City of St. Paul VISTA Program

Written by Dr. Jerry Stein

Learning Dreams is proud to be a part of the City of St. Paul VISTA program.

Designed by St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman as part of his initiative to improve the quality of education for the youth of St. Paul, the City of St. Paul VISTA program focuses on issues of education and poverty.

Led by William Tully, the program consists of 22 “VISTA” post-graduate students who work with a variety of organizations across the city. Each organization that has a VISTA member is unique and addresses education from a different perspective. Some VISTAs work directly within the schools, while others work within a program, such as providing after school activities or supplemental in-school classes. Each VISTA is provided with support and guidance for their year of service so that it is as beneficial as possible for both them and their sites.

Learning Dreams started its partnership with the St. Paul public schools in August 2010. As part of that partnership, the City of St. Paul placed a VISTA AmeriCorps member with Learning Dreams. Our VISTA is Allison Berth. Allison was brought on to provide support and program development for Learning Dreams’ and our school partner, Cherokee Heights Elementary. Allison has helped Learning Dreams reach more families, support more volunteers and in general make a bigger impact in the community.

The partnership between LD and the St. Paul VISTA program is a natural one as both organizations see problems in the education system as multi-faceted, i.e. they go beyond the school setting. Both LD and the St. Paul VISTA program see the value in community based learning.

We are happy to be a part of Mayor Coleman’s vision for communities and youth.