AmeriCorps marks service, seeks volunteers

AmeriCorps includes AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, Senior Corps, Experience Corps and AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America.

AmeriCorps Week is also a recruitment event to engage more Americans in service. More than 500,000 men and women have participated in AmeriCorps by dedicating a year or two of full-time service. The experience has transformed lives.

For 15 years, the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona has been a national model for AmeriCorps programs. It has recruited and supported hundreds of national service members — including VISTA members.

AmeriCorps VISTA was started in 1965 with a mission to fight poverty in the United States. 

VISTA volunteers serve at agencies across Tucson including the Volunteer Center, the Pima County/Tucson Women's Commission, Interfaith Community Services and Jewish Refugee Resettlement of Southern Arizona.

Currently, VISTA volunteers are needed as Experience Corps program coordinator, Amphitheater coordinator, young women's leadership coordinator, volunteer coordinator, development coordinator, resource coordinator and more.

The Volunteer Center is also recruiting AmeriCorps VISTA candidates for the community-based Volunteer Development Project. The project goal is to develop volunteer-management programs for schools and community organizations. VISTA members give special emphasis to disaster preparedness, literacy, leadership and youth development. 

VISTA positions are open to citizens 18 and older, preferably with a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Benefits include a living stipend, a health-care plan, child care and an education award upon completion of service.

For more information or to apply, contact Courtney Jordan at cjordan@volunteersoaz.org or 881-3300, Ext. 102.