Activities or Day Space Coordination (AmeriCorps)

JVC Northwest; Anchorage, Northern (AK, KY); Hybrid; USD 13,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AmeriCorps service

Alaska-focused experience

Job summary

Covenant House Alaska seeks a Health Futures Activities Specialist to plan and facilitate wellness education groups and recreational activities for youth. You will work with the Director of Holistic Care and Youth Engagement Specialists to promote social and emotional wellness, life skills, and independent planning in a culturally respectful Alaska setting.

The role offers hands-on experience in youth services and transitional living programs, with opportunities to learn about Alaska Native

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Driver's license required for transportation to activities.
• Vehicle ownership or access preferred for program logistics.
• English language required; Spanish ability not required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate healthy futures education groups and healthy recreational activities.
• Collaborate with the Director of Holistic Care and Youth Engagement Specialists on life skills and wellness education.
• Enter activities participation data into the program database and support youth engagement.

Skills

Driver's License

Spanish language

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Opportunities to serve with JVC Northwest exist in the five beautiful states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska in remote, rural, and urban settings.

Jesuit Volunteers also have the opportunity to serve in other US regions through our sibling organization, Jesuit Volunteer Corps .

Below is a list of opportunities organized by location and by category of service. As part of your application to become a Jesuit Volunteer, we’ll ask about your service preferences, but we ask all applicants to be open to where the need is greatest, and we may ask you to consider options you had not initially thought about.

Position Title

Healthy Futures Activities Specialist

Agency Website

https://covenanthouseak.org

Position Focus

AmeriCorps Status

AmeriCorps

Service Impact Area

Capacity Building

Primary Role

Activities or Day Space Coordination (AmeriCorps)

Length of Service Term

12 months

Primary Service Area

Teen/At-Risk/Opportunity Youth Services

Populations Served

Current or formerly incarcerated, Immigrants and Refugees, Indigenous Communities, Individual with physical or intellectual disabilities, LGBTQIA2S+ communities, Survivors of DVSA, Teens/At-Risk/Opportunity Youth, Individuals experiencing housing instability and/or houselessness

Other Issues and Roles

Homelessness/Housing Services, Environmental StewardshipHealth and Health EducationSocial Services, Homelessness/Housing ServicesMental Health

Brief Position Description:

This JV member will plan and facilitate healthy futures education groups and healthy recreational activities, with a focus on social and emotional wellness including fun activities that can contribute to rest and healthy, lasting changes. Additionally, the member will serve with the Director of Holistic Care, Youth Engagement Specialists and Community Partners as it relates to future planning, independent life skills and equal access to wellness education for all youth engaging in Covenant House Alaska programming. This position offers unique opportunities to experience Alaska, learn about Alaska Native history, cultures and traditions, and get to know its amazing people.

Day in Life of JV

The Healthy Futures Activities Specialist will begin most days at 10:00am with a check-in with the Director of Holistic Care to look at activities for the day. Some days this person may be taking youth to off- site groups or facilitating or hosting wellness education groups in the morning. On days that no morning activity is happening, this time will be used to connect with youth and case managers and assess trending needs for groups, subject matter that is of youth interest, activities, and outings. This time can also be used to research and plan activities or connect with community partners and volunteers who can assist with various groups that have a variety of specialized training such as life skills, coping skills, drug/alcohol intervention and education, healthy lifestyles, physical education, etc. The Youth Activities team places an emphasis on encouraging staff engaging in activities, groups, and outings with our youth to play off their strengths; this role would begin with getting to know the Activities team and learning which methods and skills the person in this role would like to specialize in.

At noon, youth and staff have an opportunity to eat together in the dining hall. This is sometimes a time when the staff gathers to share updates and coordinate schedules for the afternoon. It is also an opportunity to get to know Covenant House Alaska staff and youth or take a break if needed.

The remainder of the day is typically spent doing activities with youth (gym time, outdoor recreation hosting/facilitating wellness groups etc). This is also a time when the JV member can spend time connecting with the Volunteers of America on-site drug addiction and recovery counselor and case management staff. Some afternoons may be spent serving youth one-on-one by developing activities to support the wellness portion of their success plans, opening the art room, gym, or connecting with youth leadership to help develop youth-centered wellness programming. JV members additionally have the opportunity to try out/shadow different areas of the Youth Engagement Center and spend time learning about Transitional Living Programs by spending time at other programs. Towards the end of the day, the JV will enter in data for activities participation in our database, until their day ends at 6:00 pm. Occasionally, the JV will have the opportunity to accompany youth to off-site activities like festivals, recreational or cultural activities like skiing, a trip to the museum, or a concert. Any activities that take place outside of the JV's regular service hours are optional, and if a JV does serve during an evening or weekend, they will flex their hours the following week to keep their service week balanced.

Required & Preferred Skills

Education Requirements

Bachelor's Degree

Driver's License Requirement

Yes

Vehicle Requirement

A vehicle owned by your organization or program

Nature of Driving

Occasional outings

Spanish Language Requirement

No requirement other than English

Preferred Spanish Language Level

No requirement other than English

Additional Languages and Level Preferred

Required experience, qualities, or specialized training

n/a

Preferred experience, qualities or specialized training