What is an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow? Building on AmeriCorps' success, Iowa AmeriCorps Promise Fellows are AmeriCorps members serving as a leadership cadre of committed, talented individuals who dedicate a year of their lives to building a better future for children and youth.  As part of this special partnership between AmeriCorps and America's Promise, AmeriCorps Promise Fellows are spearheading community efforts to provide young people with the five fundamental resources identified at the Presidents’ Summit for America's Future: 1) Caring Adults; 2) Safe Places; 3) Healthy Start; 4) Marketable Skills; and, 5) Opportunities to Serve.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis for AmeriCorps*VISTA Promise Fellows who will serve in the following capacity:

Iowa's Promise - You will be working to fulfill the mission of Iowa's Promise by helping communities to provide the 5 Promises to all youth (Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, Marketable Skills, and Opportunities to Serve).  You will work on the development of promotional materials for Iowa's Promise and provide outreach and information regarding Iowa's Promise and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.  Additionally, you will work closely with the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development to further collaborative activities, promote Communities of Promise and Iowa's Promise, assist in recognition events, and help provide technical assistance to Communities of Promise.

Iowa Mentoring Partnership – You will work with programs to monitor and maintain program standards and certification, maintain the Iowa Mentoring Partnership (IMP) website, recruit mentoring programs to join the IMP, assist with recognition events, provide resources and technical assistance to mentoring programs, outreach into the community and assist with marketing and public relations.

The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) is a state agency devoted to increasing volunteerism and service throughout the state of Iowa. Working in partnership with other state agencies, we hope to engage local communities around the Five Promises to Children and Youth of America’s Promise: Caring Adults, Safe Places, Healthy Start, Marketable Skills and Opportunities to Serve, and to work with them to mobilize citizens in their community around their children and youth. 

AmeriCorps*VISTA helps individuals and communities implement grassroots solutions designed to build networks to strengthen communities. VISTA members will work with affiliates across the state to recruit and train volunteers, raise funds, and conduct public awareness or marketing campaigns. Members will also work to establish community partnerships.

Seeking applicants with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor Degree or equivalent experiences in relevant field preferred
• Motivated, self-starter
• Experience working with diverse groups of people
• Strong communication skills (written and oral), especially good listening skills
• Computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office
• Belief in mentoring as a strategy for improving the lives of young people
• Experience in coordinating projects, excellent organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with deadlines
• Ability and willingness to be self-directed while serving as a team member