What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a national service program of the federal agency, AmeriCorps, formerly, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). This program is partially funded through a grant from AmeriCorps with host sites contributing to a share of the cost through cash match requirements. Individuals serving as AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance during service and may be eligible to receive healthcare coverage and student loan deferment. Upon completion of service, members may also be eligible to receive an education award that can be used to pay current or future education expenses.
What is the Oklahoma VISTA Program?
Red River Community Corps (RRCC) has been given the opportunity to host the Oklahoma VISTA Program where AmeriCorps members aim to strengthen under-resourced communities across Oklahoma by helping local non-profits increase their ability to address unmet needs in their communities. As part of this program, AmeriCorps Members will serve as VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) Members.
Capacity Building Coordinators - Depending on specific host site needs, members will engage in activities such as enhancing the scale/reach of existing programs, developing & implementing new programs/curricula, recruiting, training & managing volunteers and building legacy resources for organizations to use beyond the service term.
What is Capacity Building?
As a general rule, AmeriCorps considers capacity-building activities to be indirect services that enable AmeriCorps-supported organizations to provide better and sustained direct services. To determine if activities qualify as capacity building, think about the intended results of those activities. Applicants must understand and distinguish activities that build capacity. Capacity-building activities must:
- Be intended to support or enhance the program delivery model.
- Respond to the organization’s goal of increasing, expanding, or enhancing services in order to address the most pressing needs identified in the community, and/or
- Enable the organization to provide a sustained level of more or better direct services after the national service participant’s term of service has ended.
Capacity-building members will engage in both direct and indirect services to build capacity at their host sites. Red River Community Corps recognizes that capacity building can look different at every service site. Host site applicants must be able to describe how members will increase capacity for their specific programs & services.
Who can Apply?
Any non-profit organization, state or government agency, Native American tribe, religious organization, or school district meeting eligibility requirements is eligible to apply. Organizations must be able to collect performance measure data, including being able to collect and report on unduplicated participation counts and administer pre/post surveys and/or assessments.