SHAMOKIN - Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO) Inc. has partnered with AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) for the last three years working to better the lives of people living in poverty in the area. VISTA representatives assigned to CSO are working in a number of areas:
- The VITA program, which is the IRS's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, did very well, with 688 returns completed amounting to $824,891 in federal, state and local refunds thanks to VISTA Steven Slusser and the 12 volunteers he recruited for the program.
- As marketing and outreach coordinator, Melissa Hunter, the other CSO VISTA, was charged with the task of building a bridge between CSO and the community. Hunter also started a project called Cover Our Kids, where she collected and distributed more than $2,400 in winter wear items in the community with the help of 43 volunteers.
AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years.
VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups and more. They use passion, commitment and hard work to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.
This will be Hunter's last year as an AmeriCorps VISTA; she has finished her third and final year as a member. The organization will have Slusser returning as VITA coordinator next year.
Also, the organization is looking for a VISTA to work with financial literacy; any interested individual can apply at www.americorp.com. For more information, call 644-6575, extension 135.
CSO is a regional, private, non-profit, community-based, charitable organization that is dedicated to helping people make positive changes in their lives. CSO delivers Workforce Development services in the Central Region Workforce Investment Area and provides community action initiatives.