Program Overview: Team Up AmeriCorps places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Southwest Colorado. While these members serve as part of a regional cohort and participate in regional cohort trainings and activities, they spend the majority of their term serving directly at a specific host site organization. Through collaborative service, Team Up AmeriCorps members develop their own professional skills and passions, expand effectiveness of southwest Colorado organizations, and ultimately support people to thrive. Team Up has been utilizing collective impact initiatives since 2015 to collaborate across sectors and promote communication towards common goals within rural Southwest Colorado communities.
The Community Treehouse is a vibrant and joyful community that nurtures families with young children by welcoming all to learn, play, and grow together. The Treehouse currently serves over 100 families in the Pine River Valley. We intentionally support families across a wide range of incomes, offering scholarships and pay-what-you-can options to ensure access for all our families. Many of the families we serve face challenges such as social isolation, limited childcare options, and the emotional demands of early parenting.
The Community Treehouse provides a unique blend of early childhood programming, parent support, and community connection. Our offerings include:
- Playgroups and Early Learning Programs for infants through preschool-aged children, designed to support social, emotional, and developmental growth
- Parent Work Time, a supervised co-working model that allows parents to work or study while their children are safely engaged nearby
- Mental Health Support, including facilitated support groups for parents navigating stress, isolation, and the challenges of raising young children
- Parenting Education, including Conscious Discipline-based classes that provide practical, research-based tools for raising resilient, emotionally healthy children
- Community Events and Gatherings that foster connection, reduce isolation, and build lasting relationships among families
- We also prioritize hiring parents from the community, creating flexible employment opportunities that help families remain financially stable while staying close to their children.
The Treehouse fills a critical gap in rural childcare and family support services. By offering an inclusive, relationship-based model, we help reduce isolation, strengthen parent confidence, and support healthy child development. Families leave the Treehouse more connected, more resilient, and better equipped to navigate the early years of parenting. Our space is more than a play center—it is a trusted hub where families build community, access resources, and grow together.
Service Position Summary: This AmeriCorps member will fill an important gap in afternoon programming at The Community Treehouse. This role will help create welcoming spaces, educational activities, and playgroups that engage families and older children throughout the summer.
The Connection Host would focus on building connections, reducing parent isolation, and creating meaningful opportunities for families to gather, learn, play, and feel supported. This role would expand afternoon outreach and strengthen The Treehouse as a community hub for families. This role is ideal for someone who is community-minded, organized, warm, and passionate about supporting families.
Duties and Responsibilities: Team Up AmeriCorps members serve directly at their Host Site organization to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities through direct and indirect service. Duties include:
Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):
- Create and lead educational activities, playgroups, and community-building opportunities for children and parents
- Build connections among families to reduce parent isolation and strengthen community relationships
- Support older children and families during summer afternoon hours with meaningful and engaging programming
- Assist with activity setup, organization, and maintaining a welcoming environment
- Encourage participation in Treehouse programs, events, and family activities
- Promote positive interactions, inclusion, and a supportive atmosphere for all families
- Collaborate with staff and volunteers to strengthen family engagement and community outreach
- Team Up AmeriCorps Duties, Tasks, and Cohort Activities
- Track host site and AmeriCorps data
- Attend Team Up AmeriCorps regional trainings, cohort connection days, and Days of Service
Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):
- Assist with setup and cleanup of activity spaces pre and post-programming
- Prepare materials for daily programming
- Support coordination and communication for programming between staff, volunteers, and families as needed
- Participate in special events and community gatherings as a representative of The Community Treehouse
- Perform light administrative or organizational tasks as related to programming
- Provide general support to ensure smooth daily operations of afternoon activities
- Opportunity to participate in and contribute to the Team Up La Plata Mental Health Action Team, time permitting, including but not limited to the following initiatives:
- Connection and outreach and support for families, parents, and caregivers to resources through the Team Up La Plata Mental Health Action Team
- Providing rural parent/caregiver perspectives to the Action Team to further drive Action Team projects and programs
Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:
- Willingness to learn, adapt, and grow in a position
- Ability to serve independently, take initiative, and be motivated by the projects they are doing
- Compassion and awareness: self-awareness, awareness of cultural differences, social differences and understanding of implicit bias
Desired Qualifications:
- Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
- High School Graduate required (GED accepted,) college graduate or equivalent work experience preferred
- Ability to pass criminal history check
- Reliable transportation & proof of auto insurance
- U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required
Term of Service - Time Commitment: This is a Half Time national and community service position requiring approximately 20 hours/week. The position begins September 9th, 2026 and ends August 31, 2027. Flexible hours are required, including occasional evening and weekend commitments. Service on the following dates is required:
- September 9-10: Team Up AmeriCorps Member Orientation
- September 10: Meet n’ Greet with all Members & Site Supervisors
- Jan 19: Dr. MLK Jr. Day Activity
- March 31: Farmworkers Day of Service
- April 9: Spring Convening of Members & Site Supervisors
- 2nd Wednesdays, monthly: Cohort Connections
- in-person in November, May, and August
- virtual in October, December, February, June and July
Training and Support Provided: Team Up AmeriCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable, approved trainings. Members will be supervised and supported by Nicole Johnson ([email protected]), as well as by Team Up AmeriCorps program staff. The PY 26-27 cohort of Team Up AmeriCorps members serving throughout the region will also act as additional resources and support for each other.
Location and Service Conditions: This position is based at 658 S East St, Bayfield, CO 81122. Occasional off-site engagement and partnership activities, meetings, etc. will be required.
Benefits:
- A living allowance of approx. $666.41/per pay period (twice per month). Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
- An education award of $3,697.50 upon successful completion of term of service.
- It is possible to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps member
- Mileage reimbursement for travel to required AmeriCorps trainings and gatherings
- Non-tangible benefits including extensive training, valuable experience, networking, and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need
- Ability to utilize Bayfield Community Treehouse facilities for own children during service hours.
Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Team Up values the diversity of our community. In principle and in practice the diverse nature of our board, staff, and volunteers is recognized as one of our best assets. We respect each individual’s unique gifts and prohibit unfair or discriminatory practices against anyone because of age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and any other protected category.
AmeriCorps prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on the protected categories of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability (mental or physical), political affiliation, marital or parental status, pregnancy, reprisal, genetic information (including family medical history), or military service.
Reasonable Accommodations and Disability Inclusion: Reasonable accommodation will be provided as needed for applications, interviews, and service.
To Apply:
Step 1. Email a cover letter and resume to Team Up AmeriCorps Coordinator Brenna Travis @ . Be sure to indicate which position(s) you are interested in.
Step 2. Create an account on myAmeriCorps.gov and submit an application for the
Please complete BOTH steps to apply.
Pay: $1,332.81 per month
Benefits:
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
