Join the Wake County Food Security VISTA Program this summer and help engage Wake County communities in food relief efforts! The N.C. Cooperative Extension Wake County Division and partners are seeking motivated, enthusiastic volunteers to join us for a paid, nine-week service experience working with the Wake County Summer Food Program and COVID-19 Emergency Food Relief. As a volunteer, you will be helping our partners serve meals, assist with nutrition and education camps, and support community food programs across the county. VISTA Summer associates receive several benefits through the AmeriCorps program, including a living allowance, loan forbearance & deferment, GRE fee reduction, and a choice of an education award or cash stipend at the end of their service. Positions are Monday through Friday with some weekend and evening shifts as needed, equaling a total of 35 hours per week. Members must be available to serve the full nine weeks from June 7, 2021–August 8, 2021. No leave is available for Summer Associates, with the exception of July 4, 2021. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Opportunity Listings

Wake County Food Security Program – 102787  

Members will serve with a dynamic team across departments to support summer food sites, community events, vaccine sites and 4-H day camps. This includes:

• Getting food to designated, food-insecure locations;
• Assembling and distributing educational grab and go bags for youth;
• Delivering direct education to vulnerable youth at 4H camps;
• Assembling and distributing materials and information on community resources; as well as
• Providing information, education and access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines.
   

Because our work is directly integrated with public health and youth development, members will do a variety of tasks each day. A member is expected to be available on evenings and weekends, and the schedule may alter to accommodate community events.

City of Raleigh – 102793

VISTA Summer Associates will serve at the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Office, providing direct services to vulnerable youth in the county. Member duties will include:

• Attend pre-summer camp training that will focus on youth development, empowerment, behavior management, adversity, resilience, safety, and topics related to the curriculum being taught
• Engage with more than 250 youth per week by delivering evidence-based nutrition and physical activity education programs at PRCR summer food locations for a total of 250 youth for the entire summer
• Assist in evaluating activities, developing solutions and the necessary adjustments to meet community needs.
   

Kirk of Kildaire Summer Food Associate – 102791

Members will be housed with Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian in Cary and will do the following:

1. Operate feeding sites in Western Wake County, including delivering meals, setting-up, serving meals, site clean up, and record-keeping;
2. Provide outreach to let families know of available resources and identify unmet needs;
3. Develop & execute camp-style activities to promote education and physical health for youth, including activities such as reading groups, basketball competitions, small group science camps, etc. Camp activities will be conducted as conditions allow and based on recommendations of CDC and local government guidance in regards to COVID-19 and community programs.
    

If you have any questions, please contact:

Sydney Klein
Food Security Program Manager
Sydney.klein@wake.gov

Kate Perry
AmeriCorps Leader
kate.perry@wake.gov