AmeriCorps VISTA Program
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members bring their 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 advance local solutions.
Step Up acts as an intermediary for AmeriCorps VISTA, an organization bringing volunteers to impoverished communities to serve as catalysts for change. Step Up brings in twelve new VISTA members each year to help build capacity at some of our partner agencies. In 2018, Step Up was approved to expand the VISTA program to increase the host site slots, and to place a VISTA Leader slot at Step Up to assist the growing program.
AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a nationwide program with thousands of members each year. AmeriCorps VISTA places individuals at organizations that work to eradicate poverty. VISTA began in 1965 as a way to alleviate poverty, and in 1993 was brought under the umbrella of the larger AmeriCorps program.
AmeriCorps VISTA members serve for one year of service (12 months). They serve at a variety of host sites, working on projects that center on poverty reduction. In our community, that can look like a variety of things. From working on food deserts, to legal aid, to expanding access to health care, our AmeriCorps VISTA members alleviate poverty in many ways.
Unlike other AmeriCorps programs, VISTA members do not work on direct service projects. Instead, VISTA members work behind the scenes to strengthen programs, coordinate volunteers, and raise funds for their organization. This is known as capacity building.
Step Up Savannah frequently recruits for VISTA positions when they become available. Positions are available all throughout the year, and often we are recruiting for more than one position.
Serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA has many benefits. You receive a living stipend, get money for school or student loans, job experience, relocation allowance, and more! To see all of the benefits, visit the AmeriCorps VISTA page:
Step Up currently partners with thirteen agencies to place AmeriCorps VISTA members. These sites include Chatham Emergency Management Agency, City of Savannah, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Forsyth Farmers’ Market, Georgia Legal Services, Park Place Outreach, Performance Initiatives, Safety Net Planning Council, Savannah/Chatham CASA, Step Up Savannah, The Mediation Center, United Way of the Coastal Empire, and Wesley Community Center.
Step Up also partners with agencies to place Summer Associates for 8 weeks of service. Sites and positions are posted for these summer positions in the spring.
Check out our local listings for open AmeriCorps VISTA member positions, on our Facebook page.
Step Up Savannah is currently seeking new partners to host an AmeriCorps VISTA. Applications are on a rolling deadline. For applications and more information, contact Austin Rojas at [email protected].