What is VISTA?
VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) is part of a federally funded service initiative organized by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) in which individuals help communities meet specific needs through indirect service. VISTA members leverage human, financial, and material resources to increase the capacity of communities across the country working to empower them to solve problems and better their communities. All projects focus on building permanent infrastructure in nonprofit organizations to help them more effectively bring individuals and communities out of poverty.
What do VISTA members do?
VISTA members in the First 5 Service Corps build capacity and strive to end poverty. In particular AmeriCorps VISTA members recruit and train volunteers, write grants, create outreach campaigns, and conduct program evaluation assessments to impact larger segments of a community.
Where do members serve?
In the First 5 Service Corps members are placed in various nonprofits, school districts, or county agencies throughout the state to improve the health and development of children ages 0 to 5 years and to provide their families with the support they need. Education and children’s literacy, children’s health, dental services, and homeless prevention are just a few of the areas in which members will make a lasting impact.
VISTA members serve in the following California counties: Del Norte, Fresno, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Nevada, Orange, and Placer.
What are the minimum requirements?
- Must be U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the United States
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Must have a valid Driver's License, automobile insurance and reliable means of transportation
- Bachelor's degree preferred
- Must commit to one year (365 days) of full time service, with no outside commitments
- NO employment (full/part-time)
- For select positions, bilingual and bi-literate in Spanish or Vietnamese
What are the term requirements?
VISTA members commit to 12 months, 365 days, excluding PSO training. Members are expected to serve within the work hours of the sponsoring agency. Members cannot have any outside commitments like full- or part-time employment.
What are the benefits?
- $5,550 Education Award or $1,500 cash stipend after successful completion of service term
- Current student loan deferment
- Living Allowance of up to
Fresno: $946 gross per month
Los Angeles: $1,333 gross per month
Mendocino: $927 gross per month
Nevada: $1,016 gross per month
Orange: $1,379 gross per month
Placer: $973 gross per month
- Housing Stipend of up to
Fresno: $700 per month
Mendocino: $175 per month
Nevada: $800 per month
Orange: $750 per month
Placer: $800 per month
*NOTE: Los Angeles does not offer a housing stipend
- Emergency health and prescription coverage
- Child care reimbursement (if income eligible)
- Professional training opportunities and skill development
- Mileage reimbursement and $550 relocation reimbursement if moving over 50 miles
- And much more!
What does the application process look like?
- Attend a required information session
- To register for an information session, click here
- Submit your resume to:
David Weissman at [email protected]
Del Norte, Fresno, Mendocino, Nevada &
Placer County positions
Kristen Fujii at [email protected]
- Submit an Information Questionnaire:
- To download the questionnaire, click here
Email your form to:
Los Angeles & Orange County positions
David Weissman at [email protected]
Del Norte, Fresno, Mendocino, Nevada, &
Placer County positions
Kristen Fujii at [email protected]
- Submit an online application on www.americorps.gov (all applicants MUST submit an application)
- Click on the following links to download: