VISTA program

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NeighborWorks AmeriCorps VISTA Program

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a federally funded national service program focused on fighting poverty. NeighborWorks America, in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), sponsors one of the largest national VISTA programs in the United States.

Celebrating 10 Years

The NeighborWorks America VISTA program has had a powerful, sustainable impact on low-income communities. National service members play a vital role in enhancing the capacity of organizations by building infrastructure that strengthens programs. 

VISTAs have been instrumental in supporting NeighborWorks organizations by:
  • Acquiring nearly $54.2 million in cash and in-kind resources; 
  • Building the financial capabilities and asset-building capacity for 56,474 individuals in underserved communities; and 
  • Recruiting 58,347 volunteers that have served 411,141 hours in their communities.

 

Program impact

Edgar Alvarado is one of more than 50 VISTAs who volunteers with NeighborWorks organizations
Edgar Alvarado is a NeighborWorks AmeriCorps VISTA member. He served at Montgomery Housing Partnership in Silver Springs, Maryland from 2014-2015.
The NeighborWorks VISTA program is having a powerful, sustainable impact on families faced with foreclosure or other causes of economic hardship, as well as generally improving conditions for modest-income families and neighborhoods.

VISTAs build infrastructure that strengthen programs. They focus on getting out into their communities, recruiting volunteers, encouraging resident engagement and gathering information about the quality of the neighborhoods they serve.

VISTAs’ activities range from creating new partnerships with schools to marketing and designing better outreach materials to developing and implementing business systems such as data collection or resource development. VISTA help train other staff on these systems and strategies such as using social media and other technologies.
 

Becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member

AmeriCorps VISTA members are passionate and committed to their mission to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. In return, VISTAs receive a living allowance of $10,000–$20,000 (depending on area of service), health benefits and a modest educational or cash award at the end of their year of service — all administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. 

For more information on the program and how to become a VISTA member, visit VISTA.