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CISFL Continues VISTA Project Success
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For the past 25 years, Communities In Schools of Florida and its local CIS affiliates have been coordinating volunteers and engaging community partners
to increase the capacity of communities to meet the needs of their students, families, and schools. CISFL has one of the largest VISTA projects in
Florida, with 21 VISTA members in place.
Each VISTA represents a value of more than $24,550 to a CIS affiliate. Students and families statewide are receiving the benefit and value with VISTA
volunteers working on a diverse number of community capacity building and outreach projects. These VISTA members are located in schools assisting the
parent liaisons with special projects (celebrations, parent expos, school expos) and making connections to valuable community resources that can assist
the schools, teachers, and students.
There are numerous examples of success due to our VISTA members' involvement.
What is AmeriCorps VISTA?
Frequently referred to as the Domestic Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 by President John F. Kennedy, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, they create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.
How VISTA Members are Strengthening Communities at CISFL?
Consistent with the CIS mission, the CIS VISTA Project is designed to engage community partners. As VISTA Members accomplish their service goals, the community strengthens its overall capacity to serve at-risk students and families living in poverty. The mission of the CIS VISTA Project is the initiation of systems that increase volunteerism, increase resources and align services in Florida communities and schools that target at-risk youth and families living in poverty. The members in this project lay the groundwork for smoother coordination among youth serving organizations and schools, thereby improving services to at-risk youth, and helping them make long-term academic and life gains.
A primary component of the CIS Florida VISTA Project focuses on breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty by:
- Communicating with parents of students living in poverty about local/state resources
- Empowering Local Grassroots Initiatives for Family Formation and Development
- Assisting After School Programs and Child Care Providers
- Increasing Childhood and/or Adult Literacy
- Assisting Families Affected by Hurricanes
- Expanding Rural Initiatives/Resources
In 2012-13, the CISFL VISTA Project accomplished:
- 790 Students received coordinated intervention services
- 663 Students were served through summer programs
- 1,200 Students received coordinated prevention services
- 3,100 Volunteers and mentors were recruited and trained
- 18,589 Hours of volunteer and mentor services were provided
- $411,045 in volunteer and mentor hours ($22.16 per hour) were provided
- 2,656 New partners were contacted
- 48 Grants were applied for
- 308 Parent events were coordinated
- $103,689 in cash and grants was collected
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VISTA Members Success Stories in 2012–13:
- 15 foster youth participated in building, planting, and maintaining a community garden in Bay County
- A homeless student received funding to pay for the ACT (test required to attend college). The student passed the ACT and is now attending
Pasco-Hernando Community College.
- A funding donor system has been built for a small community school; the system currently has over 100 donors and continues to grow.
- A volunteer council of 10 students (3rd–8th graders) has been established with the purpose of finding projects in the community that the
students can engage in to help others. Past projects have included neighborhood clean-ups, volunteering at fundraising events, and the adoption of a road.
- A Community Fall Fair was held to bring community members, parents, students, and businesses together for the purpose of networking and exploring
partnership opportunities. Over 500 people attend the event.
- VISTA members helped 18 of 25 students increase their academic grades this past school semester because of the coordination of services,
specifically providing academic tutors and mentors. The other 7 students maintained their current academic grades.
- 145 first and second grade students scored 200% higher overall on the Florida Assessments for Instruction in Reading (FAIR) test this year compared
to last year because of the coordinated reading program implemented by CISFL VISTA members.
Project Staff:
AmeriCorps VISTA Website:
http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp
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