AmeriCorps Experience in Colorado! AmeriCorps opportunity in Colorado's San Luis Valley!
Valley Educational Gardens Initiative (VEGI)
VEGI uses gardening as a platform to teach youth about nutrition, growing science, and the value of cooperation and achievement. VEGI partners with local schools, neighborhoods, and families to provide gardening opportunities that enrich individual health and well-being, while providing direct access to nutritious foods. VEGI also supplements La Puente’s Food Bank Network and shelter soup kitchen with produce grown at several VEGI garden sites.
PALS (Positive Activities Lead to Success)
PALS is a children’s after school and vacation day program that provides a safe, trusting environment to nurture and strengthen the emotional, social and educational needs of children (ages 5-9) who have experienced trauma. PALS engages at-risk children through adventure, opportunity, counseling, family network activities and small adult-to-child ratios.
Service at Crisis Prevention Resources
Crisis Prevention Resources (CPR) provides financial resources to individuals and families to work through or prevent crises that could lead to homelessness. The AmeriCorps position works within a team that provides emergency rent, utility, and health assistance, (and more) and provides guidance that assists families find the resources that can help them build stability and work towards independence. Services are coordinated with the homeless shelter, Adelante, and other local partners. AmeriCorps members at CPR engage in training and acquire professional skills that are highly marketable for transitioning into the workforce.
Shelter service
La Puente’s shelter offers an open door for people facing homelessness. Shelter AmeriCorps members support shelter operations (intakes, engaging guests, meal prep, helping drop-ins and visitors, etc.) and provide case management with shelter guests to help them transition towards stability by building trust, meeting essential needs, and connecting them to community resources. Training provided. AmeriCorps members serve a split position, with 3 days/week at the shelter and 2 days/week at Street Outreach or Crisis Prevention Resources (CPR)
Street Outreach
Homelessness Outreach Case Manager’s main function is to create connections with members of the homeless community and assist them in navigating the often complex and difficult processes involved in obtaining and maintaining stable housing. This includes but is not limited to learning about and making referrals to outside agencies and other services within La Puente, conducting assessments regarding the vulnerability of homeless individuals, collecting and organizing data that is relevant to those individuals' situations, planning and serving meals at the Shelter and keeping up with the daily tasks of the Shelter.