Washington D.C. - AmeriCorps is
building a powerful pipeline for public servants, civic leaders, and
social entrepreneurs, finds a new longitudinal study released today by
the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Released in coordination with a Brookings Institution briefing this
morning, the study, Still Serving: Measuring the Eight-Year Impact of
AmeriCorps on Alumni, is the most rigorous evaluation ever
conducted on AmeriCorps' long-term impacts on its members. Based on
data collected eight years after members completed their year of
service, the study conclusively demonstrates that AmeriCorps causes
long-term positive impacts on the civic attitudes and behaviors of the
program's alumni.
AmeriCorps alums
are significantly more civically engaged and more likely to pursue
public service careers in the government and nonprofit sector than
their counterparts in the scientifically crafted comparison group,
which has also been tracked for eight years. They are also
significantly more likely to be happy and satisfied with their lives.
Apply
now to become a Texas Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA
Overview
The Texas Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA program was founded in 2001.
Today, fifteen VISTAs
serve on thirteen member campuses
across Texas. The role of our AmeriCorps VISTAs is primarily to build
capacity and sustainable infrastructures in the communities and on the
campuses they serve. Ideally, after a determined period of time and
through the dedicated work of all stakeholders, the position will no
longer require staffing from a TXCC VISTA.
Texas Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTAs are placed at universities and
colleges that are committed to the civic purposes of higher education.
These schools, or host sites, agree to accomplish three goals
identified by Texas Campus Compact (see below). These goals are
integrated into the VISTA's work plan and form the structure on which
additional duties and responsibilities are placed.
Compensation
Benefits offered by host sites (such as meal and housing allowances)
vary depending on the site's capacity to support an AmeriCorps VISTA;
however, the following benefits are offered (or required) by the Corporation for
National and Community Service and will not vary:
what is americorps
vista? AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program
designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in
Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network
of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight
against poverty in America for more than 40 years.
AmeriCorps VISTA members
address the problems of poverty in a particular community and mobilize
community resources while increasing the capacity of the low-income
community to solve its own problems.
what is the
compact americorps vista program? The Compact AmeriCorps VISTA
program was created in 2001 through a partnership between Texas Campus
Compact and the Texas Corporation for National and Community Service
state office. This program was developed in response to the needs of
Compact member campuses and in recognition of the potential for
institutions of higher education to more responsibly address the needs
of those in poverty in Texas communities.
Through their unique campus-based placement, Compact VISTAs build,
support and develop the capacity for Compact member institutions to
establish and maintain strong service programs. Ultimately, through
this program partnership, Texas Campus Compact seeks to create better
stewards of the community and allow students and institutions the
opportunity to gain a fuller, holistic and more valuable experience
outside the classroom and beyond.
The role of the AmeriCorps VISTA
member is primarily to build capacity in communities, create
sustainable projects and upon conclusion, have created and developed
programs and structures that no longer require staffing from a Compact
VISTA.
Our VISTA members build mutually beneficial relationships which can
lead to long-term partnerships between community-based organizations
and colleges and universities; VISTAs supply human-based resources and
skill-based actions necessary for enhancing the quality of
campus-community service and Service-Learning programs; and VISTA
members encourage increased involvement in the civic life of the
community.
The Compact VISTA program represents an innovative partnership between
national service and higher education. The model has been replicated in
numerous other Campus Compact state network offices.
goals of the
compact americorps vista program I. Increase and develop an ethic
of service and leadership among college students along with raising
awareness of social justice issues.
II. Assist campuses with improving
non-curricular and civic engagement opportunities by developing
mutually beneficial community partnerships.
III. Support the development
and institutionalization of Service-Learning courses.
