Reiche Community School Walking School Bus Coordination VISTA   

Help build the Reiche Walking School Bus Program through community outreach, volunteer recruitment, dispatch, partnership development, and fundraising! 

The Howard C. Reiche Community School, located in Portland’s West End, is the most diverse elementary school in the state of Maine—ranked #1 out of 342 public elementary schools for diversity. Reiche serves nearly 400 students who represent 18 home languages; one in four students was born outside the U.S. and is currently learning English. The Reiche PTO works in partnership with the school to secure funding and volunteers for enrichment activities for the Reiche community. The VISTA will be working on the Walking School Bus, a shared PTO/Reiche School initiative. https://www.reichepto.org/. 

The Walking School Bus builds meaningful connection in our community. The volunteers we recruit become an additional reliable, caring adult in these children’s lives. The support positively impacts school attendance: children are more likely to show up when they feel connected, seen, and supported by a trusted adult. Beyond that, these interactions allow notice when a child may need something essential. Consistent acts of care create ripple effects, improving access, building trust, and supporting the well-being and mental health of the students, families, and community at large. The walking school bus program serves as a powerful, hyper-local tool to mitigate the daily impacts of poverty by addressing systemic barriers by eliminating transportation costs, boosting academic performance through better attendance, and freeing up parents to work stable, early morning hours. 

The VISTA will work to steward existing relationships and develop new ones with neighborhood leaders and liaisons. The VISTA will be on-site at the school and at neighborhood associations’ community centers, which will allow greater one-on-one connection with the school, students, families, and neighbors. The VISTA will coordinate trainings, scheduling, and outreach, and work to secure this program for the future through funding opportunities and partnerships. 

This position is full-time, 5 days/week in the city of Portland, Maine with

• One day in-person at the Reiche School (office provided)
• One day/week in-person at the Reiche Community Center (adjacent to the school, desk and wi-fi provided), and
• One day/week in-person at the Parkside Neighborhood Association Community Center (desk and wi-fi provided).
• Two remote days

Benefits

• Bi-Weekly Living Allowance of $957.46/Biweekly
• Relocation Allowance of $750 plus $.40 per mile (for those moving more than 50 miles)
• Health Benefits
• Childcare Reimbursement if Eligible
• Student Loan Forbearance for eligible federal loans (interest paid by AmeriCorps)
• Training and Professional Development
• Life Navigator (on-staff licensed counselor for members)
• Choice of Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($7,395) or an end-of-term bonus ($1,800) upon term completion
• Non-Competitive Eligibility for federal employment for one-year post-term
• Extensive Training

*Individuals are limited to two full Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards in their lifetime

Already have a MyAmeriCorps account and want to apply for this specific role? You can find that listing on MyAmeriCorps here.

The positive impact VISTA members offer their local communities is remarkable and continues to build year after year. Descriptions of all Goodwill AmeriCorps Positions can be found at: goodwillnne.org/jobs/americorps/positions/.