Local Leaders Celebrate Impact of National Service on the Plateau


On April 6, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of the South, Reuben Brigety and Grundy County Mayor, Michael Brady joined local leaders across the country in a nationwide, bipartisan initiative to highlight the impact of national service in tackling local problems. This year’s event is especially meaningful, as tens of thousands of AmeriCorps members across the country support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. In lieu of the National Service Recognition Day ceremony, traditionally held on the campus of the University of the South, leaders separately issued proclamations recognizing April 6 as National Service Recognition Day. Now in its ninth year, National Service Recognition Day underscores the positive impact of national service, recognizes those who serve, and encourages more citizens to give back to their communities.

“As the pandemic has upended our way of life in every conceivable way, plateau communities need national service now more than ever. In these tenuous times, AmeriCorps VISTA members have made our community safer, stronger and healthier. We are deeply grateful for your dedication and sacrifice,” wrote Vice-Chancellor Brigety and Mayor Brady in a joint statement. “Let us all pledge to do our part to strengthen our community through volunteering and service.”

One of the largest VISTA programs in the state of Tennessee, the South Cumberland Plateau AmeriCorps VISTA Project serves local nonprofits and government agencies to alleviate poverty in the tri-county area of Franklin, Grundy, and Marion. Between 14 and 16 full-year VISTA members serve in the program, providing vital support to community partners. In the summer months, twenty additional Summer Associate VISTAs join their ranks to help address summer food insecurity and academic learning loss among local youth.

The South Cumberland Plateau VISTA Project is currently accepting applications for the Summer Associate VISTA program, which operates from June 7 through Aug. 2. Anyone 18 years or older is welcome to apply. Summer Associate VISTAs support the South Cumberland Summer Meal program, which served 50,000 free meals to plateau children during the summer of 2020. Apply to become a Summer Associate VISTA by googling “SCPVP Summer Associate VISTA.”

The VISTA project additionally has open full-year service positions at the Grundy Safe Babies Court, Grundy Safe Communities Coalition and Franklin County Prevention Coalition. For information about becoming a VISTA member, enlisting a VISTA to join your organization, or participating in the South Cumberland Summer Meal Program, please visit <https://tinyurl.com/scvista>; or contact Vicki Borchers at <vmborche@sewanee.edu>.

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