While AmeriCorps VISTA members do receive some benefits in order to serve for a year (see benefits) it clearly is a year of service.  VISTA members come from broad backgrounds and cite numerous reasons for serving, including:

• To make a difference for an individual, organization, and/or community

• To gain experience and explore a career possibility

• To get real-life experience before pursuing graduate school

• To make professional connections in Maine

• To explore a new part of the country

• To facilitate a mid-career change

• To expand one's current volunteerism

• To have purposeful work

"My year of service has put me on the front lines of what children and youth are dealing with on a daily basis. In my desire to become a family/child therapist it has enabled me to reach a new understanding of what is needed in this world. Through this year of service I have gained confidence in my abilities and my goal to change the world. As I have learned--I can change the world one child, parent, or community at a time. This year of service is something I would recommend for anyone--there is no better way to learn the meaning of community." 
   -Courtney Edwards, VISTA with Keys of Promise '05-'06