Volunteer In Service To America
Raising Readers and VISTA
Benefits of VISTA
Americorps Website
Becoming a VISTA
Housing a VISTA

Volunteer In Service To America
What is a VISTA anyways? Formerly called VISTA Volunteers, the Americorps VISTA program began in 1964 and was created by President Lyndon Johnson. Other branches, such as Americorps State, National and NCCC were added later on. The mission of VISTA is to eradicate poverty by working full time for nonprofit, faith based, community organizations and public agencies. VISTA’s serve terms of one year at a time. VISTA members receive a meager living allowance and work hard to fight poverty. Though each program has their own requirements, anyone over 18 may be eligible to be a VISTA. After a VISTA member completes a full term of service, they are eligible to receive an education award of $4725 or a $1200 cash stipend.

Raising Readers and VISTA
Raising Readers in Wyoming has been approved for up to 5 VISTA’s at one time. Our 5 VISTA members can be placed in communities around Wyoming to further Raising Readers in Wyoming communities. If you are interested in having a VISTA member support the Raising Readers program in your community, call us!

VISTA’s with Raising Readers organize and recruit volunteers and doctors, make presentations, publicize the program, organize fundraisers, request donations and put their own talents to work for the benefit Raising Readers and themselves. Previous VISTA’s have been placed in Sheridan, Fremont and Laramie Counties. They have taken on such projects as creating newsletters, organizing research projects, planning literacy events and fundraisers, approaching funders and creating literacy awareness!

VISTA’s with Raising Readers are encouraged to use their personal talents and interests to pursue exciting projects within the mission of Raising Readers in Wyoming. When VISTA’s are self-motivated and responsible, the possibilities are endless!

Benefits of VISTA
Americorps VISTA’s receive a living allowance based on 85% of the national poverty level and the current cost of living. That varies from state to state, and even county to county. In addition to a living allowance, VISTA’s may receive health benefits, training benefits, relocation expenses, student loan forbearance and in some cases child care. In addition to this, at the successful completion of a one year term, VISTA’s are eligible for a $4,725 education award or a $1200 cash stipend. Education awards can only be used by the Americorps member to pay off student loans or to pay future educational expenses.

Americorps Website
To find more information about becoming or hosting Americorps and Americorps VISTA members, visit www.americorps.org or www.americorps.gov. From this website you can also search other VISTA programs throughout the state of Wyoming.

Becoming a VISTA
Raising Readers in Wyoming is always excited to hear from interested Americorps VISTA applicants. Feel free to contact us with questions about joining our team by emailing us at info@raisingreadersinwyoming.org or calling us at 307.673.1885.

To apply to be an Americorps VISTA with Raising Readers, visit www.americorps.org and click on “To Join” underneath “For Individuals.” From there you will be able to search for jobs, set up a profile and apply to positions. Feel free to contact us with questions about the application process.

Housing a VISTA
Raising Readers in Wyoming tries to place VISTA members across the state. The problem with placing VISTA members in Wyoming communities becomes housing. If you would like to offer a VISTA affordable housing, a spare bedroom, a basement apartment, etc., please contact Raising Readers today!