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Americorps VISTA Members Needed

By June 20, 2008January 21st, 2019No Comments

Will assist with flood recovery efforts in CR, IC; meetings June 20 and 23

Are you feeling helpless after the floods? Are you looking for an opportunity to volunteer but haven’t found the right fit? Give eight weeks to change the Corridor – and change your life. This summer, give back to community, get paid and learn a lot as a VISTA volunteer.

The recent flooding in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City area has left tens of thousands of people homeless and hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to homes. There’s a lot to be done. Why wait for someone else to arrive to help our neighbors – let’s get it done.

VISTA Corridor Flood Recovery offers an opportunity to get involved and help others with flood relief, while earning a monthly living allowance and an educational benefit. Generally speaking, AmeriCorps VISTAs act as a type of domestic Peace Corps, with a focus on poverty fighting initiatives.

Informational sessions in Cedar Rapids will be at Kirkwood Community College in Ballantyne Auditorium:

Friday, June 20; 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

Monday, June 23; 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

Applications will be available. Preference will be given to VISTA’s able to start by June 30. The 8-10 week commitment must be completed by September 12.

Becoming a VISTA member is a great way to get results and make things happen.

In all, 230 positions are available: 200 full-time VISTA summer associates; 30 yearlong, full-time AmeriCorps VISTA; and three leadership positions.

Anyone who would like a challenging opportunity to serve should check out the program. The opportunity is for adults 18 and older: college students on summer break, downtown employees displaced by flood and retirees are encouraged to apply.

As a summer associate, you may work harder, get dirtier and smell worse than you ever have – and you’ll be proud of it. You’ll also get paid a monthly living allowance. And there’s more. Commit to 8-10 weeks and receive $1,000 for college tuition or college loans.

Summer associates and yearlong VISTAs will also staff the United Way
2-1-1 call center; coordinate collection and distribution of donations; assist with connecting people with food resources; and help at resource centers.

An additional 30 members are needed for a 12-month commitment to continue the flood-relief effort, along with three AmeriCorps VISTA supervisors. Emphasis will be on coordinating flood-relief effort, identifying the changing needs of the community, expansion of neighborhood resource centers, developing partnerships, building coalitions and securing resources.

The effort needs people with strong backs and strong arms, but also experience in housing, human services, human resources, logistics, event planning. There is also a need for individuals who hold a Commercial Drivers license with passenger endorsement or who are experienced in first aid training.

Be a part of an organized group working in conjunction with city, county, state and federal agencies and organizations to clean up parts of the Corridor area affected by flooding.

If you are unable to come to the informational sessions and would like additional information please contact Julie Rochford, the Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator for the Community Corrections Improvement Association, at 319.730.1118 or e-mail questions to julie.rochford@iowa.gov