VOCAL AmeriCorps Member at HANA

HANA Center (HANA) is a Chicago-area, community-based non-profit organization working to meet the critical needs of Korean, Asian American, and multiethnic immigrant communities and build power toward systemic change. HANA Center has offices in Chicago and Prospect Heights, Illinois.

HANA Center’s Community Education program equips English-language learning Korean and multiethnic immigrant community members with the education, tools, and resources toward developing core skills and actualizing their goals, including naturalization, enrollment in continued education, and employment. Outreach to HANA’s community is a critical aspect of the Community Education program, including engagement of instructors and volunteer tutors.

Position Description:

HANA’s VOCAL AmeriCorps member supports HANA’s adult literacy programs offered to low-literate and limited English speaking adults. The AmeriCorps member assists with outreach and recruitment of one-to-one and small group tutors, volunteer training and retention, learner engagement and level testing, and researching and obtaining resources that will benefit the adults and families HANA serves.

Major Responsibilities:

Volunteer Support

  • Assist with volunteer management including recruitment, orientations, logistics, scheduling, and volunteer tracking

  • Conduct regular individual and group check-ins with tutors and students including surveys, civics skills testing, etc.

  • Assist with volunteer data management and individual volunteer coordination

  • Assist with communication projects aimed at volunteers (social media, newsletter, content development, etc.

  • Coordinate volunteer recognition activities

General Support

  • Assist site supervisor with regular report filing

  • Connect community members with other HANA education programs and services

  • Assist with procuring new educational materials and adjusting current materials as needed

  • Select materials and approaches that are suitable for the adult learners’ ability and needs

Literacy Support

  • Plan tutoring sessions and provide small group and one-to-one literacy tutoring to low literate and limited English speaking adults.

  • Conduct basic skills and literacy evaluations for adult learners. Track learner progress through regular assessments and submit reports.

  • Encourage and support adult learners by helping them develop confidence and a positive attitude about learning; Respecting them and involving them in decisions about the learning process.

  • Other responsibilities as assigned

VOCAL AmeriCorps members are as diverse a group as the communities we serve. We’re looking for you if you want to build yourself, give back and are ready to change the world.

Applicants Must:

  • Be at least 18

  • Have completed at least two years of college; Bachelor’s degree preferred

  • Have good oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills

  • Have experience in non-profit, education, adult education, or community development a field

  • Agree to and pass a criminal background check

  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident

    • Authorization to work in the U.S. is not sufficient

    • Those with DACA status unfortunately are not eligible at this time

Other Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and social, economic, and racial justice

    • Experience working on Korean American, Asian American, immigrant community issues, and/or social, economic, and racial justice issues preferred

    • Belief in communities’ ability to support each other, heal, organize, and achieve desired goals together

  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

  • Bilingual proficiency in Korean and/or Spanish preferred

  • Flexibility to work in-person as well as remotely

Program Benefits:

  • Living stipend: a bi-weekly stipend to support member’s living expenses

  • Health insurance for full-time members: premiums funded by LVI

  • Childcare assistance: qualifying members will have assistance paid directly to child care providers for all or a part of the member’s child care costs during their active time of service

  • End of service education award: a lump sum of money that can be used on qualifying student loan payments and future educational costs

  • Loan forbearance: While in service you are not required to make payments on qualifying student loans and can receive additional funds for any interest accrued during service

  • Professional and personal development plans: Service members receive personal and cohort wide trainings. Personal development involves creating a plan with supervisors tailored to individual member goals. Cohort-wide trainings have included Mental Health, First Aid, Conflict Resolution, Resume and Interview Prep, Self-Care, and more.

Reports To: Estuardo Rivera (Education Coordinator) and Janet Song (Senior Manager of Social Services)

Application: Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@hanacenter.org with the subject “HANA AmeriCorps Member”

HANA Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folx are encouraged to apply.