Service Opportunities available, apply now! We have 8-week and year-long service opportunities.

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 VISTA program an ideal situation.

VISTAs give at least one year of service to Georgia 4-H in areas of volunteer development, marketing, and fundraising.  Their services are leveraged to extend the great benefits of 4-H positive youth development to additional youth. VISTAs 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.”

Impact of AmeriCorps VISTA and Service Opportunities

Read the “Great Stories” below to learn more about the service of our AmeriCorps VISTAs 

 

Year-Long Service Opportunities

Jackson County VISTA Member Opening

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 programming reach. This project aims to engage an additional 50 low-income youth per year, in Jackson County, 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.

Apply Now! at the My AmeriCorps Page

Application deadline extended to May 9th!

Summer Service Opportunities

Service Description: Georgia 4-H is positioned in all 159 counties in Georgia and serves as the state’s largest youth leadership organization! Summer VISTA programming will provide youth programming focused on establishing healthy habits and food securities to support youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. VISTA Summer Associates will play a key part in developing healthy habits in youth, assisting UGA Extension efforts with combating food insecurity through food security initiatives and strengthening volunteer programs and partnerships formed by the UGA Extension 4-H youth development team in these communities. Throughout the summer, the VISTA member will gain invaluable experiences in healthy living and youth development and will gain a keen insight into the operational aspects and inner workings of a nonprofit organization supported on the county, state, and national level. VISTAs will also have the opportunity to work with regular-service VISTA members and VISTA Summer Associates in other counties across Georgia who are committed to serving youth, developing adult leadership development, and establishing healthy habits in both rural and urban communities.

Service Locations: Lamar, Fulton, Jackson, Emanuel, and Fulton UGA Extension offices have service opportunities. Additionally, a service location is available at the Georgia 4-H State Office in Athens-Clarke County.

Learn More: April 29th from 2-3 PM ET Americorps VISTA is hosting a special session to learn about the benefits of serving as a Summer Associate. Reach out to Laura Goss at laurwalt@uga.edu for access.

Service Length: May 24-July 16th, 2021

Apply Now! at the My AmeriCorps Page
Recruitment Video

Contact Laura Goss at laurwalt@uga.edu or 706-542-444 for more information about serving. Check out the below recruitment video to learn more.

 

 

Do you want to learn more about being an AmeriCorps VISTA?

AmeriCorps VISTA hosts Get to the Basics meetings twice a month for interested individuals. It is a great way to learn about the many benefits of service and how the process works.

 

 

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