AmeriCorps VISTA Impact

PEP's VISTA Program By the Numbers

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers have a huge impact on Park County's economy by building capacity and eliminating poverty. VISTAs keep our wide-open spaces and public lands accessible for recreation. Notably, they educate us about history with the creation of expanded programs at local museums. Moreover, they support our local creative economy with entrepreneurial programs and community arts projects. Furthermore, VISTAs support the local workforce and increase housing. The AmeriCorps VISTA program builds capacity and eliminates poverty by transitioning our local economy to match the needs of today’s industries.

Powell Economic Partnership was awarded the Intermediary AmeriCorps VISTA grant in fall of 2019. Since then, PEP's VISTA Program has filled 25 full-time, year-long VISTA positions working on projects in Park County.

  • 18/20 of those individuals relocated from out of State and came with college degrees and professional experience directly related to the needs of their host Site.
  • 4 VISTAs agreed to complete a 2nd year of service.
  • 3 more VISTAs extended their service beyond their one-year term.
  • 9 were hired by their Sites or by area employers after service.
  • At any given time, 5 or more VISTAs are actively serving in PEP's Program.
  • 10 organizations successfully hosted VISTAs and thus have learned PEP's three-year Project Management Model, as well as other management and leadership practices.

PEP VISTA Notable Accomplishments

Homesteader Museum:3 VISTAs implemented a Mobile Trunk Education Program and Summer workshops. The Site hired the first VISTA for the 2nd staff position, and she worked there for 2.5 years.

Heart Mountain Interpretive Center: 3 VISTAs implemented a Virtual Tour Program.  Importantly, the Field Trip curriculum aligned with WY and national education standards. Including, a Transportation assistance program for groups, and educational book guides. The Site turned VISTA position into a full-time paid staff position.

NWC Foundation and Alumni Association: 1 VISTA researched and planned a job mentoring program connecting alumni to recent graduates.

Powell Makerspace: 3 VISTAs executed classes to build skills for our local community. Furthermore,  increasing our creative economy with arts workshops, and art education workshops.

Plaza Diane Community Center for the Arts: 2 VISTAs redesigned the website, executed outreach activities, and built partnerships with new community groups. Addiionally, created a new art learning series.

Forward Cody: 2 VISTAs Built co-workspace and designed entrepreneur workshops. Moreover, built an outdoor community gathering space. Furthermore, the organization learned the importance and necessity of marketing and hired a marketing staff member.

Habitat For Humanity: 2 years and 3 months of one VISTA who redesigned the sites website. Condeucted outreach & marketing, data collection for the site's CRM system. Additionally, implemented employee training process and volunteer training & recruitment.

Powell Economic Partnership (PEP): 3 years of VISTAs collecting user data on the need for developing outdoor recreation access. Moreover, implementing OR projects like a sign pilot project with Forrest Service and Rails to Trails pathways.

Heart Mountain Ranch Preserve, The Nature Conservancy: 1 VISTA who implemented a service-learning pollinator garden project.

BLM Cody Field Office: 2 years of VISTAs implemented environmental workshops and increased outreach impact. Furtermore, revised the business plan for rec sites to increase maintenance revenue.

Contact

For more information on PEP's VISTA accomplishments contact our Grants Manager.