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
Extended Learning Program (ELP) – (5 slots) Members support small group K-12 instruction at a local elementary or middle school in traditional classroom setting 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. 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.
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts
(1 slot) The member serves alongside a Fitness4Life staff member in conducting garden classes for elementary age students at Watsonville Charter School of the Arts (WCSA), and supports the after school program conducted between WCSA and Alianza Charter School. Through these classes and program the member helps educate small groups of students on their natural environment, as well as healthy eating practices through outdoor cooking classes. Bilingual: a plus.
Fitness4Life
(1 slot) The member supports the PVUSD Fitness4Life program by offering instructional support in garden and cooking classes to students from grades K-8. The member will operate on a split schedule serving at multiple elementary and middle school’s in the district to support garden and cooking lessons, where students plant, grow and eat in the outdoor garden classrooms. Transportation required. Bilingual, a plus.
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.
Pajaro Valley Shelter Services
(1 slot) The member supports case workers and staff of the both the immediate shelter services as well as the long term transitional housing participants by assisting them with connections to additional resources and financial benefits. The member serves closely with other partners to connect shelter residents to resources that will help boost their financial wellness, and serves with participants to help them develop their job-readiness skills. Bilingual required.
