AmeriCorps VISTA at United Way of Spokane County

Hello and welcome to United Way of Spokane County's AmeriCorps VISTA Program!

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a federal anti-poverty program and national service initiative. SCUW serves as an intermediary sponsor for this program and we support capacity-building anti-poverty projects in Spokane County.

Our program strives to:

1. Support the development of sustainable systems and resources which build the capacity of our partners to fight poverty
2. Develop leaders in Spokane
3. Use an asset-based approach to program delivery

Our VISTA Program is one way SCUW lives its mission to: "mobilize the community to create measurable results that improve people's lives."

AmeriCorps members are passionate and committed to their mission to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members serving in the VISTA program make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. In the VISTA program, AmeriCorps members do not provide direct services, such as tutoring children or building homes. Instead, they develop or enhance programs, systems, and other resources which improve their organization's effectiveness in providing health, education, or financial opportunity services to low-income individuals in Spokane County. Program development, volunteer recruitment, grant writing, and community research are some examples of indirect capacity-building service that VISTA members may engage in. In the US, over 8,000 VISTA members serve at over 3,000 project sites each year.

The Benefits of Service

AmeriCorps Members use their skills, talents, and motivation to strengthen communities. Members also gain new abilities, earn valuable professional experience, and deepen their understanding of the complexities of poverty.

AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program receive a modest living allowance and health benefits during their service, and receive their choice of either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award OR an end-or-service stipend after completing their service. VISTA is the only AmeriCorps program to offer federal non-competitive eligibility for Federal jobs. While 70% of AmeriCorps members serve in their hometown,
there is a relocation travel allowance for those seeking experience in a new community.

Benefits of Hosting a Project

Is your organization committed to combating poverty here in Spokane? Apply to host a VISTA project with our program today by meeting with the VISTA Program Director. Becoming a project host site:

• Helps your organization further its strategic goals by developing new or improving existing programs, tools, and systems to meet evolving community needs
• Provides you with 3 years of full-time capacity-building support, in the form of a VISTA member
• Allows you to help develop the future leaders of our community
• Gives you access to social learning opportunities within a cohort of other VISTA supervisors

Learn More

Life as a VISTA member