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    • Home
    • About Us
    • Apply
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    • Service Benefits
    • Info for Host Sites
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Apply
  • What is VISTA?
  • Service Benefits
  • Info for Host Sites

Lake Effect Leaders

Lake Effect Leaders Lake Effect Leaders Lake Effect Leaders

AmeriCorps VISTA Project in Erie, PA

AmeriCorps VISTA Project in Erie, PAAmeriCorps VISTA Project in Erie, PA

Information for Host Sites

Is your nonprofit organization, school, or government agency addressing poverty in northwest Pennsylvania? Do you engage residents of the low-income community in creating sustainable solutions?  Read below to see if hosting a VISTA is right for you.

Host Site Responsibilities

Our project wants every member to have a rewarding experience when they serve. Therefore, organizations must adhere to our project guidelines and policies as stated below. 

Contribution

Host sites must contribute $5,000* to support project administration and member development. They also must provide Lake Effect Leaders with in-kind support valued at at least $1,000. 


*Contribution amount is subject to change year-to-year. For more information, contact the Project Director. 

Supervision Support

Providing VISTAs with weekly supervision and support almost always ensures a successful service year. This means site supervisors must:


  • Ensure that VISTA members are working on appropriate assignments that build capacity within the organization, as outlined in the member's VISTA Assignment Description.
  • Support VISTAs participation in project activities such as trainings, national service days, and professional development opportunities. 
  • Communicate with Project Director if concerns arise during the term of service. 

Resource Support

Host sites must provide VISTA members with resources to perform their tasks, i.e. adequate work-space, computer, telephone, consumable supplies, etc. VISTAs must also be reimbursed for on-the-job transportation expenses. 

Agreement with Allegheny College/Lake Effect Leaders

Host sites must sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Allegheny College and the Lake Effect Leaders AmeriCorps VISTA Project before receiving a service member.

Host sites must also offer a VISTA position with your organization regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disability. 

The Y benefitted tremendously by hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA. The VISTAs’ service built capacity and sustainability for our program, established community partnerships and strengthened our delivery model. Megan was hardworking and embraced learning.


Tammy Roche - Megan’s (right) YMCA Supervisor

Megan Blish
YMCA of Erie County
2020-2022

Frequently Asked Questions

VISTAs focus their efforts on building the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations. They develop programs to meet a need, write grants, and recruit and train volunteers. Your organization defines the project in which the VISTA would work while at your site.


Local public, private, or faith-based nonprofit organizations, schools, and local, state, or federal agencies.


The monetary contribution to the project is $5,000. Host sites are also required to reimburse VISTAs for work-related travel and provide office space and supplies needed to complete their duties.


No. Each VISTA has a specific project assigned to them and must work towards completing those objectives.


Your organization must prepare a concept application describing the project your VISTA would work on. Please visit the top of this page to download a concept application.


Please reach us at ethomas@allegheny.edu if you cannot find an answer to your question.


Previous Host Sites

2019-2020 Host Site Descriptions (pdf)Download
2020-2021 Host Site Descriptions (pdf)Download

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