Armida Lopez didn’t always consider herself a community leader. She grew up in Yuma, an Arizona border town, where she had to cross a field to meet her nearest neighbors. However, she was always interested in improving the lives of those around her. An unexpected shift came when she purchased a home through NeighborWorks member Trellis.

We sponsor one of the nation's largest AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) programs. Since 2009, 700 VISTAs have completed a year of national service with NeighborWorks organizations across the country, doing their part to help alleviate poverty.