Serve Jersey City

AmeriCorps is the federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges. AmeriCorps members gain valuable service experience and have access to professional development and skill-building opportunities while also earning scholarship dollars to be used toward education or student loan repayment.

Jersey City VISTA Corps members serve in various City departments and agencies to create equity and lead anti-poverty initiatives. The primary goals for the VISTA program are:

• To address the needs of low-income residents by expanding economic opportunity, improving healthy living, and creating equity for historically marginalized communities.
• Build community empowerment by motivating residents through impact volunteerism.
• Encourage members to be civically engaged, passionate, and employable.

Each VISTA position is unique to its department or initiative. VISTAs build capacity by:

• Leading intervention programs for low-income residents.
• Generating resources through partnerships and volunteers. 
• Supporting, establishing, or strengthening partnerships across departments and sectors.

Requirements

Full-year VISTAs serve full-time for one year. To qualify, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent GED by the start of your service.
• Have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. (See the AmeriCorps VISTA FAQs for more information on citizenship or residency requirements.)
• Undergo a criminal background check, if your application is accepted.

Program Member Benefits

As a full-year VISTA, you will receive the following:

• A bi-weekly living allowance of $1,037.26 before taxes.
• A settling-in allowance of up to $750 and a relocation travel allowance of $0.40 per mile if you’re relocating more than 50 miles
• A Segal Education Award of $7,395 or an end-of-service award at approximately $1,800

Other benefits include:

• Ten days of personal leave, ten days of sick leave, and site-observed holidays.
• Health benefit plan.
• Loan forbearance or deferment for federal student loans.
• Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) for federal jobs.
• Monthly professional development and team building.
• Valuable work experience and networking with local government and partners.