AmeriCorps Experience in Colorado! AmeriCorps opportunity in Colorado's San Luis Valley!

What AmeriCorps Positions are at La Puente?

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 Crisis Prevention Resources, Street outreach or the Food Bank Network. The shelter also has one full time position available.

Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley AmeriCorps 

The Food Bank Network is a cohort of 15 food pantries across the San Luis Valley that annually assists over 10,000 individuals with emergency food provisions. The full-time AmeriCorps position leads a 6-week food rescue program (Gleaning Project) and assists the Director in Food Bank operations.  There are 3 positions split between the Shelter and the Food Bank and one fulltime Food Bank position.  The splits assist daily operations, performing intakes, assistance with food distribution, and special projects, as needed.

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. There are both full-time positions and positions split with the shelter available. 

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. (Split position 3 days at the Food Bank and 2 days at VEGI)

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.

Volunteer Coordinator 

This position is the lead contact for all local community volunteers, providing opportunities for the public to get involved and participate in La Puente's mission. This entails frequent communication to all La Puente's programs to ensure the best service for each program and the best experience for each volunteer. There is a lot of follow up with programs and volunteers and often outside entities when the volunteer is performing mandated service such as parole officers and governmental service providers. This position is also a facilitator for work groups that come from all over the country for one or several days at a time. By coordinating work projects, creating and facilitating service learning, and engaging the participants in the services of La Puente, this position strengthens the ability of La Puente to serve those in need.   

 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. (Split position 3 days at the shelter 2 days at street outreach)

Community Education

Community Education works to cultivate understanding of the issues of poverty and its symptoms, homelessness and hunger, with our community, staff, and supporters.  Our goal is to connect others with the overall mission and programs of La Puente and to effect change by inspiring others to action through compassion and understanding. Community education achieves its goals through community events, publications, web work, social media, and public speaking / presentations. We’re looking for someone with experience, education or interest in creative design, event planning, storytelling, social media, and cinematography.