Community service and volunteerism have always been a vital force in American life.

Throughout history, our nation has relied on the dedication and action of citizens to tackle our biggest challenges.

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, President Lyndon B. Johnson realized Kennedy’s dream by launching the “War on Poverty.” Johnson welcomed the first group of 20 VISTAs (Volunteers In Service To America) by saying, “Your pay will be low; the conditions of your labor often will be difficult. But you will have the satisfaction of leading a great national effort, and you will have the ultimate reward which comes to those who serve their fellow man.”

The VISTA program, like Head Start and other lasting antipoverty programs, was created by The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to serve the needs of the poorest Americans.

Remember together we can make a difference!

Every day across the nation AmeriCorps VISTA members are tackling America’s toughest problems in:

  • Disasters Services
  • Economic Opportunity
  • Education
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Healthy Futures
  • Veterans and Military Families

Georgia 4-H is also very active in all of these areas, making the partnership between Georgia 4-H and the AmeriCorps program an ideal situation.

VISTAs give at least one year of service to organizations across the US and receive a small living allowance and a health benefit plan from the Corporation for National and Community Service.  They also have the option for an education award or cash award after their successful year of service. Together these VISTAs have developed more than $600,000 in cash resources and over $66,000 in non-cash resources helping Georgia 4-H to “make the best better.”

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AmeriCorps VISTA Members

Georgia 4-H develops youth into young civic-minded leaders who have been shown to make healthier choices. To further the great benefits of this youth development programming, additional volunteer leaders are needed to expand the programming reach. This project aims to engage an additional 50 low-income youth per year, in the selected counties of Georgia by expanding 4-H club programming resources and developing leaders in Georgia. Specifically, this AmeriCorps VISTA will increase resources to support youth, recruit and develop volunteers, develop or expand funding streams (through grants and sustainable fundraisers), and expand the number of volunteer-led clubs and volunteer-led initiatives.

While Georgia 4-H is no longer accepting AmeriCorps VISTA applications, we encourage you to apply for other amazing AmeriCorps positions that are offered across the US. You can still be a part of something bigger! Review the impact tab to learn about the various ways members have made a difference in the communities they have served.

 

Applications:

AmeriCorps offers a variety of positions. You can serve in positions like a summer associate, yearlong VISTA service member, NCCC service member, State service member and National service member.

To apply to an AmeriCorps position, visit Serve | AmeriCorps for more information!

 

 

Impact of AmeriCorps VISTA

Read the impact statements, snapshots, and great stories below to learn more about the service of our AmeriCorps VISTAs

VISTAs are a part of something bigger!

The below graphic showcases the impact of 15 Summer VISTA Associates from 2020 to 2023 who provided direct service within their selected communities.

 

Keri Hobbs

Office:(706)542-4H4H
Fax:(706)542-7373
klgandy@uga.edu

Laura Goss

Office:(706)542-4H4H
Fax:(706)542-7373
laurwalt@uga.edu

Melinda Miller

Phone:229-386-3414
Fax: 229-386-7139
mdmiller@uga.edu