EATON — Allison Pieratt, an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) worker is wrapping up her one year service term with the HIT Foundation at the end of June.
Pieratt was chosen as part of the VISTA program to assist the HIT Foundation with supporting and building capacity for the Senior Home Repair Program.
Her position is funded by The Ohio CDC (Community Development Corporation) Association. Recently, it was announced that the CDC was awarded $159,463. These funds help support the AmeriCorps VISTA program (which includes providing assistance to 37 rural nonprofit organizations, including HIT Foundation), which financially supports Pieratt’s position. The HIT Foundation was only responsible for a small portion, less than $2,000.
“Before I worked at HIT, I had no idea how many services that the Foundation provides in Preble County, and it was really eye-opening to work on the inside of the operation and see how much work goes into supporting the homeless shelter, senior home repair program and all of the HIT properties,” said Pieratt.
“A lot of this is made possible by volunteers – it’s amazing how many people volunteer and offer to help. I’ve enjoyed being a part of HIT this year and learning more about the nonprofit’s mission.”
AmeriCorps VISTA members are committed to their mission to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. They focus their efforts to build the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that fight illiteracy, improve health services, foster economic development, and otherwise assist low-income communities. VISTAs receive a modest living allowance for their service.
VISTA was founded in 1965 as a national service program to fight poverty in America. In 1993, VISTA was incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs.