The VISTA Cadre Project is a network of AmeriCorps Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA). VISTA Cadre members commit to a year of service at nonprofit organizations or local government agencies throughout New Mexico. VISTA members strive to build capacity and infrastructure at their host sites by working to improve educational attainment, increase access to health services, strengthen community groups, fundraising and much more. VISTA Cadre members specifically work with the Forum and its partners in pursuit of building cohesive partnerships amongst youth serving organizations. The A*VISTA Cadre Project has been consistently growing since its inception and currently manages close to 30 full time volunteers as well as many more part time volunteers. The VISTA Cadre Project is a collaborative effort in partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).
AmeriCorps VISTA members live and serve in some of our nation’s poorest urban and rural areas. With passion, commitment, and hard work, they create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. VISTA members generally do not provide direct services, such as tutoring children or building homes. Instead, they focus their efforts on building the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities. VISTAs develop programs to meet a need, write grants, and recruit and train volunteers.
In the last six months (10/1/11-3/30/12), VISTA Cadre members have recruited over 2,700 community volunteers who have performed over 8,000 hours of service in some of New Mexico’s most underserved communities. In addition, VISTA members have played a key role in developing over $260,000 in resources for their host sites through seeking out in-kind donations, working to procure grants, and garnering other donations. VISTA members have also excelled in many other areas such as increasing their host sites ability to help community members receive access to health care and locally grown organic produce.
AmeriCorps VISTA Cadre Project Host Sites include: