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. The AmeriCorps name was chosen to exemplify the similarity with the U.S. Peace Corps. AmeriCorps volunteers operate in the USA and its territories, while Peace Corps volunteers work in foreign countries. Typically Peace Corps serve two years while AmeriCorps one year. Both are paid minimum stipends, the intention being that these volunteers would live at the same level of the people they serve. Both programs have been very popular in America and in the eyes of the world for over 60 years.
Our current President has recently cut $400 million from the AmeriCorps budget, nearly 41% of its overall funding.
Like the massive cuts to USAID, which has been providing food and medicine to poverty stricken and devastated countries worldwide, the administration in Washington, along with its Congressional followers, have lost their bearings and conscience – doing their best to destroy the programs that have reflected the highest ideals and integrity of our nation. Though many of the defunding efforts have been challenged in court, it remains to be seen whether they will be successful.
Note: There are about a dozen returned Peace Corps and AmeriCorps/VISTA volunteers in Haines. Thank you for your service.
James Axel Wilson