Interfaith recognizes VISTA worker

BY STACI WILSON

Volunteers in Service to America, or VISTA, was founded in 1965, two years after the idea was presented to Congress by President John F. Kennedy in an effort to overcome poverty. In 1993, the program was incorporated into the AmeriCorps program.

Now, over 70,000 people participate annually in the AmeriCorps VISTA program in their communities. Those participants were recognized nationally last week.

Susquehanna County Interfaith honored Erica Bolthouse on Wednesday, April 6, for the work she has done for not-for-profit’s programs in the past year through the VISTA program.

As part of her work at Interfaith, Bolthouse established a database that now includes 659 families served by the various Interfaith programs, including the Christmas Bureau, Back-to-School shoe program, and the Easter Bountiful Blessings program.

“We couldn’t have gotten to the place we are now without Erica’s service and contribution,” said Cynthia Beeman, director of Susquehanna County Interfaith.

Beeman said the database, which streamlines the process for people obtaining services from Interfaith, also helps the organization to pinpoint where gaps in service may exist.

In addition to establishing the database Bolthouse, 25, of Springville, also administered the youth “Arrive” program which helps young people ages 16-20 develop the soft skills needed for job readiness in a four-week program.

AmeriCorps VISTA participants spend one year working full-time with a program at a non-profit organization. At the end of the year, they receive either a stipend or an education award.

Following her work with Interfaith, which ends in July, Bolthouse has been offered a managerial position at a gym in Tunkhannock.