Tech Hub Assistant

Note: This is a full-time ACC AmeriCorps position with the Friends Of Parkside.

About the American Connection Corps:

The American Connection Corps (ACC), an AmeriCorps program of Lead For America (LFA), is a service fellowship program aimed at helping communities build the digital connectivity necessary to expand opportunity and economic mobility, ranging from healthcare access to quality employment.

ACC Members serve with locally-rooted organizations, helping address the digital divide and strengthen access to opportunity. Through their service, they gain hands-on experience, build in-demand skills, and explore career pathways while making a tangible impact in their communities.

About the Friends of Parkside

The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the six-county region of Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, and Potter. We are proud to be recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s seven Local Development Districts.

Our mission is to strengthen our communities and economies through strategic planning, funding support, and program delivery. We work collaboratively with municipalities, businesses, partners, and residents to turn ideas into action and make meaningful progress in our region.

Position Overview

The ACC Member will support Friends Of Parkside (FOP) staff in expanding digital equity and opportunity for residents of The Villages at Parkside, a public housing community on Detroit's east side. Building on the groundwork laid by FOP's Community Tech Workers project, the Member will assist staff with the delivery of digital literacy training at the Parkside Tech Hub—a City of Detroit Certified Tech Hub—and at offsite technology classes held where residents already gather, support outreach that brings more residents—especially seniors—into the program, assist with volunteer engagement, assist staff with partner engagement, and collect and compile data that helps staff measure results and plan for sustainability. Through this service, more Parkside residents and the larger community will gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to use technology for work, health, education, and daily life.

Key Responsibilities

The ACC Member will:

Core Project 1 — Digital Literacy Training at the Parkside Tech Hub and Offsite Locations

• Support the delivery of staff-led digital literacy classes and open-lab hours each week at the Parkside Tech Hub, a City of Detroit Certified Tech Hub, including assisting learners one-on-one during sessions. Tech Hub services are available Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some evenings and weekends upon request, and cover topics such as computer basics, internet basics, Gmail, Google Workspace, Zoom, smartphones, cyber security, and scam protection.
• Assist with the facilitation of digital skills training sessions under staff direction, using curricula and schedules set by FOP staff, so clients can use their devices effectively.
• Support the delivery of staff-led offsite technology classes at senior buildings, community rooms, and partner locations in Parkside and on Detroit's east side, including helping set up and pack up laptops, hotspots, and class materials.
• Assist staff with developing and adapting course materials that connect digital skills to real-world uses—employment, health, education, and entertainment—drawing on curricula and resources from FOP's Tech Hub partners—Digitunity, P2PU (Peer 2 Peer University), Grow with Google, Senior Planet, and Connect313—and on lessons learned in the Community Tech Workers project.
• Help maintain and organize Tech Hub training materials, client sign-in sheets, device inventories, and client records under staff direction and in accordance with applicable program procedures so every student and walk-in user of the Tech Hub is counted.
• Target: Contribute to the program's goal of assisting with the delivery of at least 24 training sessions and serving 100 unique Tech Hub clients (students and all other residents who use Tech Hub or offsite services) during the term.

Core Project 2 — Targeted Outreach and Community Awareness

• Support the expansion of outreach for FOP's digital literacy programs by assisting staff with flyers, door-to-door outreach, tabling at FOP community meetings and events, and drafting digital literacy program content for the Parkside Community Connector newsletter and FOP's website and social media for staff review and approval.
• Help track outreach contacts, program inquiries, and enrollments each week so staff can see which strategies are working.
• Share observations and recommendations with staff on how outreach can better reach seniors, parents, youth, and other resident groups identified in the listening tour.

Core Project 3 — Volunteer Engagement Support

• Assist staff and FOP's AmeriCorps VISTA member with supporting volunteer recruitment, orientation, and scheduling for the digital literacy program.
• Help prepare volunteer training materials and assist with volunteer orientation sessions under staff supervision.
• Help maintain volunteer contact lists, schedules, and hour logs; collect volunteer feedback and share it with staff.
• Target: Contribute to the program's goal of recruiting and onboarding 5 community volunteers who support Tech Hub sessions during the term.

Core Project 4 — Partnerships, Data Collection, Evaluation, and Sustainability Support

• Assist staff with stakeholder engagement—meeting preparation, notes, and drafting follow-up communications for staff review—with existing and prospective partners, including the City of Detroit Certified Tech Hub network and Connect313, Digitunity, P2PU, Senior Planet, Grow with Google, and the University of Michigan School of Information.
• Collect participant registration, attendance, pre/post skills assessments, and satisfaction surveys each week; compile monthly summaries that highlight progress, challenges, and successes for staff review.
• Help update evaluation tools based on prior program assessments and share findings with staff so they can adjust training strategies.
• Assist staff with documenting program impact—participant stories, photos (with consent), and outcome data—that staff can use in reports to partners and in FOP's sustainability planning.
• Help organize and maintain program records, partner contact lists, and resource inventories so the program can continue after the term of service.

All functions and activities performed by the ACC Member are completed under the guidance, supervision, and direction of program and host site staff.

Learning & Development Opportunities

As an ACC Member, you will receive structured training and support throughout your service year, including: 

• A week-long virtual orientation with the national cohort to kick off the service year.
• A week-long, in-person national Winter Institute convening with your ACC cohort — travel, lodging, and a per diem stipend are fully covered.
• Twice-monthly virtual training on skills for service, including project management, asset-based community development, grant writing, and serving vulnerable populations, plus self-paced curricula with opportunities to earn badges and credentials.
• A structured community listening tour at the start of service to understand local needs, assets, and opportunities.
• Dedicated 1:1 support from a Lead For America Program Coordinator and twice-monthly peer pod meetings for networking and professional development.
• Access to a national network of ACC Members, alumni, and community partners.

Requirements

• Passion for community service and connecting your neighbors to the digital tools, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Interest in gaining experience in community development or digital inclusion.

Eligibility:

• Be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Be 17 years of age or older by the start of service.
• Have not already served four (4) or more AmeriCorps State/National terms. 

Timeline:

We are currently recruiting Members to serve from December 7th, 2026 - August 13th, 2027. Members will serve full-time (approximately 40 hours per week), completing 1200 hours of service over the course of the term.

Application Process:

1. Submit Your Application: Complete the application on the next page to join our general talent pool.
2. Host Site Review: Our host site organization will review your application, and invite those moving forward to interview.
3. Lead For America Interview: Finalist candidates will be invited to interview with the Lead For America team.

Benefits

Full-time ACC Members receive: 

• A $23,300 living stipend (dispersed bi-weekly over the course of the service term)
• A $5,220 Segal Education Award through AmeriCorps, which can be applied to education-related expenses after the program concludes (including repayment of qualifying student loans).
• Healthcare coverage (if applicable).
• Access to childcare benefits.
• Student loan forbearance during your year of service.
• Fully-funded ACC Winter Institute druing the year.

**Non-Discrimination

**This institution operates in accordance with Federal and AmeriCorps civil rights and non-discrimination requirements. This program is available to all. All program documents, including compliance history information, may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact us at ACCinfo@leadforamerica.org

Note: The ACC program does not offer part-time or remote member positions at this time.