AmeriCorps* VISTA & Waukesha County UW Extension
What is VISTA?
AmeriCorps* VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), is a domestic service organization similar to the Peace Corps. The goal of the program is to provide volunteers to support the efforts of non-profit organizations and public agencies that are working to fight poverty in low-income communities. An AmeriCorps VISTA member engages in a variety of projects including recruiting community volunteers, raising funds, managing projects and building the capacity of organizations to become sustainable. They live and work in the communities in which they serve.
Waukesha County UW Extension VISTAs at a glance
Waukesha County UW Extension has three full-time VISTA members. The purpose of the VISTA position is to:
- Develop programs which build community in the designated neighborhoods
- Aid in creating organization and community relationships
- Create opportunities for youth development
- Recruit individuals to volunteer in local community service
- Increase the capacity of low-income community and sponsoring organizations to manage effective anti-poverty programs
- Mobilize community resources
- Work towards the sustainability of programs when the VISTA leaves
Learn more about our 2009-2010 VISTAs.
Past VISTA Activities with UW-Extension of Waukesha County
- VISTAs form partnerships with community organizations to coordinate neighborhood events. These events foster community development and stronger relationships between neighbors.
- VISTAs help organize the GROW (Gardening Research Opportunity with Waukesha County) in three city neighborhoods. This project helps neighbors get to know each other and to get more involved in the community.
- VISTAs work with elementary school students for an after-school program at Blair Elementary. They also recruit volunteers and faciliatate a leadership club, the Blair Interacting Community Club (BICC), for fifth and sixth-graders. Over 40 volunteers have been recruited serving more than 1,282 hours with the after-school program.
- VISTAs researched, developed and implemented the 180° Juvenile Diversion program in Waukesha County. The purpose of the program is to give first-time offenders an opportunity to turn their lives around and avoid formal processing through the criminal justice system. VISTAs continue to support the program through facilitation, curriculum development, community relations and fund development.
- VISTA members take an active role in the Waukesha County 4-H program.
- A VISTA member from 2007-2008 was nominated and won the 2009 Governor's Service Award and was honored as AmeriCorps Member of the Year.
During their year of service, a VISTAs create programs that can continue on after their terms. Following this guideline, VISTAs have developed new contacts, researched lesson plans and grants and have designed material that can continue to be used in the future to sustain UW Extension programs.
Photos from VISTA experiences:
   
The "Our Dreams" mural was created by students in 2007 at a Salvation Army Summer Camp. The mural has been touring locations around Waukesha since it was created. The photograph depicts "Our Dreams" mural on display at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Also pictured, AmeriCorps* VISTA members, Brenda Nemetz and Stephanie Sutton; UW-Extension VISTA State Coordinator, Sue Curtis; CNCS State Director, Linda Sunde.
If you have any questions regarding AmeriCorps* VISTA in Waukesha County, please contact:
Waukesha County - UW Extension
515 W Moreland Blvd
Administration Center Room G22
Waukesha, WI 53188-3869
Phone: 262-548-7770
Fax: 262-548-7787
Office Hours: M-F, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
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