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Sagebrush Roots Efforts
AmeriCorps Vista
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
The Volunteer in Service to America ( VISTA ) program
began in 1964 and was created by President Lyndon Johnson. Other
branches, such as AmeriCorps State, National, and NCCC were added
later under the Corporation for National and Community Service
umbrella.
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
or a cash stipend.
Raising Readers and VISTA
Raising Readers in Wyoming has been approved for up to 5 VISTA
members 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,
Natrona, Washakie, 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 an
education award or a cash stipend. Education awards can only be used
by the AmeriCorps member to pay off student loans or to pay future
educational expenses.
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.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.
Housing can be a
problem in some Wyoming communities. If you would like to offer a VISTA member
affordable housing, a spare bedroom, a basement apartment, etc. please contact
Raising Readers. All housing arrangements are between the VISTA member and you!
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