The VISTA will gain a comprehensive understanding of ESS’s community engagement efforts by reviewing and familiarizing with all past and current events, including Mauka to Makai, Waianae Eat Local Challenge, and Community Wellness Workshops. The VISTA member will support the Associate Director in indirect coordination of these events, help build and strengthen relationships with partnering organizations, and contribute to the development of a comprehensive engagement plan to enhance future outreach and programming by creating plans, resource guides, and protocols. The VISTA will also re-develop and update ‘Elepaio Social Services Emergency Preparedness Disaster Plan as well as planning, system development, resource mapping, outreach materials, and sustainability tools. This project aims to assess the current plan and update it with new directives, resources on hand / provided, heads of disaster preparedness offices, and plans of action in times of disaster. They will also develop emergency preparedness educational / outreach workshops, create program sustainability and capacity building, and plan for an Emergency Preparedness Fair in 2026. This project will contribute towards preparing an already heavily disadvantaged community by becoming prepared for emergency disasters (hurricanes, wildfire, tsunami, windstorms, flooding, etc.) as well as day to day disasters (e.g. food insecurity). such events will further support their resilience, awareness, and health.
Member Duties : They will familiarize with the Wai'anae community and 'Elepaio Social Services’ (ESS) mission, operations and services by working with the different programs and services. This introductory period will aid the VISTA in seeing first-hand the need for food and nutrition resources and the role ESS has in fighting poverty through offering food security and other social services to the Wai'anae community. Their focus will be on community wellness, disaster preparedness resource and planning development, community engagement resources, and other programs within our organization's capacity building scope of work.
Program Benefits : Living Allowance , Housing , Training , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Health Coverage* , Education award upon successful completion of service , Relocation Allowance .
Terms :
Permits attendance at school during off hours , Permits working at another job during off hours , Car recommended .
Service Areas :
Disaster Relief , Health , Hunger , Community Outreach , Education .
Skills :
Disaster Services , Environment , Recruitment , Public Health , Teaching/Tutoring , Team Work , Fund raising/Grant Writing , Youth Development , Communications , Education , Public Speaking , Community Organization .
Community Engagement and Resilience VISTA
Minimum: 18 Maximum: None
From 04/01/2026 To 07/01/2026
Contact
Christopher Fujimoto
