Quarterly Sponsor Call
Please join us for the next sponsor call hosted on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 3 p.m. ET. This call will provide information on the AmeriCorps VISTA budget, the housing policy update, the new member assistance program, and more.
Webinar ID: 161 025 4452
Passcode: 614205
Dial-in Number: 833-568-8864 (toll free)
Housing Policy Update:
Sponsors May Provide Reimbursable
Housing Support Directly to Members
To reduce the administrative burden placed on sponsors that choose to support members with additional financial housing assistance, the AmeriCorps VISTA program is removing the requirement that housing support must be paid directly to a landlord or leasing agent. This policy is effective as of Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
A sponsor may, at its discretion, provide support for housing for AmeriCorps members serving in the VISTA program. While there is no maximum threshold set for the amount of assistance, it should be based on the actual costs members paid for housing (reimbursable costs) and should be consistent with the member’s commitment to live among and at the economic level of the people served. Moreover, a sponsor’s support for housing must be offered equally to all AmeriCorps members at the site who are serving in the VISTA program.
Support for housing can be provided in the form of a one-time security deposit and/or as housing reimbursement support. All housing support must be provided as a reimbursable expense directly to a member or paid directly to the landlord or leasing agent.
Financial or in-kind support for members may be provided under the following conditions:
- Support is offered and available equally to all members.
- Reimbursable expenses, in the form of cash or checks, can be given directly to the member. Cash or checks that are non-reimbursable expenses may not be given directly to the member.
- Support offered does not violate AmeriCorps VISTA’s legislation that mandates members must, to the maximum extent practicable, make a commitment to live among and at the economic level of the people being served.
Housing support may impact a member's reportable income. For more information, please see the Income Disregard letter (2023).
Refer to the AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsor Handbook for additional supplemental benefits sponsors may provide to members.
Please note that you will not see this policy change reflected in the current version of AmeriCorps VISTA’s Sponsor and Member Handbooks. The policy change will be reflected in the next iteration of handbooks.
AmeriCorps VISTA Progress Report Supplement Update
Sponsors received an invitation to complete the AmeriCorps VISTA Progress Report Supplement for the fiscal year 2024 on Monday, Sept. 30. This message, which includes detailed information for completing the report, is available to view.
Sponsors are asked to complete the report with your project’s key accomplishments from the past fiscal year. The information that is provided allows us to share the impressive results that sponsors are having across the country using AmeriCorps VISTA resources.
As a reminder, this is a required report if you had an active Memorandum of Agreement and AmeriCorps members serving in the VISTA program at any time during the period of Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024.
The deadline for submitting the report is Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, and should be completed in eGrants.
Member Assistance Program
Members now have access to a member assistance program delivered by Acentra Health.
Acentra Health provides confidential counseling sessions for a number of issues members may experience in their work or personal lives. Life coaching, legal assistance, financial consultation, and other work-life consultations are available through this service.
Members will receive a separate message from AmeriCorps VISTA with detailed information about these new benefits and how to access them on Wednesday, Oct. 23. For questions or concerns, members can call 800-869-0276. Please review the program brochure for more details and information on supporting members at your sites via Acentra Health.
Request for Concept Papers
The AmeriCorps VISTA program's fiscal year 2025 Request for Concept Papers funding opportunity is now open. AmeriCorps will be accepting concept papers for new projects twice in fiscal year 2025. The Request for Concept Papers page provides additional details.
The fiscal year 2025 Annual Program Guidance is also available. This guidance, which is for potential and existing sponsors, outlines the national programming priorities for this fiscal year. Current sponsors are encouraged to review this guidance to stay informed of AmeriCorps VISTA’s programming priorities. Please contact your designated region office staff for questions.
AmeriCorps VISTA Living Allowance Increase Update
Sponsors and members received a living allowance update email on Monday, Sept. 9, following the initial emails that were sent on Tuesday, July 23. These messages are available to view at the following links.
Member In-Service Training Opportunities
Did you know that members have access to in-person training opportunities conducted by AmeriCorps VISTA headquarters? Our training unit hosts in-service trainings several times throughout the year. During these trainings, members attend workshops to build skills and participate in networking opportunities. Read below for more information about in-service trainings. Then, read reviews from members Wick and Ardine who recently attended a training. You can also watch members in action as they experience a training.
Upcoming In-Service Trainings
*Information is subject to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I support my member's participation in a training?
- Once a member has received an invitation (via email) to a training, please encourage your member to attend. Members may be anxious or unsure about meeting new people or traveling to a new place. You can help by reassuring them that attending the training will be beneficial to their service and career after service.
- What should members know about the training?
- Members will be engaged in a highly interactive in-person networking and skill-building event. The training is designed to engage members in their personal and professional development and support them in carrying out their service assignments. During the event, members will attend three plenary sessions, five workshops, and participate in numerous networking sessions. The AmeriCorps VISTA program pays for travel, lodging, meals, and training materials.
- What have members said about the training?
- “I thought the training was really well-structured and the presenters were all really impressive.”
- “I learned a lot of information that will help me in my role.”
- “Meeting the other members widened my vision of the program.”
- “During this training I have gained valuable experience to help me be more successful in my role. I appreciated hearing other people's perspectives and meeting other AmeriCorps members.”
- “This was an amazing experience. I learned and made wonderful connections!”
- What should I do if my member has not received an invitation, but meets the qualifications?
Member Service Gear
As a reminder, all new AmeriCorps members serving in the VISTA program should receive an invitation to order their AmeriCorps gear no later than two weeks after each member orientation. Members need to access their account within 30 days and are eligible to receive a polo shirt, t-shirt, hoodie, winter hat, water bottle, journal, and lapel pin.
If members cannot find their invitations or need more assistance with ordering their gear, contact VISTAGear@americorps.gov.
AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsor Toolkit
Do you need help telling your AmeriCorps VISTA story? With the AmeriCorps VISTA Sponsor Toolkit, you can share your AmeriCorps story and encourage more individuals to meet the urgent needs of their communities. You can find messaging, recruitment resources, social media graphics, and more in the toolkit.
AmeriCorps VISTA is Social
Follow us on the platforms below to join the conversation and to see how AmeriCorps VISTA partners - like you - are making a difference.
Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram
Order Your Recruitment Kit
Recruitment promotional items are now available to support your recruitment and outreach efforts. To place an order:
- Create an account on the AmeriCorps promotional items website
- Use Item Name or SKU Number to easily search for each item:
After filling your basket, click “Check Out.”
Enter your shipping address. No PO Boxes will be accepted.
Click “Continue to Review.”
In the Order Justification box, please include the following: Name of your organization + SPONKITFY24.
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