Sacramento 2nd VISTA Position open

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Please forward to others as well.. deadline is approaching…

 

Thanks

 

bill

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

An Americorps* VISTA position with the Sacramento Hunger Commission to

further develop and expand an edible landscaping project in low-income housing complexes

 

Goals in 2004-05:  To continue the development of the new Kennedy Estates edible landscaping project (in collaboration with Mercy Housing and the multicultural residents of the complex) and to create a model edible landscaping project that can be replicated at other properties – ultimately to increase low-income residents’ access to fresh produce.

 

Major Responsiblities:

• Build partnerships and develop funding to create a viable system for continued edible landscaping infrastructure support
• Improve community knowledge of and participation in edible landscapes through organized harvests and planting days

• Increase the capacity and diversity of physical infrastructure

·        Test, evaluate, and modify as necessary edible landscaping nutrition education curriculum; implement curriculum for children and eventually for adults 

• Assist in evaluating successes and shortcomings of Kennedy Estates Edible Landscaping Project

• Package tools and methods for cultivating community buy-in and replication elsewhere

• Work with partners (such as Mercy Housing) to locate other appropriate sites for edible landscaping

 

Specific Tasks:

§         Create a list of residents who are particularly interested in caring for and developing edible landscaping.

§         Attend community garden meetings and general community meeting at Kennedy Estates to keep residents informed about edible landscaping and to keep the Hunger Commission informed of residents’ sentiments about edible landscaping.

§         Replace trees and plants that do not survive the first season.

§         Organize residents to augment edible landscaping infrastructure.

§         Teach nutrition education to youth participating in after-school program that relates to fresh fruits and vegetables that will be available from the edible landscape and on-site community garden.

§         Teach family-oriented nutrition via cooking classes that demonstrate uses for edible landscaping and community garden produce.

§         Gather residents’ personal recipes and create an edible landscaping cookbook.

§         Meet with Mercy Housing, Sacramento Mutual Housing Coalition, and/or other low-income housing agencies to market the idea of implementing edible landscaping projects elsewhere.

§         Visit potential sites and create a workplan for implementation of additional edible landscaping projects.

 

Qualifications:

§         Self-motivated

§         Interest in food-security issues

§         Basic health and nutrition knowledge

§         Second language skills a plus (Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hmong, etc.)

§         Ability to appreciate and work well with diverse cultures

§         Knowledge of community development strategies

§         Some knowledge of gardening, interest in edible landscaping

 

Application Deadline: September 3, 2004 (Approximate start date: Nov. 8, 2004)

 

You may apply on-line at www.americorps.org

 

Or send a resume and a cover letter to:

Peggy Roark

Sacramento Hunger Commission

909 12^th St., Suite 200

Sacramento, CA 95814

 

Or by email: proark@communitycouncil.org