National School Reform Faculty

Harmony/VISTA

Service Learning Demonstration Project

Harmony/VISTA Initiative | Harmony/VISTA Project Sites | VISTA Project Examples |

Contact Information | VISTA Application | VISTA Benefits

The purpose of the Harmony/VISTA Service-Learning Demonstration Project is to engage high school students in meaningful leadership and service within their school and community. Through the promotion of youth leadership, service learning and social action initiatives, VISTA Volunteers mobilize teachers, students, parents, and community members to take action against poverty. We work closely with Indiana and Vermont high schools to strengthen youth voice and leadership, develop partnerships between schools and the community, and increase parent involvement.

Our mission is to support schools in the develop ment of a school environment where all students can achieve at high levels and contribute to the community. As a Service Learning Demonstration Project, our overall goal is to help create a school culture where service learning is integrated into the curriculum. Service learning is a teaching strategy that connects meaningful service to the community with curriculum based classroom instruction.

Matt Dunne, the former National Director of Americorps*VISTA states, "The Harmony/VISTA Service-Learning Demonstration Project is part of an innovative group of programs exploring the nexus between service-learning and anti-poverty work. I believe that the youth of America can, through their education, make valuable, lasting contributions to our communities."

Harmony/VISTA Initiative

Our AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers help promote quality service-learning and youth leadership programs in participating high schools. Together with high school staff, students, parents and community members , they assist in the design and implementation of these projects that meet both educational and service goals. Throughout a VISTA Volunteer's year of service he/she may co-facilitate a monthly professional development session that focuses on the quality and creation of service-learning projects and youth engagement within the school. In addition, he/she also acts as a liaison between the school and local organizations. VISTAs help to foster connections that strengthen both the work of the school and the delivery of services provided by partnering agencies.

VISTA Volunteers spend their year of service:

* Collaborating with schools to develop and implement strategies for student engagement in school reform.

* Working with school staff to establish and strengthen community partnerships that support the work of community organizations and the social skills and career development of students.

* Co-creating opportunities for students and adults to engage in dialogue and action around strengthening teaching and learning, equity in schools, adult/student relationships, youth civic engagement, and other topics related to student success.

* Identifying and deepening relationships with local organizations through service learning that addresses anti-poverty issues.

*Fostering within each school the commitment to create a school vision that includes service learning and civic engagement as vital components to teaching and learning.

*Assisting parent leaders and community advocates in developing opportunities for parents to be meaningfully involved in school reform, service learning, and other projects.

Harmony/VISTA Project Sites:

INDIANA - Click Here to enter the Indiana Harmony/VISTA Project Site

Key Learning Community ( K-12) - Indianapolis, IN

Northwest High School - Indianapolis, IN

New Beginnings High School - Indianapolis, IN

Arlington High School - Indianapolis, IN

Broad Ripple High School - Indianapolis, IN

Arsenal Technical High School - Indianapolis, IN

Emmerich Manual High School - Indianapolis, IN

Washington Community School (7-12) - Indianapolis, IN

Harmony School (K-12) - Bloomington, IN

VERMONT

Twinfield Union School (K-12) - Plainfield, VT

Peoples Academy (7-12) - Morrisville, VT

Cabot School (K-12) - Cabot, VT

Rivendell Academy (K-12) - Orford, NH

Harwood Union High School - Duxbury, VT

John Dewey Project - Burlington, VT

Mt. Abraham Union High School (7-12) - Bristol, VT

Walden School (9-12) - Vergennes, VT

Service Learning and Student Leadership Project Examples:
Since the start of this project in 2001, the Harmony/VISTA Service Learning Demonstration Project has helped develop several programs and projects including:

*Engaging students in meaningful discussions and action concerning city-wide school reform initiatives.

* The Cross-Rivendell Trail Project, a service learning project that joins four communities through a 35 mile trail.

* Trailblazers, a freshman mentoring program in which older students design and lead orientations for incoming freshmen and their parents.

* An interactive theatre troupe that develops scenes based on issues at their school and uses theatre to initiate dialogue between conflicting groups of people.

* DiversARTic, a theatre, creative writing, and visual art program in which students write, direct, and act in an original multimedia production about issues affecting youth.

* Youth Engaging Society (YES), provides participants a forum to connect high school students with residents at a women's correctional facility.

* Coordinating "Make A Difference Day" experiences, a day of service and reflection that brings to gether middle, high school and college age students with community members to participate in service projects.

* A statewide Youth Summit that brings together students, teachers and parents to discover ways to build and sustain community involvement through service learning and student leadership.

* Partnering with a community organization to address needs within the growing Hispanic population.

* School Leadership Academy that builds the capacity of educators, parents, and students to collaborate with the purpose of strengthening teaching and learning.

For More Information:

The Harmony/VISTA Service Learning Demonstration Project represents the combined efforts of the Harmony Education Center (HEC) and AmeriCorps*VISTA. The purpose of the HSEC is to renew the civic mission of education and to improve learning for all students. Since 1964 Volunteers In Service to America (VISTA) has sought to support efforts the eliminate and alleviate poverty. Together with participating high schools around Vermont and Indiana the Harmony/VISTA Service Learning Demonstration Project is looking to foster positive connections between schools and communities through service learning and youth leadership.

If you have any questions please contact:

Heidi Vosekas
NSRF/VISTA
P.O. Box 1787
Bloomington, IN 47402
(812) 330-2702
vista@harmonyschool.org

To Apply:

The Harmony VISTA Project is not hiring VISTA Volunteers at this time. To check out other VISTA projects, visit www.americorps.org to fill out an online application.

VISTA Benefits:

As an AmeriCorps*VISTA member you will receive a modest living allowance of $782 a month, health insurance, training and travel expenses, and be able to delay paying back your student loans while you serve.

When you complete a year of service, you'll receive either a stipend of $1,200 or an educational award of $4,725, which you can use to help pay for college, graduate school, vocational training, or help pay off student loans.

As a VISTA member you will be serving full time for 12 months and must decline other educational or employment opportunities during your year of service.