Hello! My name is
Le’Santha Naicker I serve at the Schuylkill River Greenways as their AmeriCorps
VISTA volunteer. If you are wondering what AmeriCorps is and what VISTA means
I’m here to give you a background on the program, what a VISTA does, and how
you can get involved!
AmeriCorps VISTA
stands for Volunteers in Service to America it is a program of the Corporation
for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering,
service, and civic engagement. The agency engages millions of Americans in
citizen service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the
nation's volunteering and service efforts. The
VISTA program started in 1965 under Linden B Johnson with the mission to strengthen organizations that alleviate poverty through
volunteering and the mobilization of resources. There are currently 7,000
VISTA’s serving across the United States in various capacities within state/
local governments and nonprofits.
This
year I am serving as the second year VISTA with the SRG and am helping to build
capacity with several programs. First, I am continuing the Heritage
Conservation Corps which is a youth employment program that focuses on building
and expanding the Schuylkill River Trail. Second, I am working with community
organizations to help build community gardens in Schuylkill County. Third, I am
assisting with Project Schuylkill Outdoor Learning Odyssey our environmental
mentoring program to high school students. Lastly, I am working on a pollinator
garden that will be planted right here in Pottstown’s Riverfront Park (look out
for news about volunteering with us for the garden!). I am grateful to work
with the SRG and AmeriCorps during this year and to help the surrounding
communities.
Go to https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps
to find out more ways you can
serve! #GetThingsDone
