| What are the benefits of serving as an Initiative Foundation VISTA? |
- Gain valuable work skills
- Access leadership training opportunities
- Experience working in central Minnesota's nonprofit sector
- Perform meaningful and important local service in the fight against poverty
- Defer college loan repayments during term of service (this can vary by lender)
- Choose between a cash award of $1,500 or an educational award of $5,550 (which can be used for tuition or repayment of college loans).
- Basic medical coverage during service
- Childcare assistance (if eligible)
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| Can a person supplement their monthly living allowance by getting a part-time job? |
| No. Commitment to a VISTA term of service is considered full-time and outside employment of any type is prohibited so that VISTA members are available to assist with the activities of their host site outside of normal business hours. |
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| Can VISTAs attend school while serving? |
| VISTA members cannot attend school fulltime while serving yet they may take a class (or two) if their supervisor and the Initiative Foundation’s VISTA Program Manager agree that it will not interfere with their service. |
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| How does the VISTA monthly living allowance affect a person’s eligibility for or current receipt of government benefits? |
| If a person is currently receiving public benefits, the VISTA monthly living allowance should not affect the amount of their benefits. However, if an enrolled VISTA member applies for benefits their living allowance will be taken into account in the determination of their eligibility if they were not receiving those benefits prior to their term of service. |
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| How is being a VISTA Member different from serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer? |
| Both are national service programs. Each has different terms, conditions and benefits. Two key features of the VISTA program are: (1) projects must be related to the elimination, reduction or alleviation of poverty and (2) VISTA Members perform indirect or capacity-building service as opposed to direct service. In other words, VISTAs are meant to help develop and/or strengthen existing organizations and projects through activities like program development, volunteer recruitment and management, fund development, community awareness/relations, etc. See www.americorps.gov for more information on the distinction between the various types of national service. |
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| Can selected VISTA Host Sites apply for grants through other Initiative Foundation grant programs? |
| Yes, so long as they meet the specified grant requirements. |
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| Can a host site apply for more than one VISTA Member? |
| In some cases host sites may request more than one VISTA but this is handled on a site-by-site basis in consultation with the foundation's VISTA Program Manager. |
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| How long can a VISTA member serve? |
| VISTAs typically serve two year-long terms. In certain instances members may be granted an extension allowing them to serve a third term. |
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