Action resources international will support twenty-five (25) vista member service years, through which members will build capacity and combat poverty through community strengthening projects that…

Action resources international will support twenty-five (25) vista member service years, through which members will build capacity and combat poverty through community strengthening projects that promote and enhance community health and wellness in wyoming and colorado through programs that aim to increase sustainable and equitable food access and security; enhance shelter, safety, prevention of violence, education and other health-related efforts, with particular emphasis on establishing regionwide collaborative efforts between and among grassroots community-based and led projects. At the end of the project period, the vista members will be responsible for helping more people: * live with sustainable food security (including increased options for accessing fresh foods; increased fruits and vegetables consumption; increased local produce production; increased interest in gardening, food production and healthy eating; increased options and capacity for food distribution; increased food system initiatives and leadership by community members; increased sustainable funding streams for community food security projects; increased dignity through which food is accessed); * build, live in and sustain safe, supportive, healthy communities for individuals and families. In addition, the vista members will leverage 1000 volunteers who will be engaged in community-based, sustainable, community health and wellness projects. Americorps vista members will build relationships with people living with poverty, people living with food insecurity, people struggling with overall health and wellness issues, local food system, health, shelter and education, historical and cultural organizations. Vista members will facilitate community organizing for collaborative needs assessment and solution building that includes identification of and assistance in developing sustainable funding streams; with the help of vista summer associates, they will develop, organize and implement an increase in the number of summer food program sites, with a special emphasis on programs that offer healthy foods, fun learning and activity components, along with support for health, wellness and educational programs and events; and vista members together will connect community-based efforts to build region-wide networks of sustainable community health and wellness programs. Special emphasis will be placed on creative solutions to challenges facing rural communities and underserved populations who are historically marginalized.