AMERICORPS LITERACY AMBASSADOR 

Indy Reads is pleased to offer an AMERICORPS SERVICE OPPORTUNITy in our Adult Basic Education (ABE) Community Classrooms and Community Bookstore. This position is not a career at Indy Reads, but a paid service opportunity beginning January 2nd through July 31st .  

AMERICORPS is a federally funded program that offers different service opportunities that helps individuals grow personally and professionally. When you serve with AmeriCorps, you join a network of more than 1 million members just like you, working to promote civic participation in your own community.  

THE MISSION OF INDY READS is to build the literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower ADULTS and families to reach their full potential. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION: 

Make a difference in the Indianapolis community by becoming an AMERICORPS LITERACY AMBASSADOR at Indy Reads. Members will receive extensive training and tools to help adults who are learning how to read, speak English, and increase their job readiness skills. Through the extensive professional development and hands-on experience in this program, Members will develop presentation, coaching, and mentoring skills, and earn an education award for future higher education or to help pay off existing higher-education debts. AmeriCorps Members will serve under the supervision of Indy Reads program staff. 

CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION 

• Tutor at least one Literacy Foundations student throughout the program year; 

• Tutor in one Community Classroom, 6 hours a week; 

• Administer benchmark testing to students; 

• Mentor students enrolled in certifications programs; 

• Facilitate job readiness programs for students seeking a new job or to advance in their current career.

BOOKSTORE AND 2GEN PROGRAMMING 

• Offer assistance to bookstore visitors during store hours of operation; 

• Assist with job coaching for students; 

• Provide 2Gen literacy programming for families at our community bookstore; 

• Recruit, train, and mentor bookstore volunteers; 

• Present job readiness workshops on skills like active listening, problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking, and time management for students and other AmeriCorps members; 

• Mentor students in the Customer Service Skills Program.

LITERACY AMBASSADOR RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Increase advocacy and awareness of Indy Reads’ mission; 

• Help recruit, train, and retain volunteers; 

• Take on special program projects as needed.

NECESSARY SKILLS: 

• Interpersonal skills to work with a diverse group of individuals; 

• Working knowledge of computer software and multimedia tools; familiarity with Microsoft Office suite; 

• Comfort with serving in both in-person and virtual environments; 

• Interest in literacy and education issues; 

• Flexible schedule to accommodate weekday and weekend duties; 

• Reliable transportation; 

• Ability to work effectively with adults and positively communicate assistance; 

• Solid data analysis and organizational skills including ability to think strategically.

Indy Reads will provide ongoing training to members. All members will work in Indianapolis, Indiana. Travel is necessary and members must have their own transportation.  

OUR MISSION AND WORK: 

Indy Reads builds literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential. For over 30 years, we’ve worked toward a vision of 100% literacy for all. High literacy levels give access to greater developmental, educational, and career opportunities, but current statistics show that 1 in 6 adults in Indiana read at or below a sixth-grade level. Our free, student-centered, Community Classrooms program is led by experienced instructors and trained volunteers. Community Classrooms programs include: 

• Literacy - Serves adults through 1-1 or small group instruction who are seeking education improvement for personal reasons rather than workforce development reasons. 

• ELL - Serves adults who want to learn English as a second language through Ventures curriculum, which is based on life-skills.  

• High School Equivalency (HSE) - Serves adults who would like to improve their employment status, earn a HSE, or enroll in a post-secondary or job training course.  

• Certifications - Serves adults who read at more advanced levels and are looking to find a new career path or advance their job qualifications. We offer options for those pursuing a career in customer service and those seeking a career in education: the Retail Fundamentals Industry credential and the Paraprofessional Teacher Assistant credential. 

• Bookstore 2Gen – Serves families seeking to improve their connections to literacy and community resources in the area.

AmeriCorps members will provide students with the intensive, one-on-one tutoring they need to develop their reading and English skills, as well as personalized coaching to help them succeed in our work training programs. This support allows Indy Reads to enact its mission to “empower adults and families to reach their full potential.” 

BENEFITS: 

AmeriCorps Members serve in reduced half time service slots (minimum 675 hours goal) for one service year (January-July) with varying work hours (20-25 hours a week). Members will receive a living allowance in the form of a bi-weekly stipend, loan forbearance, and an educational grant ($2,474.27) at the end of service. Indy Reads provides individualized professional development, hands-on skills training specific to the field of education, and job readiness skills development in the form of weekly workshops and self-paced trainings, opportunities to build your resume and work portfolio, career counseling at the end of your service, and a staff mentor throughout the year to provide support and guidance.