The following is a recap of a presentation by Sierra Faust, Literacy KC AmeriCorps VISTA Program Manager, Megan Lamb, PCs for People Community Impact Manager, Khou Herr, Wyandotte County Public Health Department AmeriCorps Initiatives Program Supervisor, Megan Dorantes, AmeriCorps VISTA at The Toolbox, and Rachel Merlo, Google Fiber Head of Government and Community Affairs – Central Region given to the Kansas City Coalition for Digital Inclusion on August 16th, 2024.
Digital inclusion practitioners often find themselves limited by a lack of staff capacity, but face funding constraints that prevent them from bringing on new employees to keep up with their workload. A number of programs are available in the KC region to help nonprofits expand their capacity or enhance existing capacity, including using AmeriCorps members or interns from local training programs to fill new positions, or utilizing digital inclusion training and fellowship programs to enhance the work of existing staff members.
Literacy KC
Since 2016, Literacy KC has served as an intermediary sponsoring organization for the AmeriCorps VISTA program. AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program under the AmeriCorps umbrella. It aims to fight poverty by building the capacity of nonprofit organizations and public agencies. VISTA members commit to a year of service with a local nonprofit or government agency, working on projects that help their host organization expand their service offerings and provide more effective programming. The roles of VISTA members often include tasks such as program development, volunteer coordination, and resource development, with the goal of creating sustainable solutions that continue to benefit the community after the VISTA’s term has ended.
As an intermediary, Literacy KC administers a large grant that allows other regional organizations to host VISTA members without managing the grant process themselves. This setup is particularly beneficial for smaller nonprofits that might not have the resources to navigate federal grant processes independently. Literacy KC assists organizations in developing VISTA roles that align with their missions and then helps recruit suitable candidates. Despite facing challenges such as federal budget cuts, which have reduced the number of VISTA positions available, Literacy KC continues to support organizations in building their capacity to serve the community.
For organizations seeking to host a VISTA through Literacy KC, the cost is $10,000, which covers a housing stipend for the VISTA member as well as part of their living stipend. The organizations Literacy KC partners with are usually engaged with work focusing on promoting literacy, whether in the traditional sense or in the case of digital, financial, health, and civic literacy. Most of the VISTAs are engaged in developing new programs, managing communications and marketing projects, or coordinating volunteers.
Wyandotte County Health Department
The Public Health Department in Wyandotte County oversees both a VISTA program and an AmeriCorps State and National program. The VISTA program focuses solely on capacity building, while the State and National program allows for a combination of capacity building and direct service. The Public Health Department acts as an intermediary for some nonprofits and local government agencies, similar to Literacy KC, but also places some of its Americorps members within the department itself. The department utilizes its State and National program members to assist with work related to the Wyandotte County Community Health Improvement Plan, both within the public health department and through partner organizations.
When fully funded, the Health Department has the capacity to host 30 Americorps members as well as two VISTA leaders, though funding issues in the federal government have meant that the program is not hosting as many Americorps members as it could. These funding issues have also impacted other AmeriCorps intermediaries in the region, though AmeriCorps program managers in the Kansas City area meet regularly to share resources and plan networking opportunities for their members to enhance their programs’ impact.
The Toolbox
The Toolbox is a business resource center in Wyandotte County focused on supporting local businesses in starting, maintaining, or expanding their operations. The Toolbox is currently serving as the host for Megan Durantes, an AmeriCorps VISTA who is working on enhancing the organization’s marketing campaigns, improving data analytics, and assisting with internal business administration tasks. One of her significant projects includes leading the planning for “9-1-3 Day,” an event that celebrates the culture and community of Wyandotte County.
In the discussion, Megan emphasized how her VISTA experience has provided her with invaluable insights into the nonprofit sector, particularly in understanding the challenges and successes of community-based organizations. This hands-on experience aligns perfectly with her academic background in public administration and her long-term goal of working in state and local government. Megan sees her VISTA role as a critical step in building a well-rounded skill set that will serve her in future public service roles, giving her a deep appreciation for the complexities of nonprofit work and the importance of effective community engagement.
PCs for People
PCs for People partners with the Full Employment Council (FEC) to expand its capacity while supporting local workforce development initiatives. PCs for People utilizes an internship program where individuals, primarily youth aged 18 to 24, gain hands-on experience in technology-related roles. These internships, facilitated by the FEC, allow participants to work for a few hours each day, with the costs covered by the FEC during the internship period. This arrangement not only provides valuable work experience for the interns but also helps organizations like PCs for People meet their staffing needs without incurring additional costs.
PCs for People uses the internship as a way to identify and hire talented individuals who have demonstrated their capabilities over the course of the internship. The program is particularly beneficial for those seeking a career in technology, as it offers real-world experience and the potential for long-term employment. For organizations, this model presents an attractive alternative to unpaid volunteer positions, offering a sustainable way to bring in motivated workers who are compensated for their contributions.
NTEN Fellowship
The NTEN Digital Inclusion Fellowship, supported by Google Fiber, offers an opportunity for professionals already employed in nonprofit organizations or city governments to deepen their expertise in digital inclusion. Unlike traditional programs that bring in external participants, the NTEN fellowship is designed for individuals who are already engaged in digital inclusion work or are looking to develop new initiatives within their organizations. Over the course of a year, fellows participate in a cohort with other digital inclusion practitioners from across the country, sharing knowledge and learning from each other’s experiences. The fellowship includes virtual meetings, in-person training, and attendance at national conferences, all aimed at enhancing the fellows’ skills and broadening their impact.
In Kansas City, the NTEN fellowship has been instrumental in supporting local organizations committed to bridging the digital divide. Past fellows have come from a range of organizations, including the Kansas City Public Library, Literacy KC, and the Guadalupe Centers. These fellows have leveraged the program to build sustainable digital inclusion programs that continue to benefit their communities long after the fellowship ends. With Google Fiber’s additional financial support, fellows in Google Fiber markets receive extra resources to implement their projects, such as funds for marketing or equipment like hotspots. This fellowship has proven to be a valuable asset for Kansas City’s digital inclusion efforts, fostering innovation and collaboration among local organizations dedicated to ensuring equitable access to technology.