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    • Home
    • About Us
    • Apply
    • What is VISTA?
    • 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

What is a VISTA

VISTA Mission

The AmeriCorps VISTA mission is to strengthen and supplement efforts in low-income communities to eliminate and alleviate poverty by engaging volunteers from all walks of life, all geographical areas, and all age groups in a year of full-time service.

VISTA aims to build capacity in nonprofit organizations and public agencies to help them more effectively generate the commitment of private sector resources, to encourage volunteer service at the local level, and empower individuals and communities to raise their standards of living.

VISTAs Four Principles:

  • Ending Poverty
  • Capacity Building
  • Empowering Communities
  • Creating Sustainable Solutions

What Does Capacity Building Look Like?

  • Researching and applying for new funding sources; including grants
  • Recruiting and training long-term volunteers
  • Establishing and cultivating new partnerships with donors, media, and community stakeholders
  • Designing and implementing databases for keeping track of donors and volunteers
  • Creating templates for outreach and event planning

Capacity Building VS Direct Service:

Capacity Building: Efforts and projects that expand the capabilities of the organization and community, rather than the VISTA member being a direct service provider to people in need


Direct Service: Provides immediate solutions to help people in need. These can include activities like tutoring, performing manual labor, teaching, doing clerical work, or counseling.

Learn more

Americorps VISTA Homepage

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, there is a one-year service requirement.


Potential VISTA members must go through an interview process with Lake Effect Leaders project administration first, and then interview with the sites they're interested in serving with. 


Typically, our members begin in July or beginning of August.


VISTAs may qualify for postponement, or forbearance of qualified student loans during their service. VISTA members may request any interest incurred during service to be paid for by CNCS.


Yes, but VISTA members may be eligible for public assistance benefits that allow them to offset some of their expenses. Furthermore, VISTAs may request approval to hold second positions. Our project also ensures VISTA members are aware of low-cost entertainment, shopping, and dining options.


You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the United States to be a VISTA.



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