Introduction

I’d like to introduce you to some people who speak simply and tell fascinating stories. They describe their experiences as VISTAs (Volunteers In Service To America) or AmeriCorps members, working for one year in a low-income community, doing all kinds of things. One helped set up a literacy program in a prison in Alaska; another sat with a woman who had been a survivor of domestic violence. Some helped migrant workers find decent affordable housing. Many worked near their homes, others relocated across the country.

Some “factual” history has been included to give these voices context, in case you have never heard of VISTA or AmeriCorps. But, the stories are about personal insight and experience. The power of these words is that they are from people, probably quite like yourself, with interesting human stories. We have much to gain by listening to their hard-fought realizations about the toughest problems our society faces.

Stories like these give us valuable perspective on statistics, academic studies, or politicians’ speeches.

National Service Stories is an ever-growing archive of authentic first-hand material. If you have served, please consider adding your voice via My History. It has always been important, but now more than ever.