Washington D.C. -- As the holiday season brings thoughts of giving back, a new public service campaign was launched today to enlist Americans to “fight poverty with passion” by joining VISTA, the AmeriCorps program that fights poverty.

The “Fight Poverty with Passion” campaign draws attention to the 37 million Americans who live in poverty and to the changing face of poverty, which today is often hidden and found within working families. It encourages Americans to dedicate a year of their lives to fight poverty by joining VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). Bilingual television PSAs and print ads drive potential recruits to visit AmeriCorps.gov or call 800-942-2677 to learn more and apply.

VISTA was founded in 1964 as part of the War on Poverty. Since then, more than 177,000 Americans have answered VISTA’s call to devote a year of full-time service living and working in low-income communities to help eradicate poverty. Made part of AmeriCorps in 1993, VISTA provides 6,500 opportunities each year for individuals to create and expand programs that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster business and economic development, increase housing opportunities, and otherwise help low-income individuals and communities toward self-sufficiency.

“The best way to personally take a stand against poverty is to put your passion to work. Join VISTA and help tackle one of America’s hardest problems,” said David Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers AmeriCorps VISTA. “We have more than 6,500 opportunities for you to serve. VISTA is an extraordinary program that will test you, stretch you, and give you profound satisfaction as you help transform lives and communities.”

Nearly 37 million Americans – including 13 million children - live below the poverty line. That means one in ten Americans may be forced to choose between eating dinner, obtaining a vital prescription, or paying the monthly heating bill.

VISTAs tackle this problem by improving the ability of individuals and organizations to alleviate poverty in their communities. VISTAs raise funds, recruit community volunteers, and design sustainable programs that get to the heart of the problem. VISTAs serve with large national nonprofits -- such as Habitat for Humanity, ACCION, One Economy, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America -- as well as with very small community and faith-based organizations.

Last year AmeriCorps VISTA members served more than 10.7 million hours, raised more than $152 million in cash and in-kind resources for their anti-poverty projects, and recruited or managed 517,000 community volunteers – an average of 75 volunteers per AmeriCorps VISTA member.

“A VISTA is a catalyst for change. VISTAs identify resources and engage people in the community to expand access to education, housing, jobs, credit, technology, and more” said VISTA Director Jean Whaley. “VISTAs channel their ideals and energy into becoming poverty-fighters who build successful and sustainable programs that help people and communities lift themselves out of poverty.”

In return for a year of service, VISTAs receive a variety of benefits, including a modest living allowance, health care, and relocation expenses. At the completion of their term of service, VISTAs also receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $4,725 to use toward college or to pay off qualified student loans, or VISTAs can choose to receive a stipend of $1,200. While VISTAs appreciate these benefits, many say the most attractive part of VISTA is the skills and leadership they gain and the deep sense of satisfaction they feel when they know they’ve made a difference.

“I would encourage anyone to become a VISTA after college or if they are just trying to figure out what they want to do with their life. VISTA gives you priceless opportunities to gain skills, experience, and a network,” says Andrea Hydukovich, a VISTA who served with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity in Minnesota. Baby Boomers approaching retirement or looking for a new challenge are also attracted to VISTA as way to “change the world again” and apply their life skills to addressing a serious social problem.

Alumni of VISTA include U.S. Representatives Howard Berman (CA), Jim Maloney (CT), and Gwendolynne Moore (WI); Anne Mulcahy, President and CEO of Xerox; Ray Magliozzi, co-host of National Public Radio's Car Talk, and numerous social entrepreneurs and leaders of nonprofit organizations.

“I can’t say the work was always easy or that we were always successful—I can say that I felt like what I did was important and that I had a positive influence on people’s lives and on the local justice system,” said John McNutt, a VISTA who served in Birmingham, Ala. in the mid-70s and is now a professor of public policy at the University of Delaware. “I count my year in VISTA as one of the most significant experiences I have ever had.”

In conjunction with the PSA campaign, the Corporation for National and Community Service also unveiled a six-minute bilingual program video “What VISTA Can Do for You” that explains how VISTAs bring enthusiasm, experience and commitment to the organizations where they serve, helping sponsors deliver better education, health, nutrition and other services to people in need.  All of the public service announcements and the program video are also available on the Corporation's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/nationalservice.

AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. The mission of the Corporation is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement though volunteering and service. For more information, visit nationalservice.gov.

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