Benefits/Requirements
of hosting a Change a Heart Member at Your Agency
Request a Member Application (PDF Application)
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Benefits of Hosting a Member at Your Agency:
- Provide additional service(s) to those in need already being served by your agency
- Aid in training and development of a young leader
- Raise awareness of the underserved population your agency serves
- Educate a young adult in practical, hands-on, “real-life” experience
- Prepare a young adult for possible career path
- Empower others at agency with fresh, new ideas
- Guide a young adult through the advantages and challenges faced by your agency
- The Independent Sector places a monetary value of $19.51 per each hour of service work that is completed. Thus, 1,700 hours of service x $19.51 per hour = $33,167 worth of work done by one of our program participants in one year
- 80% of our former program alumnae continue to work at nonprofit agencies, or in service positions, serving poor and vulnerable populations
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Member Position Requirements:
- Position directly serves vulnerable, marginalized and/or under-served population
- Service is direct and meaningful and meets an identified need within agency and larger community
- Position aims to educate, serve human needs or improves the environment
- Does not take away paid positions at agency
- Opportunity to function as/ or as closely as possible to a full staff member
- Utilizes unique gifts and talents of the individual
- Members will feel safe working at the site
- Members work 40 hours per week and will acquire 1,700 hours of service during their year to be eligible for the Americorps education award upon the completion of service year
- Position can include clerical or administrative work, but cannot be more than 20% of members hours
- Abides by the Corporation for National and Community Service guidelines for Americorps members, and service does not involve prohibited activities (see Site Supervisor Handbook for details)
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Agency Requirements:
- Agency and staff possess full understanding of the Change a Heart: Franciscan Volunteer Program
- Provide member with an orientation and training for position ensuring member understands agency’s official polices and procedures
- Supervisor has qualifications to provide growth and support to member
- Support member with well-structured supervision and feedback from supervisor and/or staff
- Agency has adequate space to accommodate new member position
- Meet with Change a Heart director twice a year to review member
- Fulfill site supervisor obligations as outlined in site supervisor agreement
- Review, sign and return site contract
- Sign monthly program timesheets
- Review Americorps site handbook
- Conduct mid-year and end-of-year evaluation of member
- Provide clear position description of members responsibilities including daily hours, responsibilities and expectations, accountability structure and personnel policies and procedures
- Periodic meetings between the supervisor and participant are strongly recommended
- Financial responsibility of agency
- The site pays a total salary of $11,000, divided into monthly installments of $1,000 from September to July. This amount covers the cost of living expenses, transportation, personal stipend, and Health Insurance for the member. An invoice is sent to the site each month.
Contact the director of Change a Heart to discuss benefits and requirements of hosting a member at your agency.