#1 Volunteer Mobilization (ALL members must contribute)

Up to 34 VCSP members will recruit, train, or manage (screen, train, supervise, evaluate or recognize) 1,000 community volunteers for a cumulative amount of 6,000 hours to help with activities associated with community projects implemented by community nonprofits in order to further their missions related to affordable housing or land conservation.

#2 Housing & Resident Services

15 to 19 VCSP members will provide services associated with affordable housing initiatives for 2,700 low to moderate Vermont residents including but not limited to homeless assistance, homebuyer or lifeskills education (including parenting, vocational or leadership education), independent living assistance, small group convening or facilitating, housing assistance or conflict resolution so that those served can obtain more stable living situations and/or a higher quality of life.

#3 Youth Programming (Out-of-School Time)

15-19 VCSP members will serve 2,500 Vermont youth by providing out-of-school time programming that includes recreational, environmental, arts-based, cultural literacy, homework-focused or service activities. Some of these members placed in targeted subsidized housing developments will develop an on-going relationship with the youth due to many repeated contacts with them, and other members will serve children visiting from home, scouts, 4-H, school, etc. or work primarily with homeless children in transitional housing. 20% of these youth will experience this programming as an on-going opportunity, and will experience quality contacts with members (a ‘quality contact’ is defined as an hour long or longer focused activity during which youth have access to an AmeriCorps member as a role model).

#4 Environmental Education & Stewardship

9 to 10 VCSP members will provide environmental stewardship by doing or arranging to have done repairs, maintenance, inspections, community gardens or rehab on 25 affordable housing units. They will also perform other stewardship measures on 2,000 acres of land, including tree-planting, invasives removal, creating or improving the accessibility of conserved public land through work on trails, building boardwalks or creating signage. Additionally, members will provide environmental education for 2,500 residents to foster a greater appreciation for the natural and working landscape of Vermont.

#5 Deliver Systems & Outreach (ALL members must contribute at least every other program year)

Up to 34 VCSP members will create, expand or improve databases, tracking and service delivery systems, obtain funds or in-kind donations for projects or provide information and outreach through marketing, public service announcements, newsletter creation, brochure distribution, etc., so that partnering nonprofit sponsors where a member has been placed for at least two years report significant positive changes including an enhanced capacity to provide client services because of the AmeriCorps involvement and impact.

#6 Member Development (ALL members must participate in member development activities sponsored by AmeriCorps)

Up to 34 VCSP members will participate in a minimum of 9 training, team-building, team service or reflection days and, along with on-the-‘job’ training and experience gained at the nonprofits where they served, over 80% of all members successfully completing annually will report improvement on 3 out of a list of 7 life skills, including conflict resolution, leadership, decision-making, team-building, diversity awareness, professionalism and citizenship/civic participation, and will either continue service, return to school or become employed by the organization where they served or by a community organization having a similar mission to the one where they served, thereby becoming productive citizens and community leaders.