LearningWorks - Alumni & Community Engagement Coordinator VISTA
Since 2000, the mission of LearningWorks is to offer challenging academic enrichment to a representative group of high potential middle school students in the Minneapolis Public Schools, over summers and on school-year Saturdays. We also draw talented, diverse high school and college students into education by engaging them in the art of teaching. This unique partnership between The Blake School and Minneapolis Public Schools is an aspirational vision of what school and learning can be for all students, in a diverse community where “it’s cool to be smart, cool to be you, and cool to care.”
LearningWorks is actively seeking a highly motivated and team-oriented AmeriCorps VISTA member to join our diverse and dedicated team. The Alliance VISTA will work in partnership with the supervisor and host site to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the LearningWorks alumni network by expanding resources and community partnerships as well as developing college bound programming to support high-school aged youth on their path to and through college. **This position is part of the Minnesota Alliance With Youth Cohort. This cohort provides a learning community of 20 fellow VISTA members service projects geared toward educational equity. We provide monthly+ professional development training and additional support throughout the year.
LearningWorks VISTA Responsibilities
- Create and implement a digital system for tracking and monitoring high school and college-aged alumni academic progress, college access resources, and community engagement to ensure consistent support of alumni
- Conduct outreach to community partners in MPS, our national partners in the Breakthrough Collaborative network and other non-profits serving students in a similar capacity
- Develop and sustain partnerships with college access organizations serving students in the Twin Cities Metro area Integrate community partnerships in student alumni programming project planning and curriculum development
- Create a student alumni program that utilizes community partnerships to support students with college access as well as improve student academic and community engagement
- Create curriculum for student alumni workshops and events within scope of framework
- Develop a plan for communicating with alumni and recommitment of support to/from LearningWorks through high school.
Alliance VISTA Position Responsibilities
- Create or improve data systems to increase organization’s ability to track, evaluate, and replicate positive youth interventions
- Develop and implement a process for recruiting volunteers and caring adults to work with youth in areas such as mentoring, tutoring, civic engagement and college/career exploration
- Convene partners to align goals and activities
- Assess community needs and conduct asset mapping
- Research best practices relating to educational equity (ex. access to reliable transportation, ensuring quality data is available and used to target students, providing effective alternative pathways and additional time to earn a diploma, etc.) and conduct literature reviews
- Reduce/eliminate duplication in educational equity efforts
- Identify and integrate best practices into communities and organizations
- Create resources and materials to help inform the community and disseminate information
AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old by start date
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National or have status as a Lawful Permanent Resident Alien
- Please note that final candidates will be required to successfully pass a background check before being officially enrolled as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member. Alliance VISTA Qualifications
- Interest in youth, service, education, and non-profit work
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Ability to deal effectively with a variety of tasks, priorities, and people in order to meet goals
- Self-motivated, able to work in a team, take initiative and work independently
- Able to present oneself in a highly professional manner and be an ambassador of the program