VISTA Landscaping Project

AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates have been landscaping in the Normandy Drive area in recent weeks. Our work in the Normandy and Manor Drive neighborhood of Iowa City began earlier this summer when VISTAs coordinated sandbag removal efforts there. Now that the sandbags are gone, the cleanup and restoration can begin.


(Yearlong VISTA Dan Babb rakes a yard on Normandy Drive in Iowa City on Saturday, August 23.)

If you're interested in volunteering, please contact our United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657.

AmeriCorps VISTA Reflection

For many people, the flood of 2008 is behind us. Kirkwood Community College began their fall term this week, and the University of Iowa begins classes next Monday. As fall approaches, many might assume that the work here is done. Conversely, a drive past City Park on north Dubuque Street is a great example that the flood recovery process has only just begun.

For many AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates, their two-month long terms are ending. For some, the experience is already over. We've worked hard this summer to remove every sandbag in our community; to provide assistance to every homeowner that's needed it; and to build a sustainable recovery system in the Iowa City-Coralville area. Many of our volunteers are beginning to help flood victims in their landscaping efforts. To plant grass seed and flowers is an indication that we can begin to return to a sense of normalcy. But right now, we can only do it one house at a time.

Anybody who is interested in assisting us this fall should contact the United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Center (319-337-8657) to see how they can help in the recovery process. From incoming UI students to longterm Iowa City and Coralville residents, it's important that we come together when our community needs us most. For me, these eight weeks have been some of the most rewarding of my life.


Rob Verhein, AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate

KWWL Covers Hills Event

KWWL Cedar Rapids-Iowa City (an NBC news affiliate) visited the Hills area on Saturday to report about our progress there. To read their article, click here.

Hills Sandbag Removal to Continue

On Saturday, more than 150 volunteers helped AmeriCorps VISTAs remove sandbags from the city of Hills, ten miles south of Iowa City. Volunteers from Procter & Gamble, the University of Colorado, and the city of Hills were in attendance.

Due to the large volume of sandbags in the Hills area, the project will continue tomorrow, the 19th. If you're interesting in assisting, please contact our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

Pictures from Saturday's event will be posted later this afternoon.

Press-Citizen Writes about Rebuilding Effort

Today's edition of the Iowa City Press-Citizen includes a story about AmeriCorps' partnership with the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Our AmeriCorps United Way team captain Michelle Wichman spoke to the Press-Citizen's reporter for this story.

To view the article, click here or pick up a copy of today's Press-Citizen.

Hills Project Update

Just a reminder that AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers will be working in Hills this Saturday to remove the city's sandbags. In May, before the height of this summer's flooding, the city came together to construct a floodwall--fortunately, the area was spared of any major damage.

Several volunteer groups will be assisting us this weekend, but we're looking for more hands to help us. We'll be tackling both the east side and north side sandbag walls, and will continue working in Hills on Tuesday the 19th if the job isn't finished this Saturday.

If you have any questions about the project, or are interested in volunteering, call our United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

More "ToGather Together" Photos

Last Friday, AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers worked at the Coralville United Methodist Church to sort clothing items in preparation for their distribution on Saturday, August 9. The event was part of the ToGather Together project, which seeks to provide clothing and school supplies to low-income families.


(AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates Gladys Grane (left) and Jennifer Holder (center) sort clothes with United Way team captain Michelle Wichman (right) on August 8 in Coralville.)


(VISTA Summer Associate Katie Zenker working at the Coralville United Methodist Church on August 8.)

Hills Sandbag Removal Project Announced

AmeriCorps VISTA has coordinated a sandbag removal event with the city of Hills, located about eight miles south of Iowa City. The Hills community came together in June to build a floodwall along the east and north sides of town--fortunately, they were spared from any flooding. Since then, however, the city has been unable to remove the sandbags.

That's where we need your help.

On Saturday, August 16 and Tuesday, August 19, volunteers will be working in Hills to remove the sandbags. We will begin at around 8:30 AM and work through lunch; snacks and beverages will be provided both days.

If you're interested in volunteering--or would like to learn more about the event--please contact our United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

Please refer to the below map for driving directions from the Iowa City area to Hills. The city is located just off of Hwy. 218, eight miles south of Iowa City.


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ToGather-Together Photos

Volunteers worked this morning to help the ToGather-Together project at St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Iowa City. For more information about the project, refer to the previous post or view it here.


(AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate Hillary Hott (right) works with yearlong VISTA Linda Yanney at St. Mark's United Methodist Church on August 7.)


(VISTA Summer Associates Jennifer Holder (left) and Gladys Grane (right) arrange notebooks at St. Mark's United Methodist Church on August 7.)

AmeriCorps Helping ToGather-Together Project

Volunteers from AmeriCorps, the United Way of Johnson County, and the Johnson County Crisis Center are helping the ToGather-Together project this weekend. Volunteers are sorting clothing and school supplies for area students, and will be distributing them on Saturday from the Coralville United Methodist Church at 806 13th Avenue in Coralville. (See map below for details.)


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According to the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County, the ToGather-Together project is "community-wide effort to systematically collect and distribute back-to-school supplies so that every low income youth starts school with supplies. We believe that by pooling our efforts and resources, we will ensure that all needy children are reached and that no child is left behind."

For more information about how you can help with this project (or any other ongoing projects to help low-income families or flood victims), please contact our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657.

VISTAs Help Flood Victims Relocate

Since June's devastating flooding, we've heard many stories of neighbors coming together to assist one another--but this might be one of the most inspirational yet:

During the height of June's flooding, a Coralville resident was evacuated from her apartment and moved to a temporary shelter. Her husband, having suffered a stroke, was being tended to at the UIHC.

When the man's nurse overheard the family discussing how they'd lost just about everything in the flood, their nurse offered to donate her furniture (couch, television, and even a bed) to help the family get back on their feet.


(Pictured: AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates Hillary Hott and Hassan Abdelkarim.)

Yesterday, AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers moved the furniture into the couple's new apartment in Iowa City. We would like to thank Big Ten rental for providing a moving truck free of charge.


(Pictured: Summer Associate Matt Schnell and United Way Team Captain Michelle Wichman.)

If you're a flood victim that needs assistance (or somebody who would like to help provide assistance to those in need), contact our United Way of Johnson County Volunteer center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

Lt. Governor Judge Photos

As promised late last week, photos of Lt. Governor Patty Judge meeting with AmeriCorps VISTAs have arrived. Special thanks to Laura Riordan for sharing them with us.


(Lt. Governor Judge spoke with AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates Danielle Steger, Libby Dobbs, and Jason Treloar on July 31 in Coralville.)


(Lt. Governor Judge and Iowa National Guard Major General Ron Dardis talk to Habitat for Humanity's Chris Shipley.)

Sandbags Continue to Disappear

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers, working with the United Way of Johnson County, the Johnson County Crisis Center, and other organizations worked throughout the weekend to remove sandbags from several more areas of Iowa City. Volunteers worked on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the Idyllwild neighborhood of Iowa City (near Taft Speedway) and around the Crisis Center and Salvation Army on Gilbert Court. On Sunday, volunteers came together to remove sandbags from the Iowa City synagogue.

For more information about how you can help, call our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

Lt. Governor Judge Visits Coralville

Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge visited recovery workers on Edgewater Drive in Coralville yesterday afternoon. Judge met with both AmeriCorps VISTA and Habitat for Humanity volunteers working at the neighborhood that borders the Iowa River.

Both Governor Chet Culver and Judge were in Cedar Rapids yesterday for a Rebuild Iowa Advisory Commission meeting and the first 'Speak Up Iowa!' meeting.

Please visit our website throughout the day for photos related to Lt. Judge's visit.

For more information about the meetings in Cedar Rapids--or to read the governor's press release--visit the state of Iowa's website here.

Sandbag Removal Effort to Continue

This weekend, AmeriCorps and United Way of Johnson County volunteers will again be removing sandbags from several locations throughout Iowa City. Because of the dedication of so many volunteers (including hundreds from within our community), we're excited that our hard work is making a difference. In the Normandy and Manor Drive neighborhood, nearly every sandbag has now been removed.

Those interested in volunteering this weekend should still report to our tent at the corner of Normandy and Manor to check in and receive work assignments. We will be working to remove sandbags from around non-profit organizations on Gilbert Court or the Idyllwild townhouses in Iowa City.

For more information, please contact our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us.


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Refer to the above map for directions to the Gilbert Court area, but please remember to first check in on Normandy and Manor Drive.

Canvassing Effort Expands

AmeriCorps VISTA and United Way of Johnson County volunteers have distributed--on average--500 flyers to area neighborhoods and businesses each of the last two weeks. In an attempt to draw more volunteers to this weekend's sandbag removal project, the canvassing effort has been intensified this week.

(AmeriCorps VISTAs, including Michael Swim and Nathan Kieso, remove sandbags from a Coralville home earlier this month.)

During the late morning and early afternoon hours yesterday, AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates distributed 300 flyers to houses along Dearborn, Rundell, and Sheridan Streets in Iowa City. More volunteers plan to work throughout the week to continue canvassing areas of Coralville and Iowa City in preparation for our event this weekend.

Those interested in removing sandbags should check in at the corner of Normandy and Manor Drive in Iowa City on Friday, August 1, or Saturday, August 2, anytime between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Lunch and beverages will be provided by area restaurants this weekend, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. For more information about the event, please contact our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us.

Celebrating Thanksgiving in July

On Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26, volunteers working with the Johnson County Crisis Center accepted food and monetary donations at local Hy-Vee stores for an annual food drive event dubbed "Thanksgiving in July."

(VISTA Summer Associate Hilary Hott unloads cases of cereal at the Crisis Center warehouse on Saturday, July 26.)

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers helped staff tables at the area grocery stores and also worked to unload four semis as they arrived with food at the Crisis Center's Gilbert Court warehouse and food bank.

(VISTA Summer Associate Danielle Steger works with yearlong VISTA Nathan Kieso to unload canned goods at the Crisis Center warehouse.)

Due to a combination of problems--including June's massive flooding and a sputtering economy--donations and volunteerism is down at the Crisis Center. The Thanksgiving in July event was, however, an overall success.

Those interested in donating to the Crisis Center are asked to consider giving items of high protein content--items such as peanut butter or canned meats. For more information on how you can donate (or to volunteer at the Crisis Center) call their office at 319-351-0140 or visit their website here.

Area Restaurants Offer Generous Donations

AmeriCorps VISTAs and United Way volunteers visited local restaurants yesterday as part of their neighborhood canvassing effort. Eight restaurants committed meals to recovery workers and at least six more expressed interest in donating in the future. We would like to thank those who so generously offered to provide meals for our hard-working volunteers:

• The Olive Garden (Coralville) has donated meals for Saturday August 2, 9, and 16.
• Panchero's (Iowa City and Coralville) donated 80 free burrito gift cards to distribute to volunteers.
• Chik Filet (Coralville) agreed to provide fruit cups and salads for volunteers either this Saturday, the 26, or August 2.
• Panera Bread (Coralville) has agreed to donate sandwiches to volunteers at a date to be determined.
• Buffalo Wild Wings (Iowa City) donated 100 wings on August 2.
• Chipotle (Iowa City) agreed to give free burritos to volunteers on August 2.
• Milio's (two locations in Iowa City) has tentatively agreed to provide sandwiches at a date to be determined.
• Villa Pizza (Coralville) has agreed to donate pizzas on August 2.

To those restaurants (and other businesses mentioned previously), we appreciate your dedication to area recovery workers.

More Canvassing Updates

AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers, working in partnership with the United Way of Johnson County, distributed 200 flyers to neighborhoods in Iowa City and Coralville today. The Glendale Road neighborhood of Iowa City and the 14th Avenue neighborhood of Coralville were targeted today.

(AmeriCorps VISTAs Dan Babb, Natasha Robin, and Britney Tonning work to remove sandbags on July 12 in Coralville.)

Also, nearly a dozen businesses along Hwy. 6 in Coralville agreed to notify employees of volunteer opportunities or place flyers in store windows or employee break rooms.

On Saturday, July 26, volunteers will be working in the Normandy and Manor Drive neighborhood of Iowa City to remove sandbags from area homes or along the Iowa River. Those interested in volunteering should check in at our tent on the corner of Normandy and Manor Drive. For more information, please call our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us here.

Canvassing Effort Continues

AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates canvassed today in the Normandy Drive and Taft Speedway neighborhoods today. AmeriCorps volunteers--working together with the United Way of Johnson County--met with area residents still recovering from June's record flooding.

(AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate Danielle Steger canvass in the Taft Speedway neighborhood of Iowa City today.)

If you (or anyone you know) needs volunteers to assist at your home, please call the United Way's Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657. Those interested in volunteering may also call the Volunteer Center to learn more about how they can help.

On Saturday, July 26, volunteers will be working in the Normandy and Manor Drive neighborhood to remove sandbags around homes or along the Iowa River. Those interested in volunteering should check in at our tent on the corner of Normandy and Manor Drive. Snacks and water will be provided. For more information about this event, call our Volunteer Center (number listed above), or e-mail us here.

More than 100 Volunteers Help Remove Sandbags

On Saturday, July 19, more than 100 volunteers helped remove sandbags from the Normandy Drive neighborhood of Iowa City. Volunteers from Iowa City to Chicago worked throughout the morning and early afternoon to dispose of sandbags surrounding area homes or lined up along the Iowa River near City Park.

(Above: More than a dozen members of the Grace Community Church volunteered to remove sandbags on July 19 from the Normandy Drive neighborhood of Iowa City.)

We would like to thank Jimmy John's, Quiznos, and Blackstone (all of Iowa City) for donating lunches. Our hungry volunteers appreciated the gesture.

(Above: AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates Gladys Grane (left) and Natasha Robin take a break from removing sandbags on July 19.)

Though we made progress last weekend, there is still a great deal of work left to be done. Those interested in volunteering this Saturday, July 26, can call our United Way of Johnson County Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us here.

Greenway Helps Flood Recovery in City Park

Chad Greenway, linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, worked in City Park today to help remove debris and sandbags after the Iowa River spilled into the park last month. Greenway, a former UI football standout, spent more than an hour working alongside current UI football players, neighborhood volunteers, and even Vikings' cheerleaders. At noon, the team (along with Greenway's Lead the Way Foundation) also donated $30,000 to the United Way of Johnson County's Flood Relief Fund.

(Above: Chad Greenway cleans up debris near the baseball diamonds at City Park in Iowa City.)

AmeriCorps VISTA and the United Way of Johnson County would like to thank both Chad and the Minnesota Vikings organization for their efforts this weekend.

(Above: AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates pose with the donated check at the United Way of Johnson County's Coralville office.)

UI Women's Basketball Team Removes Sandbags

The University of Iowa women's basketball team spent nearly four hours removing sandbags from the Normandy Dr. neighborhood of Iowa City yesterday afternoon. Reporters from KGAN Channel 2 (CBS), KCRG Channel 9 (ABC), the Iowa City Press-Citizen, the Daily Iowan, and the Big Ten Network were all in attendance for the event. (Click links to read their articles about the event.)

(Above: Members of the UI women's basketball team remove sandbags from the corner of Normandy and Manor Drive in Iowa City.)

This weekend, volunteers from AmeriCorps VISTA and the United Way of Johnson County will be working in the Normandy and Manor Drive neighborhood to remove sandbags; according to the city of Iowa City, there are more than 1.5 million sandbags in our city alone, and the sandbag wall along the Iowa River stretches for more than one mile.

If you're interested in helping remove sandbags this weekend, please stop by our tent on the corner of Normandy and Manor Drive between 8 AM and 3 PM Saturday, July 19. Food and beverages will also be provided for volunteers. For more information, call our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-337-8657 or e-mail us here.

Local Businesses Donate to Recovery Effort

The United Way of Johnson County and AmeriCorps VISTA have received many generous donations from local businesses this week. We would like to thank them all individually for going above-and-beyond to help us:

• Iowa City-Coralville Hy-Vee stores
• Coralville Target
• Iowa City Fairway
• Lenoch & Cilek Ace Hardware of Coralville
• The Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Cedar Rapids
• Blackstone restaurant of Iowa City
• Iowa City Quizno's
• Iowa City Jimmy John's
• Mercy Hospital of Iowa City
• EMS Detergent Center
• New Pioneer Co-Op (Coralville, Iowa City)

Coralville Sandbag Removal Event

On July 11, AmeriCorps VISTA associates worked on a sandbad removal project with neighborhood volunteers near Fifth Avenue in Coralville. Below, VISTA Summer Associates and yearlong associates work to remove sandbags.

This Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, volunteers from AmeriCorps VISTA, the United Way of Johnson County, and other organizations will be working in the Normandy and Manor Drive neighborhoods to remove sandbags and begin the rocovery project there. Those interested in volunteering are asked to check in at the Normandy and Manor Drive intersection; the event is scheduled from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM both days. For more information, please call our United Way Volunteer Center at 319-338-7823 or e-mail us here.

(Above: Members of the Iowa City Mosque help with the sandbag removal effort in Coralville on Saturday, July 12.)

Canvassing Effort Begins

In preparation for the sandbag removal event on Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, the United Way of Johnson County and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers canvassed the Rochester Avenue neighborhood of Iowa City this afternoon. Local residents and businesses were informed of the project and urged to notify friends, relatives, and their own neighbors about the upcoming project near Normandy and Manor Drive.

Businesses in and around the Sycamore and Coral Ridge malls were also visited by United Way/AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers--most were extremely generous, and offered to place information in their own breakrooms and in office windows to attract the attention of passersby. In total, nearly 500 information flyers were distributed.

If you're interested in volunteering this weekend, please check in at the intersection of Normandy and Manor Drive in Iowa City to receive work assignments. Snacks and refreshments will be provided by local businesses, including Target in Coralville, for area volunteers. For more information, call our Volunteer Center at 319-338-7823 or e-mail us here.

Volunteers Needed for Sandbag Removal Event

The United Way Volunteer Center of Johnson County is helping organize a sandbag removal event for this Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19. The event, scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM and end at 3:00 PM on both days, will require the assistance of volunteers from the community. Those interested in volunteering can come to the corner of Normandy and Manor Drive in Iowa City to receive their work assignments. (Please refer to the map at the end of this post for directions).

Because duties will include removal and disposal of sandbags from floodwalls, volunteers are asked to wear work clothes, study shoes, and bring gloves for extra protection. On-site snacks and water will also be provided.

If you're interested in volunteering, please contact our United Way Volunteer Center between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday-Friday at 319-338-7823.


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AmeriCorps VISTA on Facebook, MySpace

AmeriCorps VISTA is now registered on Facebook and MySpace, so the next time you're browsing your favorite social networking sites, check out our groups there and find other people volunteering in our community.

For more information about our program (or to apply), visit our website here. To schedule a visit to our office in Coralville, call us at 319-625-2156 or e-mail us at iowacity@vistacorridorrecovery.org.

United Way Seeking Warehouse Space

The United Way of Johnson County, in conjunction with AmeriCorps VISTA, is helping in the flood recovery effort and is searching for warehouse space to temporarily store donations. According to the United Way staff, truck-fulls of donations have been turned away due to insufficient storage space in the Iowa City/Coralville community. From office furniture to entire kitchen sets, families and businesses across state lines have expressed interest in helping our neighbors--now we just need one of our own to donate a facility large enough to accommodate incoming donations.

If you (or anyone you know) has access to warehouse storage in our area--and is willing to donate at least some of that space--please call our office at 319-338-7823, visit our website here, or e-mail us at vols@unitedwayjc.org.

AmeriCorps VISTA on YouTube

AmeriCorps VISTA Iowa City has created a YouTube account to keep the community up-to-date about projects in our community. We will consistently post video samples to the blog, but we urge you to visit our YouTube channel to see more examples of our flood relief efforts in Coralville and Iowa City.


(VISTA Summer Associate Matt Schnell updating the Iowa City website.)


To find our videos, visit YouTube and search for "VISTA Iowa City."

If you're interested in volunteering with AmeriCorps VISTA, you can view our website at www.vistacorridorrecovery.org, e-mail us here, or call our Coralville office at 319-625-2156.

Today's Photo Highlight

AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate Micah Franker working at our Coralville recovery site on Thursday, July 10.

For more information on how you can help, call our office at 319-625-2156 or vist our website at www.vistacorridorrecovery.org to apply.

Cedar Rapids Gazette Covers Coralville Recovery

The Cedar Rapids Gazette published an article this morning about our Coralville recovery project on page B1 of its "Iowa Today" section. To read the article online, click here.

Below, AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate Micah Franker talks with a Gazette reporter about why he decided to volunteer.


AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer cleaning up after flood in Coralville from Richard Pratt on Vimeo.

KWWL Cedar Rapids Visits Coralville Site

KWWL Cedar Rapids/Waterloo (Channel 7 locally), visited our Cedar Rapids recovery project yesterday. AmeriCorps yearlong VISTAs Dan Babb and Nathan Kieso talked about their why they're volunteering in our community.

A Word From The Housing Fellowship

"VISTA volunteers have taken over the daunting task to clean out, tear out and sanitize the severely flooded apartment buildings in Coralville owned by The Housing Fellowship. This volunteer effort has saved several thousands of dollars for The Housing Fellowship, a non-profit Community Housing Development Organization. This quick response to the overwhelming local disaster illustrates the array of services that VISTA volunteers are willing to tackle.

The mission of The Housing Fellowship is to increase the access to and the availability of affordable housing in Johnson County. The flooded apartment buildings are part of The Housing Fellowship's affordable rental housing program. The apartments are rented to very-low income families at rents well below the local rental market . Our rental housing program has had a significant impact in Johnson County and The Housing Fellowship currently owns/manages 132 affordable rental homes.

VISTA has also had a significant history in Johnson County and for The Housing Fellowship. VISTA volunteers served as staff for The Housing Fellowship at its beginning - for the first three years of operation. Over my 15+ tenure as the Executive Director of The Housing Fellowship I have had the opportunity to meet and work with several VISTA volunteers. I have always found them to be committed, knowledgeable and essential for the development and sustainability of the local service delivery system."

Maryann Dennis
Executive Director
The Housing Fellowship

New VISTAs Sworn In

Eight new VISTA volunteers--seven summer associates and one yearlong--were sworn in earlier today at our Coralville office. The new volunteers join ten additional yearlong and summer associates who took the oath within the last week. To learn more about positions with AmeriCorps VISTA, review previous postings here or here.

(Photo: New VISTAs take the oath of office on July 10, 2008)

An informational meeting is scheduled tonight at the John R. Stratton Center, 2501 Holliday Rd. in Coralville, from 4 to 6 PM. Those with questions are also free to call our office at 319-625-2156.

Coralville Press Event a Success!

Earlier today, AmeriCorps VISTAs welcomed reporters and photographers to 390 2nd Ave., Coralville, to observe our recovery efforts there. Press agents from the Cedar Rapids Gazette and KWWL Channel 7 (Cedar Rapids/Waterloo) had the opportunity to speak with summer associates and year-long VISTAs about why they chose to volunteer this summer.

Nathan Kieso, a year-long VISTA and Iowa City native, says he joined the program because he remembers his own home being flooded in 1993. "The community really helped me when our house was flooded, and Johnson County helped me a lot," Kieso, 25, says. "Overall, the Johnson County and Iowa City helped me a lot, and it's my turn to give back to it."

AmeriCorps VISTAs are working in conjunction with the Johnson County United Way and the J.C. Housing Fellowship to assist in the recovery of low-income housing units in the Iowa City/Coralville area. Summer associate and year-long positions are still available in our community; those interested are urged to visit our website to learn more about how they can help area neighborhoods recover from June's historic flooding. From front-line clean-up volunteers to neighborhood outreach coordinators, we're looking for enthusiastic local residents that want to help make a difference in our community.

(Photo: Nathan Kieso, year-long VISTA, is interviewed by KWWL Cedar Rapids/Waterloo)

AmeriCorps VISTA and Housing Fellowship Working Together!

At VISTA, our mission is to create a sustainable solution to poverty. There is no better opportunity to create sustainable solutions to poverty than helping restore low income housing units so the families who reside there can return to their homes as soon as possible. We have teamed up with The Housing Fellowship because their missions are so complimentary.

In the early 1990's--before The Housing Fellowship had a full-time paid staff--VISTAs were used to staff their Johnson County office, and their current office manager is a former VISTA. "VISTAs have a significant and long history in Iowa City," said Maryann Dennis, executive director of The Housing Fellowship.

AmeriCorps VISTAs are working to create sustainable positions in our community so our mission to combat poverty continues long after current volunteers have completed their programs.

For information about how you can help, visit our website at www.vistacorridorrecovery.org or call our Coralville office at 319-625-2156.

VISTAs Working in Coralville

VISTA summer associates are spending the week gutting flood damaged apartments that housed low income families in our community. The tasks include removing and disposing of material at 390 2nd St., several blocks north of Hwy. 6 in Coralville.















(Pictured: Rachael Munn, Summer Associate)

Melissa Hostetler, a VISTA Summer Associate, is currently working at the Coralville recovery site. "I wanted to give back to the community," she said, adding that "a lot of people have helped."

But more volunteers are still needed.

New internal estimates suggest that the recovery effort in Johnson County will take anywhere from two to four years to complete. If flooding continues this summer or occurs in future years, the recovery effort could continue long into the next decade.

AmeriCorps VISTA, the United Way, and the Johnson County Crisis Center are working in unison to ensure that our neighborhoods recover as quickly as possible. For more information about how you can help, visit our website here or call our Coralville office at 319-625-2156.

VISTA Volunteer Bios!

VISTA summer associates and year-round team members explain why they're helping in the recovery effort. If you're interested in volunteering, click here to apply today!

To view more of our videos, visit our Blip.TV website.

Click To Play

Get Involved!

If you’re looking for a rewarding summer experience, we have exciting opportunities for you. We’re currently looking for volunteers to work in many different areas:

Front-line:
Work with volunteer crews to clean up homes and non-profit agencies.

Team Organization:
Coordinate a VISTA team working in the field, track their progress, and prepare for their future assignments.

Fund Development:
Research and write grants; search for donations.

Administrative/Data Entry:
Help keep the office organized and orderly.

Childcare:
Staff emergency childcare facilities.

Public Health Liaison:
Work with organizations to coordinate public health initiatives.

Public Safety Liaison:
Work closely with the police to ensure safety within the community.

Communications:
Take pictures, write cutlines, update websites, and write articles.

Floaters:
Flexibly adapt to daily needs and work in whichever category is most needed.

Volunteer Now!

VISTA Corridor Recovery is currently recruiting volunteers for a variety of positions in the Iowa City/Coralville area. From neighborhood organizers to front-line clean-up volunteers, we’re seeking hard-working, enthusiastic individuals interested in helping repair our community.

Volunteers who can commit to at least eight weeks of service will receive an $833 monthly living allowance and a $1,000 education award or end of service stipend; those unable to commit at least eight weeks are urged to call for more information about how to best serve the area.

Applicants must be US citizens or National/Legal Residents, at least 18 years old, and be available to work full-time. Click here to apply.

For more information about available positions, e-mail Bob Dvorsky or call our office at 319-625-2156.