Care for Children in the Casa Neighborhood

The AmeriCorps service year calendar is from September to August the following year. We cannot accept and process applications after June 30 for the current service year. All applications for those wishing to start in 2024 must be submitted prior to June 30, 2024.

We accept and process applications on a rolling basis. As such, qualified applicants who submit applications earlier are more likely to be offered a position.

The application process includes the following, in the following order:
• Completion of Casa’s application (Link to application)
• Collection of references
• Virtual interview
• Contingent offer pending background checks and other required documentation*
• Cleared pre-placement drug screen, clear random drug screens for duration of placement*
• Completion of TB Screening
• Annual vaccinations for influenza
• Remain fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (unless an exemption applies)
**Casa de Esperanza will cover the cost of fingerprinting for background check and cost of drug screening

The benefits below are reflective of those provided by AmeriCorps for the 2023-2024 service year. We will update Members when we know the updated budget information.
Living Allowance of $23,800
Education Award to be received upon completion of program: $6,895

While having a valid driver’s license for at least two years is preferred, not having a driver’s license will not prevent us from hiring a strongly qualified candidate. Having a driver’s license is preferred, because the role of the Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Member involves a great deal of transporting children to appointments. Generally, a home can support only one Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Member without a valid license for at least two years, as this places a greater driving burden on the other AmeriCorps Members.

The day-to-day routine can vary greatly from week to week and from house to house depending on the ages, medical needs, emotional needs, and behaviors of the children in your home. However, AmeriCorps Members will do everything that parents in other settings do to raise children and run a household. AmeriCorps Members provide primary direct care, as well as take their children to doctor and therapy appointments, and transport children to visits with their parents. AmeriCorps Members engage their children in age-appropriate activities to help them make progress toward their developmental goals. Much of the day is spent playing with the children, both inside and outside, but also includes changing diapers, giving baths, making meals, feeding babies and cleaning up constantly to stay one step ahead of your very active children. As the children are in foster care, documentation of activities, appointments, and progress is an important part of the daily routine as well.

All Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Members must commit for a 12-month period unless another agreement has been made between the candidate, Equal Heart, and Casa de Esperanza. We encourage you to visit our careers page https://casahope.org/careers

Yes! In fact, the majority of our AmeriCorps Members come to us from other states.

Your Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Member role and schedule must always come first in your scheduling. However, if you can engage in outside work and/or classes that do not impact the schedule provided to you by your supervisor, you are permitted to do so.

Unfortunately, this position is not compatible with those who have dependent children of their own, as you are required to live on-site and we do not allow other children in the Neighborhood. However, if you are interested in being involved with the work that Casa does, you may be interested in becoming a weekly volunteer instead.

We accept applicants from all different educational backgrounds into our program. While some majors occur more often in our program (Psychology, Pre-Med, Social Work, Early Childhood, etc.), we have had very successful Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Members from a wide variety of majors. What is most important is that you are passionate about the work that we do and can live and work well with children and other AmeriCorps Members. We are more interested in your attitude, work ethic, interest in social justice issues and your love for children than we are interested in your major area of study.

On-site housing is provided to all Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Members. There is no cost to the Member for things such as rent, utilities, or Wi-Fi. All costs associated with caring for the children will be paid for by the organization. AmeriCorps Members’ personal expenses including, but not limited to, groceries, toiletries, etc. will be the responsibility of the AmeriCorps Member.

Each house has an assigned vehicle to transport the children. Transportation not related to transporting or meeting the needs of the children (picking up prescriptions, etc.) will not be provided by the organization. While children can NEVER be transported in personal vehicles, you are permitted to bring a personal vehicle or use public transportation/ride-sharing for personal use should you decide not to bring a personal vehicle.

If you have questions that are not answered on this FAQ page, we welcome you to reach out to the Human Resources Coordinator, Darean Talmadge, at dtalmadge@casahope.org.