AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Summer Associate members go where the need is greatest: to communities facing poverty, inequity, and unemployment. Summer Associates serve for intensive, short terms of service lasting eight, nine, or ten weeks. Unlike year-round VISTAs, Summer Associates can perform direct service activities without limitation. Summer Associates alleviate poverty--not simply make poverty more tolerable--and increase impact for the populations served.
The Greater South Sound VISTA and Summer Associate team serves at organizations in Pierce, Thurston, Grays Harbor, Mason, Lewis, Jefferson, and/or Clallam County. The Greater South Sound VISTA team is a program of United Way of Thurston County and is supported by a VISTA Leader, who is based out of the United Way of Thurston County office in Olympia. Summer Associates participate in monthly team meetings, professional development training, and more.
Read more here: https://nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-programs/americorps-vista
United Way of Thurston County also manages a standard, year-long VISTA program. To view our website, click here!
Who is eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA member?
Individuals must be 18 years or older to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA. There is no upper age limit. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. Summer Associate VISTA members must be able to commit to serving full-time for the eight-, nine-, or ten-week service term.
Current Opportunities
Our opportunities for Summer 2020 have been filled. Check back next year for Summer 2021 opportunities!
- Bi-weekly living allowance of $513.94-$613.48 (pre-tax)
- End-of-Service Award: choice of $1,311 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or $273-345 cash stipend
- Service-related transportation reimbursement
- High-quality training, orientation, and professional development
- Unique team experience as part of United Way and AmeriCorps networks
What can a Summer Associate project do?
Summer Associates live and serve in both urban and rural regions with programs designed to alleviate poverty. Each Summer Associate makes a commitment to serve full-time at a specific nonprofit, public agency, or tribal government. Summer Associates may perform both direct service and capacity building activities.
Our members represent a diverse array of experiences from veterans, to parents, to recent graduates, to local community members, to members from all over the country! We are excited to grow the number of counties we serve.
Stories of Service
"The two months I was a [Summer Associate] taught me probably more practical knowledge about social work than I did getting a BA in Sociology." -Olympia Bupe Clinic Opioid VISTA
What are the eligibility requirements to be a Summer Associate host site in the Greater South Sound VISTA program?
Does your organization have a project with the ultimate goal of eliminating poverty in our community? Do you work in one of the Summer Associate program's key focus areas of expanding the reach of opioid prevention projects, particularly with youth; preventing summer learning loss for students; or combating hunger and food insecurity, including USDA Summer Food Service Programs and senior meal programs?
If you are a non-profit, an educational institution/educational service district or a local, state or tribal government in Thurston, Pierce, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, or Clallam County you may be eligible to host a Summer Associate through the Greater South Sound VISTA program!
Applications to be a host site for 2021 Summer Associates are due February 19, 2021.
For more information on how to become a host site, contact the Greater South Sound VISTA Program Manager, Sarah McWilliams, at 360-943-2773 x123.
Connect with us!
@GreaterSouthSoundVISTATeam
(Alumni! Check out our alumni group!)
For all VISTA questions, please contact Greater South Sound VISTA Program Manager, Sarah McWilliams, at 360-943-2773 x123.
