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CTC VISTA FAQ
What is AmeriCorps?What is AmeriCorps*VISTA?
What is the AmeriCorps CTC VISTA Project?
What is the main difference between AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA service?
What are my benefits as a VISTA?
But seriously, how can I survive on just the stipend?
On the other hand, if I'm a volunteer, why am I getting paid at all?
What other issues might make this program a bad fit for me?
Do I have to serve where I am currently living, or can I move?
Are there any age limitations on my being able to be a CTC VISTA?
What would my working hours be?
Do I need to have strong computer skills to be in the program?
What's it like to work in a community non-profit organization?
Are there any issues specific to working at a CTC?
As a VISTA, am I considered a staff member at the organization where I serve?
What does my workload entail?
What kind of support does the CTC VISTA Project headquarters office provide?
What happens if I end up hating the organization where I'm assigned?
May I serve a second year?
What if I have more questions about this program? What is AmeriCorps?
See the AmeriCorps website for detailed information. Basically, AmeriCorps is the U.S. Federal Government's domestic national service program run by the Corporation for National and Community Service. AmeriCorps includes AmeriCorps state and national programs, AmeriCorps*VISTA programs, and AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) programs.
What is AmeriCorps*VISTA? See the AmeriCorps VISTA website for detailed information. VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) was founded in 1964, as the domestic equivalent of the Peace Corps, and was folded into AmeriCorps in 1993.
So what is the CTC VISTA Project? We focus on placing VISTAs in the field of community media and technology. We partner with CTCNet (Community Technology Centers' Network), the leading national association of this field. We concentrate on activities that help to bridge the digital divide, in which low-income people and communities do not have the kind of access to and training in the use of computers, the Internet, the World Wide Web, and all of the resources that they provide. We also help train youth in media production (video, audio, multimedia and websites) to give them skills that will be useful in the job market. We have placed almost 200 VISTAs in community organizations since the Project began in 2000. For more detailed information about the priorities for 2005-6, see this page.
What are the main differences between AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA service? AmeriCorps is designed to be a direct service program, whereas VISTAs are intended to build the capacity of their organizations to effect positive change. For example, an AmeriCorps member might teach job skill classes in a community center, but a VISTA would focus on developing the curriculum and perhaps teaching a first class as a pilot project. Another key difference is that AmeriCorps members serve full-time or part-time, depending on the program, while VISTAs serve full-time. Finally, while VISTAs are not expected to work more than a 40-hour week, we are technically on call 24/7 and are forbidden to obtain additional employment.
What are my benefits as a VISTA?
VISTAs earn a small stipend (roughly $11K/yr, paid every two weeks) that basically
brings us to poverty-level wages - one of the founding principals of VISTA is
for members to live at the economic level of the communities that we are serving
in order to be more attuned to the challenges of poverty.
You can elect to receive a $1200 end-of-service bonus or a $4725 Education Award that must be used within 7 years (and is taxed as income when you withdraw the funds.) You can use the Education Award to pay off existing student loans, or to help pay for tuition and other related expenses at an accredited institution. Some colleges will match the Education Award, doubling its value. A few colleges will give you course credit for your year of service. See the lifetime of service website for more information. You may also qualify for student loan forebearance or deferment during your year of service.
VISTAs also receive health insurance (basically catostrophic coverage), not including dental or eye insurance. We can get a small life insurance policy that takes a very small amount out of each stipend check. Childcare assistance is also available, see: http://www.naccrra.org/americorpsvista/
Sites where CTC VISTAs serve are encouraged to provide some coverage of transportation
costs (for example a public transportation pass or parking pass). You may also
qualify for the Earned
Income Tax Credit (EITC) that can reduce your income tax or even provide
you with a tax refund.
But seriously, how can I survive on just the stipend?
It can be tough, and it's definitely something that you should give some serious
thought. VISTAs are eligible to receive some public benefits due to income below
the poverty line, including Section
8 housing, though waiting lists tend to be long.
VISTAs generally qualify for food stamps, though the amount of the benefit and qualifications varies in each locality. (Note that some areas in some states consider your stipend as income, so check whether you qualify before you decide to serve.) Many communities also have low-cost food distribution programs that some VISTAs utilize, such as food pantries and dollar-a-bag food programs.
Many VISTAs live in shared housing to cut rent and utility costs. Some VISTAs live with their parents or spouses/significant others. In a few cases, organizations may help cover rent and utilities. This additional assistance is more likely to be offered by a organization in exchange for a second year of service, in order to help a valuable VISTA continue the work that she began in her first year of service.
Avoid taking money out of a 401k or 403b retirement account since you will
pay a penalty, and the money you take out must be declared to the IRS as taxable
income. Our general sense is that VISTA service is not appropriate for people
with major expenses or costly lifestyles, unless you are VERY committed to scaling
back your expenses and lifestyle for the year. It can be an opportunity to explore
activities that are available at limited- to no-cost, from public library book
and video borrowing, to free museum nights, free concerts and other events,
low-cost happy hours, long walks and window shopping, etc.
That's a philosophical and ideological debate that continues. The emphasis on volunteerism is perhaps misunderstood. The service is being done on a voluntary basis, not as required national service (usually military service) as some countries have. The stipend is meant to help cover basic living expenses in exchange for giving up a year or more of your life to serve others and strengthen at-risk communities, thus benefiting our entire society.
What other issues might make this program a bad fit for me? Other than financial considerations, VISTA programs lose members due to other factors such as unavoidable personal or family illnesses, child care issues, and personal difficulties such as mental health issues and substance abuse. We want to emphasize that joining any VISTA program is hard work, and your focus should be on serving the community in which you are placed. VISTA programs are not meant to and do not have the resources to be the solution to ongoing personal problems for which professional help would be appropriate. That being said, if you have personal issues for which you are receiving ongoing support that you can continue during your VISTA year even with reduced income, and you and your care providers feel reasonably sure that you can commit to a 40-hour work week, then you should not hesitate to apply. You are not required to disclose any personal information other than prior criminal convictions in the application process. It is up to you whether you want to tell your supervisor and/or CTC VISTA Project staff about any personal situations. Also, you should be prepared to be comfortable working on your own, though many of you will find yourselves working in close collaboration with organization staff and/or supervisors. The Project will provide some training and support, and your organization may provide some training. Sometimes you may need to take the initiative to enhance your skills. Another aspect of this work is that sometimes the positive impact can't be seen immediately, so that if you are someone who likes to see tangible results quickly, you will need to make some allowances. You should expect the first 1-3 months to be an adjustment period, as with any workplace, and particularly if you are living in a new area.
Do I have to serve where I am currently living, or can I move? You are welcome to apply to organizations anywhere in the country. You may qualify for up to a $550 moving expense reimbursement from the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS), and your transportation to your new location and then back home at the end of your term of service are also provided for by CNCS. You might need to arrange temporary housing for the first couple of weeks in your new location if you are not able to get there before you start your service in order to find housing for the year; your organizations should be able to help you find both temporary and permanent housing. While we understand that all this might provide you some resources to move to a location that you might like to re-settle in, we expect that you will see this as part of your agreement to serve for the entire year.
Are there any age limitations on my being able to be a CTC VISTA? You have to be at least 18 years old and you should have completed some college or other relevent experience or training. We've had folks in our program who were taking a year off of college, some who are retired, and every stage in between.
What would my working hours be? Most organizations work on a Monday-Friday, 9-5 or 10-6 schedule, but tend to have some flexibility. A few organizations may have public hours including evening and/or weekend hours that you need to be available during your work week, and they will ask before you join the program whether you are available during those times. You may also have an interest in arranging flex-time schedules, for example because you have school-age children. You should talk with your potential supervisor about that issue in the interview process. Additionally, there are times when project deadlines might mean that you are working more hours for a week or two. You are encouraged to arrange comp time to make up for those hours, at a date and time mutually agreed on by yourself and your supervisor.
Do I need to have strong computer skills to be in the program? Not necessarily, though it depends on the organization. Some organizations will be looking for VISTAs with skills in multimedia production or computer systems management. Some organizations might want VISTAs to help develop a volunteer program, or help with grant applications, in which case some basic computer skills including office applications (like Microsoft Office) would be helpful.
What's it like to work in a community non-profit organization?
All workplaces, from large corporations to small grass roots non-profits, have
their own organizational cultures. It is important to understand that just because
people at non-profits are doing public service work and are generally idealistic,
that does not necessarily mean that these workplaces are immune to issues that
impact other offices. One particular issue that many non-profits deal with is
funding constraints. Most non-profits do not have permanent endowments, thus
they continually have to apply for grants from Federal, state, or local government
agencies as well as from foundations and corporations, in order to fund their
programs and services. Most of those grants are limited to an average cycle
of three years. This does impact the culture of non-profits - for example it
can result in a regular turnover of staff who are specifically funded by particular
grants that have limited time-frames.
Many non-profits are also understaffed, so you may not always be able to get
immediate attention for input that you may need from your supervisor or other
staff members. Additionally, community-based non-profits that participate in
VISTA programs serve culturally diverse communities, sometimes where English
is not the primary language. VISTAs and all staff need to work with an awareness
of and sensitivity to cultural differences. Where a language other than English
is helpful, it will be specified in the job description.
The CTC movement was founded in the 1980's as personal computers were emerging as a major new technology in workplaces and homes. Working in such a relatively young movement, you may find yourself in direct contact with one of the pioneers in the field. This can make for a professionally enriching experience, however it may also offer the challenge of working for someone with a deep sense of ownership of their organization and long-established work styles (akin to a small family business). Also, not all CTC leaders are technically savvy, so you may actually be more skilled in new technology and applications than current staff.
As a VISTA, am I considered a staff member at the organization where I serve? That depends on the culture of the organization. We encourage organizations to treat VISTAs like full-time staff members, orienting you and integrating you into the organization as they would any new employee. For organizations that are new to the VISTA program, you may need to explain to staff members what the program is all about if they are unfamiliar with it.
What does my workload entail?
The vast majority if your work as a VISTA will be defined by the organization
where you are serving. (For info regarding your Project related responsibilities
click here.)
Every VISTA supervisor draws up a workplan for the VISTA. Your workplan is a
document that you and your organization sign when you both agree that you will
join the program and will serve at that organization. The workplan is a guideline
of your duties, based on the job description originally provided. Occasionally,
circumstances in an organization will change after you've started working there,
and the workplan may need to be amended. We encourage supervisors to make sure
that any new responsibilities are at a similiar level as the original agreement.
Also, once you start working, you may find that one of your original responsibilities
is not a good match for your skills or interests, even with extra training,
so you and your supervisor may want to shift your focus.
What kind of support does the CTC VISTA Project headquarters
office provide?
We host you in Boston for a two-day Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) mandated by
the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). At the PSO, you will
be oriented to the field of community media and technology through presentations
and workshops, fill out final paperwork for the Corporation and get sworn in
as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Member, and meet and socialize with the other new CTC
VISTAs. There will also be an opportunity to explore Boston.
Once you've started work, we offer ongoing communication and discussion via email listservs and the Project's blog, and ask that you document your work on a personal blog or web organization. VISTAs working on similar projects may be asked to contribute to shared resources and/or collaboratively develop presentations or trainings for conferences. VISTAs are asked to occasionally contribute to the Project's newsletter.
Those of you serving in the Boston area come to the UMass Boston campus, where our offices are located, once a month for a meeting where we give work updates, Project updates, share resources, and do workshops on topics related to our work and life as a VISTA. VISTA Leaders replicate this virtually by hosting monthly regional conference calls with those of you working outside of Massachusetts. We also do monthly individual check-in phone calls with all CTC VISTAs.
Also, you'll attend the Annual Community Technology Conference hosted by CTCNet.
It's a great chance to reunite with fellow CTC VISTAs, do some networking, and
attend or even present at workshops that cover a variety of issues in the field.
All your registration fees, travel, meals, and lodging expenses are covered
by your organization. (Attendence at another conference may be substituted if
arranged with Project staff.)
In the rare circumstance where there is a breakdown of communication or working conditions are substantially different from what you expected, Project support staff will try to work with you and your supervisor to work things out.
May I serve a second year? Yes, you are allowed to serve a second year as a VISTA or AmeriCorps member, in this program or in another program. Your organizations may want you to stay on to continue your work and may offer you the additional support as an incentive. In rare circumstances, you might be able to serve a third year, though that is generally reserved for a VISTA Leader position.
What if I have more questions about this program? Please feel free to contact CTC VISTA Leader Saul Baizman (saul dot baizman at umb dot edu or 617-287-7152).