Montana Campus Compact Accepting Applications for Americorps Vista positions. Volunteers making contributions in 10 Montana towns.

The Montana Campus Compact is accepting applications for the July 2007 term of service in the AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America program.

The program offers recent college graduate and others seeking fulfilling work an opportunity to serve for one year in communities throughout Montana. Based at The University of Montana, MTCC is a coalition of state college and university presidents, chancellors and deans committed to the civic purposes of higher education.

MTCC AmeriCorps VISTA members work with state campuses and communities to engage citizens and to increase volunteer opportunities and resources to assist low-income populations.

Volunteers serve from college campuses and nonprofits across Montana, working to build community partnerships that address critical needs in the areas of school performance, housing, hunger and disaster preparedness.

Positions are available in Whitefish, Missoula, Great Falls, Hamilton, Livingston, Kalispell, Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Havre, Belgrade, Browning and Polson.
Volunteers receive a modest living stipend, health insurance and the option of receiving an education award or cash stipend at the end of a term of service.

To apply for a position, go online to https://recruit.cns.gov and fill out an application. The program ID number is 06VSPMT003-0. Applications are due by June 11.
Information about MTCC and AmeriCorps VISTA programs is available online at http://mtcompact.org, by calling Debbie Saylor at 406-243-5177 ext. 8 or e-mailing [email protected].

http://news.umt.edu/index.asp?sec=1&too=100&eve=8&dat=5/18/2007&npa=1684

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VISTA VOLUNTEERS MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS IN 10 MONTANA TOWNS

MISSOULA –

Eleven new AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers are addressing poverty issues in projects across Montana.

The volunteers are recruited by the Montana Campus Compact, a coalition of state college and university presidents, chancellors and deans committed to the civic purposes of higher education. MTCC is based at The University of Montana.

Issues addressed by the volunteers include housing, hunger, school performance and disaster preparedness at nonprofits, governmental agencies and educational institutions.

The volunteers began their year-long terms of service in late January and have participated in several trainings, including skills of community entry and building at the Community Building Institute and in-service training at Chico Hot Springs.

In the first months of service, VISTA volunteers interacted with 345 community volunteers, who in turn performed 1,918 hours of service. They have received in-kind donations valued at $4,520 and $1,235 in grant funds and donations.

This year’s volunteers and their service projects are:

* Erin McVey at the Montana Food Bank Network and Joe Brehm with the American Red Cross, Missoula;

* Max Miller with the American Red Cross, Kalispell;

* Jordan Tesar with the Whitefish Community Center, Whitefish;

* Marvin Edstedt with the Valley Veterans Association, Hamilton;

* Justin Ringsak with the Clark Fork Watershed, Butte;

* Brent Wilson with Family Promise of Gallatin Valley, Bozeman;

* Rochelle Hesford with Boulder Elementary Schools, Boulder;

* Allison McKiernan with Raising Our Community Kids Safely and Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, Miles City;

* Alex Almeida with the American Red Cross, Great Falls;

* Rachel Williams with the Community GATE Project, Glendive.

MTCC is the largest higher education network in Montana. It is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering a renewed vision for higher education that supports civic engagement activities for UM students, faculty and staff, such as volunteerism, community service and service-learning.

More information about MTCC and AmeriCorps VISTA programs is available online at http://www.mtcompact.org or by calling Debbie Saylor at 406-243-5177 ext. 8 or e-mailing [email protected].