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Self-Help Enterprises has worked with many different types of community volunteers since its incorporation in 1965. Since the mid-1960s, SHE has hosted many VISTA Volunteers. Each VISTA Volunteer assists on-going projects and helps begin new ones. Each year they are available, Volunteers’ work permanently builds the capacity of each community they assist. This results in communities that are more empowered to define solutions that work for them, and the skills to bring the community to a decision.
The Community Development VISTAs help community groups address their water and sewer needs, train community boards on proper procedure, assist with applications for loans and grants, consult with engineers and agency staff, and oversee the construction process in partnership with the community-based board. The process builds leadership capacity of the community board to deal with problems in the future. The Multifamily VISTA brings residents together to build links to services within their community. The VISTA member works with residents to identify priority services and to develop strategies to bring those resources into the community. Partnerships with local school districts have created Headstart and Latch-Key programs. Also, English as a Second Language Classes, computer training, and after-school programs are standard fare at Multifamily housing sites. The New Homes VISTA focuses on organizing new home participants to build neighborhoods and bring communities together, ultimately providing a model for other Self-Help Housing participants in their efforts to move out of poverty. This is done by organizing new home participants, volunteers, and community leaders to work together, develop and implement access to services, local governments and service agencies. Visit www.friendsofvista.org for more information on how you can become a VISTA Volunteer. |
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