by Lisa Cords, Director of Marketing and Communications

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Affordable housing is an ongoing issue for the local workforce in Red Lodge. There is a gap between the median home price of $205,100 (according to Zillow) and the median household income of $42,120. This gap puts affordable housing out of the reach for many of our residents. According to the 2016 Housing Assessment, residents reported spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing, which is a budgetary strain. AmeriCorps VISTAs can play an important role in assisting the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation to alleviate poverty by helping increase permanent affordable housing, providing financial management/budgeting/renter education, and connecting people to programs and services.

AmeriCorps VISTAs, Volunteers in Service to America, are a group of individuals who commit anywhere from 8 weeks to 12 months of service to an organization to alleviate poverty. They have the opportunity to make a big difference in the community they choose to serve through creating program databases, grant writing, managing a program in its initial stages and the recruitment of volunteers.

You may have experienced, seen or heard of the programs previous VISTA’s have spearheaded in Carbon County. Programs such as Lunch in the Sun, Navigators, Transportation, Carbon County Connect and Community Mental Health. These programs strengthen our community and address evolving needs. Without the passion of VISTA volunteers these programs would not exist.

We are happy to announce an exciting opportunity at the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation! We are seeking VISTA to assist with our affordable housing initiative. This is a unique opportunity to work with steering committees, municipal planning and permitting, grant writing, mutual self-help home building and more! AmeriCorps VISTAs have made a measurable impact in our community and you could be next! To become an AmeriCorps VISTA you must be 18 years or older and have a bachelor’s degree.

 To learn more about this opportunity: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListingdo?id=77147&fromSearch=t… 

contact Therese or Theresa at the Foundation at 446-2820