (academic or otherwise), and sharing or providing access to resources related to opportunities.
- Families should identify you as a positive resource. This will be done by:
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- Building a trusting relationship with each family.
- Connecting with caregivers and their youth on a regular basis.
- Share community resources as needed, with support from your supervisor.
- Organizing and holding 2 community events per year, with support from your regional team.
- Students should identify you as a safe adult who they can go to if they need help. This will be done by:
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- Holding unconditional positive regard for each youth.
- Building a close, supportive relationship with the youth and their caregivers.
- Providing engaging programming for youth during their out of school time.
- Being present in the community where youth live on a regular basis.
- Supporting and connecting families to DREAM as a larger organization as it relates to paperwork, annual surveys, and other programs (summer enrichment, Camp DREAM, mentoring, and more).
The Experience of Serving as a Community Organizer:
- Members should expect and plan to serve approximately 15-20 hours per week, most often serving in the afternoon and early evening hours each day of service (Monday-Friday). Activity planning can be done remotely and has flexible timing.
- Afternoons will be spent most commonly in the community connecting with families and building relationships with the youth living in your assigned community by executing the activities you’ve planned either 1:1 or with small groups,
- Preparation for after school time should be completed prior to arriving in the community.
- Communication with caregivers occurs every week, or more frequently as circumstances may direct.
- Members will connect with their supervisor and other members weekly, or more frequently as projects and collaborations direct.
- Connection and communication with school contacts, local organizations, and resources that offer supplemental services to youth and families should happen monthly, or more frequently as circumstances may direct.
- Be ready to have lots of FUN with fellow AmeriCorps members, regional teams, the full DREAM Organization, and the youth!
- There is the option to renew your AmeriCorps service into the summertime, where you will be serving full-time and transition to creating and delivering activities that build engagement, academic enrichment and fun for youth. Beginning in June, daily and weekly schedules will adjust to deliver DREAM Summer Enrichment Programming. (Living stipend and additionally education award will adjust accordingly).
Required qualifications:
- Commitment to the entire service term.
- Commitment to the mission of AmeriCorps and DREAM.
- Desire to enhance existing skills and develop new skills necessary for service.
- Commitment to serve as a role model for youth.
- Past experience with youth, or a desire to build your experience with youth work.
- A passion for supporting our ongoing work around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- Experience working or living in a diverse and inclusive environment with demonstrated awareness of issues of social equity and social and racial justice.
- Demonstrated practice or education serving diverse communities or populations of people of color in an equitable manner and a manner that is respectful and aware of the community's experience.
- Demonstrated ability to manage time and set priorities while giving consideration to those you’re serving, your fellow team members, the organization, and the self.
- A dedicated room/space to complete your service that is not at a DREAM-supported site.
- An internet connection capable of easily handling Google Workspace apps and specifically, a Google Hangout/Meet.
- Access to resources necessary to support your telework/service experience (electrical power outlet to keep devices charged, reliable wifi connection that can connect with our cloud-based softwares).
- Ability to meet in person with your team or at your service assignment in their assigned location (including responsibility for transportation to and from).
- Access to a reliable phone.
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Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.A. due to AmeriCorps requirements.
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Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service OR be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service participating in a program
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent OR not have dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant (and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award) OR obtain a waiver from the Corporation OR be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis
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Members must agree to the following Criminal History Checks to be performed in order to serve as an AmeriCorps Member: NSOPW (Public Sex Offender) Check, Statewide Criminal Repository Checks (for State of Service and State of Residence), and FBI fingerprint-based Criminal History Check. The member is aware that that their identity must be verified with a government-issued photo ID. The results of these checks will be kept confidential, but could affect eligibility to serve in AmeriCorps.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with youth and/or a desire to expand experience in youth work.
- Access to resources that supplement your telework/service experience (headphones with a mic, laptop or computer with a camera).
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Current driver’s license, proof of insurance, and clean driving record.
- Boston and Philadelphia: public transportation is reliable for getting to all service sites.
- Communication proficiency: comfort with email, phone and video conferencing, in addition to in-person communication.
- Computer proficiency: comfort Google's GSuite and email, ability to comprehend and use a dynamic suite or cloud-based software/apps that meet our organization or participants where they are.
The DREAM Program is committed to dismantling systems of oppression that affect our youth and families. This organizational commitment means that members should join this space with an intention of learning, unlearning, and diving into ways that your involvement will directly contribute to DREAM’s mission of reducing the Opportunity Gap while also supporting the dismantling of other systemic inequities. We seek members who contribute to The DREAM Program’s diverse community, as having different perspectives, identities, and skills are what allow us to excel in our service. DREAM seeks members who are ready to engage in and foster an inclusive environment where all feel welcomed and accepted, and who strive to deliver culturally appropriate and relevant programming to the youth we serve. Incoming members and staff should understand that we serve marginalized communities, which means that it is imperative that diversity, equity, and inclusivity are infused into every aspect of our work as an organization.
DREAM AmeriCorps Benefits:
- Living Stipend paid biweekly.
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AmeriCorps members are also eligible for:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (food stamps)
- Child care assistance
- Medicaid
- Student loan deferment (forbearance)
- Other publicly-funded benefits, such as heating and utility assistance.
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Upon the completion of the service term, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive the Segal Education Award, which can be used to pay education expenses or repay qualified student loans.
- As an AmeriCorps member at DREAM, you will have the additional support of a DREAM AmeriCorps Director to help you navigate your service term and apply for publicly funded programs.
- DREAM is invested in your professional and personal development, and holds AmeriCorps Development Days and a variety of professional development opportunities throughout the service term.
- If you engage in work-related travel outside of a commute to your service site, DREAM will provide reimbursement by mileage.
Work environment: This position operates in multiple spaces. The spaces included may have characteristics similar to a professional office environment, an indoor/outdoor environment with active children and students, at our rustic Camp DREAM, and within the program sites we serve. This role routinely uses computers and various softwares regularly, as well as standard office/school equipment (such as phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and printers) as well as equipment characteristic of an outdoor and indoor youth camp (pop-up shade canopies/tents, hand tools, activity supplies, food preparation equipment, storage spaces and sports equipment/toys).
Physical demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee/member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:
- This position requires comfort working in outdoor environments, regardless of the weather. This position can be very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear.
- The employee/member may occasionally lift and/or move items over 50 pounds.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
AAP/EEO Statement:
The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
At will employment:
The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.
WHY WE DREAM…
[Visit our website (dreamprogram.org) or see us social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)]
Our Beliefs
- We believe that the opportunity gap is unfair and unjust.
- We believe that childhood is a precious part of the human experience and worthy of great investment.
- We believe that all children have immense potential to contribute to our society and that lost potential for one is lost potential for all.
- We believe that change is possible.
Our Vision
We seek a world in which all children have the opportunities, resources, and relationships necessary to achieve their dreams.
Our Mission
Our mission is to close the opportunity gap for children living in low-income housing.
Cultural Values
- We live in the grassroots. We see ourselves as more of a movement than an organization. We value bottom-up development and look to our volunteers for leadership.
- We are relationship-oriented. When relationships are done well, they can change the world and build bridges across differences. Relationships are at the center of all we do and are our greatest source of impact, influence, and learning.
- We value transparency. We are an open organization and invite all to participate in decision-making. We see honest communication as the foundation for creating trust and understanding.
- We like to play. We sing, surprise, act spontaneously, play games, and imagine. We see potential for something magical in every interaction. We think play is the ultimate vehicle or delivering our services.
- We think the high dive is fun! Positive risk-taking plays a crucial role in development. By pushing our comfort zones, we broaden our world views and expand our options.
- We think anything is possible. Call us naïve...wait a minute, don’t do that! Just join us!