We are a tiny home village that offers communal living, rich peer mentorship, and support to formerly homeless community members in Thurston County, Washington. We strongly believe at Quixote Village that everyone deserves safe and affordable housing. Our organization works side-by-side with residents to help them reach their individual goals and to connect them with various community services.

Our houses are economically efficient, costing less than half of what it costs to build the average apartment. We also leave a smaller footprint with our simple, 144 square-foot homes. But the most rewarding part of it all is that our residents are no longer homeless.

Housing is a primary need, first and foremost. Once residents are housed, they are then able to work on other aspects of their lives such as education, employment, substance use, physical health and mental health. This is no easy feat. Our residents are resilient survivors and we see their successes here every day.

AmeriCorps is the only federal agency for community service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides resources and people power to organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps VISTA is the only AmeriCorps program entirely focused on anti-poverty projects. When you join the AmeriCorps VISTA program, you become part of a nationwide network of people and organizations that are committed to ending poverty.

The role of AmeriCorps VISTA Members is to:

1) Coordinate the involvement of community members in the design of the project,

2) Improve reach, scale, efficiency, and/or effectiveness of the project,

3) Leverage new resources for the project (such as volunteers, monetary donations, knowledge, and in kind donations),

4) Make the project sustainable in the long term.

Our local VISTA team is the Greater South Sound VISTA Team. We are a program of United Way of Thurston County that helps organizations like Quixote Village host AmeriCorps VISTA members. As a member of the Greater South Sound VISTA Team, you will be part of a cohort of 19 other VISTA members and supported by the VISTA Leader, who coordinates professional development opportunities, provides individualized support and resources, and supports your project’s success.

This project aims to identify and leverage the resources needed for Quixote Village to support the residents in remaining housed and making progress as they move out of their previous life living unsheltered in Thurston County. The VISTA will build capacity for Quixote Village to recruit, coordinate, track and acknowledge donors and volunteers. This will improve access to and availability of basic necessities, build a stronger community by developing regular resident events and increase the financial stability of the organization. By building the necessary tools, the VISTA will create systems to improve the services Quixote Village provides and thrive in our purpose long-term.

Stipend: Receive $513.94 (pre-tax) every 2 weeks

Choice of $6,195 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or approximately $1,800 cash stipend

Healthcare

Childcare assistance if eligible

Loan forbearance and interest accrual payment or deferment on qualified student loans

Comprehensive leave benefit (20 days of paid leave)

High-quality training, orientation, and professional development

Team experience and networking as part of United Way and AmeriCorps

Learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA benefits at https://www.vistacampus.gov/members/benefits-of-service.

Apply: Click on the green "Apply Externally" button.

Applications close October 23

This is a full time. year long position. Most VISTA Member serve 40 hours per week.

The Year of Service begins Dec 7, 2020 and concludes Dec 2021.

Please contact smcwilliams@unitedway-thurston.org with any questions about this position.