About the Program:
The Anti-Hunger and Empowerment Corps AmeriCorps program at the New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) helps to make a difference for the more than 1.4 million low-income New Yorkers who live in homes that can't afford enough food. Become an AmeriCorps member with NYCCAH, and you'll write grants, manage volunteers, and sign families up for Food Stamps – maybe even start a community garden.
NYCCAH is currently looking for someone to fill the following position:
POSITION DESCRIPTION: Program Coordinator for the Growing Leaders Garden The Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders
The Growing Leaders Garden Program at The Expeditionary Learning School for Community Leaders is seeking a garden coordinator. We are a new, small, public high school located in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Last year we started our school garden program in collaboration with SlowFood NYC and this year we are expanding our operations to build 20 new garden beds. Growing Leaders is a comprehensive youth-led organic gardening, culinary arts, and interdisciplinary academic program. Our mission is to promote youth empowerment, build community through the production and distribution of fresh food, foster an understanding of sustainable food systems, facilitate learning about the natural world, and provide meaningful opportunities for youth employment. Growing Leaders provides extensive opportunities for students to engage in field work meet with experts from the community and create authentic products.
We are looking to hire an amazing, talented, creative, organized, and inspired individual to join our team and help build our program. Teaching/Educational experience is a must.
This position is flexible and can be largely determined by the interests, expertise, and availability of the applicant. The position is an AmeriCorps Member opportunity funded through a partnership with NYC Coalition Against Hunger. This is an excellent learning opportunity for applicants interested in environmental education, urban farming, project management, and grant writing. This is also an excellent opportunity to network with individuals and organizations devoted to addressing environmental and food justice issues in New York City.
Full Time Schedule and Stipend:
• Start Date ASAP • 1700 hours over 12 months (33 hours per week) • $12,100 Stipend • $5,550 Educational Award • AmeriCorps Volunteer will be provided with office space, a computer, phone, and printing capacity • Flexible scheduling to allow for remote work for partnership or funding meetings, site visits, and
grant-writing/research
Possible Projects Include:
1. Continue to develop and refine 40-minute workshops related to the garden for each season (summer, spring, winter and fall). Each workshop should be for a group of 15-20 students. Work with teachers to facilitate these workshops during "crew" (advisory) periods.
2. Work with science teacher to develop and implement garden activities for related biology concepts. 3. Help establish a viable culinary arts program where students learn to cook the food that they have grown (and other fresh, seasonal meals). Tasks will include shopping and record keeping, recruiting chefs, securing donations (both food and financial), and working with students to create a
cookbook. 4. Work with students to grow our own vegetable starts in the classroom and organize a spring plant
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sale to raise money for the program. Ongoing grant-writing to expand and develop the Growing Leaders program, particularly focusing on funds for infrastructure (hoop house, irrigation, etc.), to staff the program, and to pay for teachers to work overtime to run programming for the garden. Maintain 28 garden beds – planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting. Help develop a vibrant online presence for Growing Leaders Develop market and recruit vendors for a Bensonhurst farmers' market based at Leaders. Establish a compost system and work with a student team to collect cafeteria scraps - possibly creating a community drop off site for compost. Help design and run a 9 week Summer Youth Employment Program in coordination with The New School at Leaders. Program runs mid July through the end of August. Continue to develop partnerships between Growing Leaders and other local and national programs, institutions, and potential funding streams.
Interested applicants please submit resume and cover letter to: Alison Angrisani Aangrisani@leaders6-12.org
