VISTA: Volunteers in Service to America

For more than 50 years, VISTA members have been on the forefront of ending poverty in America. Administered locally by Opportunity Council, we help match volunteers willing to make a year-long, fulltime to commitment to local non-profits with anti-poverty programs that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities.

Become a VISTA

AmeriCorps VISTA is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service that places people for one year, full-time, with nonprofits that are working to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. VISTAs work exclusively through indirect service, which means they’re working to build capacity more behind the scenes. Capacity building is tasks and activities to create, expand or strengthen systems or processes in order to increase an organization’s ability to function effectively and meet its mission.

VISTA Benefits:

  • Biweekly stipend
  • Relocation allowance
  • Loan forbearance
  • Medical Allowance & food benefits
  • End of year service award OR education award
  • Non-competitive eligibility for federal employment
  • Valuable skills, training, and work experience
  • Be a part of a national movement working to alleviate poverty

For more information about the VISTA program contact: VISTA Program Specialist, Celine Parton, celine_parton@oppco.org

Current VISTA Openings

Skookum Kids Development Coordinator VISTA (In-person)

Skookum Kids is a foster care agency based in Bellingham Washington. We operate an emergency shelter, train & license foster families, and provide abuse-prevention and foster care alternative programming services. We believe foster care, like most hard things, is best done with a supportive community; so we work to find ways for everyone—from trained mental health professionals to teenagers—to roll up their sleeves and get involved.

Read More & Apply →

Sustainable Connections Food Recovery Program Coordination VISTA (In-person)

The Food Recovery Program (FRP) reduces food insecurity and addresses climate change by redistributing surplus food that might end up in the landfill to neighbors experiencing hunger. The FRP acts as a courier of commercially prepared, surplus food, to meal distribution agencies, with about 50% of the recovered food distributed to residents in food deserts within Whatcom County. The FRP relies on its close relationships with donating businesses, recipient agencies, and volunteer pool. The VISTA member will strengthen the FRP’s capacity by increasing the number of donor businesses, increasing our volunteer pool, and developing strong relationships with existing and new recipient agencies.

Read More & Apply →

Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center Development & Outreach VISTA (In-person)

The goal of this VISTA project is to increase low income clients’ access to conflict prevention and intervention services by building and promoting awareness of the organization, helping to secure vital financial resources, and ensuring the efficiency and efficacy of systems used to do so. In building on the work of the previous VISTA position, this role will deepen our outreach to underserved communities in rural areas, non-English speakers, and those who belong to specific demographic or cultural groups. Similarly the Development and Outreach VISTA will help to grow funding for projects and programs that specifically benefit low income individuals and help to increase the accessibility of our programs.

Read More & Apply →

For Partner Agencies

How to Apply:

  • Step 1: Complete the Concept Paper Narrative
    • This paper introduces your organization and summarizes the proposed project.

Once Accepted:

  • Step 2: Complete the VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)
    • This will break down the goals you have for the project and the activities that comprise each goal.

Program Costs: The total cost for 1 year is $7,404.79. The non-refundable payment includes $5,704.79 which covers the living stipend reimbursement and an administrative fee equal to $1,700.00 for the project year. Costs are subject to change and are based on fees charged to the Opportunity Council from the Corporation for National & Community Service.

For more information or to receive application materials contact: VISTA Program Specialist, Celine Parton, genevieve_quigley@oppco.org