Literacy KC AmeriCorps VISTA Program
AmeriCorps is the federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges.
As an Intermediary, Literacy KC recruits, trains, and deploys AmeriCorps VISTA members to a number of VISTA projects in the KC metro area, all of which work to build the capacity of local nonprofits with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty in our community.
What is Americorps VISTA?
AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). CNCS is an independent federal agency created to connect Americans of all ages and backgrounds with opportunities to give back to their communities and their nation.
VISTA is a branch of AmeriCorps that focuses on building capacity for organizations that empower their communities. The capacity-building focus of the VISTA program means that VISTA members work for the lasting growth and development of organizations or projects within their host communities instead of performing direct service activities, such as building houses or tutoring students.
Serving America
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Serving America
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Serving America 〰️
Who are we?
Literacy KC is an adult education organization focused on English as a Second Language and Missouri High School Equivalency preparation. Since 2016, Literacy KC has served as an intermediary sponsor organization for the AmeriCorps VISTA program. As an intermediary, the Literacy KC partners with local organizations serving as AmeriCorps member host sites. AmeriCorps members provide a year of service, bringing their passion and determination where the need is greatest: to organizations that through various missions, help eradicate poverty. Literacy KC VISTA program members serve in a professional setting building partnerships, raising awareness, writing grants, organizing volunteers, and more.
The Literacy KC VISTA Program Team is responsible for the overall reporting and compliance, while the day-to-day supervision is conducted by the host site.
Meet our VISTA Subsites
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Metropolitan Energy Center
Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) is dedicated to creating resource efficiency, environmental health, and economic vitality in the Kansas City region and beyond. MEC provides resources , outreach, and training to make alternative fuels and energy efficiency commonplace.
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Kidsight
KidSight provides free vision screenings for children. KidSight’s program has grown to screen the vision of more than 45,000 kids throughout Missouri each year with the help of trained staff and volunteers operating across the state.
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Start at Zero
Start at Zero offers holistic early childhood programming producing short-term academic, socio-emotional, health, social gains and family stability, paired with long-term benefits.
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Art as Mentorship
Art as Mentorship takes an innovative approach to exploring young artists’ full potential through creativity, mentorship opportunities, and fostering their inherent sense of exploration and achievement.
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Kanbe's Market
Kanbe’s Markets eliminates food insecurity by empowering individuals and providing them with healthy choices.
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KC Medicine Cabinet
Kansas City’s Medicine Cabinet, which began in July 2005 as a program of Baptist-Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation, steps in to provide short-term emergency medical assistance for those in need in metropolitan Kansas City.
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City of Refuge
City of Refuge helps refugees and immigrants recover and regain control of their lives by providing Basic Need Programs, Counseling Services, and Professional Development Opportunities.
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Operation Breakthrough
Operation Breakthrough provides a safe, loving and educational environment for children in poverty and empowers their families through advocacy, emergency aid and education.
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Wildwood Outdoor Education Center
Camp Wildwood brings kids outside to learn and grow together, transforming summer into a season of learning, youth development, and outdoor adventure for low-income Kansas City area youth.
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RW2 Career and Technical Education
Resiliency at Work 2.0 Career and Technical Education (RW2)’s mission is to change the FACE; closing the gap in the nation’s technically skilled workforce.
Why? It’s about creating and increasing equitable opportunities through education and training for careers in the technically skilled workforce.
