AmeriCorps: Volunteers in Service to America
Helping Others Help Themselves
AmeriCorps-VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) provides full-time members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and public agencies to create and expand programs that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.
Through AmeriCorps-VISTA, ordinary people provide extraordinary service in more than 1,200 projects nationwide.
How AmeriCorps-VISTA Works
AmeriCorps-VISTA members leverage human, financial, and material resources to increase the capacity of low-income communities across the country to solve their own problems. When VISTA members complete their service, they leave behind lasting solutions to some of our country's toughest problems.
Since 1965, more than 140,000 Americans have served through VISTA. Today, nearly 6,000 AmeriCorps-VISTA members serve throughout the country - working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, increase housing opportunities, bridge the digital divide, and strengthen the capacity of community organizations.
Who Can Apply to Become an AmeriCorps-VISTA Sponsor?
- Public, private, community or faith-based nonprofit organizations
- Local, state, or federal agencies
AmeriCorps-VISTA members spend at least one year in full-time service addressing the needs of low-income communities. All projects focus on building permanent infrastructure in nonprofit organizations to help them more effectively bring individuals and communities out of poverty.
Do You Want to Serve in AmeriCorps-VISTA?
Where can you serve in AmeriCorps-VISTA?
You could find a project close to home or choose to move to a new place. AmeriCorps-VISTA members serve throughout the United States.
Eligibility for AmeriCorps-VISTA
You must be at least 18 years old, but there is no upper age limit. Most programs seek members with college degrees or at least three years of work experience. Many AmeriCorps-VISTA members bring significant work and life experiences to their assignment. Initiative, flexibility, and organizational skills are a must. Fluency in Spanish or other languages also can be helpful in certain programs. You must be available to serve full-time for one year.
The AmeriCorps-VISTA application process requires a criminal background check to ensure community members with whom we work are protected, particularly children, individuals with disabilities, and individuals over 60 years old. To avoid delays in processing your clearance for full service, you may consider obtaining fingerprints prior to your application being selected.
What are the benefits?
AmeriCorps-VISTA members who successfully complete a term of service are eligible to receive either an AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $4,725 or an end-of-service stipend. Additional benefits include training, a living allowance, limited health care benefits, relocation expenses, student-loan forbearance or deferment, and non-competitive eligibility. You may also be eligible for childcare assistance should you need it.
In addition to these benefits, AmeriCorps-VISTA members learn new skills and acquire qualities of leadership that help prepare them for jobs, and gain a sense of satisfaction from making a significant contribution to ones community.
Source
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service, AmeriCorps. (n.d.). AmeriCorps*Vista. Retrieved January 8, 2007, from http://www.americorps.org
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