What are the service activities?

The mission of the AmeriCorps Independence Project is to:

• Maximize independence for persons with mental disabilities
• Empower volunteers to become productive, service-oriented citizens
• Provide opportunities for volunteerism through agency and faith-based collaboration to strengthen our local community

Where do members serve?

Members work directly with individuals with mental disabilities in various Andrews Center programs.

Members also are placed at other locations such as PATH, Robert E. Lee High School, St. Louis School, Chapel Hill ISD, Goodwill OIT and Trinity Mother Frances Respite Care. Below is a list of the sites and service descriptions for this current term.

Members work directly with individuals with mental disabilities in various Andrews Center programs.

 

 

Service Placement Descriptions

2007- 2008

Service Coordination Assistant, FT

Duties: Assist social workers with transportation of clients to grocery store, doctor, home visits, and social activities. Work with social workers to care for and meet the needs of clients. One position will split time with Supported Employment Assistant.

Tyler, Canton, Mineola, Athens

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

 

Leisure Activities Specialist, FT

Duties: Develop and lead social activities, such as horticulture/greenhouse activities, scrap-booking, craft projects, etc. for clients. Assist therapy staff with marketing events and public presentations. Position will split with Boys & Girls Youth Development Specialist.

10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

 

Trinity Mother Frances Respite Care Provider, PT

Duties: Recruit and assist volunteers to provide childcare on Saturdays for special needs children. Position will split with Volunteer Recruiter for part time placement.

Tyler

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

one Saturday a month

 

Special Education School Assistant, FT

Duties: Assist teachers with special needs students in the classroom teaching life skills, academic skills, or music. Choice of serving at Chapel Hill ISD, St. Louis School, or Robert E. Lee HS. 2 FT Chapel Hill Assistants will split hours with St. Louis Therapeutic Horseback.

Tyler

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

 

Developmental Childcare Assistant, FT

Duties: Assist staff with field trips, reading, music, arts and crafts for children with disabilities. Special Education School Assistant will be placed at this site during teacher workdays and Summer Holidays.

Tyler

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. FT

Monday - Friday

 

Supported Employment Assistant, FT

Duties: Assist persons to obtain and maintain employment, fill out job applications, job site training, transportation to and from work at times. Position will split time with Service Coordination Assistant.

Tyler

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

 

Goodwill OIT, FT

Duties: Assist adults in pre-vocational and vocational training in a sheltered workshop. Position will split with Jail Diversion Assistant.

Tyler

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

 

Therapeutic Horseback Riding Assistant, FT

Duties: Assist instructor to implement therapy plans, maintain arena environment, mount and dismount students. Full Time placement will split time with Chapel Hill Special Education School Assistant.

Tyler

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday - Thursday

 

Volunteer Recruiter, PT

Duties: Speak at presentations to recruit and later train volunteers for Andrews Angels program. One Position will split with Trinity Mother Frances Respite Provider for part time placement. Another position will assist with planning and implementation of special events.

Tyler

any hours between 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

 

Parent Support Group Specialist, PT

Duties: Assist in support meetings of parents of children with mental disorders. Will also assist in training activities with children. Position will split with Residental Consumer Mentor.

Tyler

4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

 

Residental Consumer Mentor, PT

Duties: Assist adults with mental retardation with independent living skills and social activities in a group home setting. Tyler Position will split with Parent Support Group Specialist.

Tyler, Athens, Canton

4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. weekdays, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

7 days a week available for placement

 

Jail Diversion Assistant, FT

Duties:Arrange community services for mentally ill or retarded offenders. Position will split with Goodwill OIT Client Development Trainer.

Tyler

12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m

Monday - Friday

 

PATH Consumer Volunteer Recruiter, PT

Duties:Recruit, train and supervise individuals with mental disabilities to serve as PATH volunteers.

Tyler

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday

 

Boys & Girls Club Youth Development Specialist, FT/PT

Assist in after school homework, enrichment program for at risk youth. FT Position will split with Leisure Activities Specialist.

Tyler

3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Monday - Friday