Our VISTAs build capacity at a variety of partner agencies across the state of Maine. All VISTAs are under the umbrella of the Goodwill VISTA Project based in Portland, ME. There are 30-40 VISTA members at any given time. Although member responsibilities vary from site to site, all VISTAs are required to attend a pre-service orientation, write monthly reports, attend all required trainings and follow out the activities as outlined in their site’s VAD.
Service Activities
Goodwill VISTA Partnership members serve in Capacity-Building, Community and Economic Development , Homelessness , Public Safety, Health , Community Outreach , Education, Housing, and Food Security, to name a few areas.
Community Need Addressed
VISTA Members work to reduce poverty while engaging through a plethora of forms of indirect service, such as creating and running programs, fundraising and grant writing, communications work, increasing social media presence, recruiting volunteers, as well as assisting with community assessments, among other projects. These projects allow our partners to strengthen the services they provide long term in order to successfully serve more clients. Focus areas of partner agencies include public health, food security, new Americans, environmental justice, educational support, youth development, housing, and more!
Position Outcomes
Goodwill Industries of Northern New England serves Maine, New Hampshire and Northern Vermont. The overarching goal for the organization is to be instrumental in moving 10,000 people out of poverty and into stability over the course of the next 10 years. The Goodwill VISTA Partnership will be one of many parts of Goodwill focused on this ambitious goal.
Goodwill VISTA Partnership members serve within Maine and New Hampshire communities across the state, from Portsmouth to the White Mountains and from York to the Canadian Border. Members serve with non-profits and partner agencies who are helping their communities combat food insecurity, addiction, financial barriers, and other poverty related roadblocks.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance, Training
Networking & Professional Development
Reimbursement for travel to AmeriCorps sponsored events
Sick Leave, Vacation Leave, Holidays
Additional Benefits Offered by Each Site
Education Benefits
Professional development, Community Connections, a broader network.
Skills you will gain
cultural competency, community engagement, non-profit management, Outreach & communication, meeting facilitation, conflict resolution, volunteer recruitment and management, etc.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment