AmeriCorps Member LISC Michigan Office – Serving at Crim Fitness Foundation

The mission of the LISC AmeriCorps program is to transform distressed neighborhoods into healthy communities by placing AmeriCorps Members with Community Development Corporations (CDCs).  LISC helps CDCs assist in the revitalization of underserved neighborhoods across America by providing financing and technical know-how to CDCs in order for the groups to develop affordable housing, spur commercial investments, create jobs and expand other services that improve the quality of life in the low-income communities where they live and work.  AmeriCorps is one component of LISC’s human capital agenda and seeks to attract talented individuals to serve for one year at CDCs to help build organizational capacity.

The Crim Fitness Foundation (Crim) is a Flint-based non-profit organization that promotes participatory health and fitness activities for adults and children and is devoted to cultivating fitness as a community and family value.  Originally formed in 1977 to coordinate a charity running race, the Crim is now recognized for world-class running races hosted in Flint and a variety of adult and youth programs that promote physical fitness and nutrition. The Crim has its foundation in fitness programming; however, in the past five years the organization has recognized that it is essential to have safe, inviting places where people can be physically active.  Thus, the Crim broadened its scope to include a focus on policy and environmental changes to create safe, livable communities and demonstrated leadership in coordinating and promoting active living initiatives in Flint and Genesee County.  

Member Activities
The member at Crim will serve as a project leader to complete the Promoting Active Communities Assessment to identify policy and environmental changes projects that could take place throughout the course of the service term and connect with other groups to carry them out in the future.  In addition the member will support MSU data collection efforts in the park but assisting with data collection, and training community members on how to collect as well. The member serving in this capacity will:

• Grow the active living movement in Flint to help the city better plan for healthy neighborhoods
• Engage residents in helping to complete the PAC assessment
• Host community meetings and walking audits
• Research City of Flint policies and ordinances
• Interview key stakeholders and policymakers
• Host training in partnership with MSU to teach residents how to collect parks data
• Create recommendations for projects or policies that could take place as a result of the assessments
• Work with groups addressing physical activity to incorporate built environment and policy work

Minimum Qualifications

• High school degree, GED certificate or agree to achieve GED within the year
• Minimum of 18 year of age, US citizen or permanent resident status
• Pass a criminal background and sex offender registry check
• Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Computer skills
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)
• Ability to organize and facilitate meetings

As an AmeriCorps position, the Crim Fitness Foundation will not allow the member to engage in activities that are considered prohibited under the terms of the grant while serving as a LISC AmeriCorps member. 

Member Benefits
Quarter time members are required to serve a minimum of 450 hours at the Crim Fitness Foundation.  Members will attend monthly meetings and trainings hosted by the local LISC office.  Crim Fitness Foundation will also make additional training opportunities available. Upon successful completion of the service year, members will be eligible for a $1,468 education award to pay off existing student loans or return to school.

Please send submissions to:
Lauren Holaly, Active Living Director at Crim Fitness Foundation
Via e-mail to:               lholaly@crim.org
Or via fax to:               (810) 235-5311