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Healthy Roots - Empowering Alaskan Refugees

Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services (RAIS) provides a bridge for refugees (individuals who have had to flee their countries of origin due to the tragedies of persecution and war) from their former life experiences to the new skills required for success in the United States. Through a focus on economic self-sufficiency, community integration, and a respect for unique cultures, history and traditions, RAIS creates an environment of compassion and encouragement for refugees to flourish. The RAIS Refugee Enterprise & Agriculture Program contains two tracks for refugee clients to participate. Fresh International Gardens (FIG) is a refugee-run farming co-op, made possible by Catholic Social Services Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services (RAIS). The FIG co-op has been building healthy refugee communities since 2007 by helping new Alaskans develop English-language and small business skills, access fresh vegetables, and earn supplemental income. FIG promotes a healthy working and learning environment where everyone has a role to play and can bring their gifts to the co-op. The core focus of FIG is to promote wellbeing in refugee communities. FIG works on several urban agriculture plots around Anchorage, including Grow North Farm (GNF). GNF is a hub for both agriculture and business, where produce is grown, marketed, and sold. GNF provides gardeners a place to expand, launch their own businesses, and collaborate with other farmers. The farm also serves as a neighborhood space for people to gather, grow, and prosper. It offers a marketplace for emerging food businesses to sell international cuisine, a way for resettled refugees to build wealth and self-sufficiency, and a fun and family-friendly space for the community to gather. GNF opens new possibilities for launching businesses, selling products, and giving gardeners even more opportunities to expand and succeed as Anchorage business owners.

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This listing is currently not accepting applications.

Member Duties : One of the goals of the Refugee Enterprise & Agriculture Program at RAIS is to increase overall health and well-being by creating meaningful workforce development and income-generating opportunities for refugee clients. This VISTA position will assist with the program's efforts to build capacity for clients through participation in the Fresh International Gardens program. The VISTA member will also contribute to the oversight of the program’s value-added goods line and build avenues for future markets and products. The position will build relationships with community partners interested in selling refugee-made products and serve as the customer serving face of the program.

Program Benefits : Education award upon successful completion of service , Childcare assistance if eligible , Training , Health Coverage* , Stipend , Living Allowance , $200 a month payment towards housing , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Relocation Allowance .


*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/vista/benefits.

Terms : Permits attendance at school during off hours , Permits working at another job during off hours .

Service Areas : Entrepreneur/Business , Hunger , Environment , Community and Economic Development .

Skills : Environment , Community Organization , Business/Entrepreneur .



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SUMMARY
Program Type:
AmeriCorps VISTA

Program
Healthy Roots - Empowering Alaskan Refugees

Program Start/End Date
05/08/2023 - 05/07/2024

Work Schedule	Full Time

Age Requirement
Minimum: 18 Maximum: None

Program Locations	ALASKA

Accepting Applications
From 02/13/2023 To 04/14/2023

Contact	Tim McCleary
731 E 8th Ave
Anchorage AK 99501
907-744-8470
tmccleary@ruralcap.org
alaskaamericorps.org

Listing ID	116714


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