Goodwill Northern New England is recruiting AmeriCorps VISTA summer associates for a 10-week, full-time summer national service program.

Members through this program will serve across Maine to help organizations build capacity and run summer programming for populations facing poverty.

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis, with an ultimate deadline of Thursday, June 3. Applicants can fill out an interest form at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScugZaA2OgCuja28NrKftv72fE6EN1utwrCYd9m1Eml7EfqjA/viewform or contact Scott Dupee at [email protected] or 207-370-3924.

The Goodwill VISTA Partnership has been supporting communities large and small in the Pine Tree State for six years. Last summer, Kathleen Meade served with Freeport Community Services to establish a community garden that provided fresh food to at least 40 residents, from small children to senior citizens, and people who require financial and social support.

From Lewiston at New Beginnings, fellow member Erin Ritter said, “I had an amazing time (at New Beginnings). It was an extremely enriching experience,” according to a news release from Goodwill.

VISTAs (short for Volunteers in Service to America) address the immediate and long-term needs of communities. Projects may revolve around volunteer management, workforce and reemployment services, youth support, serving homebound seniors and vulnerable populations, food security, fundraising, and communications/social media. Depending on the position, members may work directly with the communities their host site serves, and/or provide behind-the-scenes program support.

Members for summer 2021 must begin by June 28. In exchange for their commitment, AmeriCorps members will receive a biweekly living stipend and either an AmeriCorps Education Award (scholarship money) or a cash stipend upon successfully completing their service term. Members must be at least 18 years old to serve.