CALIFORNIA RURAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE, INC.
And
AmeriCorps*VISTA
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
has a full-time ongoing VISTA project
for 14 placements in the following program areas:
*Attorney/Fundraisers
*Economic Development
*Citizenship Assistance
*Community Health Educators and
*Fair Housing
FOR THE SUMMER OF 2000
We will have a summer only program for five (5) law students through the
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION for PUBLIC INTEREST LAW.
For more information log on to: www.napil.org or sot@napil.org
or contact Mark Bailey, Program assistant, at vista@napil.org
or call (202)466-3686.
ELIGIBILITY
A member must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. and at least 18 years of age. There is no upper age limit.TRAINING
Members must participate in orientation and training sessions at the beginning of and during service.BENEFITS
Members receive a monthly living allowance to budget for housing, food and incidentals. The living allowance does not affect Social Security, Veterans' or public assistance benefits but is subject to taxes. (In California this allowance is $700-$800 per month.) Comprehensive health coverage is provided for the volunteer only.EDUCATION & POST SERVICE BENEFITS
Members are eligible for either the new $4,725 education award (for up to two, one year terms of service for a total of $9,450 - Summer VISTAs are given a $1,000 education award) or a $100 per month stipend paid upon completion of service. Stafford and Perkins student loans may be deferred during VISTA service. Volunteers (full year) receive noncompetitive eligibility for federal employment upon completion of their tour.We are looking for people in the following four program areas:
ATTORNEY/FUNDRAISERS
(THESE POSITIONS ARE FILLED AS OF 12/10/99)
We are looking for two (2).
These members will survey and identify sources that could provide additional legal services in a pro bono manner, survey and identify locations that pro se and mediation services could be developed or expanded, and survey and identify organizations that need help in incorporation, board development and fundraising.
The preferred skills & qualifications are:
Law school or planning to attend.
Knowledge or prior experience in:
fundraising, mediation or mediation services.
Spanish speaker is desirable but not essential.
Retired lawyer, law graduate, law or pre-law student would be welcome.
(Does not require State Bar membership.)
Based in San Francisco, housing is very difficult, may live in the Bay area.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
(POSITIONS OPEN ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS)
We are looking for up to three (3).
These members will compile information on economic status, services and needs of identified communities. Conduct an inventory of economic development projects. Conduct community forums. Develop recommendations for an economic development program from state, regional, county, and community sources. Assist in planning a California Rural Summit on Economic Development. Conduct interviews with key members in each identified community. Implement a "Time-Dollar" project and evaluate impact. Time Dollars is a new, tax exempt barter system that empowers people to convert their personal time into purchasing power by helping others and by rebuilding family, neighborhood, and community. CRLA is the first Legal services program to ask its' clients to pay us back in "Time-Dollars". More information on Time Dollar can be obtained from the Time Dollar Institute at http://www.timedollar.org
The preferred skills & qualifications are:
An economics graduate or student with statistics analysis background or a geographic information systems graduate or student or a community person with experience or interest in community development.
Spanish speaker is desirable but not essential. A car would be desirable. Placement depending on need: San Joaquin Valley, Salinas
CITIZENSHIP ASSISTANCE
(THESE POSITIONS ARE OPEN AS OF 12/10/99)
We are looking for up to two (2).
These members will identify resources that the legal immigrant can use. Put together or use existing directories in English and Spanish or their native tongue. Develop a series of workshops that will be repeated continually for pre and post processing of citizenship applicants. Recruit volunteers in each of the identified zip codes in the assigned counties or areas.
The preferred skills & qualifications are:
A community person who has gone through the process of citizenship or who is familiar with the process and can communicate well to the community. Spanish speaker or a person with his/her native tongue is desirable.
Placement for Spanish speaker in El Centro or where needed and Cambodian speaker in Stockton
COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATORS
(THESE POSITIONS ARE FILLED AS OF 12/10/99)
We are looking for three (3).These members will identify gaps in the health delivery system. Identify potential services to fill those gaps. Identify local officials responsible for those services. Plan local and regional conferences. Initiate monthly meetings of key stakeholders to discuss community concerns, changes in delivery systems, and integration of community resources. These members will be assigned to the Rural Health Advocacy Institute headquarter in Modesto, California.
The preferred skills & qualifications are:
A community person that has some medical experience, health aide, nurse, orderly who would like to continue their education in the medical profession.
Spanish speaker is desirable but not essential. Probable placements will be in the San Joaquin Valley.
FAIR HOUSING
(This position is open as of 12/10/99)
We are looking for one (1).
This member will organize and participate in Fair Housing Enforcement Training sessions to volunteers and advisory committee members, on basic rights and investigation and referral. Translate federal and state fair housing materials into Spanish, Mixteco, Hmong and other community appropriate languages. (This will depend on the language) Conduct outreach and education to farm workers and other isolated rural communities with CRLA's community workers and volunteers. Obtain, distribute and disseminate fair housing literature in English and other languages at community outreach sessions. Develop or distribute Spanish language PSAs on Fair Housing to radio stations. Participate in Spanish and English language radio programs on Fair Housing. Organize and participate in Fair Housing seminars for community leaders, social welfare agencies and housing related agencies. Organize and participate in a presentation aimed at educating local Realtors, property managers and landlords about fair housing rights and responsibilities.
Member skills & qualifications are:
A self starter. Knowledge of or prior experience of community education. Knowledge of or prior experience in fair housing Bilingual in English & Spanish preferred (speaking & writing). Knowledge of or prior experience in making presentations to diverse groups. Car would be desirable.
Placement in El Centro, CA.
If you are interested in any of these placements please send your AmeriCorps*VISTA application or resume to:
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
631 Howard Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94105-3907
Attention: Charles Howell
(415)777-2752
Fax(415)543-2752
or
to your local CRLA office or call the above number if you have any questions.
We are recruiting to fill the slots for any of the following training sessions and your year of service will begin with that training session. CRLA has only a certain number of training slots for each date so the earlier you get your application the earlier you will reserve a date. A deadline date for each training session has been set for all processing of the application, references and interview, so be sure to have your application in as early as possible.
|
Training Date: January 31-Feb.2, 2000 May 9-11, 2000 June 27-29, 2000 July 11-13, 2000 July 25-27, 2000 August 22-24, 2000 |
Deadline Date: 1/3/00 4/7/00 5/5/00 6/6/00 6/19/00 7/17/00 |
| California Rural Legal Assistance was formed in 1966, as a non-profit legal services program to strive for economic justice and human rights on behalf of the rural poor and farm workers of California. |
Currently, CRLA has 17 offices throughout California.
They include: San Francisco, Coachella, Delano, El Centro, Fresno, Gilroy, Madera, Marysville, Modesto, Oceanside, Oxnard, Salinas, Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Santa Rosa and Stockton.