Tips and tricks to help you survive your year as a VISTA

So, you’ve decided to become an AmeriCorps VISTA member… Congratulations! Over the years, we’ve learned from our members the challenges of being a VISTA member. We decided to put together a handy booklet for those things you might not have thought of. If you ever find yourself needing someone to talk to, do not hesitate to contact any of us at the CAP Center or VISTA Member Support Unit (VMSU). Jackie St JohnVISTA Leader Regina TellesVISTA Support Coordinator Ian HadleyFirst 5 Service Corps VISTA Project Manager Sara FungProgram Manager VMSUNational Service Hotline

Food More than likely, you qualify for food stamps/ Cal Fresh. The process for applying is a little intimidating but is something you should consider for your year of service. Most Farmer’s Markets now accept EBT and offer an added benefit of a “market match”. You can ask at the market info booth about the match program, or you can check marketmatch.org. You can also buy fruit and vegetable plants using your Cal Fresh card anywhere EBT is accepted. Dollar stores are a great way to stretch your budget. Most have frozen food and fresh produce. Always check the quality of the food as well as the expiration date. Don’t forget coupons! You can pick up a paper at the dollar store on Saturday or Sunday and some coupons come during the week in the mail as well. When considering eating out, look for Food Trucks or restaurants with Happy Hour. Yelp.com is a great resource! If you find yourself completely without food, consider a local food closet or soup kitchen. Talk with your supervisor about where you can find these resources.

Utilities Many utility companies offer a discount to low income customers. Below is a list of the Electric companies in the counties that we have VISTA’s. Most of the companies have a maximum household income of $31,000 for one to two people. You can call the number listed for the company and ask about the program for more details. You are doing a year of service…don’t be afraid to ask for some help to pay your bills. CompanyCountyPhone #Assistance Program PacifiCorp/ Pacific Power Crescent City Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Sacramento, Placer and Fresno California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Liberty Utilities Placer California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Southern California Edison Orange Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) City of Anaheim Orange Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) San Diego Gas and Electric Orange California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE)

Activities Sometimes you get to your service site and you feel cut off to everything. Lack of money or knowledge of the area can create a barrier. A great way to make friends and find some local activities is through meetup.com. There are so many groups on the site and many of the activities are free as well! Look for garage sales or flea markets for a weekend adventure. You might even find a good deal on a bike or scooter for an alternative method of travel around town. As crazy as it seems, walking, running or biking around town is a great way to learn the area. These activities are slower than driving so you get a better look at the different shops and stops around town. Consider joining a sports team at a local gym or park. This does cost some money, but will provide you with the opportunity to meet many new people (and help you get or stay fit). Some athletic stores, like Nike or Fleet Feet, offer free workouts or group runs; another great way to meet people.

The Struggle For most AmeriCorps members, there comes a point in your year where you question what you are doing. For some, it happens around the 3 month mark and for others, it happens around the 6 month mark. The hard thing with VISTA is that it is indirect service. You won’t necessarily see the difference you are making in the community. This usually becomes a challenge for many members. VISTA isn’t about changing each person you serve. It’s about creating programs that will help the people in the community after your service ends. A year as a VISTA usually ends up changing you the most. You will be challenged this year in ways that you probably didn’t anticipate, but it will grow you. Continuously remind yourself of where you want to be when the year is done and push for what you want.

“Voice your big, crazy ideas; you never know who’s listening.” Melissa L – Del Norte County “ You don’t need resources to succeed, you need resourcefulness.” Nick M—Orange County “Not till we are lost do we begin to find ourselves.” –Henry David Thoreau “It’s not what the world holds for you, its what you bring to it.” -L.M. Montgomery “What you do today can improve all of your tomorrows.” -Ralph Marston “Find what motivates you and run with it. Let your passion guide you.” Jackie S—Sacramento County

Created for you by: Jackie St John VISTA Leader Special thanks to Jim