Alternatives Inc. at Hampton Teen Center and Afterschool Programs

Major responsibilities and duties:

  • Form meaningful relationships with elementary and/or middle school students utilizing principles and practices of positive youth development
  • Provide curriculum based enrichment activities in assigned afterschool programs primarily in Hampton, but may also include Newport News sites and Yorktown site
  • Maintain adequate record keeping and turn in paperwork in a timely fashion
  • Attend AmeriCorps supervision meetings and training sessions
  • Develop and implement new programming as approved or directed by site supervisor
  • Participate in 4 National Service Projects including: Make a Difference Day, Martin Luther King Jr., Day of Service, Global Youth Service Day, and AmeriCorps Week
  • Be an ambassador for the mission of AmeriCorps and the value of community services
  • Embrace the mission and vision of Alternatives, Inc. – “healthy, creative, and principled young people valued as members of the community”

Requirements: 

  • Age 18+
  • Must have high school diploma or GED
  • Must be a US citizen or legal resident of the US
  • Must be available to work approximately 12 - 15 hours per week
  • Must be available at least 2-3 afternoons per week from 3:00 – 7:00 pm with some weekend work
  • Experience in working with elementary and/or middle school youth is highly desirable
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse cultures, ages, multiple perspectives, and lines of authority
  • Experience in developing effective working partnerships with a variety of groups and institutions
  • Must be dependable and responsible
  • Must have own transportation

Additional Information:

  • Living allowance beginning September 2011 and ending April 2012 (quarter time) - $2700, ending August 2012 (half time) - $4050
  • Upon successful completion of the AmeriCorps service, the student will be eligible for funding of an undergraduate, graduate or professional school scholarship - $1415 (quarter time) and $2038 (half time)

Selected AmeriCorps Members will serve at the Hampton Teen Center and Hampton Public Schools.

Commitment begins September 2011

  • Half-time members serve 675 hours, commitment ends August 2012
  • Quarter-time members serve 450 hours, commitment ends April 2012

Half-time Members receive:

  • living allowance
  • Segal Scholarship at the successful completion of service *

Quarter-time Members receive:

  • living allowance
  • Segal Scholarship at the successful completion of service *

Members also enjoy:

  • Professional Development
  • Training in youth development and field of specialty
  • Career networking now and in the future as AmeriCorps alumni
  • Conference participations
  • University recognition at Honor’s Convocation
  • AmeriCorps gear (t-shirt)
  • Satisfaction of helping youth develop in meaningful and productive ways

* Segal awards may be used for school tuition or loans within a 7-year period.

Requirements:

  • Age 18+
  • Must be a full-time, CNU student in good standing
  • Experience working with high school aged youth highly desirable
  • Experience as a youth leader highly desirable
  • Experience in developing effective working partnerships with diverse groups
  • Experience and training in appropriate field for position
  • Must be dependable and responsible
  • Must have own transportation
  • Must be available to work designated hours and months for entire AmeriCorps program

Theater Arts Programs Member:

Develop teen interest, knowledge and skills in theater arts, including improvisation workshops, acting classes, costume design, playwriting, culminating in the writing and performance of a play dealing with a social issue.

Gardening and Environmental Programs Member:

Develop a teen leadership team responsible for creation and maintenance of a Teen Center Tranquility Garden, a flower-pot gardening business and other environmental programs.

Visual Arts Programs Member:

Interest teens in all forms of visual arts (watercolor, sculpture, collage as well as Monart principles.  Develop and implement high quality youth made arts projects to be sold as Teen Center Youth Business.

Dance Programs Member:

Develop workshops, classes, performances in all forms of dance (ballet, jazz, hip-hop, salsa, ballroom, etc.)  Create a teen dance team and write proposals for new dance programming.

Leadership and Character Education Programs Member:

Help teens develop life skills which include but are not limited to communication, problem solving, decision making, stress management, conflict resolution and group creation and leadership.

Health and Wellness Programs Member:

Work closely with a health educator in the Hampton Health Department to develop youth-friendly wellness programming.  Research and apply for local and national funding related to teen health in order to create new programs.

Music Programs Member:

Develop exciting workshops, events, performances in music including but not limited to: instrumental music, choral music and/or music appreciation. Research and apply for local and national funding in order to create new music programming.

AmeriCorps Enrichment Members (Hampton Elementary and Public Schools):

Implement short term enrichment activities with elementary and middle school children.

High School Leadership Members (Education, leadership/social work majors encouraged to apply):

Implement afterschool leadership training with high school students and work with them to RELATE, a dating violence prevention program in each high school; lead KICK, a service learning program for K-8th graders; participate in community wide service projects.

Youth Civic Engagement Facilitators (Leadership or Government majors encouraged to apply):

Work with Alternatives staff to recruit, train and facilitate high school teens with various youth engagement groups including: Teen Center Advisory Board, Hampton Youth Commission, and Superintendent of Schools Advisory Board.