Americorp/VISTA member wanted to assist CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Maine and Women, Work, and Community in an initiative to improve the economic future and financial stability of low-income working families in Maine. The Americorp member will assist WWC and Coalition partners in this project to develop a sustained, connected and integrated set of strategies, tools, and services to support changes in behavior, raise new expectations about what is possible, and improve long-term financial stability among low-income individuals/families.
Position Title: VISTA CA$H Maine Outreach and Research Assistant
Reports to: Janet Smith; Women, Work, and Community (WWC) and CA$H Maine Financial Capability and Asset Building Coordinator. This position will be based in Augusta with statewide travel to CA$H Coalitions. This is an Americorp/VISTA position.
Background: CA$H (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope) Maine is currently comprised of 11 local coalitions throughout the state that consist of community leaders and industry experts helping families and individuals achieve long-term financial stability. CA$H Maine was started in November of 2002 by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to ensure that Maine’s low wage workers had a reliable and free place to have their taxes done; to make sure they were claiming all of the tax credits that they were eligible for, including the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit); and to connect these tax filers to programs in their communities that would help them to build assets. Over the next 2 years, the John T. Gorman Foundation is supporting Women, Work, and Community and CA$H Maine’s coordinated year round efforts to build assets among low income workers and their families throughout the state. Money management classes and coaching, matched savings accounts, access to education, training and help with small business start-up, assistance with access to health care, are among the many resources we are promoting.
Position Description: The primary responsibility of the AmeriCorp member will be to assist WWC and Coalition partners in:
- Researching other state and national financial stability and asset development initiatives
- Analyzing CA$H site participation rates and helping set targets for subsequent years
- Assessing data gaps and drafting recommendations around data needs
- Developing and helping disseminate follow-up surveys; interviewing and creating profiles of CA$H program beneficiaries
- Developing communication and marketing tools, including talking points, and personal stories/testimonials
- Investigating state policy/statutory changes that would have a positive impact on low-wage earners, in particular, proposals for portable retirement savings accounts, earned income tax credits, minimum wage proposals, among others.
Skills/Experience/Training Required: The qualified candidate will have:
- Demonstrated experience in and/or coursework in research methods and analysis
- Demonstrated communication skills; writing and interviewing skills are a plus
- Good organization skills; ability to work in a team and independently
- Strong computer skills, proficiency in Excel applications
AmeriCorp/VISTA Benefits:
- Stipend of $936 per month throughout the 12 month term
- Choice of $5,730 education award or $1,500 cash stipend upon completion of service
Education award can be to pay off qualified loans, or for educational expenses at Title IV schools
- Forbearance of federally qualified student loans during service term (interest paid by AmeriCorps)
Stafford, Perkins, Some private loans (you must call lender to ask)
- Health Benefits
- Workers Compensation Coverage
- Optional Life Insurance
- Child Care Reimbursement (if income eligible)
- 20 days of sick and vacation leave
- Relocation Allowance for service for those who relocate 50 miles or more (from their home of record)
- One time relocation allotment of $550 and reimbursement for travel costs (baggage shipment, mileage reimbursement if driving a personal vehicle)
- Non-competitive eligibility for Federal Jobs for 1 year after your term of service
- Networking/professional development
- Mileage reimbursement to AmeriCorps sponsored training events
- Mileage reimbursement for project/site related travel consistent with staff reimbursement at the site
- Usually eligible for Food Stamps (SNAP) – should apply for benefit before starting VISTA term
Please note: AmeriCorps VISTA Members may not hold another job or attend school full time.