Danville Housing Specialist AmeriCorps VISTA - Danville, VA

AmeriCorps VISTA Program

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program focused on alleviating poverty by strengthening organizations, expanding opportunity, and building sustainable community solutions. Rather than serving only through direct service, VISTA volunteers work behind the scenes to build capacity by creating systems, partnerships, and resources that continue benefiting communities long after their service term ends.

To serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, applicants must be at least 18 years old (there is no upper age limit), be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, pass a required criminal history check, and meet the qualifications listed for the position.

VISTA service is a full-time, one-year (365-day) commitment, typically averaging 35–40 hours per week. Volunteers may have the opportunity to re-enroll for a second or third year of service. Many host organizations offer hybrid work schedules based on the expectations of the assigned host site.

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers receive a modest living allowance based on the community where they serve. Upon successful completion of service, volunteers may choose either a $7,395 Segal Education Award or a $1,800 cash stipend. Volunteers also receive health coverage, may qualify for child care or relocation assistance, and earn 80 hours of sick leave and 80 hours of personal leave during their service year. In addition, volunteers gain valuable professional development, leadership experience, and career-ready skills.

Virginia Housing Alliance AmeriCorps VISTA Project

The Virginia Housing Alliance (VHA) AmeriCorps VISTA project places volunteers with a statewide network of host organizations working to strengthen homeless response systems and expand access to affordable housing across Virginia. Each VISTA volunteer serves at one of VHA’s 18 host sites, providing capacity-building support that helps organizations operate more effectively and reach more individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity.

Through their service, volunteers develop tools and infrastructure that create lasting impact. Projects may include building data tracking systems, creating resource databases, strengthening communications strategies, supporting grant development, and designing policies, procedures, and workflows that remain in use long after the service year ends.

In a recent six-month period alone, VHA VISTA volunteers developed more than 120 organizational resources, launched over 100 housing-focused communications initiatives, and supported multiple funding proposals that brought new resources into communities across the Commonwealth. The program also serves as a proven pathway into mission-driven careers: since 2014, more than 60% of VHA VISTA volunteers have transitioned into full-time positions with their host site or a housing partner organization.

This listing is to fill the Host Site opening at Danville Neighborhood Development Corporation in Danville, VA.

Danville Housing Specialist VISTA – Danville Neighborhood Development Corporation Overview

Danville Neighborhood Development Corporation is a nonprofit community development corporation whose vision is that all residents live in a thriving community, and whose mission is to work alongside residents to reimagine, rebuild, and revitalize neighborhoods in the City of Danville through housing investment and community development.

Neighborhoods in Danville are experiencing severe distress as rising home prices outpace stagnant wages. DNDC has developed a strategy to preserve existing housing stock by providing essential upgrades, creating sustainable workforce housing, and preventing displacement of current residents. This approach focuses on rehabilitating existing homes, offering cost-effective homeownership opportunities, and maintaining the strength of middle neighborhoods as viable communities for the growing workforce.

DNDC is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented self-starter with strong communication skills and comfort with technology to serve as the Housing Specialist VISTA volunteer. This role will focus on expanding community outreach and marketing, maintaining data-driven property intelligence tools, and building partnerships—playing a key role in advancing DNDC’s mission to strengthen and grow its programs.

Volunteer Duties: The VISTA volunteer will develop and execute marketing and communications strategies to raise awareness of DNDC’s programs, including creating social media content, designing outreach materials, and coordinating community events such as the Home Repair Blitz and Community Cleanup Day. The VISTA will maintain and enhance a data-driven Property Intelligence System used for strategic property acquisition decisions, generating reports and visualizations for leadership and the Board. They will also conduct follow-up resident needs assessments, research grant and funding opportunities, and build partnerships with local organizations to expand program reach. The VISTA will gain skills in digital marketing, community engagement, data analysis, strategic planning, stakeholder communications, and resource development.

AmeriCorps Program Benefits

• VISTAs receive a bi-weekly modest living allowance that places them at the economic level of the residents where they serve ($957 or $1,072 depending on the county) 
• A $7,395 end-of-service education award or $1,800 cash benefit after completing their term
• Health coverage; and may be eligible for child care and relocation assistance
• 80 hours of sick leave and 80 hours of vacation 
• Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) status upon completion of the VISTA service. NCE allows U.S. federal government agencies to hire eligible exchange program alumni outside of the formal competitive job announcement process and allows eligible exchange program alumni to compete for certain federal employment jobs that are only open to federal employees
• Discounted tuition, books, and other perks such as the Education Award match through the Schools of National Service program

VHA Program Benefits

• 3-Day VISTA Orientation focused on housing/homelessness best practices
• Three Quarterly in-person trainings in Richmond led by an accredited facilitator and sponsored (hotel, travel, and per diem) by VHA. Topics include Human Centered Design, Career Mapping and Networking, and much more
•  A year-long Coursera subscription, which is an online learning platform where the VISTAs will have access to accredited courses and certifications by Google, IBM, and Ivy League schools
• Skills based training (excel, nonprofit marketing, grant writing, trauma-informed care) 
• Monthly development conference calls with the entire VISTA cohort
• Free attendance to VHA’s statewide housing-focused conferences
• Resume writing workshops and access to a career coach
• Sponsorship to attend various housing summits and conferences 
• 90 Day site visits conducted by VHA’s VISTA Program Manager
• Opportunities to meet and network with professionals and leaders across Virginia

Host Site Benefits:

• Members will be afforded the opportunity to attend the Governor’s Housing Conference.
• Training opportunities will be provided through the Nonprofit Network (NPN).

Living Allowance: The VISTA member will receive a living allowance of $957 bi-weekly.

Terms: Car recommended

Minimum age: 18

Desired education level: Bachelors 

Skills: Communications; research and analysis; computers/technology; writing/editing; community services; urban planning; team work