VISTA PILOT PROGRAM

United Way has been awarded three additional AmeriCorps*VISTA positions from the Corporation for National and Community Service, Georgia State Office, to implement a new aspect of their AmeriCorps program.  United Way will engage three veterans/wounded warriors in a pilot program serving veterans, soldiers and their families.  “This unique addition to our AmeriCorps*VISTA program promises to use service as a strategy to assist veterans who have sacrificed so much for their country, “ said Joan Stoddard, Community Building Coordinator and project supervisor.

The veterans/wounded warriors will tap the knowledge, skills and abilities of veterans by engaging them in volunteer positions, which will enable them to make a positive difference in their community and improve their quality of life as a civilian.   Examples of service assignments include mentoring and working with the CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project.  There is a need for trained volunteer mentors for returning service members and wounded warriors.  Mentors will assist service members in the process of transition and train volunteers to be good listeners and sounding boards.  Other assignments will be to help veterans navigate the higher education system, organize veteran support groups and engage veterans and others in community service projects.

"The CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project is delighted to have this kind of support from United Way and from the Corporation for National and Community Service, Georgia State Office". says Ms. Laurie Ott, Executive Director, CSRA Wounded Warrior Care Project.  "Augusta is a unique community--we have the nation's only Active Duty Rehab Unit located within a VA facility, and between Eisenhower Army Medical Center and the Charlie Norwood VAMC, our community plays a major role in wounded warrior care.  To help complement this system of care for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, we are establishing community-based programs to help with reintegration.  Our service members need as much help as we can give them to go from combat back to community, and we see the establishment of a mentor training program as a needed tool to help them do just that."