Habitat for Humanity Needs VISTAs
The Habitat for Humanity VISTA program provides opportunities for development of new and creative efforts that focus on permanent, long-range solutions to the problems of poverty rather than on short-term approaches for handling emergency needs. The VISTAs provide critical capacity-building support to growing Habitat for Humanity affiliates in local communities across the country.
VISTA positions are open in our Southern and Western States Clusters, as well as in the Ohio program. States with available positions include FL, AL, MS, SC, NC, GA, KY, VA, WV, MD, DE, OH, AK, CA, HI, ID, MO, NV, OR, UT, WA, and WY.
VISTAs serve at Habitat (HFH) affiliates, which are independent non-profit organizations which serve their local communities. HFH provides support through VISTA Leaders and staff through trainings, site visits, conference calls and resource sharing.
Additional opportunities include a yearly all VISTA in-service training, as well as attendance at our AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon, attended by more than 500 Habitat AmeriCorps members from across the country.
Current AmeriCorps VISTA positions at Habitat for Humanity affiliates include:
Resource Development: The Americorps*VISTA member assists the affiliate in raising funds for home construction through increased community awareness and in identifying and recruiting additional community resources. Creation of a speaker’s kit, implementation of a training program for volunteer presenters, networking in the community to build more affiliate contacts, and tracking and recognition of donors are all tasks of the resource development coordinator.
Family Services: Here the Americorps*VISTA member works directly with the Family Selection and/or the Family Partner committees to establish a system of housing referrals, to research and write a homeowner’s manual, to develop and conduct a homeowner satisfaction survey, or to implement family nurturing handbooks and training programs. The Americorps*VISTA member may also be involved in setting up homeowner associations or neighborhood organizations; in projects involving neighborhood revitalization and community development.
Restore Development: This position involves the development of a business plan, creation of a work schedule, recruitment and training of volunteer staff, publicity and promotion of the store, and evaluation of the ways in which the store meets the needs of the low-income community while increasing funding for Habitat for Humanity homes.
Construction Coordination: The Americorps*VISTA (AC* VISTA) member is utilized for his or her knowledge of construction to develop a construction management system. This may include inventory management, construction budgets and schedules, volunteer training program development or safety program development. The AC*VISTA member may also participate in managing volunteers on a limited basis for the purposes of developing systems . The AC*VISTA member may be asked to develop an information manual, giving step-by-step instructions for house construction, including legal procedures such as obtaining building permits.
Americorps*VISTA members may not physically work on the construction of a house except for training and outreach purposes.
Additional Qualifications:
At least 18 years old, must be U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and must have a high school diploma or GED.
There are many sites per state and certain positions have additional position specific requirements.
Benefits Include:
- Bi-weekly living allowance, health care, child care, and $4,725 AmeriCorps Education Award or $1,200 end of year stipend.
To learn more about any one of these opportunities contact: Graham Green, HFHI Specialist – VISTA at grahamgreen@habitat.org or 1-800-HABITAT x 5216.