Why host with Literacy KC VISTA?

The Literacy KC VISTA Program was designed to provide opportunities for local organizations to break down barriers and ensure lasting capacity building impact for all partners involved. 

Outcomes from VISTA projects include the ability to increase services, a strengthened organizational capacity, improved organizational infrastructure, and increased operational resources.

The Literacy KC AmeriCorps VISTA program is a member of the AmeriCorps National Service program and is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). VISTA members are full-time volunteers who are charged with helping bring individuals and communities out of poverty by performing capacity building services that increase the ability of your organization to live out its mission. 

The Literacy KC VISTA intermediary program works to support your search for the right VISTA member for your project, as well as to support the development of the project, the VISTA member, and their work throughout their term of service. We provide your site and your VISTA member with resources and support to help ensure the successful execution of your capacity building efforts. 

  • VISTA projects focus solely on capacity building but this can be done in a variety of different ways depending on the needs of your organization.

    Capacity building projects are those that create, expand, or improve programs, processes, or procedures to increase an organizations effectiveness. They could improve the agency’s ability to provide services in a more streamlined way, or develop the ability for your organization to provide a wider range or services or serve a larger group of clients.

    VISTA members are meant to serve as a short-term resource to help organizations realize a project that their current staff does not have the ability to take on. VISTA projects are meant to be sustainable long term, meaning that the work your VISTA does should outlive their term of service. Part of your role as a supervisor is to help the VISTA ensure that these sustainability goals are met in a way that will work for your agency.

  • Any tax-exempt organization interested in increasing its capacity to fight poverty is eligible to host a VISTA.

    However, successfully hosting a VISTA member requires a clear set of achievable goals, a strategic plan for reaching those goals, and the capacity to supervise and mentor the VISTA member.

    AmeriCorps VISTA members cannot serve in a direct or staff capacity and are not allowed to displace staff members or volunteers.

    The LKC VISTA program manager will work with you to develop a project that is appropriate for both the growth of your organization and for AmeriCorps VISTA.

  • VISTA sponsors / supervisors are responsible for:

    • Making sure that the VISTA is equipped to do the project well and that the project is aligned with the goals outlined in the VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)

    • Attending an initial supervisor on-boarding meeting with the VISTA Program Manager as well as one supervisor group training (hosted once a year)

    • Completing two, six month reports on the progress of the VISTA project. (This will take approximately 20 minutes to complete and is essential to the continuation of the AmeriCorps grant)

    • Communicating relevant information with the AmeriCorps VISTA Program Manager. The LKC program is not responsible for day to day management of your project, but an open line of communication is essential for your organization’s participation in the VISTA program.

  • We ask our VISTA subsites to pay an annual fee of $6400 which goes towards the VISTA’s living stipend as well as a fee of $3600 annually for a housing stipend, for a total of $10,000 per VISTA per year.

    We choose to require that our sites provide a $300/month housing stipend as it greatly assists in recruitment efforts and makes our program much more accessible to a wider range of potential applicants to the benefit of your organization and broader community.

    Supervisors have the option to pay the annual fee monthly at $533.00 and the housing stipend at $300/month.

    If you are able to provide housing independently, you will be exempt from this housing stipend.

  • Interested parties are strongly encouraged to reach out to the LKC VISTA Program Manager to discuss the potential project prior to submitting an application.

    There are two application deadlines annually, June 15th & December 15th. Please submit your application by one of them.

    View the LKC VISTA subsite application here

    Accepted applications will be submitted to the AmeriCorps grant within 30 days of application.

    After submitting your project to the grant, the LKC VISTA Program Manager with work with you to finalize your VISTA Assignment Description and position listing.

    Positions will be fully listed and ready to accept applicants within 90 days of original application.

Annual Application Deadlines:

May 30 & Nov 22

  • If you're interested in hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA at your organization, please reach out directly to the Literacy KC VISTA Program Manager below.

    The Program Manager will walk you through the application process and the development of an appropriate and impactful VISTA position.

    Please reach out no less than one week before either of the two application deadlines.

Reach out to inquire directly about hosting an Americorps VISTA Project at your organization