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Dear AmeriCorps VISTA Supervisors and Sponsors,
In the last week, I have been so impressed with the ways you have been responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the many disruptions it has caused. The work you are doing to continue serving your communities during this challenging time is an inspiration to us all.
We have heard of the innovation and flexibility sponsors and supervisors have provided to support our VISTA members as many transition to full time teleservice. We have also received reports about projects adapting assignments to safely support COVID-19 response efforts including assisting with virtual computer classes and packaging emergency food for distribution to low-income youth. We appreciate all you are doing during this evolving situation to continue serving your local community, while maintaining the health and safety of our AmeriCorps VISTA members as the top priority.
As we shared in our update last week, VISTA members will determine if continuing to report to sites or teleserving full time is their most appropriate option. Members who would like to teleserve but cannot due to a lack of teleservice resources or lack of assignments suitable for teleservice, may utilize up to 30 days of emergency leave. To be clear, this is not a choice between reporting to site, teleserving, or emergency leave. Emergency leave is only appropriate for members who cannot, or elect not to, report to site, and do not have the ability to teleserve.
Many of us are already thinking about the near future, and what comes next. With the rapid updates and new guidance from public health and local government officials, AmeriCorps VISTA is not providing guidance beyond the next 30 days at this time. We do, however, remain committed to providing real time updates and response measures that help sponsors and members address issues as they arise.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updated information via email and the FAQs found at NationalService.gov/coronavirus. We appreciated the questions raised on our call with sponsors and supervisors last week and have addressed these in the FAQs.
Based on feedback during last week’s call, we will be holding our call with sponsors bi-weekly. Our next call will take place on Wednesday, April 1st, at 3pm Eastern Time. Please join us for the call at:
Direct link: https://cncs.zoom.us/j/135291323
- Webinar ID: 135-291-323
- Join by phone: 877-853-5257
Please check the FAQs frequently for the latest information, and we will continue to provide updates.
Thank you for your service,
Desiree Tucker-Sorini, Director
AmeriCorps VISTA
Corporation for National and Community Service
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