Volunteers Sought for Summer Service Program in Mesa

The Arizona Republic, April 20, 2010, by Gary Nelson

Are you looking to trade eight weeks of low pay and possibly odd hours for a chance to help your community and advance your education?

If so, does Claudia Walters have a deal for you.

Walters, a former Mesa vice mayor and longtime community activist, is working with Mesa United Way to recruit up to 40 adults for a Cities of Service Vista summer associates program.

Cities of Service is a national, bipartisan coalition of mayors promoting volunteerism. Vista stands for Volunteers in Service to America, a domestic analog to the Peace Corps. It was founded in 1964 and got a funding boost last year from President Barack Obama's stimulus program.

Under those umbrellas, Mesa United Way will enlist this summer's volunteers for a variety of jobs in city departments and Mesa's non-profit agencies.

Walters said the full list of positions is being developed. But participating agencies to date include the Mesa Fire Department, Arizona Museum for Youth, Sunshine Acres children's home, Mesa Community College, the public library and Helen's Hope Chest, a charity that helps foster families.

The pay? A princely $411 every two weeks - $1,644 for the full term of the engagement. That's before taxes, by the way.

Those who complete the eight weeks will be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship or about $200 in extra cash. A program at MCC allows prospective students to turn that $1,000 into $4,000 that can be applied to tuition, books and fees.

"In this tough economy it offers someone an opportunity to further their education, add to their resume, get experience and serve their community," Walters said.

There's a payback for Mesa, too.

"The value is this will strengthen the city and its non-profits," Walters said.