AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to meet our nation’s most pressing challenges and advance local solutions.
Be part of Way Finders Community Building & Engagement team, AmeriCorps VISTAs receive a living allowance, and an educational award or cash stipend. VISTAs working with us will attend a national training institute, develop data management systems, assist with grant proposals, and learn new skills.
Interested individuals will first need to register with the Corporation for National & Community Service.
Collaborate with the Healthy Hill Initiative team to recruit and build the capacity of Community Advocates who advocate for improved neighborhood infrastructure and public safety. Organize monthly meetings and work with Community Advocates to sustain a long-term campaign for infrastructure and public safety improvements and implementation of Complete Streets policies. The VISTA will expand upon two existing physical activity programs: “Let’s Play” for youth, and chair aerobics for older adults. Let’s Play is supported by volunteers including Springfield College student-athletes and community police officers. Chair aerobics is a program for seniors. It has built community and has been a springboard for the Community Advocates program. The VISTA will also collaborate with the state's Safe Routes to School program to support three public schools in implementing Safe Routes to School programs.
Build on the groundwork laid by staff and previous VISTAs that trained and activated 40 residents and 10 leaders in neighborhood revitalization in downtown Holyoke. The VISTA member will recruit, engage, and coordinate new and existing resident leaders and volunteers to plan and implement improvement projects and cultural events for families through their work with the Chestnut Community Alliance (CCA). The VISTA will assess residents on their level of involvement in community work and develop a more formal structure for CCA that focuses on public safety and quality of life issues. In the process, residents will gain valuable organizational and leadership skills. The VISTA will also support grant writing and fundraising.
