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VITA VOLUNTEERS (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
| JOB TITLE: |
VITA VOLUNTEERS |
| PROGRAM: | COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT /AMERICORPS-LISC |
| LOCATION: | CHULA VISTA |
| OPENS IN-HOUSE/PUBLIC: | February 19, 2010 |
| CLOSES IN-HOUSE/PUBLIC: | Until filled |
| Member Benefits & Compensation | Upon successful completion of the service term, the member will be eligible for a $1,250 education award to pay off existing student loans or return to school through the Corporation for National and Community Service. The total numbers of hours are determined by San Diego LISC under a cooperative agreement with MAAC Project. |
The mission of the LISC AmeriCorps program is to transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy communities by placing AmeriCorps Members with community organizations. LISC helps organizations assist in the revitalization of underserved neighborhoods across America by providing financing and technical know-how to CDCs in order for the groups to develop affordable housing, spur commercial investments, create jobs and expand other services that improve the quality of life in the low-income communities where they live and work. AmeriCorps is one component of LISC’s human capital agenda and seeks to attract talented individuals to serve for one year at partner organizations to help build organizational capacity.
The mission statement of the MAAC Project is “to promote self-sufficiency for low and moderate income families and communities of Southern California through advocacy for, and delivery of, social, educational, housing and employment services”.
MAAC Project has been operating as a Social Service organization for the past 44 years, providing services and operating programs that promote self-sufficiency to the low moderate income families and communities of San Diego County. Additionally, for the past 13 years, MAAC has been a developer of affordable housing, focusing attention on bringing new residential developments to increase the affordable housing stock of San Diego. With a staff of over 300 employees, MAAC serves 30,000 clients in the San Diego area, and has expanded their services to include housing and commercial development in addition to their interrelated programs of Family Asset Building, Workforce Development, Weatherization, and Human Services.
Member Activities
The Financial Opportunities Center model focuses on the financial bottom line for low-to-moderate income families. This means helping people change their financial behavior in a way that encourages them to make a long-term commitment to increasing income, decreasing expenses and acquiring assets. FOC’s provide families with services across three areas: employment placement and career improvement; financial education and coaching; and public benefits access.
The LISC AmeriCorps member will be primarily based at the Financial Opportunities Center, which will be located at the Mercado Apartments.
The member’s primary focus is to assist with public benefit access by filing Tax Returns to families and individuals through our VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program. The VITA volunteers provide FREE Income Tax Preparation Assistance to low-income, elderly, disabled and limited English speaking people. Volunteers and trained and certified by the IRS. Their primary activities will be to:
1. File Income Tax Returns to eligible VITA families and individuals by:
- Preparing Tax Returns for low-income families/individuals.
- Support and participate in efforts to recruit and assist with the VITA program.
- Enrolling families in multiple income support programs, including but not limited to food stamps, Medi-Cal, TANF, and LifeLine.
- Support and participate in efforts to recruit and assist with income support enrollment.
Additional LISC AmeriCorps activities may include:
- Providing program support and or coordination for other MAAC Project programs
Minimum Qualifications
w High school degree, GED certificate or agree to achieve GED within the year
w Minimum of 18 years of age, US citizen or permanent resident status
w Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods
w Spanish language fluency strongly preferred
w Ability to work independently and in a team environment
w Computer skills
w Good written and oral communication skills
w Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)
Member Benefits & Compensation
The full time AmeriCorps member hosted by MAAC Project is required to serve for a minimum of 450 hours January 2009 through August 31, 2010. Upon successful completion of the service term, the member will be eligible for a $1,250 education award to pay off existing student loans or return to school through the Corporation for National and Community Service. The total numbers of hours are determined by San Diego LISC under a cooperative agreement with MAAC Project.
Background Check
Please note that MAAC Project will perform State CORI check on all final candidates prior to official offer.
Please send submissions to:
Adolfo Ventura, MAAC Project, Manager of Community Development
Via e-mail to: aventura@maacproject.org
LISC and MAAC Project promote a diverse workforce and are Equal Opportunity Employers
