Billings Metro VISTA Project

The AmeriCorps VISTA program was founded by John F. Kennedy in 1965 as a national service program to fight poverty in America. VISTA members make a full-time, year-long commitment to build capacity through indirect service in low income areas. To learn more about the AmeriCorps VISTA program visit the Corporation for National and Community Service website

The Billings Metro VISTA Project was created by the City's Community Development Division to help gain and keep momentum for the City of Billings-Mayor's Committee on Homelessness. To date 119 individuals have served through the Billings Metro VISTA Project. To find out more about BMVP visit the City's Community Development Division page

Alternative Modes Outreach and Education Project

According to the 2013 Billings Complete Streets Benchmark report, transportation expenditures account for 29.64% of household income and housing accounts for 22.28% of income. The American Planning Association identifies lack of viable transportation as one of the key factors perpetuating poverty.

The project goal of the AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers is to work towards fostering a culture of active modes of transportation for youth, especially youth with families experiencing poverty. Through active modes of transportation, children's attendance will increase as will their grades in school. The program is designed to develop this mindset at a young age and will continue to develop as the youth grow.
Additionally, fostering the culture within the schools should include opportunities for encouraging incremental transportation changes within the household.