AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program designed to alleviate poverty. President John F. Kennedy originated the idea for VISTA, which was founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965, and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993. VISTA is an acronym for Volunteers in Service to America.
On March 11, 2018, President Donald Trump sent his official Fiscal Year 2020 Budget request to Congress. As outlined in his previous fiscal year budgets, this budget proposes the elimination of the Corporation for National and Community Service in FY 2020. It provides funding for an orderly shutdown, including all CNCS programs, such as Senior Corps and AmeriCorps. In FY 2019, VISTA was funded at its FY 2017 and FY 2018 levels of $92,364,000 while AmeriCorps and Senior Corps received increases in their funding levels.
Background
VISTA is an anti-poverty program created by Lyndon Johnson's Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as the domestic version of the Peace Corps. Initially, the program increased employment opportunities for conscientious people who felt they could contribute tangibly to the war on poverty. Volunteers served in communities throughout the U.S., focusing on enriching educational programs and vocational training for the nation's underprivileged classes.As defined under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act encouraging volunteer service at the local level, 2) generating the commitment of private sector resources, and 3) strengthening local agencies and organizations that serve low-income communities. There are approximately 5,000 VISTA members serving in over 900 projects throughout the nation.
During the Clinton Administration, VISTA was brought under the newly created AmeriCorps program, a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service, and was renamed "AmeriCorps*VISTA". VISTA members sign up with a host agency for a full-time term of service – 365 days. In return for their service, members are provided with orientation and training, a living stipend calculated at no less than 105% of the poverty line, settling in and transportation costs, child care benefits, and a basic health care plan. Upon completion of their one-year term, VISTA members have the option of receiving a cash award or the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. There is also the option for individuals to serve as Summer Associates for terms of 8, 9 or 10 weeks alongside full-time VISTA members for a reduced AmeriCorps Education Award.
Directors
The first Director of VISTA was Glenn W. Ferguson and there have been many appointed and acting Directors since then. Margaret Garvey currently serves as the acting Director for AmeriCorps VISTA.| Director | Service dates | Appointed by | Notes | |
| 1 | Glenn W. Ferguson | 1964 – ? | Johnson | |
| Padraic Kennedy | ? – 1966 | acting director | ||
| 2 | William Crook | 1966–1968 | Johnson | |
| Padraic Kennedy | 1968–1970 | acting Director | ||
| C.R. Lane | 1970 | acting Director | ||
| 3 | Carol Khosrovi | 1970 – ? | Nixon | |
| 4 | Frank E. Williams | ? – 1975 – ? | ||
| 5 | Margery Tabankin | 1977 | Carter | Director |
| 6 | James H. Burnley IV | 1981–1982 | Reagan | |
| 7 | Jane A. Kenny | 1986–1989 | Director | |
| Diana London | 1989 – 1993 | Acting Director | ||
| 8 | James Scheibel | 1993 – | Clinton | |
| 9 | Paul Monteiro | 2014–2015 | Obama | Director |
| 11 | Max Finberg | 2015–2017 | Obama | Director |
| 11 | Eileen Conoboy | Jan 2017–Sept 2019 | Acting Director | |
| 12 | Desiree Tucker-Sorini | Sept 2019-Jan 2021 | Trump | Director |
| 13 | Meg Ansara | Jan 2021–Feb 2023 | Biden | Director |
| 14 | Carly Bruder | Feb 2023– April 2024 | Acting Director | |
| 15 | Margaret Garvey | April 2024–Current | Acting Director |