Continuing to Fight the War on Poverty

Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared war on what would turn out to be one of our nation’s most formidable opponents—poverty. 

“The richest nation on earth can afford to win it,” Johnson told Congress as he proposed a series of initiatives to assist in the cause. VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) was among these ground-breaking programs.

A half-century later, our mission remains unchanged. Thousands of AmeriCorps VISTA members are working with communities every day to create economic opportunities that help individuals overcome poverty.

To see how it all began, please watch the video below:

• To learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA, visit: www.nationalservice.gov/vista.
• For more information on President Johnson’s legacy, visit: www.lbjlibrary.org.
• To learn more about Measuring Poverty and the History of Poverty Measurement, visit: www.census.gov/how/infographics/poverty_measure-how.html and www.census.gov/how/infographics/poverty_measure-history.html.

Yours in service,

Mary Strasser
Director, AmeriCorps VISTA
Corporation for National and Community Service