AmeriCorps Vista Looking for Volunteers

By Claire Kellett, Anchor/Reporter

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Jun 26, 2008 at 5:50 PM CST

Story Updated: Jun 26, 2008 at 5:50 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - AmeriCorps Vista is beefing up its volunteer efforts throughout Linn and Johnson Counties. It is looking to recruit hundreds of helpers to work with flood victims.

In Linn County, there are about a dozen or so Vista Volunteers. The group hopes to have more than 100 in the next few weeks working a variety of jobs.

Dressed in red, Ron Jackson walks door to door in Cedar Rapids asking flood victims what kind of help they need. He and his teammates are part of the AmeriCorps Vista program.

"The goal is to match people with needs with volunteers who are willing to help out," said Jackson.

The Vista volunteers take down the information and pass it along to the Corridor Recovery Organization. This group is tackling the Taylor Neighborhood, but hopes to hit all of the flood-damaged homes throughout Linn County.

"Right now an individual gets through about 30 to 40 houses a day, great need so we're in great need of assistance," said Jackson.

Until the assistance arrives, Jackson and about a dozen other Vista volunteers will shoulder the responsibility. It's a task they weren't originally supposed to do when they joined Vista a few weeks ago.

"We had an existing program before the flood occurred but now we have shifted focus to flood recovery," said Bruce Vander Sanden, Vista Supervisor.

And that shift means AmeriCorps Vista needs as many as 115 helpers in Linn County immediately. The biggest need is for positions like the one Jackson is fulfilling, eight to ten weeks of summer help.

AmeriCorp Vista also needs people to make a one-year commitment. Anyone interested in learning more about Vista can visit www.vistacorridorrecovery.org.

Anyone who is out of work because of the flooding can receive the monthly Vista allowance as well as file for unemployment.

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