St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation Selected as AmeriCorps VISTA Partner
Partnership will increase organizational capacity and work on parish-wide quality of life improvements
ST. BERNARD PARISH, LA – St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is proud to announce its acceptance into the AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) program. After a rigorous two-part application, this relationship will enhance the organization’s ability to catalyze positive improvements throughout St. Bernard. SBEDF is only the second St. Bernard Parish institution to partner with AmeriCorps VISTA, following in the footsteps of Nunez Community College.
Founded in 1965, AmeriCorps VISTA provides opportunities for Americans 18 years or older from a diverse range of backgrounds to dedicate their time to a year of full-time service with an organization to create or expand non-profit programs designed to empower communities. SBEDF’s VISTA member will serve a crucial role in grant-writing and development for both the organization and St. Bernard Parish overall. This work in securing funding for infrastructure and quality of life improvements, along with other projects, will help further SBEDF’s mission of creating and retaining jobs, building prosperity, and improving quality of life in the parish.
“After an incredibly intensive application and interview period, we are ecstatic to officially partner with AmeriCorps VISTA in expanding our impact in St. Bernard Parish,” said Meaghan McCormack, Executive Director of SBEDF. “SBEDF exists to serve the future of our community members. Our team cannot wait to see the projects that stem from this relationship.”
The announcement comes in the wake of AmeriCorps Week, which is being celebrated March 7-13, 2021. This partnership puts SBEDF and its VISTA service member in the ranks of 270,000+ AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers united in service to help solve our nation’s greatest challenges. #WeAreAmeriCorps
You can learn more about the AmeriCorps VISTA program at https://americorps.gov/partner/how-it-works/americorps-vista.
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About St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation
St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation (SBEDF) is the official economic development organization and public-private partnership of St. Bernard Parish formed to create and retain jobs, build prosperity, and improve quality of life. To learn more about SBEDF and how the organization works to foster business attraction, retention and expansion, neighborhood revitalization, small business assistance, and talent and workforce development in St. Bernard Parish, visit sbedf.org.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
