Fighting Poverty. Empowering Communities. Changing the Nation.
Every year, thousands of Americans answer the call to service by joining AmeriCorps VISTA. Begun as part of the War on Poverty in 1964, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) has been combating economic and social inequality for more than 40 years with members serving in every state and region; in rural communities and urban metropolises; in faith-based agencies and community-based organizations; in times of prosperity and times of recession.
Western New York AmeriCorps is proud to administer two AmeriCorps VISTA programs: Western New York AmeriCorps VISTA [view locations] and Serve New York [view locations].
For over a decade, Western New York AmeriCorps VISTA (WNY AC VISTA) has fought poverty in the city of Buffalo, while the new initiative, Serve New York looks to serve the needs of low-income communities across our state. WNY AC VISTA's 32 members fight poverty everyday through service with the most respected non-profit agencies in Buffalo, promoting civic engagement, creating access to health and vital services, and developing sustainable individual and community assets. Serve New York's 25 members serve from Niagara Falls to Oswego and from Ithaca to Chautauqua, primarily with youth bureaus and other youth-focused organizations, promoting youth leadership development, developing community-based volunteer programs, and implementing youth companionship/outreach initiatives. Combined, these 57 members make up the largest VISTA program in the country, attacking poverty in 16 cities and towns throughout our state.
Members who serve with our program come from all backgrounds and from many different regions of the state and country. They make a year-long commitment to service, in which they fully immerse themselves into their communities, holding no outside employment and not attending school. Like all AmeriCorps VISTAs, our members perform "indirect service" at their host-sites, aiming to build capacity and find sustainable solutions to poverty. When our members finish their term of service, what is left behind is a footprint to be followed, with both the organization and the community walking the path to self-sufficiency.
The benefits to both member and host-site are many, and the impact on the community is great. Members of WNY AC VISTA and Serve New York commit to a year a service in which they not only fight poverty but live it, not only lead the community but are a part of it, and not only change the nation but are changed by it. As Dr. King once said, ÒThere is nothing new about poverty. What is new is that we now have the techniques and the resources to get rid of poverty. The real question is whether we have the will.Ó If you have the will, here is your opportunity.
WNY AmeriCorps VISTA and Serve New York look for candidates with the following qualifications:
- U.S. Citizen
- 18 Years of Age or Older
- College Experience
- Self-Starter, Flexible/Adaptable, and Confident
- Good Communication and Writing Skills
- Able to Commit to One Full Year of Service
- Cannot Have Other Committments for Full Term of Service, Including School or Employment
Benefits Include:
- Living Allowance of $10,380 A Year, Paid $399 Every Other Week
- Choice Between Education Award of $4,725 or Stipend of $1,200 Upon Completion
- Health Insurance if Needed
- Eligability for Child Care
- Life Insurance if Desired
- Intensive Training and Member Support
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Contact:
Lissa Piper, VISTA Director 716.558.3308 lpiper@wnyamericorps.org
Adam Ellsworth, Serve New York Manager 716.558.3307 aellsworth@wnyamericorps.org