VISTA Project
In 2012, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside partnered with the City of Racine-Mayor's Office of Strategic Partnerships and the Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency (RKCAA) in the development and implementation of this project. The partnership continues strong and is growing. The UW-Parkside VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) Project places AmeriCorps VISTA members in Racine and Kenosha area organizations. The program helps to build capacity and sustain collaboration among community nonprofit and government organizations to empower low income individuals and families by addressing economic development, job creation, financial education, and asset building.
2017-2018 Host Sites:
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What is AmeriCorps VISTA?
Founded in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) was formed as a national service program to fight poverty in America. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs.
Today, more than 46 million Americans live in poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA taps the skills, talents and passion of more than 7,000 Americans annually to support community efforts to overcome poverty.
AmeriCorps VISTA members are passionate about their mission to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities.
What is Capacity Building?
VISTA expands the ability of
sponsor organizations to fight poverty. Rather than
providing direct services to low-income individuals and
communities, VISTAs strengthen and support
organizations by building infrastructure, expanding
community partnerships, securing long-term resources,
coordinating training for participants, and much more.
| Capacity Building | Direct Service |
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