SerVermont is excited that Vermont has held on to the #4 ranking for producing AmeriCorps members per capita. The SerVermont AmeriCorps*VISTA Program is a statewide national service program in its fourth year. They will place 31 members at community-based organizations and state and municipal agencies whose mission and VISTA assignments cover focus areas including Economic Development, Housing, Food Security, and Opioid Prevention, Treatment and Recovery. Their VISTA members build and strengthen systems in order to increase their sites capacity to provide services that alleviate poverty to those who need them most. Their operational funding comes from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
SerVermont VISTA members help alleviate poverty in their community through the following activities:
- Recruit, train, and manage community volunteers and mentors;
- Develop curricula for job and skills development programs;
- Support programs and develop systems to ensure low-income families receive healthy, nutritious food;
- Develop public relations campaigns;
- Create operational systems (e.g. databases);
- Identify and collaborate with community stakeholders;
- Create strategies to promote affordable housing;
- Develop resources (grant writing, newsletters, fund-raising events, soliciting in-kind donations).
VISTA in Vermont also recently adopted a new focus area (opioid epidemic) for the first time in a long time so they have a lot of new positions that may be of interest for those considering public health careers. There are some pretty cool new sites in the mix including a position with the Governor’s Opioid Council and 11 positions around the state working on partnerships between the housing services and substance recovery services. The 11 VISTAs will each coordinate in their region and also work collaboratively on a statewide needs assessment through the AHS Office of Economic Opportunity. This is just a taste – there are a lot of options! Attached is the info packet about SerVermont program (2018-19 VISTA Program Info) as well as the full list of post-grad opportunities here: 2018-19 Site List
Questions? Contact Robyn Baylor at robyn.baylor@vermont.gov or 802-760-8208