ORCC AmeriCorps*VISTA Program

Program Description

AmeriCorps*VISTA is a national service program intended to develop lasting solutions to the problems of poverty in America.  AmeriCorps*VISTA members build the capacity of non-profit organizations to meet the needs low-income individuals in their communities.

Learn more about AmeriCorps*VISTA.

The Summer VISTA Program

In the Summer of 2009, Oregon Campus Compact and the Portland Schools Foundation joined together to address the high school completion rate in Multnomah County, Oregon by connecting Summer AmeriCorps VISTA Members with Ninth Grade Counts programs and projects.

What is Ninth Grade Counts?

Launched from the work of Connected by 25, Ninth Grade Counts represents a network of summer transition programs working together to target at-risk incoming 9th graders with the support they need to start high school on the right track. Ninth Grade Counts is an initiative of the Portland Schools Foundation (PSF). The initiative is a part of Summer Youth Connect, a series of summer academic support and career/college exposure opportunities sponsored by the City of Portland, Multnomah County, the Portland Schools Foundation and Worksystems, Inc.

Who are potential partner programs?
Community-based organizations, school districts, and other public agencies that operate summer transition support programs for at-risk incoming 9th graders in Multnomah County are invited to join the network. Last year 22 non-profit and district-sponsored programs joined. 95% of those programs report that Ninth Grade Counts had a positive impact on their programming and that they intend to participate in future years.

AmeriCorps*VISTA Program Results from 2009