Living at Poverty line brings understanding to Americorps VISTAs
On March 8, 2012, the Thayne Center for Service and Learning and the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) Community Writing Center presented “Walking the Walk: Civic Engagement, Community Service, and Volunteerism through the Experiences of AmeriCorps VISTAs.” AmeriCorps Volunteers In Service To America (VISTAs) talked about their experiences in AmeriCorps and how they related to the community that the VISTAs serve.
“VISTAs voluntarily experience living in poverty themselves,” said Moderator Elisa Stone, associate director of the SLCC Community Writing Center.
VISTAs make about $850 per month before taxes, which is the income of someone at the federal poverty line.
“The last three years, I have taught my kids how to budget our money,” says VISTA Treva Woody, who is a student at SLCC and a VISTA at the Thayne Center.
VISTA efforts focus on helping those who are below the poverty level.
“I think everyone should have an understanding,” says VISTA Nancy Christensen, “of what it means to live at that level.”
Poverty doesn’t just affect people who fit a stereotype.
“We’re all connected,” says Christensen, “Any one of us could be one step away from poverty.”
The VISTA panel encouraged people to get involved in their communities.
Check out the videos below.
This article originally appeared on examiner.com. Links updated September 2016.
“VISTAs voluntarily experience living in poverty themselves,” said Moderator Elisa Stone, associate director of the SLCC Community Writing Center.
VISTAs make about $850 per month before taxes, which is the income of someone at the federal poverty line.
“The last three years, I have taught my kids how to budget our money,” says VISTA Treva Woody, who is a student at SLCC and a VISTA at the Thayne Center.
VISTA efforts focus on helping those who are below the poverty level.
“I think everyone should have an understanding,” says VISTA Nancy Christensen, “of what it means to live at that level.”
Poverty doesn’t just affect people who fit a stereotype.
“We’re all connected,” says Christensen, “Any one of us could be one step away from poverty.”
The VISTA panel encouraged people to get involved in their communities.
Check out the videos below.
This article originally appeared on examiner.com. Links updated September 2016.