AmeriCorps YOUth Serve Member (Summer 2025 Only)

Position Summary

We are now accepting applications for Youth and Opportunity United's AmeriCorps Y.O.U.th Serve Summer 2025 Member program as a full summer service member serving a minimum of 100-300 hours between May 27, 2025 and August 7, 2025 from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday thru Friday.  AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It’s a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community. Whether your service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you’ll be getting things done through AmeriCorps!

About Y.O.U’s AmeriCorps Y.O.U.th Serve

Y.O.U.’s AmeriCorps program is called Y.O.U.th Serve. Its goals are

• To increase academic performance, social and emotional development, and gang resilience in youth.
• To increase levels of parental engagement in youths’ lives and Y.O.U. programming.
• To leverage volunteers as a result of our program.

What You’ll Do

Y.O.U.th Serve Members support youth by serving in Y.O.U.'s summer program. Y.O.U.th Serve Members will provide youth will support or help lead workshops on social and emotional enrichment and life skills, sports and recreation, STEAM, cultural, DIY, and more. Y.O.U.th Serve Members will also assist the program in building relationships with families and community members. All Y.O.U.th Serve Members will report to a Program Manager during a stand-alone weekly program or at an elementary-, middle-, or high school site.

Your Role and Responsibilities

Direct Service (70%)

• Assist with a variety of enrichment activities on a daily basis including but not limited to social justice, anti-racist, cultural, artistic, physical fitness, STEM, adolescent identity and self-exploration, and other academic enrichment activities on a daily basis.
• Integrate and adapt educational best practices learned into the curriculum during programs.
• Assist instructors and service providers with small group instruction in a safe and structured environment.
• Incorporate feedback in daily tasks from Y.O.U. out-of-school time leadership.
• Set classroom management expectations and agreements based on Y.O.U. guidelines and standards.
• Cultivate positive relationships with youth that support their success and well-being.
• Assist in planning, coordinating, and hosting periodic family nights.
• Assist in planning, coordinating, supporting, and transporting youth on field trips.
• Assist in coordinating and implement implementing Y.O.U. summer learning camps.

Administrative Work (in support of Direct Service) (20%)

• Assist with daily and/or monthly program attendance input and reporting.
• Create summer newsletters and calendars to send out to program families.
• Attend daily site-based team meetings and other department or organizational meetings.
• Complete assessments as needed in support of OST data and evaluation efforts.
• Assist with daily snack prep for the program.
• Inventory and supply shop for educational program supplies on an ongoing basis.

Training & Other (10%)

• Participate in, lead, and attend all required volunteer activities.
• Attend all AmeriCorps cohort meetings and training as scheduled.
• Attend all in-house OST department professional development training.
• Implement knowledge and skills learned into the OST curriculum and program.

Y.O.U. AmeriCorps Y.O.U.th Serve Benefits

• Bi-monthly Stipend
• Professional Development
• Paid Time Off, if allowable
• Y.O.U./AmeriCorps Uniform

AmeriCorps and other federally-issued Benefits

• AmeriCorps Education Award up to $1,565.08 towards eligible College Tuition costs
• Loan Forbearance and Interest Accrual Payments for Qualified Student Loans
• Time Accrual toward the U.S. Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Develop crucial career and life skills: The Y.O.U.th Serve Member term of service offers a unique opportunity for growth for individuals thinking about a career in youth development, education, or social work. Members will develop their leadership skills and enhance their understanding of youth development and support in a non-profit environment.

Organizational Background

Founded in 1971, Y.O.U. is an Evanston-based non-profit that partners with families, schools, and the community to provide academic, social, and emotional support to close the opportunity gap and prepare all youth for post-secondary and life success. Each year, Y.O.U. provides over 1,600 youth across 11 school sites with free, holistic, out-of-school support, including afterschool and summer learning programs, mental health counseling, and experiential learning through partnerships. The organization is implementing a new strategic plan focused on data & evaluation of impact, increased integration of services, and refining the program model. Our staff are a diverse collection of passionate individuals, committed to social justice, trauma-informed care, inclusion, equity, and anti-racist ideologies, and helping youth realize their full potential.

Youth and Opportunity United is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Youth and Opportunity United welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 17 years of age or older
• A US citizen or permanent resident
• Valid driver's license or willingness to obtain one
• Able to pass a background check

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associates degree in education, human development, family studies, sociology, or other related field.
• Previous experience working with elementary, middle or high school aged youth.
• Interest, experience and commitment in pursuing a career in education, social services or other youth facing services.
• Strong connection to Y.O.U. mission and values.
• Ability to provide asset-based learning in youth-centered programming.
• Creative and innovative facilitation skills.
• Strong social-emotional intelligence, teamwork, leadership, and technological skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to interact with individuals from a wide range of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Understanding of race, privilege, power and other systems of oppression that impacts youth, communities and school systems. Ability to use this knowledge to provide culturally responsive programming.
• Bilingual, preferably Spanish and/or French

Preferred Skills:

• Punctuality
• Flexibility
• Self Reflection
• Time Management
• Problem-Solving
• Decision Making
• Attention to detail
• Strong Communication (verbal and written)