AmeriCorps VISTA

Under the Bureau of Volunteerism and Community Services, Serve Illinois was awarded its first AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) member in 2025. This VISTA position was granted to support Serve Illinois in expanding statewide recruitment of teachers for the Illinois Civics in the Classroom initiative.

AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full‑time with community organizations and public agencies to build capacity, strengthen programs, and ultimately help lift low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. Their work focuses on expanding educational opportunities, enhancing vocational training, and supporting initiatives that benefit underserved populations. This made the VISTA partnership a perfect opportunity for Serve Illinois to continue its collaboration with the University of Illinois on the Teaching Civics for Justice Illinois project.

Serve Illinois proudly partners with the University of Illinois and Dr. Asif Wilson, Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, to implement this important work. Together, we are committed to recruiting educators, strengthening civic education, and ensuring that students across Illinois have access to high‑quality, justice‑centered civics instruction.