AmeriCorps VISTA Program
About
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AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is a national service program designed to alleviate poverty in communities across the country.
AmeriCorps VISTA members make a year-long, full-time commitment to build capacity for programs to efficiently and effectively serve the community. AmeriCorps VISTA projects are considered "indirect service." VISTA members ensure projects are sustainable and can reach a larger population of people.
AmeriCorps VISTA members serve on separate projects at sites across the city. At times, projects will allow for collaboration with other members, easing the experience of service and building camaraderie among project members. Fellow AmeriCorps VISTA members should be seen as a support network throughout the year of service.
- AmeriCorps VISTA Benefits*
- Monthly Stipend
- Bi-weekly payments of $957, before taxes
- Choice of Health Coverage:
- Healthcare Reimbursement Plan, or
- Limited Health Insurance
- Note: Does not satisfy the individual responsibility requirement of the Affordable Care Act
- Choice of End-of-Service Award:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $7,395, or
- Post-Service Stipend: $1,800
- Eligibility for student loan postponement or forbearance
- A one-time Settling-In Allowance of $750
- A one-time Relocation Reimbursement if moving more than 50 miles to serve
- May take up to 6 weeks to receive
- Available if you return home after completed service
- Childcare, if eligible
- Non-competitive eligibility (NCE) status with the federal government
*As of August 2024; may vary for future service terms.
- Monthly Stipend
- Eligibility and Considerations
Eligibility
- Must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college/university
- Must submit to fingerprinting for the required comprehensive Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) criminal history check
- Commitment to serve for the full 12-month term
Consideratioins
- Willing and committed to live on the modest living allowance
- Motivated, passionate, and dedicated to service
- City of Austin AmeriCorps VISTA Program does not provide a housing stipend
Available Service Opportunities
Increase the Andy Roddick Foundation's ability to provide out-of-school education to low-income individuals in the Austin area by creating better volunteer recruitment and engagement.
Increase the ability of the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) to provide tools and systems to help low-income musicians in the Austin area build sustainable careers.
Help Austin residents help themselves by teaching and promoting civic engagement through the establishment of the Conversation Corps program.
Expand Austin Creative Reuse's service learning and work experience programs for low-income youth by improving their volunteer recruitment and management processes.
Increase the Andy Roddick Foundation's ability to provide out-of-school education to low-income individuals in the Austin area by creating better volunteer recruitment and engagement.
Increase the ability of the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) to provide tools and systems to help low-income musicians in the Austin area build sustainable careers.
Help Austin residents help themselves by teaching and promoting civic engagement through the establishment of the Conversation Corps program.
Expand Austin Creative Reuse's service learning and work experience programs for low-income youth by improving their volunteer recruitment and management processes.
Design and propose new programs, initiatives, and policy recommendations for the City of Austin Housing Dept. that promote housing stability for low-income residents.
Improve the ability of the City of Austin Youth Initiatives Office to support Austin youth by creating new recruitment strategies and bolstering program outcomes.
Increase the reach of Austin's Youth Initiatives programs by developing resources to attract new funding sources, students from low-income populations, and new partnerships in target communities.
Enhance the project success by supporting recruitment and selection of high-quality AmeriCorps VISTA members to ensure project success.
Apply by May 15
VISTA Summer Associates Program
In addition to the traditional 12-month service opportunities listed above, the City of Austin hosts the VISTA Summer Associate Program. This 10-week paid program begins June 15 and allows participants to support ongoing AmeriCorps VISTA projects through a combination of direct and indirect service.
Click on each program to learn more and apply.
- African American Youth Harvest Foundation
African American Youth Harvest Foundation
Support African American Youth Harvest Foundation's summer learning programming for underserved Austin youth and explore partnerships to expand their reach. Learn more and apply.
- Austin Creative Reuse Education Programs
Austin Creative Reuse Education Programs
Support Austin Creative Reuse's efforts to education Austin youth in need by planning and executing summer programming, including the collection and distribution of education materials. Learn more and apply.
- Austin Creative Reuse Volunteer Programs
Austin Creative Reuse Volunteer Programs
Support Austin Creative Reuse's ability to provide services to the community by recruiting volunteers and improving the organization's volunteer management system. Learn more and apply.
- Austin Youth Initiatives
Austin Youth Initiatives
Improve Austin Youth Initiative's efforts to strengthen the City's workforce by supporting the Youth Career Fest and Summer Internship program initiatives. Learn more and apply.
- Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center
Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center
Improve Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center's ability to provide essential services to Austin residents in need. Once at the Center, clients can learn about advanced services like financial education. Learn more and apply.
Questions? Contact Chad Walters, AmeriCorps VISTA Program Supervisor
Past Service Opportunities
Bolster enrollment in technology certification programs to aid Austin's underserved youth in the ability to gain technological knowledge for future careers.
Strengthen Austin's Learn All the Time network of out-of-school educators by improving their access to valuable tools and resources.
Launch the Austin Public Information Office's Community Safety Connectors program to ensure vulnerable populations receive important communication in times of emergency.
Assess and improve the communications of Black Men's Health Clinic to enable them to better reach fundraising opportunities and targets populations in the Austin area.
Improve Black Men's Health Clinic's ability to partner with other health organizations and promote health programs to target populations in the Austin area.
Streamline Black Men's Health Clinic's ability to coordinate health services for low income residents of the Austin area.
Ensure Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center is providing excellent service to Austin residents through evaluation and improvements of their programs.
Identify and build key partnerships to help Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center bring solutions to family homelessness in the Austin area.
Promote and expand Travis County Community Legal Services to low-income individuals in the Austin area through community outreach and resource development.
Improve the impact of Travis County's environmental quality programs through better relationships with stakeholders, funding, and marketing.