“Stronger Together” is an Americorp/VISTA program which is a volunteer based project designed to bridge community programs in an effort to empower the people in it, through the use of Grassroots Organizing techniques to built capacity and or resources in our community.
Project goals of the program are:
1.Employment Opportunities/Volunteerism
2.Self Advocacy
3.Self Determination
4.Organizational Collaborations
5.Community Involvement
What do VISTA(Volunteers In Service to America) members do?
Members commit to serve full-time for 1 to 3 years at a nonprofit organization or local government agency and work to fight illiteracy, improve health services,create businesses, and strengthen community groups. Members also create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Americorps VISTA members gain the ability to solve problems and achieve objectives with their resource development and management of community relationships Aims to strengthen parties ability to work together for the benefit of every person involved. Skills and tools are provided to define problems and issues and formulate solutions.
What is a community?
A group of people who share a position in social and/or economic disadvantage
Disability or membership of a particular ethnic group
Geographical area.
Benefits
Increases in skills, competencies and self confidence
Effective, efficient and sustainable delivery of services to communities
Promotion of social cohesion or inclusion.
Grassroots fundraising
Raises money and contributions of goods and services
Requires face-to-face asking, rather than grant application
Publicizes the work of your organizations, build networks of relationship in the community, more people actively involved.
Volunteering
Volunteering is the practice of people working on the behalf of others without being motivated by financial or material gain. It is an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. Volunteering also helps to build more cohesive communities, fostering greater solidarity and trust between citizens.
VISTA ADVISORY Committee
The VISTA Advisory Committee members are selected to support and oversee the ideals and recommendations of the “Stronger Together” project.
Advisory Committee Members are expected to participate in (2) planning meeting annually.
Advisory Committee Goals/Focus:
Develop positive inclusion/integration for individuals with intellectual disabilities
Establish/Strengthen self-advocacy groups
Support opportunities for leadership/leadership training
Create collaborations/partnerships with community organizations
Sponsoring Agencies:
1.Tuscaloosa’s One Place
2.Easter Seals of West Alabama
3.Arc of Tuscaloosa
4.Indian Rivers Mental Health Center
5.United Cerebral Palsy of West of West Alabama
People First of Alabama
Designated Collaborations/CO-OPS/SELF ADVOCACY:
1.Gettysburg College
2.Tuscaloosa Childrens’ Council
3.Self Advocacy Becoming Empowered (SABE)
4.University Of Alabama
5.Kentuck Art Festival
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