AmeriCorps Host Site Information The Massachusetts AmeriCorps New American Integration Program (NAIP) is accepting host site applications from organizations within their provider networks and member organizations wishing to host a full time AmeriCorps volunteer for the 2011-2012 year. The Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI), the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) and English for New Bostonians (ENB) are partnered to place 30 AmeriCorps members at immigrant and refugee serving organizations throughout Massachusetts. A NAIP AmeriCorps member commits to a full-time, ten month-long service at your organization. To enable a member to effectively serve, NAIP provides a modest living allowance, health benefits, and training to each AmeriCorps member. NAIP’s goal is to increase the capacity of host organizations by enabling them to assist immigrants and refugees to gain economic stability and fully integrate by improving English skills, becoming US citizens, and connecting with community resources. Additionally, by cultivating a pool of capable AmeriCorps members, many of whom are immigrants and refugees themselves, NAIP will strengthen immigrant and refugee communities. Through high quality training and experience, NAIP AmeriCorps members will become skilled and passionate service providers, educators, interpreters and advocates for your organization. Lastly, by spearheading volunteer programs at each site, NAIP members will create a highly visible volunteer “brigade” to engage community volunteers on a large scale addressing urgent educational and social needs. Applications to become a NAIP host site will be reviewed on a rolling basis as soon as they are submitted. The priority deadline is September 9th, 2011. Benefits to NAIP Host Sites Sites will receive a full-time colleague, increasing organizational capacity to address the needs of refugees and immigrants Your AmeriCorps member will be trained by respected partners such as the School for International Training and UMASS Medical State-wide training sessions for the host site AmeriCorps member supervisors Ongoing support to host sites through the NAIP Program Coordinator with monthly individual meetings and quarterly group meetings NAIP AmeriCorps Member Activities According to the host organization’s service activities plan, members will increase organizational capacity through a combination of the following allowable activities. Assisting with English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction or leading group conversation circles (All Sites) Citizenship education and citizenship assistance Organization of educational workshops Special ESOL program development project Volunteer program development (All Sites) Community interpreter services Provision of community support services Assisting with immigrant youth programs Prohibited activities include lobbying, voter registration, or religious proselytization Benefits to AmeriCorps Member The opportunity to gain valuable experience working with host site employees and clients An annual living stipend of up to $12,100 A $5,550 education award upon successful termination of service Healthcare benefits Five weeks of initial professional development training in ESOL, interpretation, citizenship, or human services, with professional certifications in some areas Monthly regional meetings and an annual retreat to discuss experiences, challenges, and successes Member recognition at MORI or MIRA events The satisfaction of seeing the results of their contribution to the community Expectations of NAIP Host Sites Assist in recruiting AmeriCorps members from their local community, especially targeting the immigrant and refugee community Provide a productive work environment including acceptable office space, use of a computer, and use of a phone Attendance at two site host supervisor training sessions Complete service plans with each AmeriCorps member outlining quarterly service goals Assist in data collection (ESOL assessments, numbers of citizenship applications completed, etc.) and report to NAIP for program impact measurement Host Site Financial Contribution In the 2011-2012 year NAIP host sites commit to pay a cost share of $7,000 for each full time member. These funds support living allowances, training, and other NAIP program costs. Host sites are encouraged to approach local foundations, donors, and partnering organizations to assist with the financial contribution; NAIP partner organizations may be able to assist with this. Organizations often find that the $7,000 contribution is equivalent to over $44,506 of value in volunteer hours (www.independentsector.org) . The New American Integration Program | Host Site Information & Application 2 Host Site Selection A joint team of ORI, MIRA, and ENB staff will review host site proposals. Proposals will be judged based on community need and the organization’s capacity to host and supervise a member, meet the service description of NAIP, and fulfill host site responsibilities. Please submit applications to: NAIP.coordinator@state.ma.us OR Office for Refugees and Immigrants Attn: NAIP Coordinator 18 Tremont St. Suite 1020 Boston, MA 02108 Host Site Timeline Immediately as received with priority deadline of September 9, 2011 September 16, 2011 late September October October November Host sites, ORI, and MIRA begin recruitment for AmeriCorps members Host site applications submitted and reviewed. Notification to selected host sites Placements determined Training and orientation for host sites Training and orientation for AmeriCorps members AmeriCorps members begin fulltime service The New American Integration Program | Host Site Information & Application 3 AmeriCorps Host Site Application Host Site Contact Information Host site name: Address: City, state: Website: Phone number: Executive director: Proposed AmeriCorps supervisor name: Supervisor e-mail: Zip code: Fax number: Supervisor phone: Is the proposed supervisor able/willing to have weekly supervisory meetings with the AmeriCorps member, attend two days of site supervisor training, and communicate with the NAIP coordinator monthly? YES NO Host Site Organizational Information Year the organization was founded: Are you a registered 501(c)3 organization operating in Massachusetts? YES NO Is it necessary that an AmeriCorps member serving at your site have a driver’s license and an insured vehicle? YES NO Will the AmeriCorps member be working directly with youth, the elderly, or persons with disabilities? YES NO Number of AmeriCorps members are you requesting for your organization: Part of the strength of the NAIP AmeriCorps Program is that many AmeriCorps members come from the immigrant and refugee community. Are you willing to help recruit members from the community? YES NO Do you know of any individuals that may be candidates for this program? YES NO If yes, please list the names of potential candidates: Have you provided these individuals with the NAIP AmeriCorps Member Application? YES NO Languages that are particularly helpful to your work: The New American Integration Program | Host Site Information & Application 4 Please rank the following service activities according to need at your organization, with “4” indicating highest need and “1” indicating low need. If a particular activity is not needed at your site, please mark “0”). AmeriCorps Member Service Activity Assisting with English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction Citizenship education and citizenship assistance Community interpreter services Provision of Community support services Level of Need 1-4 Estimated number of service hours/week in this area 0 0 0 0 I. Organization and Position Summaries Responses to the below prompts may be provided to AmeriCorps members or published for recruitment and/or placement purposes. (150 words) A. Describe your organization including mission, main programs and activities, and target population. B. Summarize the main activities of the AmeriCorps member including estimated schedule, activities, and collaboration. The New American Integration Program | Host Site Information & Application 5 C. Please state the percentage of the AmeriCorps member’s time that will be allocated to each activity you mentioned above. The AmeriCorps member’s service plan will be further defined and developed during site supervisor training, so your estimates may be adjusted. II. Organizational Capacity Please provide a brief response (150 words). A. Why do you want to host an AmeriCorps member? B. What experience would you like the AmeriCorps member to leave with? The New American Integration Program | Host Site Information & Application 6 C. Describe the enduring outcomes you anticipate for your organization after the AmeriCorps member’s service (programs, projects or tools developed, strengthened systems or processes). D. How will you provide support and supervision for the AmeriCorps member? Who will be the AmeriCorps site supervisor? E. How will your organization integrate the AmeriCorps member as an important part of your staff? III. Additional Documents A. Please attach the resume of the proposed site supervisor. The New American Integration Program | Host Site Information & Application 7