Mike Beebe leads a team training on Situational Leadership

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Notre Dame AmeriCorps and Sound Youth VISTA?

NDA members spend about 80% of their time in communities working directly with low-income youth. They tutor, mentor, coordinate volunteers, facilitate community engagement activities, and run programs that work to address the needs of youth in our community.  They are coaches, allies, and bridge-builders.

Sound Youth VISTA members spend about 80% of their time bolstering programs for low-income youth.  VISTA members are charged with capacity building and creating and implementing plans for sustainability.  VISTA members are fund developers, volunteer managers, outreach workers, and program developers.

Together we provide effective direct service while planning for program sustainability. It is our goal that by placing teams of AmeriCorps*Direct and VISTA members with partnering sites, we will enable youth programming to continue to thrive in Seattle.

 

Should I be a Notre Dame AmeriCorps member or a Sound Youth VISTA? (Or does my organization need an NDA or SYV member?)

FOR POTENTIAL MEMBERS: This depends on what you want to do.  Do you prefer working directly in community, or do you prefer doing administrative planning behind the scenes?  Do you thrive in a classroom? In an office? In a community center doing a little bit of everything?  Read through the position descriptions.  What is exciting to you? What sounds like it would help you reach your future goals?

FOR ORGANIZATIONS: What is your greatest need at this moment - a member to help with direct service (NDA) or a member to help build capacity by recruiting more volunteers, writing grants, or growing special projects (SY VISTA)?

 

Are the Benefits and Restrictions the Same?

With our program, AmeriCorps*Direct and VISTA members will receive roughly the same stipend for the year.  AmeriCorps*Direct members make an 11-month commitment (to serve 1700 hours within that 11-month term), while VISTAs make a 12 month commitment (to work full time with 20 days sick/personal leave). Both arms of our program offer an Educational Award for a full term of service.  VISTAs will receive assistance with work-related transportation, whereas AmeriCorps*Direct members will not.  AmeriCorps*Direct members may hold jobs outside of their service hours, while VISTA members may not hold jobs.  To learn more, visit the AmeriCorps website.


How Are These Programs Funded?

Notre Dame AmeriCorps-Seattle is supported in part by the Baltimore Notre Dame Mission Volunteer Program office, which offers administrative support, administers payroll, and coordinates recruitment.  Sound Youth VISTA is supported in part by the Church Council of Greater Seattle, which offers administrative support and rents office space to both programs.

Both programs are funded by a combination of government grants set aside specifically for AmeriCorps programs and private funds solicited through grant writing, appeals letters, and special events.



Are These Programs Religious? Do I Have to be Christian? Do I Have to be Catholic?

The simple answer is "no." While our parent organizations are faith-based, our larger umbrella of AmeriCorps is a non-religious service organization.  The services we provide are not religious in nature, nor is service restricted by religious affiliation.  Both The Church Council of Greater Seattle and Notre Dame Mission Volunteers are progressive organizations with a broad concept of social justice at their base. Staff and members have included Protestant Christians, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, atheists, and more.  We are LGBTQ friendly and committed to fostering a respect for a diversity of experiences and beliefs.