CEDO's AmeriCorps*VISTA Program and You Thirty-seven million Americans, including 13 million children, live in poverty. Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA), the AmeriCorps program sponsored by the Community & Economic Development Office that fights poverty, needs passionate individuals to help.  For information on How to Apply, click here. What is AmeriCorps*VISTA? AmeriCorps*VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. The CEDO AmeriCorps*VISTA program has been in the Vermont community for 15 years. It was the first A*VISTA program in the State of Vermont and has served as a national model. The A*VISTA program is dedicated to developing sustainable initiatives that improve the lives of low-income residents in communities with high poverty. What do AmeriCorps*VISTA Members do? A*VISTA members commit to serve full-time for one year at a non-profit organization, public school, library, or city departments. Members work to fight illiteracy, improve health services, work with refugee populations, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, you’ll create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Want to know more about VISTA? Find out here. A*VISTA members do not provide direct services, such as tutoring children or building homes. Instead, they focus their efforts on building the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development, and assist low-income communities. A*VISTAs develop programs to meet a need, write grants, and recruit and train volunteers. CEDO AmeriCorps*VISTA Highlights Over the past three years, CEDO AmeriCorps*VISTAs have worked to: actively engage 6,628 volunteers with 76,571 hours of service provided by these volunteers obtain $846,636 in grants and cash donations garner $1,761,656 value of in-kind goods, donations, and volunteer hours Special event highlights for the 2006-2007 service year included Martin Luther King and Green Up Days. A*VISTA members throughout Burlington honor the life and teachings of Dr. King through a day of service and celebration in January. The A*VISTA team organized 14 projects, where 210 community volunteers offered service to non-profit agencies. The day concluded with a free community dinner attended by over 350 people, with performances by local artists and dinner prepared by the A*VISTA team. The A*VISTA program celebrated Green-Up Day in May by serving as team leaders for over 900 community volunteers who collected 535 bags of garbage, removed 64 graffiti tags and groomed 40 miles of greenbelts.   MLK Day Event

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm confused. There are different programs, with different names, but they're all AmeriCorps?

Yes, basically. AmeriCorps is a national network of hundreds of programs throughout the US. There are two programs that are managed nationally: AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps*NCCC. The other group of programs come under the general heading of AmeriCorps, and they are found in local and national organizations throughout the US.

Is AmeriCorps*VISTA like Peace Corps?

Yes. AmeriCorps*VISTA is often referred to as "the domestic Peace Corps." Both agencies are committed to service, and both offer challenging and rewarding full-time opportunities. Peace Corps assignments are all overseas, and AmeriCorps members serve only in the US. While Peace Corps Volunteers serve for two years, a stint in A*VISTA lasts one year. You can serve up to three years as an A*VISTA.

Do I get paid?

Yes. During your year of service in A*VISTA, you will receive a modest living allowance paid to you every two weeks. You may not save much money during your year of service, but most members find the living allowance to be adequate to cover their needs. As an A*VISTA member, you can also qualify for various public assistance programs. A*VISTA members who complete a term of service also receive a $4,725 AmeriCorps Education Award or a cash stipend of $1,200.

What if I'm out of school and not interested in the education award? Can I get that money in cash?

As part of AmeriCorps*VISTA, you may opt for a cash payment of $100 per month of service instead of the education award.

Are there benefits for serving in A*VISTA?

Absolutely. Besides the work you will be doing in the community, CEDO A*VISTAs are also eligible to receive the following benefits:

• Living stipend
• Health coverage
• Choice between the Education Award or the End-of-Year stipend
• Student loan forbearance or deferment
• Childcare Assistance
• YMCA reduced rate membership
• Trainings throughout the year

How long are the assignments?

You will serve full-time for one year at your site.

Can I join if I'm not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the U.S. to be an AmeriCorps member.

Is there an age requirement?

You must be at least 18 years old.

What skills do I need to have?

Some programs have specific skill requests in certain areas, and others look for a bachelor's degree or a few years of related volunteer/job experience. For others, your motivation and commitment may be the primary requirement. Look at the job description you are interested in for more information.

Can I defer student loans during my service with A*VISTA?

You may qualify for postponement, or forbearance, of the repayment of your loans during your service. The education award will help you pay off qualified student loans when you're finished. Contact your lender for more specific information or to confirm your loan status during AmeriCorps service. If you qualify for forbearance, you can also have the government pay interest on your loan at the end of your service.

Will I get any training before I start?

Sure. All members receive training at the beginning of their service, as well as project-specific training during service. The CEDO A*VISTA program offers training in the following areas: fundraising, grant writing, volunteer development, computer training, and others.

Page last updated May 01, 2008