Become a VISTA Host Site

Welcome to the VISTA Strong Communities Program!

VISTA Strong Communities is a capacity-building partnership between CNHED and the AmeriCorps VISTA national service program. VISTA members are people from all walks of life who commit to serve for a full year with the end goal of finding long-term solutions to poverty. In pursuit of this goal, they work full-time at community-based organizations creating ways that address the needs of low- and moderate-income residents.

CNHED launched VISTA Strong Communities in 2018 and welcomed our first cohort of ten VISTA members in the spring of 2019.

About the VISTA Program Submit Intent to Apply

Host Applications Are Now Closed!

Are you a local DC nonprofit working in the community economic development sector looking for a capacity-building volunteer to assist your organization around a specific project? CNHED’s VISTA Strong Communities program is currently recruiting 10-12 new (or returning) host sites for our upcoming 2024-2025 VISTA Cohort.

Sound interesting? Please email Edward Socker at vistaleader@cnhed.org to learn more!
Submit Intent to Apply

Questions to Consider before Hosting

Our Current VISTA Cohort

Program Updates
and VISTA Spotlight

I want to host!

Why should a CNHED member participate in VISTA?

VISTA members are talented, passionate, civic-minded individuals your organization can use to turn its dreams into realities.

  • Not just an extra pair of hands, VISTA members work to make their host organizations’ programs sustainable, ensuring that the benefits continue after they leave
  • Each year, VISTA members nearly double every dollar invested in them
  • The VISTA program cultivates a new generation of community leaders – 70% of VISTA members serve in their hometown

Interested in hosting a VISTA?

What would your organization do if you had more time? More hands on deck? What could you do better, and what new and exciting projects might you take on? If you have an idea, then:

  • Look through our questions to consider page for eligibility
  • Review the pre-application document
  • Submit your application to our online portal!

Questions to Consider

Are you eligible to host a VISTA?

Is My Organization Eligible to host a VISTA?

> Host Site Requirements
> Must be a current CNHED member in good standing
> Must be a non-profit organization
> Must provide the VISTA member a $1000/month housing stipend to offset the high-costs of living in the DC area
> Must provide an on-site supervisor for VISTA member
> Must provide the VISTA with a clean/safe workspace in the office and/or the proper equipment and internet access for telework
Must provide the VISTA with professional development opportunities

Think about the project you’d like the VISTA to support.

  1. What are your main project goals and desired outcomes?
  2. How can the experience and knowledge of a VISTA member help you reach those goals?
  3. Does my organization have the resources to sustain the project, even after they leave?

What support can I provide to a VISTA candidate in return?

  1. The AmeriCorps program provides a living stipend, health care, and training, as well as an education stipend awarded after the VISTA completes their term of service
  2. VISTA Strong Communities host sites are asked to provide $1000 per month to offset the high cost of housing in DC. Is your organization able to provide this support?
  3. Can you organization provide workspace and internet access?
  4. Can your organization offer professional development opportunities?

Who will supervise the VISTA?

  1. Each VISTA is paired with an organizational supervisor who helps them fulfill their duties – who at your organization will take that on?
  2. Can you guarantee ongoing support from a direct supervisor?
Click here for more useful information about VISTA

Host Site Resources

November 2023

2024-2025 VISTA Host Site Info Session

Join CNHED for an info session on becoming a VISTA host site! During the session, we will cover eligibility, application requirements, application documents, and what to expect if your project is chosen.

Watch

October 2020

VISTA 101: Understanding VISTA

An online orientation to help you decide if VISTA is right for your organization.

Download

October 2020

AmeriCorps VISTA: 30 Years of Research

30 years of research show that AmeriCorps VISTA members are talented, dedicated individuals whose service builds the capacity of community nonprofit organizations to improve economic outcomes.

Download

September 2021

The Importance of the VAD in VISTA Projects

Watch

October 2021

Sample VAD

Download

September 2021

Writing Fabulous VADs

Watch

September 2021

VAD Guide and Instructions

Download

September 2021

VAD Checklist and Tip Sheet

Download

September 2021

Creating VISTA Opportunity Listings

Download

September 2021

Performance Measures Instructions

Download

Program Updates & VISTA Spotlight

Curious about what our VISTA members work on?

Each month, we’ll profile one of our VISTA members here, shining a spotlight on the amazing work that they do for the community. Check back regularly for more updates!

March 11, 2024

VISTA Spotlight: Kadasha Hershey

Kadasha Hershey is currently serving with the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA) as their Systems Change VISTA. Kadasha’s service year is coming to an end this July, and CNHED wanted to share her experience as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member.

VISTA Strong Communities Program
Read More

December 12, 2023

CNHED 2023 Impact Report

The Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development (CNHED) is excited to share our 2023 Impact Report, which outlines not only our accomplishments throughout the year but also forecasts our future work in 2023.

Advocacy Capacity Building/Training CNHED Updates Community Engagement DC Community Anchor Partnership DC Landlord Partnership ELEVATE Events Housing Impact/Case Study Public Policy Small Business VISTA Strong Communities Program Workforce Development
Read More

June 7, 2023

VISTA Spotlight: Josh Bloom

Josh Bloom is currently serving with the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA) as their Systems Change VISTA. His service is coming to an end this July, and NACEDA reached out to us with some praise for him that we would like to share.

VISTA Strong Communities Program
Read More

May 9, 2023

VISTA Spotlight: Sierra Meyer

As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Sierra Meyer works with Capital Clubhouse Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers people whose lives have been disrupted by mental illness the opportunity to demonstrate that they can and do lead productive, happy lives.

VISTA Strong Communities Program
Read More

December 30, 2022

CNHED 2022 Impact Report

The Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development (CNHED) is excited to share our 2022 Annual Report, which outlines not only our accomplishments throughout the year but also forecasts our future work in 2023.

Advocacy Capacity Building/Training CNHED Updates Community Engagement DC Community Anchor Partnership DC Landlord Partnership ELEVATE Events Housing Impact/Case Study Public Policy Small Business VISTA Strong Communities Program Workforce Development
Read More

July 14, 2022

VISTA Spotlight: Desmond Stuart

As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Desmond Stuart works with the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), a nonprofit organization that advances equitable community economic development solutions in the District of Columbia.

VISTA Strong Communities Program
Read More

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