Summer Associate AFS King Kennedy VISTA

The King Kennedy Community Center was built in 1978. At the time the neighborhood of McElraith Park was ranked as one of the nation's most underprivileged rural communities. Insired by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy, a group of like minded community members, and volunteers from Kent State University, banded together to create a place in the community where local residents could learn and grow. We plan to expand King Kennedy Community Center's Summer youth programs by creating & implementing them, and evaluating their effectiveness and sustainability. We will work with community partners to identify age-appropriate activities such as drug/alcohol prevention, suicide prevention, bullying intervention, human trafficking, sexual abuse, preventive delinquent behavior, and introduce productive lifestyle habits. The VISTAs will meet with education coordinators in local schools to identify age appropriate ecucational activities that negate Summer learning loss. Our partners include organizations such as the local library, children's advocacy center, Kent State University, the county health district and local organic farm.

Member Duties : The Summer Associates will collaborate with community partners to find appropriate activities to build educational, emotional self - esteem, and social activities to help negate summer learning loss. 75% of our youth are reading below their grade level struggling with reading comprehension, low math skills, low test scores on the Ohio Mandated Test, and have behavioral problems, which are causing them to either get expelled or out of school suspensions. Staff and volunteers work with teachers weekly to help keep the students on track. They will expand the capacity of the King Kennedy’s youth programs, which focus on addressing the educational, social, and mental needs and bad reputations in the African American Community among youth. The SA will create, implement, and evaluate effective summer youth programming and develop a plan for sustainability.

Program Benefits : Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Living Allowance , Stipend , Training .

Terms :
Permits working at another job during off hours , Permits attendance at school during off hours .

Service Areas :
Children/Youth , Health , Education , Community Outreach , Hunger , Community and Economic Development , Neighborhood Revitalization .

Skills :
Leadership , Education , Youth Development .

SUMMARY

Program Type:

AmeriCorps VISTA

Program

Summer Associate AFS King Kennedy VISTA

Program Start/End Date

06/01/2026 - 08/09/2026

Work Schedule

Summer

Education level

High school diploma/GED

Age Requirement

Minimum: 18 Maximum: None

Program Locations

OHIO Cleveland/ Akron

Languages

English

Accepting Applications

From 03/17/2026 To 05/08/2026

Contact

Myia Sanders

6660 Garfield Rd

Ravenna OH 44266

330-296-9957

[email protected]

axessfamily.org

Listing ID

128888