AmeriCorps VISTA Public & School Partnership
Project Description:
The KIDS COUNT report for 2018 indicates that 10% of Utah's children live in poverty. Additionally, in the 2018 report, 60% of fourth graders were not proficient in reading, 63% of eighth graders were not proficient in Math, and 13% of high school students were not graduating on time. Additionally, the data report shows that 19% of Utah children grow up in single-parent households, and 18% of Utah parents do not hold secure employment.
PSP's mission is to provide community members with access to resources, education, and opportunities that help them elevate themselves and their neighbors out of poverty. We engage over 60 AmeriCorps VISTA members and work with over 20 local schools and community-based organizations in each grant year to bring us closer to achieving this mission. PSP engages these AmeriCorps members and leverages resources for schools, community-based organizations and university entities that focus on education of at-risk community members and broader community education. The work of our VISTA members and sites benefit more than 41,000 clients whose ages range from preschool-age all the way up to senior-age/55+.
VISTA member activities may include, but are not limited to: (1) conducting site assessments to determine the current condition of their site's system and services; (2) developing tracking systems to ensure program sustainability and build organizational capacity; (3) developing or improving upon current tracking systems to track student progress, grades, GPA, and attendance; (4) implementing and coordinating programs that engage families, guardians, and other adults in student success initiatives; (5) engaging in community outreach and education to raise awareness for community-based organizations and services; (6) identifying and securing financial resources for school- and community-based programs and services; (7) developing creative opportunities for community members of all ages to engage in volunteer service, community education, and local giving opportunities.
Benefits of this program include a variety of increased educational, service-focused, and long-term financial outcomes for schools and community organizations.
Keyword(s):
education, nonprofits, community based organizations, youth education,
Core Function(s):
Developing & Disseminating Information, Other Direct/Model Services
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Recreation-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Specific Groups, Other
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County, Mulit-County, State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
