AmeriCorps VISTA

Last updated
AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps Logo 2020 Stacked Navy.svg
Agency overview
Jurisdiction Federal government of the United States
Headquarters Washington, D.C.
Agency executive
  • Meg Ansara, Director
Parent agency AmeriCorps
Website americorps.gov

AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed to alleviate poverty. President John F. Kennedy originated the idea for VISTA, which was founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993. [1] VISTA is an acronym for Volunteers in Service to America.

Contents

On March 11, 2018, President Donald Trump sent his official Fiscal Year 2020 (FY 2020) Budget request to Congress. As outlined in his previous fiscal year budgets, this budget proposes the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) in FY 2020. It provides funding for an orderly shutdown, including all CNCS programs, such as Senior Corps and AmeriCorps (which includes VISTA and NCCC). [2] In FY 2019, VISTA was funded at its FY 2017 and FY 2018 levels of $92,364,000 while AmeriCorps (not NCCC) and Senior Corps received increases in their funding levels.

Background

VISTA is an anti-poverty program created by Lyndon Johnson's Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as the domestic version of the Peace Corps. [3] Initially, the program increased employment opportunities for conscientious people who felt they could contribute tangibly to the War on Poverty. Volunteers served in communities throughout the U.S., focusing on enriching educational programs and vocational training for the nation's underprivileged classes.

As defined under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (DVSA) of 1973, VISTA's legislative purpose is to supplement efforts to fight poverty in low-income communities by engaging Americans from all walks of life in a year of full-time service. VISTA members support the program's purpose through three primary objectives: 1) encouraging volunteer service at the local level, 2) generating the commitment of private sector resources, and 3) strengthening local agencies and organizations that serve low-income communities. There are approximately 5,000 VISTA members serving in over 900 projects throughout the nation.

During the Clinton Administration, VISTA was brought under the newly created AmeriCorps program, a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and was renamed "AmeriCorps*VISTA". VISTA members sign up with a host agency for a full-time term of service – 365 days. In return for their service, members are provided with orientation and training, a living stipend calculated at no less than 105% of the poverty line, settling in and transportation costs, child care benefits, and a basic health care plan. Upon completion of their one-year term, VISTA members have the option of receiving a cash award or the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. [4] There is also the option for individuals to serve as Summer Associates for terms of 8, 9 or 10 weeks alongside full-time VISTA members for a reduced AmeriCorps Education Award.

Directors

The first Director of VISTA was Glenn W. Ferguson and there have been many appointed and acting directors since then. [5] Meg Ansara currently serves as the Director for AmeriCorps VISTA. [6]

DirectorService DatesAppointed byNotes
1 Glenn W. Ferguson 1964 – ? Johnson
Padraic Kennedy? – 1966acting director
2 William Crook 1966–1968 Johnson
Padraic Kennedy1968–1970acting director
C.R. Lane1970acting director
3Carol Khosrovi1970 – ? [7] Nixon
4Frank E. Williams? – 1975 – ?
5 Margery Tabankin 1977 Carter
6 James H. Burnley IV 1981–1982 Reagan
7Jane A. Kenny1986–1989Director
Diana London1989 – ?Acting Director
8 James Scheibel 1993 – Clinton
9Paul Monteiro2014–2015 Obama Director
11Max Finberg [8] 2015–2017Director
11Eileen Conoboy2017– Trump Acting Director
Desiree Tucker-Sorini? –2021
12Meg Ansara2021–? Biden Director
13Carly Bruder2024–present Biden Director

Oversight

Created by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, the Corporation for National and Community Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducts and supervises independent and objective audits and investigations of Corporation programs and operations. Based on the results of these audits, reviews, and investigations, the OIG recommends policies to promote economy and efficiency and prevent and detect fraud and abuse in the Corporation's programs and operations.

Member pledge

Most AmeriCorps VISTA members are required by federal law to take the same oath that federal employees take: [9]

I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. [So help me God.] [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Society</span> Political program launched by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964–65

The Great Society was a set of domestic programs in the United States launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 and 1965. The term was first referenced during a 1964 speech by Johnson at Ohio University, then later formally presented at the University of Michigan, and came to represent his domestic agenda. The main goal was the total elimination of poverty and racial injustice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">USA Freedom Corps</span>

USA Freedom Corps was a White House office and fifth policy council within the Executive Office of the President of the United States under George W. Bush, who as President served as its chair. Bush announced its creation during his 2002 State of the Union Address, and the Corps was officially established the next day, describing itself as a "Coordinating Council... working to strengthen our culture of service and help find opportunities for every American to start volunteering."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Civilian Community Corps</span>

The National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), or AmeriCorps NCCC, is an AmeriCorps program founded in 1993 that engages 18- to 26-year-olds in team-based, residential community service projects across the United States. Each year, approximately 2,200 individuals representative of all colors, creeds, states, and economic statuses are chosen to serve in one of four regions covering all 50 states and five territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AmeriCorps</span> Independent agency of the US government

AmeriCorps is an independent agency of the United States government that engages more than five million Americans in service through a variety of stipended volunteer work programs in many sectors. These programs include AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps Seniors, the Volunteer Generation Fund, and other national service initiatives. The agency's mission is "to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering." It was created by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. In September 2020, the agency rebranded itself as AmeriCorps, although its official name is unchanged.

Teacher Corps, whose correct title was the National Teacher Corps, was a program established by the United States Congress in the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve elementary and secondary teaching in predominantly low-income areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AmeriCorps Seniors</span>

AmeriCorps Seniors is a United States government program run by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The program engages volunteers aged 55 and older to serve their communities. There are over 200,000 volunteers nationwide.

ACTION was a United States government agency described as "the federal domestic volunteer agency". It was formed July 1, 1971, during President Richard Nixon's first term under the provisions of Reorganization Plan Number One, and Executive Order 11603, June 30, 1971, to provide centralized coordination and administration of Government-sponsored domestic and international volunteer agencies.

CaliforniaVolunteers is the state agency charged with increasing the number and impact of Californians engaged in service and volunteering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson</span> U.S. presidential administration from 1963 to 1969

Lyndon B. Johnson's tenure as the 36th president of the United States began on November 22, 1963, upon the assassination of president John F. Kennedy, and ended on January 20, 1969. He had been vice president for 1,036 days when he succeeded to the presidency. Johnson, a Democrat from Texas, ran for and won a full four-year term in the 1964 presidential election, in which he defeated Republican nominee Barry Goldwater in a landslide. Johnson did not run for a second full term in the 1968 presidential election because of his low popularity. He was succeeded by Republican Richard Nixon. His presidency marked the high tide of modern liberalism in the 20th century United States.

Green Light New Orleans (GLNO) is a nonprofit organization based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The environmentally conscious organization works to reduce carbon emissions through the replacement of traditional, non-environmentally friendly bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Ultimately, the organization aims to remove all of the city's incandescent lights and replace them with CFL lights.

National service in the United States has a long tradition, extending to the founding of the country. National service takes multiple forms in the U.S., including community service, military service, and other forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Literacy Volunteers of Illinois</span>

Literacy Volunteers of Illinois (LVI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes adult literacy throughout Illinois. It serves families, adults, and out-of-school teens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act</span>

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act or Serve America Act was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on March 9, 2009, by Representative Carolyn McCarthy of New York. Originally titled the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, the bill reauthorizes and expands the AmeriCorps program that was first established in 1993. It passed in the House of Representatives on March 18, 2009. The U.S. Senate debated and approved an amended version of the bill on March 26, 2009, renaming it the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, after Senator Ted Kennedy. The House of Representatives voted on the bill a second time, approving the amended version on March 31, 2009. It was signed by President Barack Obama on April 21, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peace Corps</span> U.S. international development program

The Peace Corps is an independent agency and program of the United States government that trains and deploys volunteers to provide international development assistance. It was established in March 1961 by an executive order (10924) of President John F. Kennedy and authorized by Congress the following September by the Peace Corps Act.

The Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation was an office new to the Obama Administration, created within the White House, to catalyze new and innovative ways of encouraging government to do business differently. Its first director was the economist Sonal Shah. The final director was David Wilkinson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sioux City Human Rights Commission</span>

Sioux City Human Rights Commission is an impartial governmental agency that primarily investigates allegations of discrimination. Other duties include community education and hosting events that promote diversity and the elimination of discrimination. Its tagline is "To Ensure a Fair and Equitable Community for All".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald Walpin</span> American lawyer and author

Gerald Walpin was an American lawyer and author. He served as the Inspector General of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) from January 2007 until June 2009, when he was removed by U.S. President Barack Obama.

The New York City Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH) is a nonprofit organization, which aims to “enact innovative solutions to help society move ‘beyond the soup kitchen’ to ensure economic and food self-sufficiency for all Americans”. NYCCAH works collaboratively with local, state, and national legislatures as well as New York residents and community associations. In contrast to other organizations, NYCCAH generally does not distribute food but rather concerns itself with providing technical assistance to groups which do while simultaneously affecting hunger policy at a more macro-urban scale.

The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is a 40-member, bi-partisan board appointed by the Governor. Its mission is to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs. The Commission is accomplishing this mission through the support of local community-based efforts to enhance volunteer opportunities and the administration of Illinois' AmeriCorps programs.

Shirley Sachi Sagawa is an American public service leader known as the “founding Mother of the Modern Service Movement”... An architect of AmeriCorps, Sagawa served in the White House of President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

References

  1. "AmeriCorps | Corporation for National and Community Service". Americorps.gov. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 2013-09-17. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy envisioned a national service corps "to help provide urgently needed services in urban and rural poverty areas." Less than two years later, as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty," President Kennedy's dream was realized when President and First Lady [Lady] Bird Johnson welcomed the first group of 20 VISTA volunteers.
  2. "Budget". Corporation for National and Community Service. Retrieved 2017-12-28.
  3. "President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society ... included a domestic equivalent of the Peace Corps called Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA." ( Neuman 2009 , p. 3): Neuman, Scott (21 April 2009), National Service Act continues U.S. tradition (PDF), National Public Radio (NPR.org), archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2012
  4. "H.R. 3794". Archived from the original on 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2012-08-08.
  5. "VISTA Timeline". Corporation for National and Community Service. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  6. "Our Leadership". AmeriCorps. Archived from the original on 2021-01-15. Retrieved 9 Jan 2022.
  7. "Director Named for Vista". The V-line. Office of Economic Opportunity. 6 (6). 25 September 1970.
  8. "Conversation with Max Finberg – Director of AmeriCorps VISTA".
  9. "Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-09-21.
  10. "5 U.S. Code § 3331.Oath of office". Cornell Law School. Retrieved 2020-09-21.