Community Wellness VISTA - Waianae, United States - Americorps

Description

The Wai'anae Coast, located on the West side of O'ahu, is an economically distressed community home to the largest population of Native Hawaiians in the state.

Compared to the rest of the state of Hawai'i, Wai'anae ranks highest for debilitating health conditions related to nutrition and food insecurity, with 1 in every 5 residents living below the poverty level.

'Elepaio Social Services has recognized that programs and resources must be continuously available to see long term lifestyle changes for the community, and that's where the VISTA comes in.

There are three main objective projects that are ultimately intended to help the Wai'anae community out of poverty through the lenses of food access and security, disaster preparedness, and food as medicine.

The projects are to develop a 12-month curriculum for the community wellness workshops that are focused on different domains of health, develop a 5-month curriculum for youth in a produce prescription program, and develop a grant management system to ensure continued support for programs around food sovereignty, food/nutrition security, food as medicine, and emergency preparedness.

The VISTA will learn about the background of Community Wellness Workshops and the impact they have for the community that offer free nutrition, culinary, agricultural and cultural education.

The grant and fundraising system they create will allow 'Elepaio Social Services (ESS) to easily track and identify potential grants and donors that align with ESS's programs around food sovereignty, food as medicine, and emergency preparedness and allow ESS to continue to function as a nonprofit and service the community at no cost to them.

Additionally, the youth produce prescription curriculum will consist of lessons and activities around nutrition and cooking to compliment the monthly vouchers that youth will receive to purchase fruits and vegetables at the WCCHC farmers' market.

The curriculum will expose youth to the science of human nutrition and culinary arts while also teaching life-long skills and establishing healthy behaviors.

Education award upon successful completion of service , Training , Health Coverage* , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Relocation Allowance , Living Allowance .

Permits working at another job during off hours , Prohibits paid work outside of the sponsoring agency at any time , Permits attendance at school during off hours .

Writing/Editing , Community Organization , Public Speaking , Communications , Fund raising/Grant Writing , Social Services , Disaster Services , Youth Development , Public Health , General Skills , Team Work .