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 $1350 a month
- 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.
Now Recruiting: Agency VISTA Sites
Are you looking for ways to build your agency’s capacity? THN is recruiting agencies from across the Balance of State to host Volunteers in Service to America members. We’re partnering with agencies interested in building capacity around community partnerships, coordinated entry, and landlord engagement. VISTA members will volunteer full-time for one year at your agency at no cost to Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care organizations.
The VISTA team will hold two virtual webinar sessions to provide more information about our VISTA project and answer any additional questions on starting a service project in your community!
THN AmeriCorps VISTA Information Sessions
Session 1: May 23, 1-2 pm CST
Session 2: May 25, 11-12 am CST
Apply to Our 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.
Join Our Team
THN AmeriCorps VISTA Openings
THN VISTA Leader – Remote within Central Texas
Are you passionate about ending homelessness in Texas? By collaborating with communities, large and small, across the state, Texas Homeless Network (THN) works to build systems to achieve this goal. Join the THN Team and serve as a VISTA Leader. Your service as a THN VISTA Leader will allow community partners to expand their efforts to provide housing and other services to persons at-risk of or experiencing homelessness.
This position is available for VISTA members who have completed one year of service. Learn more about this position and complete an application on the myAmeriCorps portal here.
THN Texarkana Homeless Coalition Community Outreach VISTA – Texarkana, TX
Exciting opportunity alert in the Texarkana community. Join the Texarkana Homeless Coalition Community Outreach VISTA project! As a VISTA member, you will have the chance to work on collaboration and marketing to support the Texarkana Homeless Coalition’s strategic goals, such as increasing coalition membership, implementing a marketing plan, and planning and executing the Texarkana Homeless Resource Day. Learn more about this position and complete an application on the myAmeriCorps portal here.
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.
Lynn Luther
HMIS Research and Development
Texas Homeless Network
Lynn Luther is a resident of Houston, Texas and is currently serving as a VISTA with the Texas Homeless Network. Having experienced first hand the hardships of homelessness and food insecurity, she decided to serve with AmeriCorps as a way to give back to the community that helped her regain the stability she needed to rehabilitate herself and return to the community. Born in Dallas, Texas, Lynn has lived in Houston twenty-two years, and now has stable housing and is earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Houston Baptist University (HBU). Lynn’s interests include computer programming, video gaming and cooking.
Paty Mendoza
Timebank Coordinator
Doña Ana Communities United
Patricia (Paty) Mendoza is a VISTA member with Doña Ana Communities United (DACU) in Las Cruces, New Mexico. As the Timebank Coordinator, she is excited to bring community members together to help one another and build relationships as part of DACU’s efforts to advance health equity. Originally from El Paso, Texas, Paty graduated from New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in Individualized Studies focused on social work and history. She has fallen in love with New Mexico’s lifestyle and sense of community. Two of her many pastimes are crafting and going on adventures. She is a loving wife and the mother of three girls.
Anthony
THDSN Associate
Texas Homeless Network
Anthony serves as the Texas Homeless Data Sharing Network (THDSN) Associate through AmeriCorps VISTA. In this position, Anthony works to support and advance the strategic mission and goals of the Data Sharing Network. This includes providing technical assistance and support to Continuum of Cares (CoCs) and other external partners who engage with the Data Warehouse, developing onboarding and training materials for users of the Open Path system, advancing fund development efforts, and building capacity for homeless service providers throughout Texas. Anthony is currently completing his undergraduate degree in Information Systems, and is excited to build upon this experience at Texas Homeless Network through his work on this project, specifically as it relates to data research and analysis. Anthony is passionate about serving those most vulnerable in our community, and is looking forward to dedicating his service term at THN to help individuals who are experiencing homelessness in Texas.
Alexis Stockton
Partnership Development VISTA
Texas Homeless Network
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'” Dr. King’s words are the driving force in Alexis’ pursuit of purpose. Over the past 20 years, Alexis has worked in many different fields, including the military, healthcare, faith ministry, and academics. Her achievements are not based on personal merit, rather, they are based on helping others by teaching, training, equipping, and advocating for those in need. Her goal is to continue to “do for others” and to never stop learning and growing which has led her to become the Partnership Development Vista on THN’s Engagement Team.
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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