Our LEAD Agency VISTAs


www.waterkeeper.org
	L.E.A.D. Agency Learn and Serve Volunteers in Service to America

Why Join? Calendar Site Map * * * * * * * * * * * Making a Difference at the Tar Creek Superfund Site: Community Efforts to Reduce Risk is a book that we hope will inspire other communities facing environmental injustices. It comes with a DVD featuring a new film Progress at Tar Creek and two films of youth efforts through service learning. The first printing was made possible through a grant from the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you for sharing our vision to make a difference. There is still more to be done. LEAD Agency will accept donations to reproduce additonal copies and to allow for postage. LEAD Agency, Inc. 19257 South 4403 Drive Vinita, OK 74301 * * * * * * * * * * * * * Shall We Gather at the River Filmmakers website * * * * * * * * * * * * The Creek Runs Red Filmmakers website * * * * * * * * * * * * Going Blue Author's website	Thirty-seven million Americans live in poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years.	ATSDR Awarded to L.E.A.D., Inc. Central Mill History Harvard Children's Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research Children's Environmental Health & Disease Research Environmental Blogs Introduction to Tar Creek Superfund Site Is Your Child's Playground Safe? Grand Riverkeeper LEAD's Environmental Justice Grant Facts Glossary Quotes OK Sustainability Network Western Mining Action Network Read about the new documentary film, "Tar Creek," by Vinita native Matt Myers that premiered 8-13-09. The film was featured during the annual Tar Creek Conference and was shown 9-23-09 at the Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami.

	*What VISTA Members Do* VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, you’ll create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

	AmeriCorps is a cooperative venture between the Corporation for National and Community Service, non-profit community organizations, and individuals dedicated to helping strengthen communities by mobilizing community resources. AmeriCorps is often referred to as the domestic Peace Corps, and while AmeriCorps members serve in communities in the United States, the challenges of fighting poverty can be as daunting as those in other countries. In the Ottawa County area, the L.E.A.D. Agency AmeriCorps VISTA workers have worked with school age children providing opportunities to “give back” to their community. The focus of VISTA activities have included: environmental t-teens designed and built bluebird houses for a community workshop; health- creating and distributing a brochure of staying off drugs, teaching younger children how to avoid lead poisoning; recognizing bullying and practicing skills to stop it; lessons on justice-giving presentations about recognizing and standing up to common oppression; developing ways to address environmental justice issues in their own community after many Tar Creek toxic tours.

	What Have L.E.A.D. VISTAs received in return? There is an educational benefit which is important of course. But a deeper understanding of how complex situations can be in different communities, and the chance to work doing something you are passionate about makes this time valuable.




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