November 10, 2005

Anti-poverty Program Seeks VISTA Volunteers

The Prevention Resource Center of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services is looking for volunteers willing to dedicate a year of their life to combating poverty.

The center is recruiting 22 AmeriCorps* VISTA volunteers to work full-time in communities across Montana beginning in January 2006.

AmeriCorps* VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national volunteer program in which individuals over the age of 18 give one year of service to a community. In exchange, each VISTA volunteer gets a monthly living allowance of $809, comprehensive health coverage, an education award of $4,725 to pay for tuition or loans, relocation expenses, and training and career development opportunities.

The Prevention Resource Center enlists VISTA volunteers to help communities establish long-term solutions to poverty by reducing child abuse and neglect, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, crime and violence, and school dropouts, according to Vicki Turner, director of the Prevention Resource Center.

More than 20 VISTAs are currently working with the center in Montana.

“In many ways, Montana really is the last best place, and yet our abundant natural beauty is overshadowed in many areas by deep, intergenerational poverty,” Turner said. “This is a great opportunity for Montana natives who are graduating from college to continue living here or to return home and get great work experience while giving back to their state.”

Communities throughout Montana have used AmeriCorps* VISTA members to establish “prevention infrastructure,” Turner said.

As an example, she cited Kellie Gibson, a VISTA this year with the Laurel School District. Gibson is supporting prevention efforts in her area by bringing together many agencies, nonprofit organizations, and churches to better focus their efforts to create healthy alternatives for youth and their families. Other VISTAs have worked on such projects as educating youth about the health impacts of tobacco, developing youth volunteer centers and mentoring programs, and enhancing community involvement in prevention strategies.

Applicants for VISTA positions should have excellent communication skills and should demonstrate initiative, motivation, and an ability to work independently. A four-year college degree is required. Applications are due by December 1.

For more information, contact Stephanie Knisley, sknisely@mt.gov, or Greer Gurganus, ggurganus@mt.gov, or visit the Prevention Resource Center Web site at http://prevention.mt.gov.

Page last updated: 06/15/2006