Poverty is the civil rights struggle of our time. Memphis ranks as one of the poorest large cities in the US with a poverty rate of 27%. In alignment with our Blueprint for Prosperity, the large scale initiative to reduce poverty by 10 percentage points in 10 years, Memphis has been awarded a contingent of AmeriCorps VISTA members. VISTA, Volunteers in Service to America, is a federal anti-poverty program administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Founded in 1964, VISTA is an AmeriCorps program focused on building the capacity of non-profits and local agencies to strengthen programs that help individuals and communities out of poverty. VISTAs serve for one year, helping organizations build capacity to fight the systemic problem of poverty. In Memphis, VISTA members will work with organizations to enhance education and recreation opportunities for our youth, to extend economic development opportunities to more citizens, to enhance neighborhood leadership development training, to increase access to healthy, affordable food options, and to build an anti-poverty strategy and funding mechanism to support this work. Currently, the City of Memphis VISTA program is seeking talented, self-motivated, strategic thinking, achievers to start in February 2015 in positions with the City of Memphis, Community LIFT, Grow Memphis, and the Women’s Foundation of Greater Memphis. Terms of service run from February 2015 until February 2016. AmeriCorps VISTA members receive a stipend from the federal government equivalent to the poverty level of the community in which they serve and are eligible for a $5,000 Siegel Education Award if they successfully complete their term of service. To apply, visit nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-vista and search for opportunities in Tennessee.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 20:25:32 +0000