The Nourishment of the Body is Food,
The Nourishment of the Soul is Feeding Others.
Nourishing Louisiana:
An AmeriCorps VISTA Program
The Nourishing Louisiana AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program, led by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul New Orleans, is a federal grant program that addresses the critical issues of food insecurity and equitable healthcare access in vulnerable communities across Southeast Louisiana.
Our Mission to Fight Food Insecurity and Improve Healthcare Access
Roughly 1 in 7 people in Louisiana struggle to provide a healthy meal for themselves or their household. Food insecurity affects our most vulnerable community members every day. Nourishing Louisiana works to address this systemic issue in 3 key ways:
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Providing SNAP application assistance to ensure those who are eligible have access to this benefit;
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Building capacity at food pantries so that they can continue to serve the growing numbers of residents in need; and
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Conducting outreach to inform vulnerable residents of food and nutritional resources in their area.
Louisiana's senior citizens have the lowest access to clinical healthcare in the nation, and our state ranks last in behavioral health, mortality, and physical health outcomes. Our team works to meet those in need where they are in the community. Nourishing Louisiana tackles healthcare inequities by coordinating mobile services and health events at sites such as food pantries and community centers, distributing health and hygiene products to families in need, and incentivizing healthy choices such as COVID and flu immunizations.
Ready to Make A Difference?
AmeriCorps Program Benefits
Bi-weekly Living Allowance
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
OR
End-of-Service Cash Stipend
Relocation Allowance (moves over 50 miles)
Additional Benefits
$957.46 (pre-tax)
$7,395
OR
Up to $1,800
Up to $750
Professional development opportunities
Basic healthcare coverage
Forbearance/deferment of qualifying student loans during service
Non-competitive eligibility for a federal government position, if qualified
Childcare assistance, if eligible
Click here for more information
VISTA Program Requirements
Must be U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States
Have successfully obtained a High School diploma or its equivalent prior to the start of the program
Agree to and pass a criminal background check
Ability to serve full time for the program term, one year, approximately 30-35 hours/week.
Generally Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Now Recruiting! Apply to Become a VISTA Today!
Orleans Parish Outreach VISTA
Coordinate community events that focus on improving healthcare and access to food for those in need, conduct community outreach to residents to raise awareness of critical resources in their area, and build capacity at food pantries through volunteer recruitment and other indirect support
Jefferson Parish Outreach VISTA
Coordinate community events that focus on improving healthcare and access to food for those in need, conduct community outreach to residents to raise awareness of critical resources in their area, and build capacity at food pantries through volunteer recruitment and other indirect support
St. Bernard Parish Outreach VISTA
Coordinate community events that focus on improving healthcare and access to food for those in need, conduct community outreach to residents to raise awareness of critical resources in their area, and build capacity at food pantries through volunteer recruitment and other indirect support
Plaquemines Parish Outreach VISTA
Coordinate community events that focus on improving healthcare and access to food for those in need, conduct community outreach to residents to raise awareness of critical resources in their area, and build capacity at food pantries through volunteer recruitment and other indirect support