Lighthouse Beloved Community Land Trust Communications Strategist AmeriCorps VISTA Member

AmeriCorps VISTA Program

AmeriCorps VISTA was founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 as a national service program designed specifically to fight poverty in America. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs under the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). AmeriCorps VISTA Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities.

Virginia Housing Alliance VISTA Project

Virginia Housing Alliance’s (VHA) AmeriCorps VISTA project is a statewide intermediary project with 17 Host Sites, all that either work to expand affordable housing opportunities and/or end homelessness throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. VHA’s VISTA project aims to develop viable communities by promoting integrated approaches that provide decent housing, suitable living environments, and expansive economic opportunities for low and moderate-income persons. This listing is to fill the Host Site opening for an emerging CLT called Lighthouse Beloved Community located in Lynchburg, VA. 

Lighthouse Beloved Community Land Trust Communications Strategist AmeriCorps VISTA Member, Lighthouse Beloved Community 

The FARRR Foundation, Inc., affectionately known as "The Lighthouse" was established in 2004 by a first-generation Asian-American. At the core of this work is the evidence-based wraparound approach to demonstrate that within the concept of a trauma-resilient community healing occurs. Many of the families that receive services at The Lighthouse live in the formerly red-lined 24501 zip-code. Individuals are medically marginalized and trapped living in unsafe, decaying homes built in the 1930's era. Over the past three years, 90 acres of land has been acquired in this district and the land is deeded into a Community Land Trust (CLT). Lighthouse Beloved Community Land Trust (LBC CLT) will offer affordable ownership of new sustainable, energy-efficient housing. No other program exists in the City of Lynchburg that preserves the affordability of home ownership and promotes the wraparound reach that The Lighthouse delivers. FARRR Lighthouse is looking for a detail-oriented individual to serve as the Lighthouse Beloved Community CLT Communications Strategist VISTA with the goal of increasing the awareness of the newly established CLT by developing outreach campaigns, creating surveys to involve the community in decision making processes, and expanding capacity by implementing more efficient systems and procedures

Member Duties: The VISTA will increase awareness about Community Land Trusts by developing targeted outreach campaigns, designing marketing materials, creating CLT standard operating procedures, and utilizing homebuyer interviews to tell the Lighthouse Beloved Community’s story. The VISTA member will also design surveys and needs assessments intended to incorporate the voices of community members into the CLT decision making process. They will use this data to help identify service gaps, new funding streams, and develop presentations for conferences, community meetings, and other exhibition events. They will also create CLT training curricula to teach partners, real estate agents, community members, and others on the value of CLTs and how they can help expand affordable housing in the area.

Living Allowance: The LBC VISTA will receive a $877 bi-weekly living allowance.

Program Benefits: Childcare assistance if eligible; choice of $7,395 end-of-service education or $1,800 cash benefit after completing their term; health coverage; living allowance; relocation allowance; training; Professional Development opportunities; housing, food, travel allowance.

Terms: Car recommended

Minimum age: 18

Desired education level: Associates degree (AA)

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

Position Contact Info

Please contact the VHA VISTA Program Manager, Hannah Moore, at hmoore@vahousingalliance.org or at 910-258-2420 with any questions. Openings will be filled on a rolling basis so applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications must be submitted through the AmeriCorps portal. This process includes: Application and 2 references.