Summer Enrichment Coordinator

Interested in working with youth and joining a mission-focused organization for the summer? Passionate about social justice and providing access and resources to communities? Want to have a life-changing experience of community collaboration and intentional connections with young people? Want to have lots of FUN??? Join our Summer DREAM Team!

Summer Enrichment Coordinators will be responsible for executing our annual Summer Enrichment activities, which are modeled closely to a summer day camp. You will work as a team and be responsible for providing fun and enriching daytime activities to our DREAM youth. Summer programming takes place in the neighborhoods we serve and also includes a variety of local and regional field trips.

The DREAM Program is committed to dismantling systems of oppression that affect our youth and families. This organizational commitment means that members should join this space with an intention of learning, unlearning, and diving into ways that your involvement will directly contribute to DREAM’s mission of reducing the Opportunity Gap while also supporting youth in all of the diverse identities they hold. We seek members who contribute to The DREAM Program’s diverse community, as having different perspectives, identities, and skills are what allow us to excel in our service. DREAM seeks members who are ready to engage in and foster an inclusive environment, and who strive to deliver culturally appropriate and relevant programming to the youth we serve. Incoming members and staff should understand that we serve marginalized communities, which means that it is imperative that diversity, equity, and inclusivity are infused into every aspect of our work as an organization.

Objectives of Service as a Summer Enrichment Coordinator: 

• You and your team will plan and run fun, memorable, enriching summer daytime activities for youth living in low income housing. 
• You will get to know each individual youth who participates in your day camp group, and incorporate their interests and ideas into your daily activities. 
• You will plan and lead field trips out of the neighborhood on a regular basis, at least once weekly. 
• You will develop a sense of team with fellow AmeriCorps members through daily collaboration and shared responsibilities.
• You and your team will communicate with enrolled youth’s caregivers on a daily basis.
• You will strive to provide a physically, emotionally, and mentally safe and inclusive environment for youth and staff/members.

The Experience of Service as a Summer Enrichment Coordinator:

• You will be leading a group of youth in daily, fun activities as a small team of Summer Enrichment Coordinators to create a community-based day camp experience. The activities you hold will happen in many locations: on-site (in communities where youth live), off-site (local parks, libraries, etc.), and more extensive field trips.

•  Our activities are guided by our summer curriculum, but your day to day will be very play-based and focused on bringing fun, laughter, and joy to your group of youth. Our summer curriculum will guide you to plan activities based on four main objectives: Healthy Minds/Healthy Bodies, Problem Solvers, Artists and Creators, and Motivated Readers. 

• Throughout the summer, you will be planning and executing activities that relate to the youth’s interests - and we encourage you to incorporate your own passions and skills into the activities you offer! 
• Typically, your weekly schedule will involve a Monday planning day, with activities held Tuesday-Friday and weekends off. You will serve an average of 30-40 hours per week, depending on activity plans and program needs which may vary from week to week. 
• You will likely engage with and support program evaluations throughout the summer. 
• You will be expected to communicate regularly with your co-service members, your supervisor, community members, and partners. 
• It is also likely that you will support and engage partnerships with other local organizations to provide lunches and other desired resources for your group.
• This role supports development of tangible skills in youth engagement, positive behavior management, adaptability, problem solving skills, and community work. 
• This role involves high levels of teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal communication.

Required Qualifications: 

• To be an AmeriCorps member you MUST be 17 years or older, and be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident. 
• Excitement and passion around working with youth. 
• Commitment to the entire dates of the service term (June 3rd-August 16th).
• Commitment to the missions of AmeriCorps and DREAM.
• Desire to enhance existing skills and develop new skills necessary for service.
• Commitment to serve as a role model for youth.
• Elevated awareness of issues of social equity and social justice with a commitment to continued learning as it relates to serving your diverse communities in a manner that is respectful and aware. 
• A dedicated working space that is not at a DREAM-supported site to complete components of service (i.e. responding to emails, researching activities, etc.)
• Ability to regularly meet in person with your team or your service assignment in their assigned location (including responsibility for transportation to and from).
• Access to a reliable phone.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous youth work experience or motivations/preference for a career in youth services. 
• Experience working on a team or collaboration with a group of individuals working cohesively toward a shared goal.
• Creativity, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Current driver’s license, proof of insurance, and clean driving record.
• Access to a car and willingness to drive youth in your personal vehicle. 
• First aid and CPR certification by the time summer sessions begin. (If not currently certified, DREAM will offer opportunities for certification during our summer orientation.)

Compensation and Term:

• Dates of service: June 3, 2024-August 9, 2024. 
• Commitment to a minimum of 300 total service hours, averaging 30-40 hours weekly

• $750 biweekly , $4,500 total (6 pay periods) 
  • These are PRE-TAX amounts.
• Upon completion of dates and minimum required service hours, you will receive an education award of $1,565.08 (pre-tax). Click here to learn more about the Segal Education Award. 
• AmeriCorps members are also eligible for:
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (food stamps)
  • Child care assistance
  • Student loan deferment (forbearance)
  • Other publicly-funded benefits, such as heating and utility assistance.
• If you engage in work-related travel outside of your commute, DREAM will provide reimbursement for mileage.
• As an AmeriCorps member at DREAM, you will have the additional support of a DREAM AmeriCorps Director to help you navigate your service term and apply for publicly funded programs.

Work environment: This position operates in multiple spaces. The spaces included are primarily an indoor/outdoor environment with active children, within the housing communities we serve, in public/field trip spaces in the local area, and occasionally in a workplace environment for planning and meetings. You may also be visiting our rustic Camp DREAM. The role also utilizes equipment characteristic of an outdoor and indoor youth day camp (pop-up shade canopies/tents, hand tools, activity supplies, food preparation equipment, storage spaces and sports equipment/toys). This role routinely uses computers, as well as phones and printers for communications and activity planning. During the summer, conditions will be warm and activities will often be held outdoors. 

Physical demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee/member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: 

• This position requires comfort working in outdoor environments, regardless of the weather. This position is very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear.
• The employee/member may occasionally lift and/or move items over 50 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Travel: Travel includes local travel during the work hours described. Out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be occasionally expected.

AAP/EEO Statement: The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At will employment: The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.