About AmeriCorps VISTA
Today, about 43 million people live in poverty across the United States. Through AmeriCorps VISTA, you can make a tangible difference by using your knowledge and skills to help break the cycle of poverty.
VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) was founded in 1965 as a national service program designed specifically to fight poverty in the United States. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs.
AmeriCorps VISTA members are passionate and committed to their mission to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that work to increase literacy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities.
VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) was founded in 1965 as a national service program designed specifically to fight poverty in the United States. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs.
AmeriCorps VISTA members are passionate and committed to their mission to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that work to increase literacy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities.
About VISTAs in the Piedmont
VISTAs in the Piedmont (VIP) is sponsored by United Way of the Piedmont (UWP), which is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization located in Spartanburg, SC. UWP is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people living and working in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties. United Way of the Piedmont is a regional leader in collective impact through their Behavioral Health Taskforce, Financial Stability Taskforce, and Born Learning Initiative.
Since 2007, over 100 VISTAs have served through the VISTAs in the Piedmont program, impacting dozens of nonprofits and countless individuals and families. VIP focuses on two areas in order to alleviate poverty in our region: financial stability and access to behavioral healthcare. VIP service members spend one year working full-time in one of 16 partner organizations where they mobilize community resources to build the capacity of their site. VIP members spend 90% (4.5 days/week) of their time enabling their sites to serve more people more effectively through resource development, volunteer recruitment and management, public relations and marketing, program development, and/or other capacity-building activities. The remaining 10% (0.5 day/week) is spent working together as a VISTA team on community-wide projects and participating in professional development. Community projects are designed to foster collaboration and address community-wide issues related to financial stability and behavioral health.
For more information about individual service sites and projects, visit the service opportunities page.
Since 2007, over 100 VISTAs have served through the VISTAs in the Piedmont program, impacting dozens of nonprofits and countless individuals and families. VIP focuses on two areas in order to alleviate poverty in our region: financial stability and access to behavioral healthcare. VIP service members spend one year working full-time in one of 16 partner organizations where they mobilize community resources to build the capacity of their site. VIP members spend 90% (4.5 days/week) of their time enabling their sites to serve more people more effectively through resource development, volunteer recruitment and management, public relations and marketing, program development, and/or other capacity-building activities. The remaining 10% (0.5 day/week) is spent working together as a VISTA team on community-wide projects and participating in professional development. Community projects are designed to foster collaboration and address community-wide issues related to financial stability and behavioral health.
For more information about individual service sites and projects, visit the service opportunities page.
Location: Upstate Region of South Carolina
The VIP program has a tri-county footprint, serving Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties.
Spartanburg County is located in the Upstate Region of South Carolina. Home to nearly 300,000 people across the County and over 37,000 in the city of Spartanburg, the area is steeped in history, southern hospitality, and small city charm. Spartanburg's budding downtown has a variety of local restaurants, shops, bars, and a farmer's market. Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, there are plenty of opportunities to spend the day outdoors at one of the various parks, lakes, or trails. Spartanburg is home to seven colleges and many familiar brands, including RJ Rockers Brewing Company, Little River Roasting Company, BMW, the Carolina Panthers Training Camp, and Dottie's Toffee.
Nicknamed "Hub City" in the late 1800s due to the number of train lines fanning out from the city, Spartanburg remains a center of transportation. The city is conveniently located nearly halfway between Charlotte and Atlanta and has easy access to both the mountains and the beach. Atlanta, Charlotte, Asheville, Knoxville, Savannah, Columbia, and Charleston are just a fun road trip away.
Cherokee County, located northeast of Spartanburg, is home to the Peachoid, Gaffney Premium Outlets, and more. Gaffney, located near the center of Cherokee County, is a growing hub of locally owned restaurants, businesses, and regular small community events.
Union County is located southeast of Spartanburg. The quaint town of Union boasts a multitude of historical sites and South Carolina's first Carnegie Library. While a walking trail is currently being built, the friendly residents of Union enjoy a variety of local shops and businesses.
Spartanburg County is located in the Upstate Region of South Carolina. Home to nearly 300,000 people across the County and over 37,000 in the city of Spartanburg, the area is steeped in history, southern hospitality, and small city charm. Spartanburg's budding downtown has a variety of local restaurants, shops, bars, and a farmer's market. Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, there are plenty of opportunities to spend the day outdoors at one of the various parks, lakes, or trails. Spartanburg is home to seven colleges and many familiar brands, including RJ Rockers Brewing Company, Little River Roasting Company, BMW, the Carolina Panthers Training Camp, and Dottie's Toffee.
Nicknamed "Hub City" in the late 1800s due to the number of train lines fanning out from the city, Spartanburg remains a center of transportation. The city is conveniently located nearly halfway between Charlotte and Atlanta and has easy access to both the mountains and the beach. Atlanta, Charlotte, Asheville, Knoxville, Savannah, Columbia, and Charleston are just a fun road trip away.
Cherokee County, located northeast of Spartanburg, is home to the Peachoid, Gaffney Premium Outlets, and more. Gaffney, located near the center of Cherokee County, is a growing hub of locally owned restaurants, businesses, and regular small community events.
Union County is located southeast of Spartanburg. The quaint town of Union boasts a multitude of historical sites and South Carolina's first Carnegie Library. While a walking trail is currently being built, the friendly residents of Union enjoy a variety of local shops and businesses.