Greater South Sound Volunteers in Service to America connects organizations that lift people out of poverty with AmeriCorps members who want to make a difference. Since 2015, AmeriCorps members serving in the Greater South Sound VISTA program have generated over four million dollars in cash and in-kind donations for their host organizations.
Members serve in an organization’s office full time for at least one year, gaining experience that prepares them for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. Member assignments may include fundraising, communications, technology systems, program development, volunteer recruitment, or other capacity building projects. Any nonprofit, government agency, or educational institution in Thurston, Pierce, Clallam, Lewis, Mason, Jefferson, or Grays Harbor County can apply to host an AmeriCorps member.
Become an AmeriCorps Member
Sign up for email alerts about new opportunities.
Watch our Virtual Information Session (less than 5 minutes).
Contact Bowen Yu, Greater South Sound Recruitment VISTA Leader, at recruitmentvistaleader@unitedway-thurston.org for more information.
Eligibility
Individuals must be 18 years or older to serve with AmeriCorps VISTA. There is no upper age limit. Seniors and retired people are welcome to apply. Members must be able to commit to serving the full term of service. The term of service is one year for VISTA and VISTA Leader positions, and 10 weeks for Summer Associates.
How to Apply
Here is a guide explaining how to complete the My AmeriCorps application. To access My AmeriCorps, check out our list of open positions below, and click “click here to learn more and apply." Please contact recruitmentvistaleader@unitedway-thurston.org with any questions about the application process.
Interested in serving with AmeriCorps VISTA? Join AmeriCorps for a webinar for more information. Webinars are offered twice monthly. Chose your date and register to get the basics. Register Here
Benefits of Service
Benefits for Full Year VISTA
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Bi-weekly living allowance of $575.40 - $613.48 (pre-tax)
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End-of-Service Award: choice of $6,345 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or approximately $1,800 cash stipend
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Healthcare benefits plan
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Childcare assistance, if eligible
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Loan forbearance and interest accrual payment or deferment on qualified student loans
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Service-Related Transportation
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Relocation Assistance, $750 plus mileage, if relocating more than 50 miles
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Comprehensive leave benefit
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High-quality training, orientation, and professional development
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Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) status for one year upon completion of service
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Unique team experience as part of United Way and AmeriCorps networks
Benefits for Summer Associates
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Bi-weekly living allowance of $513.94-$613.48 (pre-tax)
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End-of-Service Award: choice of $1,311 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or $273-345 cash stipend
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Service-related transportation reimbursement
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High-quality training, orientation, and professional development
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Unique team experience as part of United Way and AmeriCorps networks
Summer Associate Opportunities
The Term of Service for Summer Associates is 10 weeks, 40 hours per week.
Recruitment for the 2021 Summer Associate cohort has closed, check back in Spring of 2022 for new opportunities!
VISTA Opportunities (Full Year)
Year of Service: November 15, 2021 - November 14, 2022 (1 Year, 40 hours/week)
Qualified candidates may be eligible to begin service before the listing date
Emergency Food Network (Lakewood, WA) - Community Outreach VISTA
Help leverage community partners and volunteers by building capacity in Emergency Food Network's volunteer and outreach programs, helping Emergency Food Network distribute millions of pounds of food in a year of service.
Click here to learn more and apply!
Nourish Pierce County (Tacoma, WA) - Wrap-Around Services VISTA
Help the largest network of food banks in Pierce County to end hunger in the community and connect individuals to the path to self-sufficiency!
Click here to learn more and apply!
Nourish Pierce County (Tacoma, WA) - Communications VISTA
Design, establish and implement a sustainable, scalable marketing and communications plan that meets the needs of Nourish Pierce County.
Click here to learn more and apply!
St. Vincent de Paul works upstream to prevent homelessness by providing assistance to those in need. Identify, develop and launch communications platforms, and assist in creating a sustainable communications plan for community outreach efforts.
Click here to learn more and apply!
Orting Veterans Village (Orting, WA) - Veterans Engagement Coordinator VISTA
Want to make a difference in a veterans life? Join us at the Orting Veterans Village and work with homeless veterans in a communal atmosphere.
Click here to learn more and apply!
United Way of Pierce County (Tacoma, WA) - 2-Gen Engagement Coordinator VISTA
Helping children and their families break down barriers to self-sufficiency by building collaborations in the community that support and foster multi-generational success.
Click here to learn more and apply!
South Sound YMCA (Olympia, WA) - Advancement & Outreach Coordinator VISTA
Make a lasting impact and launch your nonprofit career by learning how to implement best practices in fundraising and communications…the most important skills for nonprofit leaders!
Click here to learn more and apply!
Making A Difference Foundation (Tacoma, WA) - Mobile Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator VISTA
MADF is a nonprofit, charitable organization with the mission to make a difference in the lives of others one person at a time by helping them acquire food, housing encouragement and opportunity.
Click here to learn more and apply!
United Way of Thurston County (Olympia, WA) - Community Engagement VISTA
Develop your program coordination skills and start your nonprofit career!
Click here to learn more and apply!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound (Tacoma, WA) - 253 Impact Coordinator VISTA
Make a difference with youth and connect to community! Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking a dynamic VISTA to ensure all Pierce County youth reach their full potential through mentoring.
Click here to learn more and apply!
Year of Service: March 14, 2022 - March 13, 2023 (1 Year, 40 hours/week)
United Way of Thurston County (Olympia, WA) - Social Media VISTA
Develop your digital communications skills and start your nonprofit career!
Application Link Coming Soon!
VISTA Leader Opportunities (Full Year)
Both of our VISTA Leader positions are currently filled.
VISTA Leaders must have prior AmeriCorps State/National/NCCC, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps VISTA experience.
Recruitment VISTA Leader at United Way of Thurston County (Olympia, WA)
As the VISTA Leader for recruitment, your Year of Service will focus on 1) Working with 19 hiring managers at local nonprofits to recruit and interview a diverse team of qualified AmeriCorps members to serve in United Way of Thurston County's Greater South Sound VISTA program and 2) Researching and meeting with potential new host sites that are fighting poverty in our region.
Engagement VISTA Leader at United Way of Thurston County (Olympia, WA)
As the remote Engagement VISTA Leader for Greater South Sound VISTA, you will develop strategies to ensure each AmeriCorps has a positive experience during their Year of Service. You will be responsible for planning team meetings, offering peer support to members, creating engaging digital communications to reach members, and more.
Member Experiences
"Greater South Sound VISTA has given me the professional confidence boost I needed."
Sunny Cada, Food Drive & Volunteer Outreach Coordinator VISTA at Nourish Pierce County
Never in a million years did I ever think that I would be working with website and program development like I am doing right now - completely revamping the food drive portion of our website, incorporating a new food drive tracking system, and fundraising platform to ensure sustainability in the food drive program. It is super exciting and I have really surprised myself. It has given me the professional confidence boost I needed and I just hope that I can continue to build on these new skills.
"Planning this event was a fantastic learning experience."
Audrey Widner, Resource Development Coordinator VISTA at Washington Trafficking Prevention
This past month in our VISTA service we helped Washington Trafficking Prevention put on its second annual fundraiser and organizational relaunch event. Before this fundraiser, I had never planned an event anywhere near this size and level of impact. Throughout the planning of this event I worked on everything from designing flyers and social media graphics, drafting and sending out email campaigns to supporters, booking a venue, filming and editing a promotional video, and securing in-kind donations from local community partners. My fellow VISTA Isiah played a critical role in this event as well by finding and on-boarding volunteers to help run the event. Thanks to our entire team, the night ended up being a huge success. In addition to the money we raised, and perhaps equally important, was the way we were able to bring our supporters together for a night of raising awareness and compelling care for such an important cause. Overall being a part of planning and overseeing this event was a fantastic learning experience for both Isiah and myself. (Also pictured: Isiah Cocroft, Youth Engagement Coordinator at Washington Trafficking Prevention)
Become a Host Site
To sign up for email alerts about new hosting opportunities, click here.
For more information on becoming a host site, call 360-515-4791.
Applications to become a host site for 2021-2022 have closed. However, applications to be on the wait list are still being accepted. Applications to become a host site for 2022-2023 will open December 2021.
FAQ for Prospective Host Sites
Current Projects
2-Gen Community Engagement Coordinator VISTA at United Way of Pierce County
253 Impact Coordinator VISTA at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound
Achievement Gap Coordinator VISTA at South Sound YMCA
Community Engagement Specialist VISTA at Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
Community Engagement VISTA at United Way of Thurston County
Community Outreach Coordinator VISTA at Emergency Food Network
Community Outreach Coordinator VISTA at St. Vincent de Paul Tacoma, Pierce County
Emergency Preparedness & Response Associate VISTA at Thurston County Public Health and Social Services
Family Support Partnership Community Training Coordinator VISTA at Tacoma Pierce County Health Department
Food Drive & Volunteer Outreach Coordinator VISTA at Nourish Pierce County
Literacy and Learning Outreach and Engagement VISTA at South Sound Reading Foundation
Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer & Program Coordinator VISTA at Pierce County Medical Reserve Corps
Resiliency Learning and Outreach Coordinator at United Way of Clallam County
Retail Procurement and Marketing Coordinator VISTA at Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity
Veterans Community Connection Coordinator at Quixote Communities
Volunteer Training Development Coordinator VISTA at People First of Washington
VISTA Impact in the Greater South Sound
