Joining NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley‘s Accessing Home AmeriCorps program reaches a new level of critical importance as the nationwide eviction moratorium has been lifted and extended unemployment benefits are halted.
On August 26, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to end the federal Centers for Disease (CDC) eviction moratorium that was issued on August 3, and originally set to expire October 3. NWBRV’s AmeriCorps program, which was founded in 2015, deftly addresses the state’s chronic issue of affordable housing and helps low-middle income households secure and maintain safe and healthy homes. While a high percentage of Rhode Island’s renters struggled to make ends meet prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lifted eviction ban has Accessing Home AmeriCorps members anticipating an unfortunate rise in need working to assuage these challenges.
“AmeriCorps members are needed imminently to aid in mobilizing Rhode Island’s ‘help infrastructure’ model, “NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley Executive Director Joe Garlick said. “The coming year demands Rhode Islanders build a helpful, caring infrastructure like never before. Our neighbors need our help, and we need Rhode Islanders to join the Accessing Home AmeriCorps program to use their skills to get the job done in communities across the State.”
By delivering services at 10 non-profits and municipal organizations across Rhode Island, Accessing Home AmeriCorps members actively work to alleviate the hardships caused by poverty throughout the state. With Rhode Island’s burgeoning housing affordability crisis on the rise amidst a re-surging pandemic, the housing of statewide neighborhoods, families and individuals is being threatened with an increasing intensity. NWBRV’s helpful and informed AmeriCorps members capably utilize their educational skills to act as building blocks in keeping Rhode Islanders in their homes.
“Accessing Home AmeriCorps members will continue to be on the frontlines at several nonprofit organizations across the State,” Joe said.
Services offered by Accessing Home cover a broad range of needs. Our members can aid in everything from negotiating payment plans and educating tenants on their rights and responsibilities, to helping individuals and families apply for State assistance programs like SNAP and Childcare benefits. Effective financial coaching, guiding individuals through the process of accessing benefits to alleviate their financial burden, is also available.
“With the end of the eviction moratorium and added unemployment benefits, those who were most impacted by COVID continue to need increased support from their communities,” stated NeighborWorks Accessing Home Program Manager, Joyce Welch. “The Accessing Home AmeriCorps Program is one way for individuals to make a difference by providing housing stabilization services.”
NWBRV AmeriCorps members serve for between 35 and 40 hours per week, earn bi-weekly paychecks and are given access to healthcare coverage. Applicant requirements include completion of a BCI, access to reliable transportation, a high school diploma or GED, and the ability to complete 1700 hours of service over the course of a year. We are currently seeking a freshly impassioned wave of energetic, resilient applicants who are eager to serve as advocates for low-income Rhode Island families experiencing housing instability in this horrifically unique time of need.
“Rhode Islanders have always deserved safe and affordable housing, but with COVID having no end in sight, safe and affordable housing is even more vital for our communities,” Joyce expressed in support of recruitment for this vital program, which to date has provided housing stabilization services to 1,515 individuals. “The job requires hard work. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.”
For more information or to join this program, please contact Meg Rego at mrego@nwbrv.org or visit us online at https://neighborworksbrv.org/accessing-home/join/.