AmeriCorps VISTA provides full-time members, community organizations and public agencies, an opportunity to create and expand programs. These programs build capacity and bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.
- AmeriCorps VISTA host site application (To be announced)
- Learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA
- For questions or to learn more about the Serve Idaho AmeriCorps VISTA program reach out to Micaela.deloyola-carkin@labor.idaho.gov
Idaho VISTA
AmeriCorps Mountain Region Office
P.O. Box 25502
Lakewood, CO 80225
Phone: 202-491-9162
Email: id@cns.gov
*Oversees Idaho’s AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps Seniors programs.
Host sites
- Anser Charter School – The community and family engagement VISTA will be researching and developing a Community School Model based on a community needs assessment. The project will be focused on alleviating poverty and K-12 success by increasing the number of students with improved academic performance.
- Culture for Change Foundation – The economic development and language learning coordinator VISTA member will research and develop curriculum focused on sewing and food preparation skill building and incorporating English learning to ensure participants can enter the workforce. The project will be focused on alleviating poverty and school readiness, with participants demonstrating gains in school readiness. The youth education and food security program coordinator VISTA will develop an after-school program focused on homework support and lead the framework and design to ensure equitable food distribution for youth from the food pantry. The project will focus on alleviating poverty and employment with attendees indicating improved job readiness.
- Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce – The VISTA housing navigation specialist will develop a Tiny Homes Project and establish workflows for a Home Repair Program to benefit veterans and family members. The project will focus on alleviating poverty and housing by transitioning individuals into or repairing current homes into safe, healthy, affordable housing.
- YWCA Lewiston-Clarkston – The financial empowerment coordinator VISTA will research and develop a trauma-informed financial empowerment program for survivors of domestic abuse. The project will focus on alleviating poverty and financial literacy by improving attendees financial knowledge.
VISTA member highlight
Tom Alvarez, a local Idaho photojournalist and Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran, has dedicated his life to public service.
Growing up in an environment that valued community engagement, he found his niche in the nonprofit world, using storytelling and photography to inspire change. With an extensive career in public service, Tom reflects on his time with AmeriCorps in Idaho, describing it as “adding your shoulder to the collective wheel to make a change,” embodying the spirit of collaboration and impact. Currently, Tom is his second year as an AmeriCorps VISTA service member.
As the Development and Strategic Planning VISTA at Idaho Smart Growth, Tom’s service is focused on developing a marketing and communications strategic plan to engage communities across Idaho in Smart Growth principles and ideas, including affordable housing.
