UJA-Federation affiliated agencies' current AmeriCorps*VISTA members with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz (fifth from left), Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham (second from right), Met Council Program Support Manager Esther Larson (left), and UJA-Federation Program Coordinator Laura Vogel (right).

A group of 14 local UJA-Federation of New York agencies and one unaffiliated organization that addresses the core needs of the 1.5 million poor and near poor in New York City has received a grant providing 22 full-time members of the AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program. UJA-Federation provides funding to the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty for its coordination of this VISTA program.

VISTA members working with this group of organizations will recruit baby boomer volunteers to support UJA-Federation agencies in their own communities, generate community awareness of poverty issues and antipoverty programs, and identify new funding sources for these programs. The organizations involved provide sustainable solutions to impoverished communities, including seniors living on fixed incomes, homeless individuals, immigrants and other non-English speakers, individuals in crisis, and the working poor.

If you want to help one of these organizations through AmeriCorps*VISTA, read about the three types of positions available below, then get detailed information about positions available at specific organizations. Learn more about AmeriCorps*VISTA, or visit https://recruit.cns.gov/ to apply.

VISTA Development Associates

Development associates will build the capacity of an agency's development and fundraising systems by:

• Preparing a database of appropriate funding opportunities, their foci, and their deadlines.
• Researching, writing, and preparing grant proposals for submission to public and private funders.
• Researching and presenting new funding opportunities to key staff members at biweekly meetings.
• Memorializing processes of grant development so program staff can complete proposals if a paid grantwriter cannot be secured after VISTA funding ends.

Organizations seeking development associates: Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Bronx Jewish Community Council, The Educational Alliance, Jackson Heights Elmhurst Kehillah, Jewish Community Council of Canarsie, Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island,* Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, Jewish Council of Yonkers, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Queens Jewish Community Council.

VISTA Outreach Program Associates

Outreach Program associates will build an agency's community-outreach capacity by:

• Creating and enhancing the agency's database of media contacts by following the work of reporters who cover such relevant issues as benefits, immigration, unemployment, and so forth.
• Meeting with agency directors monthly to expand venues for outreach and evaluate existing outreach efforts to the low-income community.
• Creating local awareness campaigns and outreach materials.
• Increasing public awareness of antipoverty solutions through community newsletters and outreach to community leaders and media.

Organizations seeking Outreach Program associates: Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Bronx Jewish Community Council, F.E.G.S. Health and Human Services System, Jewish Community Council of Canarsie, Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island,* Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, Samuel Field Y, New York Association for New Americans, New York Legal Assistance Group, and Queens Jewish Community Council.

VISTA Volunteer Associates

Volunteer associates will develop and implement strategies for recruitment, screening, matching, and retention of baby boomer volunteers, and create comprehensive training and in-service curricula by:

• Reaching out to other community-based organizations in New York City and researching current volunteer opportunities for older adults within New York City.
• Developing a comprehensive plan for a team-based volunteer program for older adult volunteers.
• Researching and developing volunteer opportunities for baby boomer volunteers in low-income communities.
• Creating a recruitment infrastructure and training materials for a baby boomer, team-based volunteer program.
• Planning and coordinating an annual conference on volunteerism and civic engagement for baby boomers.
• Creating a database of appropriate volunteer opportunities.
• Memorializing processes in a handbook for future volunteer coordinators.

Organizations seeking volunteer associates: Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, Bronx Jewish Community Council, The Educational Alliance, F.E.G.S. Health and Human Services System, Jewish Association for Services for the Aged, Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island,* Jewish Council of Yonkers, and Samuel Field Y.

*The Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island is not an agency of UJA-Federation of New York.