2014-2015 VISTA Member Resources
Pre-Service Orientation (PSO)
Each new VISTA throughout the country is required to attend Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) to learn about the legacy of VISTA service in the US, develop useful professional development skills that will help you during your service, and to finalize all paperwork and requirements for the VISTA program. It is a great way to engage with other VISTA members who are doing similar anti-poverty work! You will receive a PSO packet in the mail by late July from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). If your address changes, please update your address in your AmeriCorps account and with ORCC to ensure you receive your packet.
The PSO Packet will include Travel information to PSO. If you are flying, taking a train, or a bus. If you do not receive your travel documents by August 8, 2014, please contact Kendra AND the VISTA Member Support Unit (VMSU) at 1-800-942-2677. You will also receive documents to sign and instructions for travel. Please read and fill out any information that is requested and prepare documents as required.
Mark Your Calendar for PSO: August 25-28, 2014!
Location: Doubletree Lloyd Center Hotel, Portland, OR
Reservations: All reservations are taken care of by the Corporation for National and Community Service, please do not make arrangements on your own.
Each new VISTA throughout the country is required to attend Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) to learn about the legacy of VISTA service in the US, develop useful professional development skills that will help you during your service, and to finalize all paperwork and requirements for the VISTA program. It is a great way to engage with other VISTA members who are doing similar anti-poverty work! You will receive a PSO packet in the mail by late July from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). If your address changes, please update your address in your AmeriCorps account and with ORCC to ensure you receive your packet.
The PSO Packet will include Travel information to PSO. If you are flying, taking a train, or a bus. If you do not receive your travel documents by August 8, 2014, please contact Kendra AND the VISTA Member Support Unit (VMSU) at 1-800-942-2677. You will also receive documents to sign and instructions for travel. Please read and fill out any information that is requested and prepare documents as required.
Mark Your Calendar for PSO: August 25-28, 2014!
Location: Doubletree Lloyd Center Hotel, Portland, OR
Reservations: All reservations are taken care of by the Corporation for National and Community Service, please do not make arrangements on your own.
AmeriCorps VISTA Benefits
- A living allowance of $11, 352 (in Multnomah & Washington Counties) or $11,136 (in other Oregon counties) for the term of service, dispersed monthly
- An education award of $5,645 or cash stipend of $1,500
- Health benefits
- Loan forbearance and interest accrual payment on qualified student loans
- Child care (if eligible)
- Low-cost life insurance (optional)
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Access to an extensive network of AmeriCorps Alums
- Additional benefits offered based on host site
Find Housing on a VISTA Budget
While it is not unheard of for VISTA members to find affordable options for solitary living, many opt to live in shared housing (i.e. with roommates). In college towns, luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to find shared housing, either with college students, graduate students, fellows (the academic kind), etc. Additionally, short-term dwellers seem to flock to the Portland metropolitan area, creating an abundance of room-renting opportunities throughout that city. Some things to think about as you’re planning and negotiating your next move:
Craiglist (www.craigslist.com) continues to be one of the most popular resources out there for finding shared housing. It allows you to search daily listings by region and, because the site has become so popular, new listings just never stop coming. Staying Safe with Craigslist: Once you’ve opened communication with a potential landlord or roommate, ‘cc or ‘bcc someone you trust on your email correspondence with them. Make sure the person you trust also knows where you’re going if you make a plan to move into a new home. Set up a check-in time to call them and let them know everything is okay. Talk to your future landlord and roommates on the phone. Find out what you can about personalities, lifestyles, pets, etc. to see if it’s an environment you would like to live in. Also ask for photos of the living space so that you know what to expect. Do not give anyone any money or sign a renter’s agreement until you are physically in your new space.
Another really great website, Housing Maps.com (www.housingmaps.com), combines the power of Craigslist with the magic of Google Maps to create a tool that lets you pinpoint home listings really strategically – perfect if you’re trying to find a house close to, say, Portland Community College’s Sylvania Campus.
Once you’ve found a listing that looks like a great fit for your personal needs and your pocketbook, how do you learn about the neighborhood and local amenities? Talking to a local is always the best way to get the inside scoop – if you have a local informant you can turn to, ask if you can pick their brain. You can also contact ORCC. Otherwise, here’s a cool tool: Walk Score.com (www.walkscore.com) allows you to search for an address, and, based on access to things like grocery stores, schools, libraries, restaurants, public transit, etc., it spits back a walkability rating.
While it is not unheard of for VISTA members to find affordable options for solitary living, many opt to live in shared housing (i.e. with roommates). In college towns, luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to find shared housing, either with college students, graduate students, fellows (the academic kind), etc. Additionally, short-term dwellers seem to flock to the Portland metropolitan area, creating an abundance of room-renting opportunities throughout that city. Some things to think about as you’re planning and negotiating your next move:
- Do you want to sign a lease or rent month-to-month?
If you choose to rent month-to-month (many prefer the flexibility of this option), ask to sign a renter’s agreement that lays out parameters for a security deposit (the amount should be noted, as should confirmation that it was collected – get a signature.), rent collection (by whom?), and moving out (when and with how much notice?). Keep a copy for your records. - Utilities – are they included in the rent or in addition to the rent? How are they split?
- What about a security deposit? Under what conditions will it not come back to you? You might want to make a record of the state of your space when you move in. Take pictures, make a checklist of scrapes and stains, and add them to your renter’s agreement.
Craiglist (www.craigslist.com) continues to be one of the most popular resources out there for finding shared housing. It allows you to search daily listings by region and, because the site has become so popular, new listings just never stop coming. Staying Safe with Craigslist: Once you’ve opened communication with a potential landlord or roommate, ‘cc or ‘bcc someone you trust on your email correspondence with them. Make sure the person you trust also knows where you’re going if you make a plan to move into a new home. Set up a check-in time to call them and let them know everything is okay. Talk to your future landlord and roommates on the phone. Find out what you can about personalities, lifestyles, pets, etc. to see if it’s an environment you would like to live in. Also ask for photos of the living space so that you know what to expect. Do not give anyone any money or sign a renter’s agreement until you are physically in your new space.
Another really great website, Housing Maps.com (www.housingmaps.com), combines the power of Craigslist with the magic of Google Maps to create a tool that lets you pinpoint home listings really strategically – perfect if you’re trying to find a house close to, say, Portland Community College’s Sylvania Campus.
Once you’ve found a listing that looks like a great fit for your personal needs and your pocketbook, how do you learn about the neighborhood and local amenities? Talking to a local is always the best way to get the inside scoop – if you have a local informant you can turn to, ask if you can pick their brain. You can also contact ORCC. Otherwise, here’s a cool tool: Walk Score.com (www.walkscore.com) allows you to search for an address, and, based on access to things like grocery stores, schools, libraries, restaurants, public transit, etc., it spits back a walkability rating.
Applying For SNAP (aka Food Stamps)
As an AmeriCorps Member you are eligible to apply for SNAP, otherwise known as food stamps. Below are some helpful links to documents that will help you navigate the application process and find information about the SNAP program. You must submit your applications BEFORE beginning service. Here is what you need to apply:
As an AmeriCorps Member you are eligible to apply for SNAP, otherwise known as food stamps. Below are some helpful links to documents that will help you navigate the application process and find information about the SNAP program. You must submit your applications BEFORE beginning service. Here is what you need to apply:
- Download the application and print it. Submitting your application via mail or in person at your local (Oregon) DHS office is the best method for applying. You Need to have an Oregon address to apply for SNAP. Download application HERE. Use this SNAP Guide to successfully complete the application.
- Print Public Benefits Disregard Letter. Visit your My.Americorps.gov Portal and click on "My Service Letter" on the left. Generate the Public Benefits Disregard letter, print and attach to you application.
- Attach your personal ORCC AmeriCorps Service Confirmation Letter. You will receive this letter in the mail with the Welcome Packet.
Navigating the Education Award, Student Loans, and Financial Aid
Do you plan to choose the Education Award option after your service year? Do you have student loans and want to know your options for consolidating or putting them into forbearance? Do you plan to return to school and want to know your financial aid options? Download this helpful Financing Your Education resource.
Do you plan to choose the Education Award option after your service year? Do you have student loans and want to know your options for consolidating or putting them into forbearance? Do you plan to return to school and want to know your financial aid options? Download this helpful Financing Your Education resource.
VISTA Professional Development Resources
To learn more about VISTA prior to your year of service, join VISTA Campus. VISTA Campus has all the resources you'll need to perform your role as a VISTA, from living on a budget to managing volunteers and AmeriCorps policies. During Fall 2014, VISTA Members will also have the opportunity to take courses on Resource Development: Fundraising & Grant Writing and Volunteer Mobilization while receiving a college credit through the VISTA Blend. A few VISTAs last year participated in the trainings and highly recommend them!
To learn more about VISTA prior to your year of service, join VISTA Campus. VISTA Campus has all the resources you'll need to perform your role as a VISTA, from living on a budget to managing volunteers and AmeriCorps policies. During Fall 2014, VISTA Members will also have the opportunity to take courses on Resource Development: Fundraising & Grant Writing and Volunteer Mobilization while receiving a college credit through the VISTA Blend. A few VISTAs last year participated in the trainings and highly recommend them!