SerVermont - HatchSpace VISTA

The mission of Hatch Space is to celebrate and advance the learning, practice and cultural varieties of woodworking. We provide access to the tools and training necessary for people to build what they love. Across our programs, Hatch Space fosters creative exploration, technical learning, and community connections that support craft and trades skills development. We serve the trade-curious, career changers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, artists, craftspeople, tinkerers, and hobbyists with an annual reach of over 1,300 participants.

Hatch Space was founded in 2019 as a woodworking school and community workshop in downtown Brattleboro, VT. Our facility offers specialized equipment and tools that are not easily accessible to learners across our region. Programs at Hatch Space teach the skills in demand by local employers and needed to repair our region’s aging housing stock, helping members of our community obtain jobs and alleviate poverty.

Throughout our history, Hatch Space has promoted workforce development, livelihood support, and community well-being. Our programs have been included as a vital project in southern Vermont's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.

Hatch Space operates the following programs to create year-round offerings:
1. Workforce Development Programs provide career exposure and trades skill training.
2. Youth Programs empower young people to cultivate creativity and passion through industrial arts training, STEM skill development, and workforce exposure curricula.
3. Member & Entrepreneur Programs provide access to tools, work spaces, and community support. We host meetups, skill shares, workshops, and service opportunities.
4. Lifelong Learning Programs teach beginner and intermediate woodworking and wood product innovation courses to local and national learners.
5. Community Partner Programs give back to our community through the design and delivery of custom educational experiences and/or community build projects.

Our VISTA project will focus on developing Workforce Training Programs  VISTA Volunteer's responsibilities will include building the capacity of Hatch Space to recruit participants, provide high quality instruction, build community connections, and evaluate impact. This VISTA will strengthen the organizational systems at Hatch Space that support equitable access to workforce training and long-term economic mobility for southern Vermonters. Graduates of Hatch Space programs gain employment and start businesses, alleviating poverty and supporting community vitality.

• Protocols and program assessment tools that strengthen onboarding, communication, safety, and outcomes
• Data tracking systems that help Hatch Space chart our impact and tell our story
• Partnerships with employers to support program development and hiring for open positions
• Local and national business sponsor ships for ongoing Hatch Space programs

• Childcare assistance if eligible
• Health Coverage*
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend
• Relocation Allowance
• Education award upon successful completion of service
• Training
• Living Allowance

• Permits attendance at school during off hours
• Car recommended
• Permits working at another job during off hours

• Education
• Children/Youth
• Community and Economic Development
• Entrepreneur/Business
• Neighborhood Revitalization
• Technology
• Community Outreach

• Computers/Technology
• Non-Profit Management
• Community Organization
• Communications
• Writing/Editing
• Urban Planning
• Team Work
• Trade/Construction
• Education
• Recruitment
• Data Management