AmeriCorps VISTA – A Great Way to Build Capacity in Your Extension Program!
4-H & Youth
Laura Johnson
Associate Dean for Extension
University of Georgia
Athens
Abstract
From 2008 – 2011, UGA Cooperative Extension lost 31% of its budget and experienced a 1/3 reduction in the number of personnel. Georgia 4-H applied to AmeriCorps VISTA for a grant to increase capacity by utilizing VISTA employees to enhance fund, grant and volunteer development and to increase marketing and public relations. VISTAs provide indirect service to create sustainable organizational systems. \r\n\r\nIn an effort to build much needed capacity and to gain additional resources, GA 4-H applied for an AmeriCorps VISTA grant. AmeriCorps is a non-profit organization that strives to build capacity in poor and rural areas and has goals that are very complimentary to 4-H and Cooperative Extension. The original proposal asked for four VISTAs to serve three, 1 – year terms in Southwest District and 2 VISTAs to serve in the State 4-H Office. The Southwest District was targeted due to poverty demographics with 39 of 41 counties being considered persistently poor. In the first 18 months of this partnership, results have already exceeded the three year expectations. $177,773 has been raised by the VISTA members, they have created over 250 marketing materials and in the participating counties, volunteer activity has increased by 37%! In addition, one of the VISTAs coordinated writing a grant that resulted in two additional part-time employees being hired. Because of this success, GA was selected to receive two additional VISTA positions to be placed in extreme poverty counties. \r\n\r\nDuring the session, the presenter will:\r\n• share background information on AmeriCorps VISTA, \r\n• explain program requirements, \r\n• describe how the grant is managed in Georgia\r\n• give specific examples of VISTA-created programs\r\n• discuss future plans for the project\r\n\r\nThis session would be relevant to anyone interested in building organizational capacity and partnering with other non-profit organizations. The program is also applicable to those who work in Volunteer Development.
Authors: Johnson, L.
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Johnson, L. 4-H Program Development Coordinator, University of Georgia, Georgia, 31793