Ingenuity Choreographing Youth Potential
Vermont Youth Tomorrow
AmeriCorps VISTA Program
The Vermont Youth Tomorrow AmeriCorps VISTA Program (VYT) is a statewide anti-poverty AmeriCorps program that places VISTA members at organizations to build operational capacity and support initiatives which—(1) provide access to affordable health & mental health care, substance misuse prevention & treatment programs, healthy food, housing, and other comprehensive support services; (2) develop job skill, academic proficiency, & financial literacy; (3) increase food security; and (4) promote the cultivation of civic involvement and social assets necessary to transcend poverty, avoid unhealthy behaviors such as opioid misuse, address the effects of COVID-19, and ultimately thrive.
VYT provides programmatic and financial oversight; comprehensive skill-building and professional development training for members; and materials, technical assistance, and support for supervisors and members. VYT sites include afterschool, substance misuse prevention, arts, youth agriculture, mentoring, and job skills programs; health and mental health agencies; schools; teen centers; municipalities; and colleges. (Started in 1999, originally called VT Out-Of-School Time A*VISTA Program)
How we make a difference
On a typical day, a VYT member will...
Assess & address local needs.
Build partnerships with organizations & individuals.
Write grants & develop cash & in-kind resources.
Implement social media and public relation plans.
Recruit and manage volunteers.
Design programs and create curricula.
Enhance databases & other systems.
Make a real difference in alleviating poverty.
VYT Member Benefits
Living Allowance
Amount: Is dependent on the county in which a VISTA member serves.
Members serving outside of Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties receive a gross bi-weekly living allowance of approximately $675.08
Those serving inside Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle counties receive a gross bi-weekly living allowance of approximately $791.70.
The VISTA Leader receives a gross bi-weekly living allowance of approximately $767.20.
Payment: Every two weeks; 26 times per year.
Tax: Federal Income Tax is withheld from the living allowance, state income tax, however, is not.
End-Of-Service Options
Members must choose either the education award or cash stipend, which they will receive upon successful completion of service.
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Educational Award: $6,895 voucher, applicable to many existing and most future educational loans [must be used within seven (7) years; counted as taxable income the year that it is used].
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Or approximately $1,800 cash stipend for a full year of service (VISTA Leader approximately $3,000).
Student Loan Forbearance or Deferment
Members with existing student loans may be eligible for loan deferment or forbearance (members should contact their loan holders directly to verify).
Start Dates & Enrollment Deadlines
In order to serve with VYT as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, you must attend a virtual VISTA Member Orientation (VMO) on your first day of service. VMOs are hosted by AmeriCorps VISTA, and occur on predetermined dates.
In order to begin service on a given VMO date, you must accept and be enrolled in a position by an associated enrollment deadline.
If you're interested in serving with VYT, please review the list of potential start dates available. Certain service sites may only be able to have members start on certain dates. All VISTA members, regardless of start date, serve for one year.
If you have any questions about VMO start dates or enrollment deadlines, please contact VYT staff.
Other Benefits
Personal & Medical Leave
Ten days of personal leave and ten days of medical leave are allocated to all AmeriCorps VISTA members.
Emergency Leave
Up to five (5) days if an immediate family member (e.g., parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, child) becomes critically ill or dies.
Holidays
VYT members observe all federal holidays; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is considered a day of service.
Rent Subsidy
Some service sites provide a rent subsidy for members, though not all.
Public Assistance
If receives public assistance (Food Stamps) before becoming a member, then living allowance cannot be counted in determining grant.
Childcare
A childcare subsidy is available through AmeriCorps for members who qualify.
Reimbursements
Travel: Mileage to and from trainings and service related trips--paid by site.
Relocation Costs: Mileage or plane ticket to service site and home again at the end of service if individuals move 50 or more miles from home of record; based on .40 mile, which includes baggage allowance if relocating for service, depending on how far the member traveled (AmeriCorps will only pay for plane, bus, and train travel arrangements made through its travel contractor)--paid for by AmeriCorps.
Settling-In Allowance: A one-time deposit of $750 is included in your first living allowance payment to help with initial settling in expenses, such as deposits and utilities.
Non-Competitive Eligibility in Civil Service
For one (1) year after service, you may apply for federal jobs without competing against the general public (if the basic requirements of the job have been met)
Civil Service Credit
Service can be credited toward retirement from any federal agency; one (1) full year of service equals three (3) quarters.