I would like to become a VISTA member
We are currently accepting applications for the 2013-2014 VISTA service year. See below for all available positions.
What does it mean to be an AmeriCorps VISTA member?
AmeriCorps VISTA members commit to serving one full year at a school, nonprofit organization, or government agency to help eliminate poverty in their communities. Instead of working directly with clients, VISTAs are the "behind the scenes" folks who create programs, recruit volunteers, and develop community partnerships. For more information, visit the AmeriCorps website HERE.
What does it mean to be an AmeriCorps VISTA with the Saint Paul VISTA Program?
Saint Paul VISTA Program members work to close the education opportunity gap and support the education goals of the City of Saint Paul. Specifically, the Saint Paul VISTA Program has the following purpose, to:
1. Improve the quality and depth of learning opportunities available to youth in Saint Paul, and
2. Increase access to high-quality learning opportunities for all Saint Paul children, especially at-risk and vulnerable youth.
VISTA members contribute to these goals by building capacity at their host organizations. Capacity building is undertaken through indirect service projects in non-profit agencies, schools, and government entities across Saint Paul. Throughout their year of service, VISTA members work to ensure that Saint Paul youth have access to high quality learning opportunities. Members focus on projects in three core program areas:
1. Enhancing formal and informal learning opportunities for Saint Paul students, including before, during and after school.
2. Informing and preparing students for post-secondary educational and professional opportunities.
3. Engaging parents, families and the community to support learning and youth success.
What are the benefits of becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member?
Aside from having an incredibly rewarding year of experience serving your community, VISTA also provides the following benefits:
- AmeriCorps living allowance of $11,796 annually
- Choice of $5,550 Education Award or $1,500 post-service stipend
- $550 relocation allowance (for those relocating to serve)
- Healthcare benefits
- Childcare assistance (if eligible)
- Federal student loan forbearance or deferment
- One year of noncompetitive status for a federal government job
- Extensive training and valuable experience
- Access to the network of VISTA & VISTA alumni (170,000 strong)
What are the benefits of becoming a Saint Paul VISTA Program member?
The Saint Paul VISTA Program is hosted out of the Office of Mayor Christopher Coleman. Saint Paul VISTA members are placed in partner organizations throughout the city, where they work to build capacity for educational programming and support the Mayor’s education agenda. In addition the benefits of AmeriCorps VISTA the Saint Paul VISTA Program offers the following benefits:
- Bi-monthly meetings and trainings that focus on leadership, collaboration, and professional development
- Program commitment to education and youth in Saint Paul
- Professional development opportunities through the Mayor’s Office; learn from policy experts and meet with leaders in the fields of education and service
- One-on-one support from Saint Paul VISTA Program staff to help members through challenges and successes during their service year
- Well developed cohort model that offers a supportive program structure that is peer-driven, and leverages the work of VISTA members to achieve a common vision for transforming education
What are the requirements for becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA member?
To be a VISTA member, you must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the U.S. Most VISTA positions also prefer at least some college experience, and you must be able to commit to a full year of service. VISTA members are not allowed to have another job during their year of service.
How do I apply for the Saint Paul VISTA Program?
To learn more about current VISTA positions, host organizations, and/or how to apply for a specific position, please see below and click "Apply!" Each site within the Saint Paul VISTA Program is responsible for the recruitment, application, and hiring process for their VISTA position.
The following is the VISTA Recruitment, Placement, and Orientation Timeline:
- NOW - June 5, 2013 -- VISTA member recruitment
- June 5, 2013* -- Final candidates selected and VISTA member pre-enrollment paperwork due to Saint Paul VISTA Program
- July 30-August 2, 2013* -- VISTA members attend CNCS Pre-Service Orientation (PSO)
- August 5-6, 2013* -- VISTA members attend Saint Paul VISTA Orientation
- August 7, 2013* -- VISTA members begin service at their sites
*CNCS recruitment and Pre-Service Orientation dates are subject to change, which can affect member pre-enrollment, Saint Paul VISTA Program Orientation dates and VISTA member first day on-site.
2013-2014 Saint Paul VISTA Program Site Information
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American Oromo Community of Minnesota
The mission of the American Oromo Community of Minnesota (AOCM) is to provide community based referrals and direct services to Oromo and East African (i.e. Oromo, Amharic and Somali-speaking) individuals, youth and families with the goal of helping them live successfully in Minnesota.
The VISTA member will work in collaboration with Ober Community Center to grow out-of-school time academic supports for Oromo and East-African youth in the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood, and ultimately help develop a sustainable academic support program for youth in the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities (BBBS) is a mentoring organization whose mission is to enrich young people's lives through one-to-one friendships. BBBS annually matches over 3,400 youth with mentors across the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
The BBBS VISTA will work to expand the Education and Enrichment department to create a Workforce readiness program that offers Saint Paul youth exploration of trade/technical careers and connections to internships and summer jobs.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Breakthrough Saint Paul
Breakthrough Saint Paul, part of the national Breakthrough Collaborative, has a mission to prepare highly motivated, under-resourced middle and high school students from the Saint Paul Public Schools for success in rigorous honors course work and college, while developing a diverse group of talented young people for careers in education.
The VISTA member will build Breakthrough Saint Paul’s community engagement capacity through communications, volunteerisms, and development. The VISTA member will help ensure that all of the organization’s students, regardless of socioeconomic conditions, have the opportunity to enroll in and be successful in college!
Position: Open
Apply!
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CLUES
Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio’s (CLUES) mission is to enhance the quality of life of the Latino community in Minnesota. The CLUES Youth in Action (YA!) Program strives to empower Latino youth in Saint Paul as future leaders in their communities by guiding them to achieve their academic goals, educational aspirations, and professional potential.
The VISTA member will empower youth through the development of a civic engagement program that will encourage Saint Paul youth to actively pursue positive community change through educational workshops and service-learning activities introduced by the VISTA.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Community Design Center of Minnesota
The Community Design Center of Minnesota is a non-profit, community development organization that works to revitalize low/moderate income communities by providing technical assistance and operating programs that will enhance the physical, economic, social, ecological, and spiritual well-being of the community and its residents.
The VISTA member, the Green Jobs Youth Pipeline Coordinator, will help the Community Design Center to develop additional work training opportunities, resources and connections for youth who participate in our Green Youth Internship programs.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center
The Fred Wells Tennis and Education Center and the Saint Paul Urban Tennis are dedicated to providing low-income youth the opportunities to benefit from the mastery and confidence gained while learning to play tennis; positive relationships and life skills; a sense of belonging and leadership skills; and academic support and post-secondary preparedness.
The VISTA member will be responsible for program development and implementation with an emphasis on mentoring youth, creatively integrating tennis with academic and life skills, and fostering consistent relationships and a supportive community.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Genesys Works
Genesys Works is a non-profit organization with a mission to enable minority and economically-challenged high school students to enter the economic mainstream by providing them the knowledge and work experience required to succeed as professionals. Genesys Works helps underprivileged students break through environments of low expectations to discover that they can succeed as professionals in the corporate world.
The VISTA member will help increase the capacity and effectiveness of the Genesys Works program by Coordinating the Alumni Program, which would help low-income students graduate from college and enter the professional workforce.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Higher Ground Academy
Higher Ground Academy is Minnesota’s preeminent K-12 Afro-centric charter school with a student body of more than 700 primarily East African immigrant and first generation students from Somalia and Ethiopia. The Academy is dedicated to creating a socially committed, morally responsible, and ethnically diverse learning environment which values students individually and collectively.
The VISTA member will play a key role in the development and implementation of a new evening educational program for parents and students in Saint Paul.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Jackson Elementary
Jackson Elementary is located in Saint Paul's Frogtown neighborhood, and is one of two target schools in Saint Paul's Promise Neighborhood Initiative. Jackson's mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, respectful and inclusive environment that offers all children opportunities for acceleration and enrichment to develop their full potential and prepare them to be successful, responsible citizens. The school has a considerably high-need student population -- enrollment is 96% students of color, 89% students in free or reduced-price lunch, and 71% of students have Limited English Proficiency.
The VISTA member will work to enhance community engagement and increase parent and family involvement as far as parents’ interest in their child’s education, as well as support the work of the Promise Neighborhood Initiative in and around Jackson.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Maxfield Elementary
Maxfield Elementary lies in the heart of Saint Paul and the historic Rondo Community. Maxfield has been identified as a persistently low achieving school and serves a high-need population of students. We serve Pre-K through 6th grade; 97% students of color with 85% African American students; and 99% of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch.
The VISTA member will lead volunteer recruiting efforts and provide tutors and mentors with effective training, on-going support, and recognition.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Minnesota Council for Nonprofits
The mission of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) is to inform, promote, connect, and strengthen individual nonprofit organizations and the nonprofit sector. MCN serves 153 Saint Paul nonprofits that focus primarily to address the issue of education, youth development, and services supporting low-income families.
The VISTA member will develop and lead capacity building, training, and resource programs for organizations serving immigrant and refugee communities and communities of color in Saint Paul.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Minnesota Urban Debate League
The Mission of the Minnesota Urban Debate League is to empower students to become engaged learners, critical thinkers, and active citizens who are effective advocates for themselves and their communities.
The VISTA member will create a volunteer program and expand marketing to build the capacity of the Minnesota Urban Debate League in order to serve more students in Saint Paul and to ensure that they graduate from high school with a plan for post-secondary education and career success.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Rock Star Supply Co.
Rock Star Supply Co. improves educational outcomes for teens through engagement with artists and community volunteers via one-on-one tutoring and mentoring.
The RSS VISTA member will connect creative people to creative in-school and after-school tutoring opportunities ensure effective educational interventions for youth. The VISTA member will give the Twin Cities community the opportunity to enter the equation—and become part of the solution.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Saint Paul EMS Academy
The Saint Paul EMS Academy is a nationally recognized program created to attract low-income youth of color to the Emergency Medical Service field. The Academy initiated as a pilot project collaborative between the Saint Paul Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, the Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity department, and Inver Hills Community College to create a process that would provide long-term impact on the City's capacity to diversify the EMT force and develop a pipeline of applicants of color and women to join the Fire Department.
The VISTA member will work directly with program partners, working on program sustainability, grant writing, partnership development and building organizational capacity.
Position: Closed
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Saint Paul Public Schools, Hubbs Center
The Ronald M. Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning (Adult Basic Education) is a program of the Saint Paul Public Schools' Community Education Department. Educational services are available to adults who want to improve their basic skills, earn a GED, prepare for employment or post-secondary education, or learn English.
The VISTA member will significantly improve recruitment efforts by reaching out to diverse communities in Saint Paul who may benefit from career pathways and provide community outreach to underprepared, low-literacy, populations.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Saint Paul Public Schools, Community Partnerships
The mission of Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is to provide a premier education for all. Their vision is to have schools at the heart of the community.
The VISTA members will identify the organizations currently working with individual schools, enlist new community partners, and connect all these groups with schools where their services will be of greatest benefit. The VISTAs will be part of creating innovation in how communities and districts use partnerships to enhance the educational service provided to students in Saint Paul.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Science Museum of Minnesota
The mission of the Science Museum of Minnesota is to: "Turn on the science -- realizing the potential of policy makers, educators, and individuals to achieve full civic and economic participation in the world."
The SMM VISTA member will work to increase the Youth Science Center’s capacity to provide college and career exploration, planning and action programming for low-income and disadvantaged youth as well as develop and manage an alumni network.
Position: Closed
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Sprockets
Sprockets is a network of many different after-school and summer programs which offers all Saint Paul children and youth opportunities to ignite their imaginations and build skills for a positive future. Its mission is to improve the quality, availability, and effectiveness of out-of-school time learning for all youth in Saint Paul.
The VISTA member will help create, implement, and evaluate a network of adult mentors to work with teens in an out-of school-time digital learning setting. The VISTA will be part of a highly motivated and creative team charged with transforming service to youth in Saint Paul in order to increase their success in school and in life.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Twin Cities Housing Development Corporation
Twin Cities Housing Development Corporation works to provide affordable family rental housing throughout the seven county metro area. Their commitment, as an organization, is to maintain the high quality and affordability of their housing for the long term.
The VISTA member will develop and support a new on-site program at Liberty Plaza housing community for middle and high school students that focuses on academic enrichment, college access, and service
Position: Open
Apply!
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Urban Boatbuilders
The mission of the Urban Boatbuilders is to promote positive youth development through the building and use of boats. Boat building is used as a vehicle to develop academic, social, vocational, and leadership skills to at-risk youth in Saint Paul.
The VISTA member will facilitate the development and implementation of an evaluation, fund development, and program development strategy for the organization and will be integral to the success and growth of the program ultimately ensuring that youth have access to life-altering and innovative programming.
Position: Open
Apply!
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Additional Resources
Further information and resources on AmeriCorps VISTA and the Saint Paul VISTA Program.
For additional questions or comments, please contact VISTA Program Manager Willy Tully 651.266.8582.
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