The Knox Clinic has partnered with Goodwill of Northern New England and AmeriCorps VISTA to launch a new service initiative focused on expanding community outreach and strengthening access to healthcare for underserved populations across the region.

Through this partnership, an AmeriCorps VISTA member will serve with the Knox Clinic for a one-year, full-time national service term. The member will focus on building sustainable systems that support volunteer engagement, community partnerships, and outreach initiatives designed to connect more individuals and families with essential healthcare services.

AmeriCorps VISTA — Volunteers in Service to America — is a national service program dedicated to building the capacity of organizations working to alleviate poverty and strengthen communities. Rather than serving in traditional employment roles, VISTA Members commit to a year of service helping nonprofit organizations develop the systems and infrastructure necessary for long-term impact. Members receive a biweekly living stipend, health coverage, professional development, and other benefits through the AmeriCorps program.

At the Knox Clinic, according to a news release, the VISTA Member will help design and implement systems that strengthen the clinic’s community engagement strategy, including building volunteer recruitment and coordination infrastructure, strengthening referral networks with local organizations, and developing tools that support long-term outreach and partnership development.

A key component of the initiative will include supporting the development of operational and volunteer systems for the clinic’s Mobile Medical Unit, a program in partnership with the Roux Institute and Northeastern University, which is designed to bring healthcare services directly into communities that may face barriers to accessing traditional care settings.

“This service position allows us to invest in the long-term systems that make community outreach effective and sustainable,” said Jesse Lucas, Communications and Outreach Coordinator at Knox Clinic, in the Knox Clinic news release. “By working with AmeriCorps and Goodwill of Northern New England, we are strengthening our ability to engage volunteers, build partnerships, and connect more people to the care they need.”

Over the course of the service year, the AmeriCorps VISTA member will help establish standardized outreach workflows, develop volunteer recruitment and training systems, formalize a community engagement committee, and create evaluation and reporting tools that support the clinic’s long-term growth.

Individuals interested in serving in this role and helping expand access to healthcare are encouraged to apply.

About Knox Clinic

For over 26 years, the Knox Clinic has provided affordable, accessible healthcare to Midcoast Maine residents. What began as a volunteer-driven part-time clinic has grown into a nonprofit health center offering full-time medical, dental, mental health, and wellness services. The Clinic serves patients of all ages, accepts all major insurances—including MaineCare and Medicare—and offers sliding-scale options. Through continued growth and community partnership, the Knox Clinic remains committed to addressing health needs with dignity, equity, and compassion.

About AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program that places members with nonprofit organizations and public agencies to build capacity and develop sustainable solutions to challenges facing communities experiencing poverty.

About Goodwill of Northern New England

Goodwill of Northern New England partners with AmeriCorps to support service programs that strengthen nonprofits and community organizations throughout the region.