New York State COVID-19 Response VISTA Project

Since 1965, over 260,000 AmeriCorps VISTA members have joined the fight against poverty by helping local organizations expand their capacity to make change. The VISTA program serves in each of the 50 U.S. states and in all U.S. territories.

Through capacity building activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment AmeriCorps members in the VISTA program serve in an office setting and gain experience and leadership skills. This opportunity prepares members for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector.

Members receive a biweekly living allowance to cover basic expenses and can choose between a Segal Education Award (valued at approximately $6,895) to pay for a range of education expenses or a $1,800 cash stipend.

The New York State COVID-19 Response VISTA project builds the capacity of state agencies to serve vulnerable New Yorkers who are dealing with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. New York State VISTA members bring their passion and skills to contribute to systemic problem solving in their host agency’s area of expertise, alleviating the longer-term fallout of COVID-19 in New York.

• New York State Commission on National and Community Service (Project Sponsor)

• New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

• New York State Department of Health

• New York State Education Department

• New York State Nonprofit Unit

• New York State Office of Children and Family Services

• New York State Office of Mental Health

• New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

• VISTA Leader hosted by the NYS Commission on National and Community Service. Apply here.

• New York State COVID-19 Response VISTA Leader enhances capacity at NYS Commission on National and Community Service to lead a team of approximately 10 VISTA members as a mentor, facilitator, liaison and resource generator.

• Food Security & Child Nutrition VISTA enhances capacity at NYS Education Department, Child Nutrition Office to ensure low-income students have access to nutritious and appealing school breakfasts.

• High-School Equivalency Coordinator VISTA enhances capacity at NYS Education Department, Adult Education Programs and Policy to improve High School Equivalency exam programs so that more New Yorkers are able to successfully enter the workforce.

• Maternal Health Coordinator VISTA enhances capacity at NYS Office of Children and Family Services to address the disparities in maternal health experienced by BIPOC families and construct a pipeline to employment opportunities that support growing families in underserved communities.

• Nonprofit Unit Research & Network Systems VISTA enhances capacity at NYS Nonprofit Unit to identify gaps in services throughout New York State regions and promote collaboration among nonprofits responding to pandemic-related challenge.

• Public Health Workforce Development VISTA enhances capacity at NYS Department of Health, Office of Public Health Practice to ensure that New Yorkers are served by a competent public health workforce.

• Three Pillars VISTA enhances capacity at NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence to respond to victims and survivors of domestic and gender-based violence in a trauma-informed, culturally response, and survivor centered manner.

• Trauma Informed Care Coordinator VISTA enhances capacity at NYS Office of Mental Health to support the implementation of a trauma informed approach to address the mental health and wellness needs of New Yorkers.