SeaMar Food Access VISTA
Seeking Spanish speaker to support food access initiatives for the farmworker and Latino communities of Whatcom County.
Sea Mar Community Health Center, founded in 1978, is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health, human, housing, educational and cultural services to diverse communities, specializing in service to the Latino populations in Washington state. Continuing on the foundational work began by the Year 1 Food Access VISTA, the Year 2 VISTA will develop and enhance programs that improve food accessibility and strategies to increase nutritious food access in the Latino Community, with an emphasis on farmworkers and their families during the high season (mid-June to mid-Sept). The VISTA member will assess barriers to healthy food access for the farmworker community, working with the Health Education team and key community partners. The goal of this project is to work with community partners to enhance programs such as the Food Farmacia, summer programs, data tracking, and evaluation for food access related programs, community gardens, and other identified food access interventions. The VISTA member will develop evaluation tools to assess the impact on the target community and recruit volunteers to ensure the sustainability of programs.
This project will help end the cycle of poverty by creating educational opportunities for program participants on healthy eating, wellness, and preventive health measures. Additionally, the proposed projects leverage tangible resources (e.g., produce) to improve the eating practices and well-being of families. Long-term effects include reducing risks for chronic-degenerative diseases and disability, and achieving a healthy and productive life for each one of the participants.
The Opportunity Council VISTA Cohort in Bellingham includes monthly team meetings, Professional Development opportunities, fun team-building events, and 4 annual Days of Service.
The Food Access VISTA will complete the following with an emphasis on the Latino and Farmworker community:
1) Enhance and evaluate summer programs for children of farmworkers.
2) Utilize key community partnerships to leverage resources and Health Education services to enhance the Food FARMacia, a program that will increase food accessibility to Sea Mar patients. Create a survey, gather evaluation tools, and conduct an impact assessment of this project.
3) Enhance and evaluate the Sea Mar community gardens and garden programs with a focus on its future sustainability.
4) Enhance and evaluate programming for food access and health education programs.
This project will help end the cycle of poverty through education and resources for healthy eating, wellness, and preventive health measures. Long-term effects include reducing risks for risks for chronic diseases and disabilities.
Program Benefits : Relocation Allowance , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Childcare assistance if eligible , Training , Living Allowance , Health Coverage* .