In 1993, President Bill Clinton developed AmeriCorps with the signing of the National Community Service Trust Act, merging AmeriCorps with the existing VISTA program to create AmeriCorps VISTA.
In 2010, El Paso Affordable Housing’s (EPAH) personnel is predominately composed of Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) and former AmeriCorps VISTAs, whose mission is to build capacity in non-profit organizations and communities to help bring individuals and communities out of poverty.
EPAH’s VISTAs specifically assist low- to moderate-income individuals and families of El Paso County by:
- Assisting in curriculum development for EPAH’s financial literacy classes. These classes seek to assist families with purchasing their first home.
- Working to create financial literacy programs specifically intended for individuals with a disability.
- Assisting in curriculum development for free GED classes EPAH wishes to provide.
- Performing free income tax preparation through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA). This service seeks to help low- to moderate-income families build financial capability by using the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provided by the IRS.
Some attributes of EPAH’s VISTAs include being:
- Flexible
- Self-starters
- Enthusiastic
- Motivated
- Self-confident
- Good communicators
- Strong networkers within the organization and the community
In the course of their duties, EPAH’s VISTAS :
- Work well with people from a variety of backgrounds
- Understand the importance of the incremental steps of the project plan while being aware of the vision of the elimination of poverty
- Effectively advocate for themselves and the community
- Match the project plan to their long-term personal goals
To become a VISTA, applicants must register on the AmeriCorps website https://my.americorps.gov. Here, applicants can upload resumes and include their references as well as identify themselves as available for recruitment by an organization wishing to contract and sponsor a VISTA.
Applicants can also search the websites listings to find a program they may be interested in participating within and apply for the position online. Upon approval by the sponsoring organization, applicants attend a Pre-Service Orientation (PSO). Orientations are a four-day affair conducted at locations throughout the country.
The Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS) provides travel services, lodging, and meals for all prospective VISTAs. When arriving at the PSO, applicants are immediately considered employed by CNCS for the period of one year. They will receive a bi-weekly living assistance check, free HMO healthcare, and may choose to receive either a $1,500 stipend or a $5,350 scholarship grant upon completing their year of service.
If you are interested in joining our program contact:
Kieran Healy
Special Programs Manager
El Paso Affordable Housing
6801 Viscount Blvd
El Paso, TX 79925
khealy@epcuah.com
