Dismas Farm Fellowship
Dismas House of Massachusetts, Inc., seeks a qualified Fellow to help coordinate resident and program activities at Dismas Family Farm, a transitional housing program for homeless, former prisoners located in Oakham, MA. Ideal candidates will have a commitment to issues of social justice, experience in non-profit milieu, and excellent verbal and written communication skills. Hours may include weekday and weekend evening hours.
The Dismas House Fellow is presented with the opportunity to live in solidarity with the residents of Dismas House. Duties for the position may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Help coordinate and participate in all farm and vocational activities at the Dismas Family Farm.
- Work closely with the Farm Program Director to assist with case management efforts. Assist residents with assignments, resumes, health benefit applications, and job search efforts.
- Maintain social media for the farm, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
- Assist farm staff in planning and overseeing farm-related events, in particular the annual Fall Festival.
- Assist Executive Director with grant writing responsibilities including researching new funding sources, helping renew existing grants, and eventually writing original funding requests.
- Transport residents to doctor appointments, job interviews and NA/AA meetings in the community, and help to plan, coordinate and implement house activities.
- Assist Dismas staff attorney with the operation of the BAR None Program. Help coordinate with legal clients, and assist legal clients with filling out and filing paperwork.
- Perform public speaking and outreach efforts to increase agency visibility, issue awareness and volunteer bases.
- Coordinate weekly grocery shopping and supply maintenance at the Dismas Family Farm.
- Work with Executive Director around volunteer coordination and student and international volunteer residency in the program. Cultivate relationships with volunteers. Schedule volunteers and coordinate schedule of volunteer cooks.
- Support, welcome and orient volunteers providing outside services, including, but not limited to, meal provision, education and support groups and special project assistance.
This fellowship runs the course of one calendar year (ideally July 1 – June 30). The Fellow will receive a $400/week stipend. Room, board, and health and dental insurance are also included.
Dismas House does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation, nationality, religious conviction or disability.