Through an array of capacity building support services, the new AmeriCorps VISTA Steward for Groundwork Hudson Valley will play an instrumental role in moving this high-profile environmental project forward in the EJ community of Southwest Yonkers. Activities will involve organizing and refining project outreach efforts through an equity lens, organizing volunteer stewardship initiatives to increase and broaden their impact, and helping raise critically needed resources to sustain these programs over time. This project involves the restoration of the Saw Mill River, an impaired tributary to the Hudson River flowing through the center of Southwest Yonkers around which are major public parks and commercial districts. Groundwork Hudson Valley engages volunteers from the community along the entire stretch of the Saw Mill River watershed to steward the river through efforts to remove invasive plants, plant trees and remove trash. Community engagement is particularly important in the Yonkers portion of the river, where trash and increased fecal content accumulate from upstream sources as the river runs through Southwest Yonkers to empty into the Hudson River. Volunteer recruitment is key to this program and at the heart of the annual community initiative, the Saw Mill River Cleanup. This project is intrinsically tied to the social, environmental and economic renewal of Southwest Yonkers and their success and sustainability will promote long-term poverty alleviation, jobs, and educational opportunity across the entire community. In joining us, the VISTA Steward will make significant contributions to developing the long-term capacity and sustainability of both of these projects.
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Member Duties : The VISTA will play an instrumental role in organizing and refining project outreach efforts through an equity lens, organizing volunteer stewardship initiatives to increase and broaden their impact, and helping raise critically needed resources to sustain these programs over time. The project involves the restoration of the Saw Mill River, an impaired tributary to the Hudson River flowing through the center of Southwest Yonkers around which are major public parks and commercial districts. The VISTA Steward will help develop the long-term capacity and sustainability of this project by organizing and recruiting the community for watershed stewardship including the annual Great Saw Mill River Cleanup, by researching grant opportunities to support community outreach and engagement, in particular around river stewardship, and by developing resources for writing grant applications to secure funding for the program.
Program Benefits : Stipend , Childcare assistance if eligible , Relocation Allowance , Living Allowance , Training , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Professional Development funds .
*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/vista/benefits.
Terms :
Permits attendance at school during off hours , Permits working at another job during off hours , Car recommended .
Service Areas :
Neighborhood Revitalization , Community and Economic Development , Environment , Community Outreach .
Skills :
Writing/Editing , Communications , Environment , General Skills , Fund raising/Grant Writing , Community Organization .
SUMMARY
- Program Type: AmeriCorps VISTA
- Program: Stewards VISTA: Groundwork Hudson Valley – Watershed Year 1
- Program Start/End Date: 05/05/2025 – 05/01/2026
- Work Schedule: Full Time
- Education level: College graduate
- Age Requirement: Minimum: 18 Maximum: None
- Program Locations: NEW YORK New York City (inc. Long Island CT NJ NY)
- Languages: English
- Accepting Applications: From 01/15/2025 To 04/01/2025
- Contact: Addie Gilkerson, 330 Harper Park Dr, Beckley WV 25801, 3045331211, agilkerson@conservationlegacy.org, www.stewardslegacy.org
- Listing ID: 125466
