AmeriCorps VISTA

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AmeriCorps VISTA
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Agency overview
JurisdictionFederal government of the United States
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Agency executive
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  • Jennifer Bastress-Tahmesebi, Acting Agency Head
Parent agency
AmeriCorps
Websiteamericorps.gov

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AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed to alleviate poverty. President John F. Kennedy originated the idea for VISTA, which was founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993.[1] VISTA is an acronym for Volunteers in Service to America.

For FY 2026, VISTA received $103.29M in appropriations from Congress despite being zeroed out in the FY 2026 official budget request that President Donald Trump sent to Congress. As outlined in his previous fiscal year budgets, this budget proposed the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). It provided funding for an orderly shutdown, including all CNCS programs, such as AmeriCorps Seniors and AmeriCorps (which includes VISTA and NCCC).[2]

Background

VISTA is an anti-poverty program created by Lyndon Johnson's Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as the domestic version of the Peace Corps.[3] Initially, the program increased employment opportunities for conscientious people who felt they could contribute tangibly to the war on poverty. Volunteers served in communities throughout the U.S., focusing on enriching educational programs and vocational training for the nation's underprivileged classes.

As defined under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (DVSA) of 1973, VISTA's legislative purpose is to supplement efforts to fight poverty in low-income communities by engaging Americans from all walks of life in a year of full-time service. VISTA members support the program's purpose through three primary objectives: 1) encouraging volunteer service at the local level, 2) generating the commitment of private sector resources, and 3) strengthening local agencies and organizations that serve low-income communities. There are approximately 2,000 VISTA Volunteers serving in over 650 projects throughout the nation.

During the Clinton Administration, VISTA was brought under the newly created AmeriCorps program, a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and was renamed "AmeriCorps*VISTA", later changed to "AmeriCorps VISTA." VISTA Volunteers sign up with a host agency for a full-time term of service – 365 days. In return for their service, VISTA Volunteers are provided with orientation and training, a living allowance calculated at no less than 105% of the poverty line, settling in and transportation costs, childcare benefits, and a basic health care plan. Upon completion of their one-year term, VISTA Volunteers have the option of receiving a cash stipend or the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.[4] There is also the option for individuals to serve as Summer Associates for terms of 8, 9 or 10 weeks alongside full-time VISTA Volunteers for a reduced AmeriCorps Education Award.

Directors

The first Director of VISTA was Glenn W. Ferguson and there have been many appointed and acting Directors since then.[5] Brendan Murphy currently serves as the acting Director for AmeriCorps VISTA.[6]

Director Service dates Appointed by Notes
1 Glenn W. Ferguson 1964 – ? Johnson
Padraic Kennedy ? – 1966 acting director
2 William Crook 1966–1968 Johnson
Padraic Kennedy 1968–1970 acting Director
C.R. Lane 1970 acting Director
3 Carol Khosrovi 1970 – ?[7] Nixon
4 Frank E. Williams ? – 1975 – ?
5 Margery Tabankin 1977 Carter Director
6 James H. Burnley IV 1981–1982 Reagan
7 Jane A. Kenny 1986–1989 Director
Diana London 1989 – 1993 Acting Director
8 James Scheibel 1993 – Clinton
9 Paul Monteiro 2014–2015 Obama Director
11 Max Finberg[8] 2015–2017 Director
11 Eileen Conoboy Jan 2017–Sept 2019 Acting Director
12 Desiree Tucker-Sorini Sept 2019-Jan 2021 Trump Director
13 Meg Ansara Jan 2021–Feb 2023 Biden Director
14 Carly Bruder Feb 2023– April 2024 Acting Director
15 Margaret (Maggie) Garvey April 2024–April 2025 Acting Director
16 Brendan Murphy April 2025–Current Acting Director

Oversight

Created by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, the Corporation for National and Community Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducts and supervises independent and objective audits and investigations of Corporation programs and operations. Based on the results of these audits, reviews, and investigations, the OIG recommends policies to promote economy and efficiency and prevent and detect fraud and abuse in the Corporation's programs and operations.

Member pledge

AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers are required by federal law to take the same oath that federal employees take:[9]

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I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. [So help me God.][10]

See also

References

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  1. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."AmeriCorps". Americorps.gov. Archived from the original on March 3, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy envisioned a national service corps "to help provide urgently needed services in urban and rural poverty areas." Less than two years later, as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "war on poverty," President Kennedy's dream was realized when President and First Lady [Lady] Bird Johnson welcomed the first group of 20 VISTA volunteers.
  2. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Budget". Corporation for National and Community Service. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  3. ^ "President Lyndon Johnson's Great Society ... included a domestic equivalent of the Peace Corps called Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA." Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.: Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Neuman, Scott (April 21, 2009), National Service Act continues U.S. tradition (PDF), National Public Radio (NPR.org), archived from the original (PDF) on March 30, 2012
  4. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."H.R. 3794". Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  5. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."VISTA Timeline". Corporation for National and Community Service. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  6. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Margaret Garvey".
  7. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Director Named for Vista". The V-line. 6 (6). Office of Economic Opportunity. September 25, 1970.
  8. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Conversation with Max Finberg – Director of AmeriCorps VISTA".
  9. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973" (PDF). Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  10. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."5 U.S. Code § 3331.Oath of office". Cornell Law School. Retrieved September 21, 2020.

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