AmeriCorps VISTA

Established in 2007 through a partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Campus Compact of Oregon AmeriCorps VISTA program enables colleges, universities and community organizations to develop equitable community-engaged programming that increases educational access and success for students from low-income backgrounds and communities of color. Using an equity lens, VISTAs with Campus Compact build capacity for college campuses and organizations to increase access to educational resources to alleviate poverty based on community-identified issue areas.

Program Goals

Develop programming to address K-12 and college access and success for low-income students;
Engage first generation and low-income college students in critical, poverty reducing activities;
Build relationships and partnerships between their institutions and the surrounding community;
Increase civic engagement on college campuses and in the communities they serve;
Implement campus and community wide service days;
Promote racial justice and educational equity;
Provide leadership development, training, support and reflection activities for volunteers.

Campus Compact of Oregon VISTA Equity Statement
We know that a college education is a critical tool to break the cycle of poverty and improve the health and welfare of low-income communities. Many low-income students lack the historical privilege and social capital to effectively navigate the college application and financial aid process. This becomes even more clear when you focus on low-income students of color who also face institutional racism and a growing educational opportunity gap. Campus Compact of Oregon is looking for motivated, energetic candidates who can use their passion for social justice, equity, and education to serve on our VISTA Team to empower Oregon’s low-income students, with a specific focus on students of color.