A MERICORPS VISTA AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) members are a catalyst for change and serve in many capacities to reduce poverty, inequity, and unemployment. Members commit full-time to a full year (12 months) of service anywhere in the country. VISTA members in afterschool programs provide indirect services and typically serve in a professional setting to perform capacity-building duties including grant writing, fundraising, partnership development, and coordinating volunteers and events. VISTA members can help organizations map and understand the afterschool landscape to better serve the community. They can perform research to identify focus areas and locations that need support. Members can create new programs and recruit and train volunteers. VISTA members can also help organizations increase their marketing and social media footprint by managing online platforms, designing marketing materials, and developing communication and media outreach strategies. Members can create materials to increase awareness of afterschool programs and support the professional development of afterschool staff.
Morgan Staton of Boys & Girls Code Corps, created
four partnerships with organizations providing STEM learning in Wake County, North Carolina to empower students to succeed in a digital economy.
Valerie Fernando of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico
created a network focused on making linguistic records and materials to revitalize the threatened Laguna Keres languages in the community.
VISTA members’ expertise and outside perspective can provide the hosting organization valuable insight on resolving challenges and the means to effect change. 10
| National Service 101
