Isaiah 6:8b

SWAP Site Coordinator

Locations:

Harlan (some years, a site coordinator is not required)

Qualifications:

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active church membership; and nonviolent peacemaking.

Additionally, successful applicants should have:

• An understanding of poverty issues and empathy with the poor
• An ability to facilitate/assist in group discussion
• An ability and willingness to work with young adults and other volunteer staff
• An ability to lead/participate as gifted in corporate worship
• An ability to exercise leadership and organizational skills
• A general knowledge of carpentry and home repair preferred
• Strong group and individual communication skills preferred
• Patience and stamina required
• Valid driver's license usually required

Assignment Description:

SWAP (Sharing With Appalachian People) provides week-long mission/service/learning opportunities for young people and adults, mainly through the spring and summer months. Primary focus is housing repair for low-income individuals and families who do not qualify for other low-cost housing programs, as well as promoting faith- sharing, communication and understanding between volunteers and local residents.

This three month assignment includes a level of interaction with youth groups, youth sponsors and SWAP clients that provides opportunity to explore new cultures and stretch one's faith and understanding of Christ's commands.

The core group of staff will be made up of those 19 years of age or older with some life experience and level of maturity. There may, however, be assignments for a few 'junior' or 'apprentice' staff members who are younger, and interested in developing their leadership skills for future Christian ministry.

As SWAP Site Coordinator you are directly accountable to your SWAP Location Coordinators. As part of the SWAP Summer staff, you are also mutually accountable to the other members of the SWAP staff team at your location.

A good deal of the time will be spent visiting potential client homes, reviewing client applications, assessing needs and identifying who SWAP will be able to serve. This assignment allows for a lot of interaction with local folks. At times it can be stressful making decisions about who will be served.

Duties:

• Contacts and interviews prospective client applicants in relation to project selection; assists the Location Coordinators in the selection of appropriate work projects
• Works closely with the Construction Site Coordinator and Staff Support Worker to ensure a smooth delivery of service to homeowners.
• Acts as contact person for participants; assigns projects to crew leaders; coordinates transportation of volunteers to job sites; handles complaints - referring to Location Coordinators as necessary.
• Together with the SWAP staff team, parfticipates in evening worship and discussion times.
• Is exemplary in conduct and communication with clients, co-workers and volunteers.

Compensation

All summer staff receive food and lodging while on assignment. They also receive a weekly stipend, according to the following schedule:

• $125/week (first year)
• $150/week (second year)
• $175/week (subsequent years)

Additionally, SWAP will pay transportation costs to and from assignment for staff who serve for the the entire summer SWAP season.

Location Description

Harlan, McDowell, Letcher, and Knott Counties are mountainous coal-mining counties in southeastern Kentucky and West Virginia. Like most coal-mining counties of Appalachia, these counties are economically distressed: unemployment soars at five times the national average and mean salaries are a fraction of more prosperous regions. Recent USDA studies have identified these counties as critical in terms of sub-standard housing and lacking in basic infrastructures of roads, sewers and adequate water supplies.

Comments:

• Work experience preferred
• Isolated setting
• Training may be available
• Students returning to Christian colleges may be eligible for internship credit and/or scholarship contribution
• Contact the MCC Appalachia SWAP office at (606) 633-5065 for exact dates

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