AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps VISTA Grant

United Way of the Midlands partnered with the AmeriCorps*VISTA Program to build greater capacity for our nonprofit agencies in the Midlands so they are better equipped to address the needs of the impoverished. 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. United Way serves as the coordinating body for the project with 11 agencies that have committed to the partnership.

The organizations include: Newberry County Literacy Council, Volunteers of America – Turning Pages Literacy Program, Columbia Housing Authority, Corporation for Economic Opportunity, Richland County CASA, The Cooperative Ministry, City Year Columbia, Shandon Presbyterian Housing Resources, Lexington Interfaith Community Services, The Youth Council – Richland School District Two and United Way of the Midlands. The projects focus on youth services, homeless issues, adult literacy and entrepreneurial enterprises.

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.
 

What VISTA Members Do?

VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, str engthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, they cre ate or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

The Benefits of VISTA Service

By serving through VISTA, members gain new skills, friends, and experiences—plus they get the satisfaction that comes from helping others. During their service, they'll also receive a modest living allowance, health care, and other benefits. And, upon completing their service, VISTAs can choose to receive either an education award worth $5,350 (after Oct. 09') to pay for college, or $1,200 in cash.

A Proud History of Service

Did you know that President John F. Kennedy came up with the idea for VISTA? Or that the 170,000 VISTAs who h ave served since 1965 have played a key role in establishing many of the best-known anti-poverty programs, including Head Start, Upward Bound, and the credit union system?

VISTA OF THE MONTH:  Genevieve Ray/Mar. 10

VISTA OF THE MONTH:  Jeff Hsiang/Feb. 10

Contact Us

If you have questions pertaining to AmeriCorps VISTAs UWM partnership please contact  Kevin Staggers @ (803-733-5400 x2061).   
 

VISTA Forms*

Forms for UWM Partnership VISTAs can now be access online (below).
VISTA Training Schedule (09'-10')


VISTA Resources (Online)

Here is a list of websites that provide resources for VISTAs.  More coming soon!
Resource Center (AC*VISTA)

Free Management Library


VISTA Sustainability/Capacity Building

Here are few PDFs providing information on sustainability and capacity building.