RSVP Food Security VISTA - L.A. Works

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program dedicated to ending poverty by building the capacity of nonprofit organizations and public agencies. VISTA’s mission is to strengthen and supplement efforts in low-income communities to eliminate and alleviate poverty by engaging volunteers from all walks of life, all geographical areas, and all age groups in a year of full-time service.

By joining the L.A. Works Volunteer Corps Program, you will be placed with one of our nonprofit partner organizations to serve for 12 months and tasked with a capacity-building project such as: creating sustainable systems to expand services, recruiting community members to volunteer in local programs, establishing a database of program alumni, and/or developing partnerships to bring new economic opportunities in Los Angeles county.

Benefits of AmeriCorps VISTA

• Living Allowance - Receive a modest bi-weekly living allowance of $30,116.15 per year to cover basic expenses. 
• Relocation Allowance - If you move 50+ miles from your home to a new community, you receive relocation travel assistance and a settling-in allowance.
• Healthcare Benefits - Choose between reimbursement for healthcare or a healthcare plan that also includes dental and vision coverage.
• Professional Development - Receive in-person and virtual professional development opportunities from L.A. Works and AmeriCorps VISTA throughout the year.
• Child Care Assistance - VISTA members may be eligible to receive a child care benefit if you have children under the age of 13. 
• End of Service Award - Choose between the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award $7,395 to pay for education expenses or a cash stipend of $1,800. 
• Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) - Qualify for NCE, a unique hiring path that makes it easier for federal agencies to hire you.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be 18 years or older and cannot be enrolled in an undergraduate program during your service term 
• Pass a national service criminal history check
• Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, Lawful Permanent Resident Aliens and persons residing in a state that have the following legal residency classifications: refugee, asylum or asylee, temporary protected status, or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status.
• AmeriCorps VISTA cannot accept applications from international students on OPT/CPT visas

RSVP Food Security VISTA

Work Setting: Hybrid - Remote 70% and In-Person 30%

Schedule: Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm with occasional evenings and weekends

Location: Los Angeles  - Office in Highland Park

Reports to: Director of AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP

Position Start Date: August 25, 2025

L.A. Works was founded in 1991 to harness LA’s volunteer power. Each year we mobilize more than 25,000 volunteers to address critical issues impacting our community, with the goal to unite Angelenos and inspire action for a more equitable Los Angeles. L.A. Works addresses three principal needs: increase volunteer participation in community service projects; build the capacity of nonprofit organizations to achieve their missions through access to volunteers and other resources; and educate and encourage people to engage in the broader social issues affecting the greater Los Angeles community. 

The AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program pairs thousands of Americans aged 55 and older with organizations making change in communities across the country. The L.A. Works AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) is a national service program that engages adults ages 55 and older in meaningful volunteer opportunities within the L.A. communities. Through RSVP, volunteers use their skills and life experience to support critical needs such as mentoring youth, providing companionship to seniors, assisting with food security, leading other volunteers and helping veterans, making a lasting impact while staying active and connected.

Position Summary

The RSVP Food Security VISTA program, sponsored by L.A. Works, aims to combat food insecurity in Los Angeles by engaging volunteers aged 55 and older in meaningful service. The VISTA member will strengthen the capacity of nonprofit partners by developing sustainable systems for recruiting, engaging, and retaining older adult volunteers. Through partnerships with organizations addressing food insecurity, the VISTA member will create targeted outreach materials, support volunteer coordination, and design toolkits that improve volunteer management practices. Additionally, the RSVP Food Security VISTA member will raise awareness about food insecurity among older adults by conducting research, developing advocacy tools, and supporting educational campaigns. This program not only addresses the immediate need for food access in under-resourced communities but also empowers older adults to contribute to long-term solutions. By the end of the service term, the program will leave a lasting impact through improved volunteer infrastructure and increased community engagement in the fight against hunger.

Role Responsibilities

Increase engagement of volunteers aged 55 and older in food security initiatives: Develop and implement a targeted system to recruit, engage, and retain volunteers aged 55+ for placement with nonprofit partners focused on food security, thereby addressing food insecurity among vulnerable populations in Los Angeles.

• Identify and establish relationships with nonprofit organizations addressing food insecurity across Los Angeles.
• Design and distribute outreach materials specifically tailored to engage the 55+ demographic in volunteer service.
• Partner with nonprofit organizations to schedule, promote, and manage volunteer opportunities related to food security.

Raise awareness of food insecurity among older adults in Los Angeles: Conduct research and develop advocacy tools to highlight the critical issue of food insecurity among older adults, supporting educatio and community engagement efforts.

• Conduct in-depth research and compile relevant data on food insecurity affecting older adults, drawing from local, state, and national sources.
• Develop visual tools such as infographics, fact sheets, and presentations to communicate findings effectively to a wide audience.
• Collaborate with communications and outreach teams to incorporate research into broader awareness campaigns and advocacy strategies.

Establish sustainable systems and best practices for volunteer engagement and retention within food security partner organizations: Build the internal capacity of nonprofit partners by developing standardized tools, systems, and practices that enhance volunteer coordination, improve retention, particularly of 55+ volunteers and ensure the sustainability of food security initiatives beyond the duration of the VISTA term.

• Conduct assessments of current volunteer management practices across selected partner organizations, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement (particularly for 55+).
• Develop customized volunteer management toolkits that include onboarding templates, role descriptions, training resources, and recognition strategies tailored to food security programs and older adult volunteers.
• Collect and analyze feedback from volunteers and partner staff to continuously refine volunteer engagement strategies and document best practices for future use.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Volunteer Coordination: Ability to recruit, schedule, manage, and retain volunteers, particularly those aged 55+.
• Community Outreach: Experience creating outreach materials and engaging with diverse populations.
• Research and Data Analysis: Competence in collecting and synthesizing information on food insecurity and presenting it clearly.
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and implement initiatives with some supervision.
• Collaboration: Skilled at building relationships and working with nonprofit partners, community members, and internal teams
• Preference for a Spanish speaker 

Benefits

• Professional Development: Learn through hands-on experience, skill-building opportunities, and mentorship, helping you grow and advance in your career.
• Skill Variety: Work on a variety of tasks to develop your skills regarding non-profits, grant management, project implementation.
• Leadership & Support: Work within a collaborative team environment that values innovation, mentorship, and community-driven solutions.
• Mission-Driven Culture: Be part of a passionate organization dedicated to improving Los Angeles for all. Your ideas and feedback will be encouraged and listened to. You will have opportunities to be a part of team-based and collaborative projects that bring positive change to the organizat