Strategic Initiatives VISTA

About The Collective Blueprint

The Greater Memphis area has more than 45,000 young adults, aged 16-24, who are out of school and out of work. Nearly half of these young adults are in poverty, and only 1% will be on the path to a living wage by the time they are 28.

The young adult population represents the next generation of community, business, and political leaders. It is imperative that they are equipped with the skills and supports they need today in order to guide Memphis forward tomorrow. The Collective Blueprint advances a community framework that reflects the personal and economic aspirations of the city’s young populace.

The Collective Blueprint was started in 2016 and is the only local organization specifically tailored to the needs of young adults. We provide relationships, resources, and a network of support to help young adults discover and develop their unique talents in order to advance their personal and professional objectives. Our Vision is that all young adults have the power to live their best lives and the tools to make that a reality. 

The Collective Blueprint Model 

The Collective Blueprint is building the framework to reach economic equity for all young adults in the following ways: 

1) Initiatives: Build coalitions that create systemic solutions to ensure more young adults complete education and continue on to careers 

2) Programs: Be the go-to organization for how to support and partner with opportunity youth as they begin their careers 

3) Advocacy: Build a movement toward a more economically just Memphis by positioning young adults as leaders and advocates

About The Americorps VISTA Program

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency that helps millions of Americans improve the lives of their fellow citizens through service. The CNCS AmeriCorps VISTA Members will serve for a year at The Collective Blueprint, building capacity by conducting outreach and growing partnerships. The role of VISTAs on our team is unique in that they are not employees of The Collective Blueprint. VISTA members are paid and receive benefits through CNCS. Visit www.nationalservice.gov for more information about CNCS and AmeriCorps VISTA. 

Please see the VISTA position descriptions below for more detailed information. To apply for these positions, you will need to create a MyAmeriCorps account at my.americorps.gov. Once you create an account and an application, search for this position within the My AmeriCorps system. In addition to the living allowance from CNCS, The Collective Blueprint offers VISTA members a competitive incentives package including generous rent, grocery, wellness, and gas assistance.

Position Responsibilities 

This VISTA would help TCB collect & organize information to support the execution of our strategic plan. This includes conducting research (quantitative and qualitative), analyzing research results, presenting findings back to the management and building tools to execute against said findings. These are example projects, based on what is highest priority in the strategy department. 

1. High School Landscape

Project Goal: Help us assess and understand the needs of graduation high school seniors 

Activities

• Conduct qualitative research (focus groups, interviews) with high school seniors at high schools in Memphis
• Work with high school guidance counselors to map the current pathways high school students take in our county 
• Collect and organize data on each high school and analyze trends by high school 
• Prepare reports on the needs of high school seniors, opportunities for programming and next steps 

2. Economic Development & Training School Research 

Project Goal: Map accessible career options available to young adults in Memphis 

Activities

• Map the current post-secondary landscape in Memphis, with an emphasis on financially viable options that set graduates up for success attaining work in a high-demand field 
• Document available jobs along career paths, highlighting stackable credentials when relevant 
• Research to support the development of our own training school 

3. Funding Landscape

Project Goal: Describe the current funding landscape for programming focused on helping Opportunity Youth get connected to training and employment. Find and describe examples at the state and county level of funding mechanisms from other parts of the country, with an emphasis on success stories. 

Activities

• Describe the current landscape for funding for Opportunity Youth-focused initiatives in Memphis and Shelby County. Include a brief history of how the initiative came about, what it’s goals are, who supported it, and any information available on it’s implementation and effectiveness 
• List standout positive example of government funding initiative focused on Opportunity Youth in other locations that could serve as a model ini Memphis and Shelby County. Include a brief history of how the initiative came about, what it’s goals are, who supported it, and any information available on it’s implementation and effectiveness