Help teach cooking, painting, and more to low-income kids! Program Assistant needed 7.25 hours per week

Starting ASAP: HCA is looking for a Program (Teaching) Assistant to help teach 7 weekly hours of afterschool enrichment to elementary and middle school aged youth at 4 different low-income apartment buildings in West LA, Jefferson, South Figueroa Corridor, and Inglewood. Reliable transportation and comfort with street parking are required.

About this Position

The Program Assistant will report to one of the full-time Program Coordinators in HCA's Resident Services Department. S/he will work alongside this Program Coordinator to teach (what is currently) a different guided painting and cooking class each week at 4 different apartment communities:

• Mondays, 4-5pm at Missouri Place: 11998 Missouri Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025
• Tuesdays, 3-5pm at Jefferson Square: 2401 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
• Wednesdays, 3-5pm at Beach Terrace: 716 West Beach Ave, Inglewood, CA 90302
• Thursdays, 3-5pm at Gilbert Lindsay: 601 W 40th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Classes are typically one hour in length with 3-10+ residents in attendance, some of whom may be parents or other adults who live in the building. Subject matter may shift in future in response to changing resident interests.

Classes must be provided to residents only, be on-site in the generously resourced Community Room of each building and be free of cost to resident attendees. This makes for a uniquely informal, almost semi-private teaching environment that requires a more nuanced approach to classroom management and discipline than your typical school environment.

While the Program Coordinator typically leads class instruction, plans lessons, and purchases materials outside of class, s/he looks to the Program Assistant to provide vital in-class support and collaboration. Outside of class, both individuals will meet briefly on Zoom each week (15 min) to touch on upcoming lesson plans and any other updates. Ideas for future lessons are welcome and encouraged!

Over time, the Program Assistant will be expected to teach classes her/himself on days when the Program Coordinator is out of the office. The Program Assistant may also be asked to assist in teaching classes to low-income senior citizens at additional communities.

Requirements

1. You can realistically and sustainably drive to/from the locations we have indicated at the times we have indicated, and are comfortable street parking (no garage spaces are available).
2. You are accountable: you understand that the quality and growth of our classes depends on your consistent presence and support.
3. You enjoy working with people, especially children.
4. You are fired up by all things with a recreational, summer-camp vibe – cooking and painting included!
5. You are sensitive to the socio-economic and cultural contexts in which we work: residents from racial, ethnic or religious minorities, residents for whom English is a second language, single-parent households, etc.
6. You have a great sense of humor and aren’t afraid to laugh at yourself.
7. You understand that we are here to serve residents where they are at (not the other way around).
8. You are resilient: emotionally challenging or politically incorrect situations do not deter you from our mission.

Pay

$50/hour for 7.25 hours/week. This rate is set to consider the expense of driving to and from classes, the end times of which will be during peak traffic.