A Year of Service

How is Zelie’s Home different from other service programs?

At Zelie’s Home, AmeriCorps enter into a community, where everyone, moms, staff and AmeriCorps are sharing and growing together. AmeriCorps members accompany the women they serve, and each member of the community, regardless of their role, is changed profoundly by the experience.

Can I apply if I’m not a US citizen?

AmeriCorps members must be US citizens or legally documented residents.

Are there medical considerations for service?

As AmeriCorps members, you will interact with pregnant women and newborns, groups that have a heightened risk of illness and complications. Pregnant women have somewhat suppressed immune systems and newborns have underdeveloped ones, making it extra important that AmeriCorps take appropriate precautions for the health of the community, such as keeping their own vaccines up to date. It is expected that as an AmeriCorps member, you will receive a flu shot at the beginning of flu season, even if you don’t typically get one each year. We also request proof that you have received a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster within the last five years. The vaccine must have had the pertussis component included because pertussis can be fatal for newborns and infants. If you are unsure if you have received it, please check with your doctor. AmeriCorps members are also expected to be able to operate well under high levels of stress, and communicate your stress with your supervisor or team. AmeriCorps members should consider any mental health struggles or challenges when applying for service at Zelie’s Home. 

Are there costs associated with applying/serving?

Other than the normal costs associated with traveling to and from the placements, no.

Can my family and friends visit me?

Yes! AmeriCorps often invite family and friends to visit and share in their experiences of life at Zelie’s Home. While AmeriCorps members are expected to immerse themselves into the community at Zelie’s Home, we also recognize that keeping in touch with family and friends is important and necessary to stay healthy.

Is Zelie’s Home a religious organization?

Zelie’s Home is not a religious organization. We are a social service organization, and we accept moms, staff, and AmeriCorps members of any, or no, faith background. Zelie’s Home was founded in the spirit of the Catholic Worker Movement, and we continue to be guided and inspired by Catholic Social Teaching. Our homes have chapels and churches nearby. Therese’s Nest (our Garfield location) has the Blessed Sacrament present. We encourage our AmeriCorps members to continue practicing their faith if it is a part of their life, but we are not evangelical in any way, shape, or form. Any religious activities take place outside of AmeriCorps hours.

Is there a dress code at Zelie’s Home?

We ask our AmeriCorps members to look presentable during times that the home is open to guests, volunteers, and donors (9AM-8PM). This means no inappropriate clothing. When asked to speak at an event or attend staff-wide meetings, AmeriCorps members should be expected to have business casual wear.

What about meals?

Each home has a grocery budget and is stocked with community groceries. If you prefer to buy your own personal food, you can do so with personal money. Meals are on your own for both moms and AmeriCorps, except for community nights at either home.

Are there costs associated with serving?

Out of town applicants are responsible for traveling to and from their placement here in Cleveland to begin/end their year of service. AmeriCorps relocating are responsible for finding and securing housing. There is no cost to apply and there are no fundraising requirements.

Do I have to have my license?

Every year-long AmeriCorps member needs to have their license, and ideally, needs to be at least 21 year old in order to drive our Zelie’s Home cars. SummerCorps do not have to be 21.

Will I have my own bedroom?

AmeriCorps members will have a private area to sleep and be away from the community during overnight shifts.

Do you get regular holidays off?

No. Zelie’s Home does not close for the holidays, so AmeriCorps members do not get traditional holidays off. We are often the primary support and community of the moms that live with us. As a full time AmeriCorps Member, you are expected to work two TIER 1 holidays and one TIER 2 holiday. As a part time AmeriCorps Member, you are expected to work one TIER 1 holiday and one TIER 2 holiday. Upon acceptance of the position you will have the opportunity to rank the holidays according to your preference.

Can I have another job while at Zelie’s Home?

Working at Zelie’s Home is extremely demanding. However, AmeriCorps members with good boundaries and self care routines may be able to handle another job, school or online classes, however, this is not for everyone.

What does day to day life look like?

Each day is dependent on the needs of the moms in the home, so each day looks different! Typically, the day is split into duty shifts. When an AmeriCorps member is not on duty, she may spend her time one-on-one with moms, driving moms and babies to appointments or classes, or doing administrative position work.