How to Reach Us

We accept applications once a year from nonprofit groups, public agencies and schools interested in having a National Service volunteer work with their organization.

The information and application process for prospective 2008-2009 program year sites began in winter 2007-2008. To join our mailing list for information on working with a JustServe or MLK VISTA Member in the 2008-2009 program year, please contact: JustServe & MLK Program Assistant, 206.957.4779 x111. 

JustServe AmeriCorps:

focus: violence prevention 
site application deadline: March 3rd, 2008
program start date: September, 2008
program end date: July, 2009

Since the fall of 1994, more than 400 individuals have provided over 600,000 hours of service with JustServe AmeriCorps — working in local middle and high schools, faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, Seattle Police Department, the King County Prosecutor's Office and other public agencies — to initiate and expand public safety efforts in our community.

As a Site Sponsor, one to six AmeriCorps Members would be assigned to work with your agency on a specific project for approximately one year (1,700 hours of service over an 11-month period) beginning in September 2008. As a Site Sponsor, you would be responsible for providing ongoing direct supervision AND a portion of the costs necessary to support your AmeriCorps Members ($5,500 per Member).

In the 2008-2009 service year, JustServe will place a total of 34 full-time AmeriCorps Members at local middle and high schools, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, Seattle Police Department and other Criminal Justice System agencies to provide:

• Prevention and intervention for youth at risk of involvement in violence and the Criminal Justice System
• Advocacy for victim/survivors of domestic violence
• Re-entry support for people transitioning out of incarceration
• Alternatives to incarceration in the juvenile and adult justice system

• Volunteer mobilization, engaging community members of all ages to get involved in anti-violence work

For a copy of our 2008-2009 Site Application Packet, or if you have any questions about applying to become a 2008-2009 JustServe AmeriCorps project site, please contact justserve@solid-ground.org.

Martin Luther King VISTA:

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focus: anti-poverty related issues
site application deadline: March 3rd, 2008
program start date: August 18, 2008 & November 2008
program end date: August 20, 2009 & November 2009

The Martin Luther King VISTA Program is an anti-poverty program, which focuses resources on building capacity to address problems faced by low-income communities. VISTAs serve with public or private non-profit agencies working to alleviate or address poverty-related problems. VISTA projects are focused on sustainability — creating long-term solutions to problems confronting low-income communities rather than short-term approaches for handling emergency needs.

The MLK VISTA Program is looking for projects that reflect a commitment to engaging community members and that work from within communities to address community needs. The following is a sample of what MLK VISTAs do in our communities today:

• MLK VISTAs work to prevent homelessness and preserve low-income housing.
• MLK VISTAs build the capacity of community agencies and programs to serve the needs of low-income individuals and families.
• MLK VISTAs develop and expand programs that provide low-income individuals with both the tools and skills they need to compete for jobs and resources in a high-tech age.
• MLK VISTAs provide opportunities for low-income families and individuals to begin building financial assets through programs such as Individual Development Accounts, Earned Income Tax Credit education and financial literacy.

Questions? Contact the MLK VISTA Program Coordinator.

Washington Reading Corps:

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focus: literacy

With Solid Ground as the local sponsor, 76 VISTA and AmeriCorps members are placed each year in Seattle, Tukwila, Highline, Renton and Kent area schools to support children's reading improvement. The application process to become a Reading Corps school is coordinated through:

Washington Office of the Superintendent & Public Instruction
Jessica Vavrus, Program Coordinator
OSPI Washington Reading Corps
Phone: 360.725.6058
Fax: 360.753.6754
Email: jvavrus@ospi.wednet.edu