Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator (AmeriCorps)

Learning Links AmeriCorps Program

Learning ROCKS Volunteer & Outreach AmeriCorps Member

FY26 Terms of Service – 1700 Hours

August 2025 – August 2026

Position description

Aspire Afterschool Learning is seeking year-round mentors for our Learning ROCKS afterschool and summer camp program to provide daily holistic and academic support to historically underserved upper elementary school students in South Arlington, VA.

Our afterschool program bolsters students' reading by providing targeted daily support to develop both reading skills and a love of reading. Program activities strengthen their STEM/STEAM skills and reinforce general academic content through regular project-based learning activities, including our annual science fair. Our summer camp is a fun and interactive experience that prevents summer learning loss, which year-over-year can make it more difficult for students experiencing poverty to catch up with their peers.

This position is part of our Learning Links AmeriCorps program and is great for someone interested in working with 3 – 8 grade students, considering a career in education, giving back to their community, gaining professional experience, or earning money for college or technical schools.

The Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator will work to strengthen community engagement in our afterschool and Read Aloud activities by recruiting and training youth through retirees as reading buddies and homework helpers. The Volunteer & Outreach AmeriCorps Member will serve a key coordinating role within Aspire to mobilize volunteers and community resources to support program activities.

What You’ll Do…

The Learning Links Volunteer & Outreach AmeriCorps Member will serve a key coordinating role within Aspire to mobilize volunteers and community resources to support program activities, as follows:

• Create and implement social-emotional lessons to help students develop emotional intelligence, build positive relationships with peers and teachers, and manage their feelings. Share lessons and best practices with fellow Corps Members to ensure consistent support across the program.
• Meet with students in small groups and individually to provide social and emotional support, including offering guidance to students who need additional help. Assist with behavior management and classroom interactions.
• Work alongside school and community-based staff, including the Parent Engagement Member, to identify barriers that families face in supporting students’ mental wellness and health.
• Develop and lead mental health and wellness training sessions for parents and caregivers to strengthen their ability to support their children’s mental health.
• Create community outreach campaigns to raise awareness about youth mental health issues and connect families with mental health resources.
• Offer peer or near-peer support for students, promoting a positive, open environment for discussing mental health challenges.
• Participate in a 2-week orientation and weekly professional development (PD) sessions focused on skills and topics related to improving outcomes for underserved students, including behavior management strategies, instructional strategies, cultural competence, and teaching English-language learners.

Who You Are...

• Passionate about investing in the growth and potential of historically underserved students
• Committed to service and dedicated to serving through AmeriCorps
• Looking to gain marketable, hands-on experience in the nonprofit, education, and/or childcare fields
• Self-motivated, independent, flexible, and resourceful
• Able to communicate and interact with children, parents, teachers, volunteers, and program staff in a way that is consistent with Aspire’s values
• Good at managing your time and projects
• Able to walk a mile and supervise kids outside
• Comfortable and proficient with computers and smart phone apps
• Experience/knowledgeable with Google Suite or Microsoft Office, including basic Excel
• A U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien (Green Card)
• A High school graduate or equivalent, at least 18 years old

What Else You Should Know…

• This is a 1700 Hour AmeriCorps position from August 18, 2025 through August 17, 2026.
• Hours: 40 hours/week; School Year: Monday – Friday: 10am – 6:30pm; Summer camp: 8:00am – 5pm; occasional evenings.
• This position is in-person.
• $2,617.33/month living stipend with a $7,395 Segal Education Award that can be applied to future education goals or past student loans.
• Time off for winter break, spring break, 10 personal/sick days and federal holidays;
• Eligible for student loan forbearance or deferment.
• Hands-on training in a variety of topics including: learning content areas, tutoring skills, child development, behavior management, education theory, leadership skills, and team building.
• Aspire values a positive working environment and culture, highly-impactful and values driven work, and professional and personal development.

Who We Are…

Aspire Afterschool Learning (formerly Greenbrier Learning Center) is a non-profit organization based in South Arlington, VA. Aspire provides robust, comprehensive, and high-quality afterschool and summer academic enrichment to historically underserved students in Arlington. Our programs support and connect students, families, schools, and communities while using evidence-based methods to achieve results for upper elementary school students most impacted by the educational opportunity gap. Over 90% of our students improve their reading levels each year with our support.

Aspire Afterschool Learning shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services

Please visit our website to learn more about Aspire’s mission and values

*Aspire’s Learning Links AmeriCorps program is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the position is contingent upon approved funding.