AmeriCorps VISTA for Individuals

Link

https://americorps.gov/serve/fit-finder/americorps-vista

Deadline

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis

Sponsoring Organization

AmeriCorps

Purpose

Provides volunteer service opportunities to individuals as AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members. Members serve full time for one-year terms building capacity in nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help them generate the commitment of private sector resources, encourage volunteer service at the local level, and empower individuals and communities. VISTA supports opioid programming by placing members with organizations that are creating new or expanding existing opioid prevention and recovery projects. Projects serve low-income communities, which often suffer a lack of resources and may be disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis. Members may perform various roles in substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.

AmeriCorps VISTA offers three types of service member positions:

• VISTA Members serve for 12 months. No prior service experience is required.
• VISTA Leaders serve for 12 months and are required to have 1 year of prior service experience as a full-time AmeriCorps or Peace Corps member.
• VISTA Summer Associates serve 8 to 10 weeks. No prior service experience is required.

Member and leader service benefits include:

• A living allowance that covers basic necessities such as housing, utilities, and food
• Either the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or the VISTA end-of-service cash stipend
• Healthcare benefits
• Child care benefits for qualifying individuals
• Travel assistance, including relocation travel, a settling in allowance, and service-related transportation and reimbursement
• Reduction in education costs, including loan forbearance and deferment; award matching from many educational institutions; and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) fee reduction
• Paid personal, medical, and emergency leave
• Professional development and training opportunities, including VISTA orientations, online courses, webinar series, and virtual coaching
• Career opportunities, including one year of non-competitive eligibility status for federal employment, access to the AmeriCorps VISTA alumni network, and the ability to count VISTA service toward federal leave and retirement

Summer associates services benefits include:

• A living allowance that covers basic necessities such as housing, utilities, and food
• Either the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or the VISTA end-of-service cash stipend
• Reducing education costs, including loan forbearance and deferment; award matching from many educational institutions; and GRE fee reduction

To become a sponsoring organization for AmeriCorps VISTA members, see the AmeriCorps VISTA for Project Sponsors opportunity.

Amount of Funding

All AmeriCorps VISTA members receive a modest living allowance based on the location of the position. Positions last 1 year for VISTA members and leaders, and 8 to 10 weeks for VISTA summer associates.

Members who successfully complete their service term can choose between a Segal Education Award or a cash stipend as an end-of-service award. Segal Education awards can be used for a range of education expenses up to 7 years after service completion. End-of-service award amounts vary by service position.

In fiscal year (FY) 2021:

• Members can receive a $6,345 education award or $1,800 cash stipend for full-time service.
• Leaders can receive a $6,345 education award or $3,000 cash stipend for full-time service.
• Summer Associates can receive a $1,342 education award or a cash stipend. The stipend value varies based on the length of full-time service:
  • $276 for 8 weeks
  • $311 for 9 weeks
  • $345 for 10 weeks

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants must:

• Be 18 years or older, there is no upper age limit
• Pass a national service criminal history check
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident, or person residing in a state with the following legal residency classifications:
  • Refugee
  • Asylum or asylee
  • Temporary protected status
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status

Geographic Coverage

Nationwide

What This Program Funds

Capacity Building

Application Process

Application deadlines vary by position. Opportunities are posted online year-round on my.americorps.gov.

Application instructions, requirements, and other information about the online application process are available on the program website.

Application guide

Contact

For program or application questions contact the National Service Hotline:
800-942-2677
Live chat
Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern

Topics This Program Addresses

Community Planning and Coalition Building • Opioids • Prevention • Recovery • Substance Use Disorder