City of PhoenixAmeriCorps VISTA Engagement Coordinator
Jul. 2017 - Jul. 2018Phoenix, Arizona AreaAmeriCorps VISTAs are placed in programs around the country to alleviate domestic poverty. In Phoenix, AZ, I work within City Hall managing the third pilot year of Love Your Block (LYB), a mini-grant program. LYB invites low-to -moderate income neighborhood groups to apply for $1,000 to implement volunteer-fueled, community revitalization projects. LYB is a Mayor's initiative based out of the City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department and the City Manager's Office and is funded by Cities of Service, a non-profit out of New York City. Managing LYB includes in-depth community out-reach to neighborhood groups, multi-media marketing, technical assistance, grant process coordination, recording metrics, and establishing a grant sustainability plan. Outreach to community groups has included attending events and community meetings, communicating through multiple social media platforms, NextDoor, over the phone, and through email. A new form of media for LYB, the tutorial video, helped reach diverse ages and provided an accessible and simple explanation of the grant and how to apply. Through increased outreach and marketing, my team and I were able to increase the number of applications received by 155% from year two. LYB has undertaken the City of Phoenix Little Free Library (LFL) initiative . LFLs are small book shelf structures that are placed in public places and create a system of "take-one-leave-one" book sharing. Phoenix LFLs are placed in areas where over 60% of third graders test below average in reading level to help spread literacy awareness and create free, onsite access to books. My team has placed nine LFLs in high need areas.