About the Power of We Consortium’s AmeriCorps VISTA Program:
The Power of We Consortium’s AmeriCorps VISTA Program focuses on building the capacity of Ingham County organizations in the areas of education and economic opportunity. The program emphasizes the importance of professional development and personal growth while creating an exceptional AmeriCorps VISTA experience for members during the service term. Each member of the program is passionate about some area of community development and is aware of the importance of the work that they are doing for the Ingham County community. AmeriCorps members spend a summer or a year at local nonprofit organizations targeting underserved communities.
Learn more about the Power of We Consortium
About My Role:
As the Women’s Economic Empowerment Outreach Coordinator at the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing through AmeriCorps VISTA, I will play a crucial role in advancing the organization’s mission and raising funding via grants. For the duration of my service year, from December 4, 2023, to December 5, 2024, my focus will be enhancing economic opportunities and securing grant funding for women in Greater Lansing.
Key Responsibilities:
- Curriculum Enhancement and Program Evaluation:
- Apply a trauma-informed approach to evaluate existing job-training programs.
- Identify areas for improvement and research innovative training programs tailored for survivors of domestic abuse.
- Organize and implement updates, ensuring digital accessibility and usability.
- Community Outreach and Collaboration:
- Develop and execute outreach strategies to raise awareness about our programs.
- Foster collaborations with local partners to amplify the impact of our initiatives.
- Act as a liaison between the Women’s Center and the community, promoting engagement and support.
- Grant Research and Application:
- Explore sustainable funding sources by compiling a comprehensive list of potential grants.
- Conduct thorough research and analysis to prepare compelling grant applications.
- Collaborate on the writing and data collection for grant submissions, with a focus on successful program implementation.
- Program Evaluation and Reporting:
- If a grant is awarded, design and implement a program evaluation process.
- Utilize collected data to prepare detailed and insightful grant reports, demonstrating the impact of our programs.
- Fundraising Activities:
- Plan, organize, and execute fundraising activities to secure financial support for our programs.
- Engage the community in supporting our mission through creative and effective fundraising initiatives.
In this role, I am committed to creating positive change by empowering women through enhanced job training programs, community outreach, and strategic funding initiatives. I look forward to contributing to the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing’s impactful mission during my service year.
Personal Reflection
I came across this opportunity on Indeed during my job search and was immediately interested in applying. Ever since my time at MSU, I have been looking for a suitable AmeriCorps service position. Although I had seen other opportunities in the past, the timing was never right for me to complete a service year. While I would have preferred a position that is more related to my career field of Marketing and Design, the job description caught my attention because of the transferable skills I could learn, such as grant writing and community outreach, that could help me in transitioning to a new role in my future employment endeavors. This drove me to apply. After being offered the position and officially starting my service year, I am excited to contribute my skills to help advance the mission of the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, an organization that has provided me with invaluable services in my past times of need.
