8 VISTA Members Needed From Local Communities
May 22, 2009 – Mobile, Alabama – Connect Southwest Alabama, a project of The Community Foundation of South Alabama, has received approval from the Alabama State Office as an AmeriCorps VISTA project. The Corporation for National and Community Service will provide The Community Foundation with eight Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) members to assist with building the Connect Southwest Alabama community network.
AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization working to strengthen the community by creating or expanding programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.
The Connect Southwest Alabama community network will provide one place where civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, academia and citizens converge to engage around solving systemic community issues. This “Network of Networks” will bring together people with a common interest in building a stronger community through information sharing, advocacy and collaboration. The project will help address poverty based issues that hamper community development in a mainly rural area which includes Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties.
The Connect Southwest Alabama VISTA project will recruit eight members from local communities including Atmore, Monroeville, Robertsdale and Thomasville to reach out to the community by working with government representatives, nonprofit managers, academia, volunteers and community leaders to gather information about local communities and to determine community needs. The goal of Connect Southwest Alabama is to unite the eight counties of Southwest Alabama so we can work together to solve the major issues and challenges facing our region.
Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) members receive a living allowance of $9,700 per year, health insurance and can choose between an Education Award ($4,725) or an End-of-Service-Stipend ($1,200) at the completion of one year of service.
Those interested in applying for a VISTA position should submit a resume to The Community Foundation of South Alabama, P. O. Box 990, Mobile AL 36601-0990. For more information call Stephanie Ryan at 251-438-5591.
Applications should be submitted online by June 1, 2009.
Visit https://my.americorps.gov/mp/recruit/registration.do
About The Community Foundation of South Alabama
The Community Foundation of South Alabama (CFSA) is a nonprofit foundation that plays a key role in meeting the needs of Southwest Alabama through leadership and grants. In 2008, more than $3 million was awarded by the CFSA to nonprofit organizations to support programs that make life better in our community. The CFSA builds lasting endowments to ensure grants are available to support the community forever. For more information, visit www.communityendowment.com.
Contact: Stephanie Ryan
Phone: 251-438-5591
Email: communication@communityendowment.com
About AmeriCorps VISTA
Celebrating its 43rd anniversary this year, AmeriCorps VISTA is a federal national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. VISTAs, aged 18 or older, commit to serve full time for a year at nonprofit organizations and public agencies in urban and rural poverty areas throughout the country to help low-income people and communities improve the conditions of their lives. VISTAs work to fight illiteracy, expand job opportunities, develop financial assets, reduce homelessness, improve health services, reduce unemployment, increase housing opportunities, reduce recidivism, and expand access to technology. For more information, visit www.AmeriCorps.gov/VISTA.
About The Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that improves lives, strengthens communities, and fosters civic engagement through service and volunteering. Each year, the Corporation engages four million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America programs. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.
