Where: National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health (NCoEWH) WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV
Application deadline: April 8th, 2011 (applications will be reviewed as received)
Selection process completion deadline:May 2nd, 2011
VISTA mandatory Pre-service orientation: June 13th – 17th, 2011
To apply: a) Call the NCoEWH at ??? or contact Jill Kriesky, Program Coordinator at jkriesky@hsc.wvu.edu; and b) Complete an on-line application at https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do
About the NCoEWH programming: To reach out to communities across the state and focus attention on improving the physical, spiritual and mental health and well-being of women and ultimately all West Virginians, the NCoEWH sponsors Women on Wellness (WOW) retreats across the state. WOW is a behavior change process that seeks to help women balance mind, body, and soul. It provides them the tools to examine their feelings, thoughts and beliefs behaviors, consequence and impact on others. During the day-long retreats, women have the opportunity to sample health related activities and screenings that are of exclusive interest to them. It is a fast-paced, fun experience. There is no judgment. It operates under the philosophy that no two women are the same. The participants take part in physical activities and nutrition and motivational outreach sessions designed to inspire them to improve their health and the health of their families. Each woman leaves the retreat with her own wellness program, new friends and support groups and knowledge of health and wellness resources based in her community. In preparing for each WOW, the NCoEWH works with a local steering committee to identify keynote speakers, instructors for educational and movement sessions and to recruit participants.
Currently the NCoEWH is developing a WOW specifically tailored for women in the military and women whose family members serve in the armed forces which plans to offer in 2011. In addition, the CoEWH is offering another new version of the WOW which will incorporate programming for middle school and high school-aged girls (with specific reach to at risk girls) who attend the retreat with their mothers or other adult caregiver.
VISTA responsibilities: The NCoEWH AmeriCorps VISTA member will be key to building our capacity to recruit for the WOW retreats. Her/his primary role would be to focus on encouraging attendance of low-income women (and girls) to these events. In addition, the VISTA would assist the NCoEWH staff with the development of new materials appropriate for military women and mother/daughter WOWs described below.
The NCoEWH is seeking a VISTA who is:
• An individual passionate about women’s physical, mental, and spiritual health issues;
• A good collaborator, interested in serving with a dynamic team of women;
• A self-starter, comfortable with limited day-to-day supervision; and
• A confident, enthusiastic recruiter, willing to travel to WOW retreat communities on her/his own to meet with representatives of local civic, governmental, and faith-based organizations and individual potential WOW participants.