education, resources, and advocacy
Texas Homeless Network AmeriCorps VISTA Project
AmeriCorps members bring their passion and perseverance where the need is greatest: to organizations that help eradicate poverty. The most pressing challenges we face as a nation require the most courageous and creative people to address them. An AmeriCorps VISTA member serves as a catalyst for change, living and working alongside community members to advance local solutions.
The AmeriCorps VISTA mission is to strengthen organizations that alleviate poverty through volunteering and the mobilization of resources. A member’s commitment to serve includes:
- One year term of full-time (40 hours/week) volunteer service at a nonprofit agency in Texas
- A monthly living allowance of $1755 (pretax)
- Eligibility for additional stipends and benefits to assist with relocation expenses and childcare
- Health and prescription drug allowance of $7000 to supplement insurance
- End-of-Service Benefits – members elect to receive either a cash stipend ($1800) or the Segal Education Award ($6495 applicable to student loans or future tuition) upon fulfillment of their service commitment
THN’s statewide VISTA project works on a variety of projects helping areas build capacity to end homelessness. If your organization is interested in learning more about hosting a VISTA member, please contact the VISTA Project Assistant.
Looking for more insight on what it means to be a VISTA? Here is a short video from a VISTA project out of North Carolina that describes what it is like to be a Volunteer in Service to America. With over 10 years of VISTA Projects under our lead, THN is proud of the legacy of our VISTA’s work across our state in making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Want to join in making a difference? Learn more about our current service opportunities below.
Application Steps for THN VISTA Opportunities
- View the job description, responsibilities, and benefits for each position below. (You will be directed to the My AmeriCorps website to apply.)
- Create a profile and an application on the My AmeriCorps website (click here for tips for completing the application).
- Apply for one or more open positions with THN via the My AmeriCorps website.
- After applying on the AmeriCorps website, please send your resume to vista@thn.org to be considered for an interview.
Open VISTA Opportunities
THN Partnership Development – Central Texas
Lead the way in transforming collaboration and impact! Are you ready to drive change and revolutionize collaboration among homelessness resources and organizations? Your mission is clear: assess the current state of engagement, enhance cooperation with organizational leaders, create dynamic support materials, and evaluate the impact. Embark on a transformative journey by learning more about this pivotal role and submitting your application through the myAmeriCorps portal.
THN BoS CoC Service Enrichment VISTA – Central Texas
Step into the arena of change as a VISTA member dedicated to eradicating poverty by amplifying housing-focused programs and empowering service providers. Your pivotal role centers on redefining and enhancing the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care (TX BoS CoC) Written Standards for Service Delivery. Ready to be part of the solution? Dive deeper into this extraordinary role, uncover the potential for change, and submit your application via the myAmeriCorps portal. Your mission to change lives starts now.
Upcoming VISTA Opportunities
THN Texarkana Homeless Coalition Community Outreach VISTA – Texarkana, TX
Ready to make your mark in your Texarkana community? Your opportunity to drive positive change starts here! Step into an exciting opportunity in the heart of Texarkana by joining the Texarkana Homeless Coalition Community Outreach VISTA project. As a VISTA member, you’ll participate in a transformative journey, working on collaboration and marketing to fuel the Texarkana Homeless Coalition’s strategic goals.
City of San Marcos Landlord Engagement Coordinator VISTA – San Marcos, TX
Change Lives, Shape Futures! Are you ready to create an everlasting impact in your community? Dive into this VISTA project about building strong relationships with landlords to elevate housing opportunities in San Marcos, TX.
Housing Forward Landlord Engagement VISTA – Dallas, TX
Unlock Housing Solutions! Are you ready to be the bridge to better housing in Dallas and Collin Counties? Join the Housing Forward VISTA project to forge housing partnerships that lead to increased housing placements. Build crucial relationships with landlords, property managers, and owners, and help individuals and families escape homelessness and poverty.
Housing Forward Development Coordinator VISTA – Dallas, TX
Elevate your impact! Your role as a Development Coordinator is central to elevating data accuracy, connecting homeless individuals to essential services, and driving events that raise awareness and funding for Housing Forward. Your contributions will empower individuals in poverty, helping them access vital resources and support their path forward.
Metro Relief Grant Compliance VISTA – Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Are you ready to reshape the future of homelessness in your region? Join us in the fight against poverty by enhancing the efficiency and capabilities of Mobile Case Management. Your focus will be on developing and strengthening existing systems, ensuring compliance with CoC and grantor requirements, and creating Standard Operating Procedures.
Metro Relief Foundations Relationship VISTA – Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
Ready to make a significant impact in your North Texas Community? Join us in enhancing overall capabilities through marketing and development efforts. Develop systems to identify potential foundation partners as funders and to improve program compliance for city contracts and grantors. Your work will position our community for growth, ensuring we remain effective and efficient in our mission to combat homelessness.
Meet Our Team
Sabrina Fields
Landlord Engagement Coordinator
City of Longview
Sabrina joined AmeriCorps VISTA in 2020 as the THN Vista Coalition and Coordinated Entry Coordinator. Sabrina is an advocate for the homelessness population. She has served as chair in North East Texas homeless coalition.
Sabrina stays abreast of processional and innovative strategies in the marketplace by enhancing her skills in development. She was a graduate of Leadership Longview Class of 2018. Sabrina received an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology from Kilgore College and an Associates in Addiction Counseling from Tyler Junior College. She furthered her
education by attending Texas A&M Commerce where she received a Bachelor’s of Applied Arts & Science degree in Organizational Leadership.
Sabrina is a wife, mother, and grandmother.
William Kao
HMIS Research and Development
Texas Homeless Network
William serves at the Texas Homeless Network as a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Research and Development VISTA. In this role, he assists the THN data team by producing reports based on HMIS data, researching different project funding sources, and creating training materials. An Austin resident since childhood, he chose to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA at THN to start pursuing a career making a positive impact on his local community. William holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Sociology and has previous experience working with the Maryland Department of Health on emerging substance use issues.
Ann Nguyen
VISTA Leader
Texas Homeless Network
Ann is the VISTA Leader at Texas Homeless Network (THN). She became interested in research in homelessness prevention after spending a year as the HMIS VISTA. She moved on to complete her Masters in Epidemiology with research in equity within the homelessness sector before returning to THN. Currently, her role focuses on providing support for other VISTAs serving the communities of Texas.
Sponsor a THN VISTA Member
What does sponsoring a VISTA Member look like? VISTA Members receive a monthly stipend (around $1,000 per month) for their hard work, but as you can imagine, it doesn’t go very far. They live on a diet of ramen noodles, potatoes, and cable-free TV. You can improve their diet by adding more greens and mainstream entertainment with things like gift cards to a movie theater, or dinner out, or by making a monetary donation. As a thank you, your VISTA Member will send you updates on their project.
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