Project Number: 19VSACT001

Project Period 8/16/2020 – 8/14/2021

Focus Areas: Economic Opportunity (Primary), Capacity Building (Secondary)

One Year Commitment from Start Date

VISTA Assignment Objectives and Member Activities

Goal of Overall VISTA Project: The LifeBridge Community Services AmeriCorps VISTA project will build capacity of our new Center for Youth Development, including our Urban Scholars Program, building the capacity of the Community Closet and opening a brand new Family Resource Center. The position will focus on researching needs, developing systems and procedures for the Family Resource Center and helping to open it. The Family Resource Center will serve families with primary languages of English and Spanish. Proficiency in Spanish will be helpful in focus groups and developing collateral materials. This is an opportunity to help build a program from the ground up. The position will work on the team that creates the Concept Paper for the Family Resource Center.

Objective of the Assignment: Conduct research within LifeBridge and to various organizations, including schools, companies, nonprofits, churches, and more, to help determine needs for the Family Resource Center.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Develop, distribute, and analyze internal and external surveys to gather information about client needs.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Research community organizations providing similar services. Learn about their procedures and target market. Utilize information to help design our operation and referral procedures. Determine opportunities to collaborate.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Participate in groups that provide access to multiple partners, for example the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. Develop relationships with interested parties. Determine opportunities to collaborate.

Objective of the Assignment: Assist with the development of systems and procedures for the Family Resource Center.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Review the existing systems and procedures for the Center for Youth Development, Volunteer Management and the overall agency. Help to develop Family Resource Center systems and procedures, reflecting pandemic safety precautions.

Objective of the Assignment: Work with the VISTA member team to help direct the overall project, assuring that the Center for Youth Development (which includes the Family Resource Center) is meeting the needs of the target population

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): In partnership with LifeBridge staff, work with an advisory group of beneficiaries.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Meet with the advisory group periodically to determine what is important to them, what is working, and to get input on the project.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Develop and implement surveys that capture impact of all three components: Urban Scholars Program, Community Closet, and Family Resource Center.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Develop and implement volunteer assessment tool that captures their volunteer experience, perspective on operations and client impact.

Objective of the Assignment: Support volunteer engagement within Family Resource Center.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Identify needs that volunteers could potentially fill and work with the Volunteer Management VISTA – Center for Youth Development to develop volunteer job descriptions.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Train, schedule and supervise volunteers within the Family Resource Center.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): In collaboration with the Volunteer Management – Center for Youth Development VISTA, schedule both one time and recurring group volunteer opportunities.

Objective of the Assignment: Support Fund Development for the Family Resource Center.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Gather data regarding the success of the participants.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Document participant stories to be shared with funders.

Objective of the Assignment: Develop program opportunities reflecting identified community needs.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Coordinate program offerings with internal departments.

Member Activity (08/16/2020 – 08/14/2021): Establish program calendar.