MLK VISTA is an active partnership between Solid Ground, the Corporation for National and Community Service and 30 grassroots organizations in Seattle and King County.
We work together to create innovative projects that strengthen, empower and support low-income communities.
Photo by Crystal Ny'imah Byrd
MLK VISTA is currently accepting/reviewing applications for the 2010-2011 National Service Year. Our program Listing ID # is 4383 on the My AmeriCorps website.
Current MLK VISTA Members, click here for more information that pertains to you. For general information about MLK VISTA, read on.
MLK VISTA models Solid Ground's mission...
Working to achieve a just and caring community free from poverty, prejudice and neglect. Compassion and respect for all people are among our highest values.
MLK VISTA intends to...
- Collaborate and find solutions to end poverty by working with all people and cultures — with an emphasis on communities of color.
- Be accountable to the people we serve, and do work that is relevant to the health and wellbeing of the community.
- Support, cultivate and nurture the natural leadership that exists within the communities we serve.
- Empower community members to have ownership in the activities, programs and decision-making processes of organizations that impact their wellbeing.
- Review institutionalized systems and structures that create barriers and uphold environments that keep people in poverty.
- Be a learning program that continually incorporates lessons learned from people affected by poverty and racism, including but not limited to community elders, social justice and undoing racism scholars and educators.
- Conduct community research, community forums and program evaluation, and disseminate our findings to the larger community.
MLK VISTA believes...
- Our community has the resources and ability to end poverty.
- All people have the right to food, shelter, social justice and opportunity.
- Racism perpetuates poverty. To end poverty, we must undo racism.
- Community interest, input and ownership are key to the development, growth and expansion of the community. True solutions to community issues are found within its citizens.
- Power rests within the citizens of each community’s experiences. Therefore, the best evaluators of a community’s true condition lies in the wisdom of its members.
Why join MLK VISTA?
Foremost, we love getting our team together, going places, experiencing new things, having workshops, and having a lot fun! Each MLK VISTA's input is welcomed, helping to set the tone and shape the overall experience for your service year with us.
We have 30 cool and innovative projects that grant gainful work and volunteer experience in fund development, community outreach, volunteer coordination, program development, youth empowerment and community building. Positions give you a chance to help expand programs' capacity and build their sustainability for future years.
MLK VISTAs are developers, coordinators, organizers and contributors. We are capacity builders, creating change and sustainability in conjunction with the expertise of organizations, their communities and their members.
Member benefits
MLK VISTAs receive a $977/month living allowance with the choice of a $5,320 educational award OR a one-time $1,500 stipend at the end of your year of service. We also offer health insurance, day care assistance, food benefits [food stamps], and a number of other perks. You'll also receive a year of free professional and personal development training and workshops in a number of areas.
Phone: 206.926.9000
Email: MLKVISTA@solid-ground.org
FAX: 206.957.2677
Mailing AmeriCorps Programs
Address: Solid Ground
1501 North 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103-6708
Physical Solid Ground
Address: Volunteer Resources
464 12th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122