AmeriCorps Comes to Livingston County
Five VISTA Volunteers Awarded to Catholic Charities
Livingston County News, August 2, 2007
Since 1964, Volunteers in Service to America has been fighting poverty in the US. In 1993, VISTA joined the newly-formed AmeriCorps Program and AmeriCorps*VISTA began its mission to provide full-time members to nonprofit, faith based and other community organizations.
This year, five AmeriCorps*VISTA Members have been granted to Catholic Charities of Livingston County, increasing the group’s capacity and effectiveness in leading more individuals and families out of poverty. This is the Corporation for National and Community Service’s first VISTA grant to a Livingston County agency.
“This three-year award will be monumental to us in the history of our agency,” Joseph DiMino, Executive Director said.
“It will enable us to utilize human resources and expertise of five people from our community or anywhere in our country who wish to help us address and solve issues of poverty in Livingston County.”
Our Financial resources are stretched too thin to add these five full-time members to our staff without assistance. The Corporation for National & Community Service saw the need in our community and was impressed by the innovative programs we have. They were most eager to partner with us.”
The programs Catholic Charities will begin or expand with the help of AmeriCorps*VISTA Members are:
1. Development of a Food Pantry in Mt. Morris, with an emphasis on nutritious foods and healthy eating. A Kid’s Café is in future plans.
2. Development of a Furniture Donation program, with pick-up service for donors and delivery service for the needy.
3. A Retail & Marketing Advisor for our Connections program, a job training program for women in poverty. Connections operates a gift shop at 51 Main St. in Mt. Morris and soon will sell their wares on-line.
4. An Employment Skills Development Advisor for our Connections program.
5. Development of Home Safe Home, a home safety assessment and modification program for elderly & disabled people.
Livingston County AmeriCorps*VISTA Members will receive a $10,380 stipend for their service annually plus a modest health care benefit; a childcare allowance is also available to qualified members.
Upon completion of a year of service, Members may choose to receive a $4,725 Education Award, which can be used to pay off student loans or for new courses or they may opt for a $1,200 post-service stipend in place of the Education Award.
Recruitment for the five AmeriCorps*VISTA Members will be done locally at colleges & universities. Catholic Charities will also pursue “boomer” generation retirees, locally and nationwide – those who have an expertise that will directly benefit the development of these programs and a desire to make a difference in the lives of the poor and needy in Livingston County.