AmeriCorps Kansas and VISTA
Wichita State University (WSU) is proud to host two AmeriCorps programs:
AmeriCorps Kansas and AmeriCorps VISTA.
These national service programs place citizens at nonprofit organizations and public agencies across the United States. They work on defined projects for a set number of hours, and receive a stipend to support their service. Members’ service might include anything from gardening to data collection to address unmet community needs and alleviating poverty.
Celebrating the Anniversary of WSU AmeriCorps
Click logo to hear more from Lauren Arterburn and Angela Gaughan about WSU AmeriCorps' Anniversary. What a milestone reached serving the community!
AMERICORPS KANSAS
AmeriCorps Kansas member’s hours are primarily direct service, usually face-to-face and of direct benefit to the recipient.
AMERICORPS VISTA
AmeriCorps VISTA member’s hours are mainly indirect service, working behind the scenes to create infrastructure that helps organizations serve people in poverty.
SEE OUR IMPACT
To check out the impact our members are making visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/WSUVISTAFellows.
Interested in becoming an AmeriCorps member?
- AmeriCorps Kansas members must be 17* years or older (*with parental consent) and they serve part-time
- AmeriCorps VISTA members must be 18 years or older and they serve full-time
- Must hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident
- Must be able to pass a national service criminal history check and any criminal history checks required by the site where the member will be serving
- To view a chart of AmeriCorps Kansas members versus AmeriCorps VISTA members, click here, and learn more below
To view current opportunities and to apply, search ‘WSU’ at my.americorps.gov.
AmeriCorps Kansas:
Be the greater good!
WSU’s AmeriCorps Kansas members put their passion to work serving part-time at local nonprofit organizations, taking on a unique program or project that will help the organization better serve its clients and our community. Members work on projects to mentor students, engage with families, expand food and medical access, and provide other direct services.
- To support local programs expanding opportunities for youth, connecting schools and families with local resources, or providing classroom support
- To provide direct service by mentoring one-on-one or in groups, assessing family needs with access to food and basic needs, performing various tasks in community gardens, connecting with students who struggle in class (with mental issues or getting to school regularly), or working with STEM education
- Children First: CEO Kansas, Inc. – promotes food security, gardens, food pantry/kitchen and classroom assistances
- Legacy Ministries, Inc. – mentors high school students in an afterschool vocational arts program, garden and coffee positions
- PBS Kansas – develops relationships with schools and individuals to do STEM activities
- IMPACT Center Programs – helps with support group updates and navigates Kansas Medicaid program
- Valuable experience leading groups, organizing, training, mentoring, implementing programs, and communicating
- Professional development opportunities
- Flexible schedule
- Segal Education Award to be used for loan payments or tuition costs – approximately $1,600 for serving 450 hours or $3,350 for a 900 hours position
- Monthly living allowance
AmeriCorps VISTA:
Go where you're needed!
With passion, commitment, and hard work, VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America) create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members serve full-time in indirect/office positions with an organization. The WSU VISTA project connects VISTAs with nonprofits, government, and public health-agencies across the state of Kansas.
- To support, grow, and sustain projects, organizations or communities, with a focus on reducing and alleviating poverty
- To sustain the longevity of organizations by supporting volunteer policies, community partnerships, infrastructure, project evaluations, and more
- To provide indirect services such as recruiting volunteers, coordinating projects, writing press releases, organizing task forces, and more
- Children First: CEO Kansas, Inc.
- El Dorado Main Street
- Family Promise of Greater Wichita
- Holy Family Medical
- ICT Food Rescue
- KanCare Ombudsman Office
- Kansas Nonprofit Chamber
- McPherson Housing Coalition
- Midwest Battle Buddies
- Orpheum Performing Arts Center
- Passageways, Ltd
- Rainbows United, Inc.
- Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization (SCDDO)
- Shocker Neighborhood Coalition
- Steps to End Poverty McPherson County (STEPMC)
- The Center of Wichita
- Urban League of Kansas
- Wichita's Littlest Heroes
- Professional work experience
- Training opportunities
- Segal Education Award valued at $6,850 to be used for loan payments or tuition costs OR an end-of-year cash stipend valued at $1,800
- Healthcare benefit or healthcare allowance plan
- Special open enrollment period for Health Insurance Marketplace healthcare plans
- Monthly living allowance
- Noncompetitive eligibility (one year) for qualified federal job positions
- Childcare support, if eligible
AMERICORPS 2024 NEWSLETTER
Celebrate milestones and transformative stories with us in this special edition of our AmeriCorps newsletter! From incredible journeys of growth and leadership to honoring a decade of service, discover how members are making a lasting impact across Kansas and beyond.
AGENCIES
PARTNER WITH WSU & APPLY TO BECOME A WSU VISTA SITE
The WSU VISTA and AmeriCorps Kansas projects partner with organizations and agencies whose missions and activities directly address poverty in their communities.
To apply to be a VISTA site, the following information is needed: Agency name, complete address, website, supervisor’s name, EIN #, number of VISTAs are you interested in at this time, general focus of the program, 2-3 tasks the VISTA would do and whether the site has had any AmeriCorps State, VISTA, Senior Corp, etc. previously.
CONNECT WITH US
For more information contact Angela Gaughan, Community Program Manager, via phone or email. For information about other AmeriCorps programs visit americorps.gov.