The VISTA Summer Associates Program is a 10-week service opportunity for members who are available to the project on a full-time basis. As a Summer Associate, your contribution will have an actual and credible impact on low-income individuals and families in Billings, Montana!

Summer Associates must be: at least 18 years of age at the beginning of service; a U.S. Citizen, National or Legal Resident. Applicants on the National Sex Offenders Public Registry are not eligible for service.

Important Dates

• Service Term: Begins on June 1, 2018 and ends August 9, 2018
• On-Site Orientation Training: June 1 and June 4, 2018
• Host Site Service Start Date: June 5, 2018

Summer Associate Benefits

In addition to making a credible effort to help people escape poverty, Summer Associates receive the following benefits:  

• Relocation Allowance: $500 on the first day of service if traveling more than 50 miles 
• Housing Support: $500 if residing in MSU-Billings summer housing. Apply for summer housing here!
• Living Allowance: $455 every two weeks
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,253 or an end-of-service Summer Stipend $345
• Not provided: Summer Associates do not receive health benefits or paid personal / medical leave.

Summer 2018 Service Opportunities - Education & Success in School

The following projects have been developed with an emphasis on the prevention of summer learning loss through activities promoting education, particularly for those in residing in low income areas and children serviced by Title I schools. Math and Reading are educational components of all projects and many Host Sites have dedicated programming to enhance skills and interest Science, Engineering, Technology, and Art.

• Wise Wonders Children's Museum - Full STEAM Ahead: The overall project goal is to increase access to education for low income youth through STEAM based camps and programming. Access to STEM/STEAM educational programming in neighborhood out-of-school facilities is a key component to fighting poverty. Wise Wonders opened in 2015 and continues to emerge and build capacity as a children’s museum and not-for-profit organization with interactive exhibits to allow self-directed learning for building creativity, divergent thinking, problem solving, and encouraging innovation.
• Billings Public Library - Pedal-Powered Library: The overall project goal is to increase access to education for low income youth by expanding literacy and STEAM experiential learning programs which will increase educational engagement for at least 15 K-12 students.Engaging and outreaching to elementary and middle school students in experiential, enhanced learning environments are the keys to building interest in literacy success. Billings Public Library is where our community connects and grows together, discovering the love of reading, the joy of learning, and the sharing of creative expression.