For those of you interested in food justice, the Connecticut Food Justice Youth Corps is now accepting applications! Read more about this position below
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University of Connecticut Extension, in partnership with some of the most effective and innovative nonprofit organizations in low-income communities in Connecticut, is now in the second year of a three year CT Food Justice Youth Corps
This project is designed to strengthen programming and improve coordination among similar youth leadership programs seeking to empower youth (age 13-19) to create positive change in their food environment and improve access to healthy food. Current project partners are: CitySeed/New Haven Food Policy Council, FRESH New London, Hartford Food System, North End Action Team in Middletown, and Windham Regional Community Council/UConn Extension in Vernon.
Member Duties : VISTA members will be placed in community-based nonprofits that are currently providing or building youth leadership programs with an emphasis on food justice. Each VISTA member will work to enhance existing youth leadership programming in five core areas:
Dialogue: Fostering conversations about food among youth in community;
Assessment: Understanding the current food environment, evaluating and measuring it, and helping youth to develop assessment skills about their community;
Prioritization: Setting an agenda for food system change based on dialogue and assessment;
Action: Converting vision and priorities into action;
Leading: Influencing community youth by example
The position will be approximately 35-40 hours per week, with some nights and weekends depending on the site. VISTA is a volunteer program; VISTAs are not paid for work but receive a biweekly stipend of approximately $950 per month (exact amount will vary depending on site location.) Other benefits include end of service award of $1,250 OR $5,550 to be used towards existing student loans or future education, federal loan forbearance, and up to three years of non-competitive eligibility for jobs within the federal government.
To apply, please submit cover letter and resume to jiff.martin@uconn.edu and specify top three site choices.
Application due date: 2/14/2013
