For all of Watsonville’s geographical beauty, between mountains and ocean, and small-town charm, the community faces unique challenges. Watsonville serves many new immigrants as a landing platform in the United States. Housing costs are high and many of our community members return to Mexico when our harvest season ends, so many of our families are in a constant state of transition, and students can miss weeks of school at a time because of this. We need energetic, dedicated folks who can connect with kids and families, the life of this community. The children are the reason many Watsonville parents work to keep one foot on American soil and one at home, and why teachers work 10 hour days, writing new lessons that will engage and connect with kids who come from all different educational backgrounds. This program offers members a unique opportunity to combine compassion, learning, and professionalism to meet the challenges of a wonderful community.
Services Sites in Watsonville, California
Pajaro Valley Unified School District
(Slots vary by year) Members support small group instruction at a local K-12 schools in traditional classroom settings and help coordinate after school programing. The member will gain hands-on teaching experience and professional development while making a significant impact for the students who benefit greatly from their additional academic and social-emotional support. After an initial screening, applicants will be matched with a school site that fits their particular interests and skill set, and the community needs. Bilingual: a plus.
Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry and Kitchen Program
(1 slot) The member serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for a local food pantry which serves thousands of residents of the Pajaro Valley. Pantry and lunch guests include farm working families, elderly and disabled individuals and individuals experiencing homelessness. The member supports volunteer recruitment and outreach efforts by attending and coordinating community events and managing the pantry’s social media accounts, in addition to supporting the kitchen and pantry operations on an ongoing basis. Bilingual preferred.
Second Harvest Food Bank
(1 slot) The member serves with the Community Engagement Managers to host Youth Inc, a high school level extracurricular group hosted by the food bank to encourage local students to learn about healthy eating and educate them about healthy dietary practices. The member also supports the nutrition classes and helps with the food distributions which occur county-wide on an ongoing basis. Bilingual preferred.
Moreland Notre Dame Elementary
(1 slot) The member provides small-group instruction and academic intervention and support to K-8 math and literacy programs as well as through after school programming at a local Catholic elementary and middle school. The member will gain hands-on teaching experience and professional development while making a significant impact for the students who benefit greatly from their additional academic and social-emotional support. Bilingual: a plus.
Farm Discovery at Live Earth Farm
(1 slot) The member serves at Farm Discovery and Live Earth Farm, a nonprofit organization working to empower youth and families on field trips to build and sustain healthy food, farming, social and natural systems through educational programs and collaborative agricultural, ecological, and social systems. The ideal candidate is passionate about education, farming, and cooking. The member also provides administrative support to the Executive Director and other staff. Drivers license preferred.
Diamond Technology Institute
(1 slot) Diamond Technology Institute (DTI) is a small public charter high school which offers a rigorous, career-focused programming with an emphasis on the STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). The member supporting DTI will assist in small group instruction in traditional classroom settings and help support after school clubs and programs. The member will gain hands-on experience and professional development while making a significant impact for the students who benefit greatly from their additional academic and social-emotional support. Bilingual: a plus.
