Alleviating Poverty in the Piedmont Region of South Carolina
VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) is an AmeriCorps program that focuses on fighting poverty in communities across the United States. The VISTAs in the Piedmont (VIP) Program is a community-based program that focuses on building the capacity of nonprofit organizations to alleviate poverty in the Piedmont region of South Carolina. Since 2006, over 250 individuals have served in the VIP program, impacting over 50 nonprofit agencies and countless individuals and families throughout Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties.
The VIP program places service members in one of 17 partner organizations. Members enable their sites to serve the community more effectively through resource development, volunteer recruitment and management, public relations and marketing, program development, and/or other capacity-building activities. Each role is unique, so please take the time to review our current opportunities and identify which one(s) are right for you!
PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM:
ALL VISTA MEMBERS RECEIVE THESE BENEFITS:
BENEFITS UNIQUE TO THIS PROGRAM:
Along with the benefits listed above, VISTA Leaders receive a federal living allowance of $14,851 annually, a monthly housing stipend, and an annual professional development budget. To be eligible for a Leader role, you must have successfully completed a term of service as a VISTA, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps State/National, or NCCC member.
The VIP program places service members in one of 17 partner organizations. Members enable their sites to serve the community more effectively through resource development, volunteer recruitment and management, public relations and marketing, program development, and/or other capacity-building activities. Each role is unique, so please take the time to review our current opportunities and identify which one(s) are right for you!
PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM:
- Serve at a local nonprofit, government, or community organization (you can find a listing of 2020 - 2021 service sites here)
- Build capacity of agencies to alleviate poverty by developing financial stability programs and increasing access to behavioral healthcare
- Develop a wide range of professional and leadership skills
- Establish an expansive network of nonprofit professionals, community leaders, and corporate partners
- Collaborate with their VISTA team members on projects that will benefit the larger community
ALL VISTA MEMBERS RECEIVE THESE BENEFITS:
- Modest federal living allowance of $12,456 annually, paid bi-weekly (this does not count as income for SSI & SSDI purposes, per the federal Domestic Volunteer Services Act)
- $750 Settling In allowance for those moving more than 50 miles to serve
- Relocation allowance for those moving more than 50 miles to serve
- Eli Segal Education Award to be used toward student loans or further education ($6,095 upon completion of service) OR an end-of-service cash stipend ($1,800)
- Health allowance of up to $7,900 to cover out-of-pocket healthcare costs
- Childcare vouchers (if applicable, available for minor children under 13 years)
- Reduction of education costs
- 10 paid sick days
- 10 paid vacation / personal leave days
- Up to 5 additional days of Emergency Leave for the death or serious illness of an immediate family member
- Complimentary travel arrangements at no cost for Emergency Leave, if needed
- VISTAs are eligible to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or Food Stamps), and other assistance programs
BENEFITS UNIQUE TO THIS PROGRAM:
- A dedicated VISTA Leader to serve as a peer-support specialist to help you navigate life as a VISTA, from your first interview to your last day
- In-depth community orientation to begin your service
- Ongoing personal and professional support through United Way of the Piedmont for the duration of your service term
- Ability to create customized projects to solve community-wide issues, such as creating the Spartanburg Food Systems Coalition, piloting a homelessness prevention program, or outlining a proposal for a veterans' treatment court
- Professional mentorship matching with someone in your preferred area of expertise
- Housing benefits:
- Housing referrals & roommate matching (as space allows)
- Up to $100/ mo housing stipend, payable only to a non-relative landlord or mortgage company
- Assistance with basic home furnishings and goods, such as pots & pans, bedding, or furniture (availability is dependent on stock)
- Access to community resources:
- Access to United Way of the Piedmont's Community Resource Coordinators, trained case managers who can help you establish a budget, identify public assistance programs you're eligible for, guide you through benefits applications processes, and much more!
- Complimentary monthly shopping at United Way of the Piedmont's Gifts in Kind Center for household items, such as paper products and cleaning supplies
- Free income tax preparation through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program
- Membership in local credit unions for banking, loan, and credit services & free credit counseling
- Free library membership with access to digital lending libraries, videos, fitness classes, makerspace, and more (dependent on proof of residence)
- Robust professional development:
- Twice monthly professional development seminars through United Way of the Piedmont, covering topics such as grant writing, public speaking, volunteer management, consensus building, outcomes measurement, project management, and more
- Invitations to join community task forces and work groups focused on a variety of issues - such as the Behavioral Health Task Force, Adult Dental Health Task Force, Health Equity Taskforce, Financial Stability Task Force, Opportunity Housing Work Group, Safety Net Council, and others
- Leadership opportunities at community-wide events, such as MLK Day of Service
- Discounted or free admission to TogetherSC Summit, SC Association of Community Economic Development Conference, and others!
- Guided assistance for applying for the federal Public Servant Loan Forgiveness program
- Letters of reference or recommendation provided upon satisfactory progress in the program
- Health & wellness benefits:
- Discounted gym membership at the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg
- Referrals to free or low cost medical, dental, and vision care (fees dependent on total household income)
- Referrals to free or low cost counseling / therapy, & behavioral health services (fees dependent on total household income)
- Access to United Way's prescription discount program, FamilyWize
- Special pricing for bicycle rental through Spartanburg BCycle
- Social & networking benefits:
- Twice monthly VISTA team gatherings
- Quarterly VISTA team socials & volunteer opportunities
- Life After Service preparation sessions with local alumni
- Opportunities to join Upstate Service Year Alliance events with national service members & alumni from 6 Upstate SC programs
- Invitations to United Way of the Piedmont's Young Leaders social and networking events
- Free or reduced admission to community and cultural events
- Introductions to community leaders from the nonprofit, government, and business sectors
- At least 10 paid holiday days off (in accordance with service site's holiday schedule)
Along with the benefits listed above, VISTA Leaders receive a federal living allowance of $14,851 annually, a monthly housing stipend, and an annual professional development budget. To be eligible for a Leader role, you must have successfully completed a term of service as a VISTA, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps State/National, or NCCC member.