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| Last updated on October 13, 2008 |
VISTAs (Volunteers In Service To America) are community organizers. Our mission is to address issues related to poverty by developing and mobilizing resources that create long-term sustainable benefits at a community level.
Description:
The Community Corrections Improvement Association (CCIA) and Central Cedar Rapids Weed and Seed have collaborated to establish a Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) Program in Cedar Rapids. CCIA is a private foundation under the Sixth Judicial District Department of Correctional Services. Central Cedar Rapids Weed and Seed is a strategy which aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods. The key elements in the Weed and Seed Strategy include law enforcement, community policing, prevention-intervention-treatment, and neighborhood restoration. The five Cedar Rapids neighborhoods that encompass the Weed and Seed project include Mound View, Wellington Heights, Oak Hill Jackson, Taylor area, and Northwest area. There are several volunteer opportunities available during the school year including our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, financial seminars, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, BRIGHTEN, workforce development, etc.
History:
Cedar Rapids became the only federally recognized and funded Weed and Seed site in Iowa during 2004. During 2005 the project was awarded Americorps*VISTA funding and started their first VISTAs and their VISTA project in February of 2006. Work is well underway to accomplishing and sustaining our four projects before the end of this three-year project.
Contact person: VISTA Office, (phone), (email)
Address:
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951 29th Ave SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.crweedandseed.com
User Reflections
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Overall Experience 
We really made a difference painting an entire house in one day!
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We had a great time working with Americorps painting a house in Wellington Heights. We lucked out both days with great painting weather. I brought some high school students and they did a great job.
posted by breynolds on July 27, 2007 |
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