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HOW TO BECOME AN AMERICORPS*VISTA

Jump to the following sections:
  What is a VISTA
 VISTA Benefits
 VISTA Positions
 VISTA History
 VISTA Resources

What is a VISTA?

VISTA is an acronym for “Volunteers In Service To America” and is known as the domestic equivalent of the Peace Corps. Volunteers commit to a year of service at a Habitat affiliate with the goal of increasing the organizational capacity of that Habitat affiliate. The VISTA program provides its members the opportunity to gain valuable skills while making a difference in the community. VISTAs with the Habitat program also benefit from an in-depth Leadership Development training program designed to provide personalized instruction on understanding leadership styles and how to build leadership abilities. The focus of the work is to build the organizational capacity of the affiliate – leaving a legacy that will have benefits in the future!

Specific Benefits for each Habitat VISTA:
  • A living allowance (varies by location $833-865/mo in 07-08)
  • Education award of $4,725 OR a $1,200 end of service cash stipend
  • Health benefits
  • Non-competitive eligibility for federal employment
  • Forebearance of qualified student loans
  • In Service Training & Leadership training
Types of Habitat VISTA Positions:
  • Public Relations/Special Events- Plan and coordinate volunteer and donor recognition, promote Habitat in local community, develop marketing materials, including press releases, brochures and newsletters.
  • ReStore- Conduct feasibility study for ReStore (an effort to divert appliances and home construction materials from landfills, sell them at an affordable price and build Habitat homes with the profits), develop store policies, recruit volunteers and solicit donations of materials to sell.
  • Volunteer Recruitment & Management- Recruit general volunteers and coordinate volunteer activities, develop systems to support and manage volunteers, create manuals, support committee efforts.
  • Fundraising- Grant writing, event planning and coordination, developing donor recruitment and recognition programs.
  • Church Relations- Develop partnerships with faith communities within the service area, recruit church liaisons, recruit and train committee members, create presentations and newsletters.
Habitat for Humanity of MN VISTA History

In 1999, ten affiliates in greater Minnesota were awarded funding to hire volunteers to complete work-plans designed to assist the affiliates with increasing housing production. The impact on an affiliate of having a VISTA volunteer was quite substantial as four of the ten affiliates did not have any paid staff and only three had full-time paid staff.

Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service with HFH-MN acting as coordinator for the program.  HFH-MN created guidelines, distributed application materials to all affiliates, assisted with completing applications and coordinated the selection committee. The results of the program have been amazing!

Since the pilot year, 118 VISTAs have been placed at 23 different affiliates across the state of Minnesota.  In 2001, a VISTA committee was formed to assist with program guidance.  Currently, the committee is comprised of the VISTA Program manager, Sara Wessling, the VISTA Leader, Brenna Severson and a collection of former VISTA members, supervisors and Habitat board members.  They meet quarterly to discuss current and future VISTA projects.

For 2007-08, Habitat for Humanity affiliates currently host twelve VISTAs serving in: Bemidji, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Mankato, Minneapolis, Moorhead, Rochester, St. Cloud, Virginia, Willmar and Winona. These VISTAs are working on a variety of capacity building initiatives with the affiliates, specifically working on volunteer management, church relations, community development and within newly opened ReStores.


Resources:

Where are the affiliates located? Click here to see a map of the affiliates that build in Minnesota.

See our Job Openings page to view current VISTA positions.

How do I apply to become an AmeriCorps*VISTA?
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Office: 2401 Lowry Ave. NE #210, Minneapolis, MN  55418
Phone: 612-331-4439
Fax: 612-789-0846