- RISP-NET

What is AmeriCorps VISTA?

Since 1965, over 220,000 AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program have joined the fight against poverty by helping local organizations expand their capacity to make change. The VISTA program serves in each of the 50 U.S. states and in all U.S. territories.

Through capacity building activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program serve in an office setting and gain experience and leadership skills. This opportunity prepares members for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

What are the benefits of being an AmeriCorps VISTA?

Living Allowance: AmeriCorps provides a modest living allowance while you are serving in the VISTA program. The allowance is based on poverty rates for a single individual in the geographic area where you serve. The living allowance is paid biweekly and deposited directly into your bank account.
Professional Development Training: Members have the opportunity to attend in-person and virtual training to learn how to be a community development change agent.
Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE): AmeriCorps VISTA is the only AmeriCorps program that allows members to earn federal non-competitive eligibility, giving members an edge in the federal hiring process.
End of Service Award: Members can choose between a Segal Education Award (valued at approximately $6,000) to pay for a range of education expenses or a $1,800 cash stipend.

Is VISTA right for me?

Members serving in the AmeriCorps VISTA program serve full time for one-year terms. They build capacity in nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help them more effectively generate the commitment of private sector resources, encourage volunteer service at the local level, and empower individuals and communities. If this sounds good like something you’re interested in, check out the current AmeriCorps projects with below!

Hover over each image to see a brief description of the work that VISTAs with RRP AmeriCorps Program are currently doing for the refugee community in Maricopa and Pima County.

NOW RECRUITING – Housed at The International Rescue Committee in Tucson. The Economic Empowerment VISTA will increase the reach and effectiveness of IRC’s Economic Empowerment Unit and refugee resettlement employment programs in Southern Arizona. The VISTA member will focus on three major areas; enhancing capacity of employment staff, increasing employer base, and enhancing the Job Readiness Training curriculum.
NOW RECRUITING – Housed at Friendly House in Phoenix, the Financial Literacy VISTA Coordinator will coordinate with the resettlement agencies to evaluate current financial literacy trainings and determine where there are knowledge gaps on the subject. The VISTA will then devise a program to fill in these gaps yet ensure they are suitable for the agencies.
Housed at Catholic Charities Community Services in Phoenix, the Displaced Populations Health Liaison will improve access to healthcare for newly arrived forcibly displaced populations (FDPs) such as refugees, unaccompanied minors, and asylum-seekers, who are resettling in the Phoenix metropolitan region.
Housed at The Welcome to America Project, using capacity building tools rather than direct service, the Refugee Emergency Services Coordinator VISTA will be introducing language learning support programs to the entire refugee community and will help address a recognized concern to refugee wellbeing for newly arrived and less recently arrived refugees.
Housed at the Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program. The goal of this project is to further the development of the RISP-Net website by promoting the site throughout the state to ensure that people are aware of the many resources and opportunities that the site provides for them.
NOW RECRUITING – Housed at The Welcome to America Project (WTAP), the overall goal of this project is to expand refugee employment possibilities by eliminating two critical barriers – limited access to transportation and technology. The VISTA will systematize and expand WTAP approach to collection, preparation and distribution of computers and bicycles for long-standing and effective use for refugees.
NOW RECRUITING – Housed at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest, the Women’s Empowerment VISTA builds connections with local community colleges and universities the Women’s Empowerment VISTA will help to grow the WEP volunteer and intern network to strengthen ties to the local community and onboard more of those who can in turn also help support and grow the program.
Housed at the AZ RRP, the VISTA Leader will plan and conduct on-site orientation and training, organize days-of-service projects, facilitate information sharing and career learning, and increase the capacity of VISTAs to complete their VADs. The VISTA leader will also provide regular guidance and feedback to VISTA members.

If you would like to contact the current VISTAs or VISTA leaders to ask about their projects, click here for the RRP VISTA directory.

To see full descriptions of the programs we’re currently recruiting for, click the links below

Want to learn more?

Click here to learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA and here to learn more about VISTA benefits

Interested in becoming a host site or have more questions about becoming a VISTA?

Contact VISTA Administrator Joelle Grande at jgrande@azdes.gov or (480) 647-2309