On July 14 we were proud to join almost 100 supporters from around the state to celebrate the 50th anniversary of AmeriCorps VISTA in Connecticut.
AoASCC has rich ties to AmeriCorps VISTA, having hosted our first VISTA members in the 1990's to help establish the now-thriving Aging and Disability Resource Center. Our ties to VISTA continue through our sponsorship of PAVE New Haven—the largest VISTA project in the state which places 20 VISTAs throughout the city annually.
One of those PAVE VISTA members was asked to speak alongside Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra, End Hunger Connecticut! Executive Director Lucy Nolan, and AmeriCorps Alums Connecticut leader Tina Lindstrom. Brittany Groat spent the last 11 months serving as a United Way of Greater New Haven Boost! Service Corps Member at New Horizons High School while spending her final month of service supporting Experience Corps at the Agency on Aging.
In her speech, Brittany highlighted what she learned and shared what being a part of PAVE meant to her stating, “I found the very nature of my Boost! Team, the group of VISTA’s and leaders to have a culture of support. Every which way I turned there was always a person to ask for help or someone offering their help.”
PAVE New Haven will be welcoming 13 VISTAs this summer and is recruiting for six more to begin in the late Fall. VISTAs serve full-time for 12 months, dedicating themselves to improving youth-serving non-profits throughout the city of New Haven. In exchange, VISTAs receive a living stipend, money towards educational expenses, and an opportunity to build their resume while making a real difference.
For more information on how to be a part of VISTA in New Haven, click here or contact Shannon at 203-752-3059 or smykins@aoascc.org.