Serve Wisconsin - 
April 2020 Newsletter

Articles this month:
COVIDResponseACandSW

The spread of COVID-19 has had a significant impact on the service provided by AmeriCorps members in Wisconsin due to the closure of schools, community centers, and local  nonprofit s and the need to respond to the pandemic. Some members have experienced fewer changes, as they have been able to continue working with students remotely and to provide health related and substance abuse recovery assistance either remotely or at their sites. Many other AmeriCorps members are helping with local and statewide COVID-19 related needs, such as packing and distributing food for student lunch programs or local food banks, helping with the assembly and distribution of face masks, and answering calls on the state 211 assistance line.
 
The staff at Serve Wisconsin is also taking an active role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, both through helping to provide alternative service opportunities to AmeriCorps members and through assisting in the state response to the needs in local communities. The daily operations of Serve Wisconsin have been continuing remotely since the Safer at Home order, although the responsibilities of many staff members have shifted to helping with COVID-19 related projects. 

Ruhamah Bauman has shifted away from her role as a program officer and is the acting  State of Wisconsin Volunteer Agency Liaison, coordinating statewide volunteer and resource requests and the subsequent volunteer response efforts. She has been working with the Wisconsin VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster), coordinating calls between organizations to gauge needs and assist with mobilization. She then shares this information for the daily situation reports for the State Emergency Operations Center, as well as monitoring and sharing information from FEMA Region V. Additionally, Ruhamah has served as the lead for mental and behavior health on the state isolation center taskforce.

Additionally, several other staff members have provided assistance or worked with task forces at the state Emergency Operations Center to help coordinate the mobilization of volunteers and community organizations. As part of these efforts, Serve Wisconsin created the guidance for volunteers assisting with COVID-19 projects and has also been working closely with the United Way of Wisconsin to assist those in need through 211 Wisconsin and the Volunteer Wisconsin website.
VolWIWebCoordinating statewide volunteer efforts 
to help those impacted by COVID-19 


When COVID-19 cases began increasing in Wisconsin, significant community needs also developed due to individuals having to self-quarantine and practice social distancing and the closure of schools, businesses, and other community resources. "Many of the needs that communities across our state are currently facing will require the assistance of volunteers to help provide critical services, such as food distribution, supplementing staff at medical or care facilities, services for children, and transportation to essential medical visits," said Charlene Mouille, Executive Director of United Way of Wisconsin.
 
To connect potential volunteers and organizations addressing these pressing concerns, Serve Wisconsin, the United Way of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Volunteer Coordinators Association launched the COVID-19 Response Initiative on the Volunteer Wisconsin website on March 19. "The Volunteer Wisconsin website provides a centralized location for organizations throughout the state to post information on projects addressing these needs and for people interested in helping others search for COVID-19 response projects in their local communities," said Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin.
 
Following the issuance the Safer at Home Order by Governor Evers on March 24, Serve Wisconsin consulted with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to create guidance for volunteers for how they can help others impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic while following the guidelines established in the emergency order. The Volunteer Guidance in Accordance with Safer at Home provides information on practices volunteers need to follow, describes those that should only provide remote volunteer service, and information on opportunities to volunteer remotely, through donations, and in-person to assist with critical community needs.
 
For information on ways you can help others impacted by the spread of COVID-19, please visit the Volunteer Wisconsin at www.volunteerwisconsin.org to search for projects within the COVID-19 Response Initiative and/or the "Opportunities" on the main website for other projects posted by local organizations.
WI211AmeriCorps members throughout Wisconsin answering the call for assistance by serving with 211 Wisconsin


Over 40 AmeriCorps members are assisting  211 Wisconsin throughout the state i n response to the growing need to provide assistance to Wisconsinites with questions and concerns regarding COVID-19. 
 
211 Wisconsin typically receives calls from individuals needing assistance or information for help finding food, shelter, rent & utilities assistance, aging & disability resources, and other needs, as well as calls as part of the statewide Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline. Since the spread of COVID-19, they have experienced a dramatic increase in daily call volume, with the United Way of Dane County 211 Call Center reporting that their daily calls have more then tripled over the last month.
 
To assist with this increased demand, AmeriCorps members have been answering statewide calls related to COVID-19, helping to both alleviate issues surrounding the number of people calling in for assistance and allow previously trained volunteers to continue providing localized guidance to individuals needing assistance with other issues.
 
Below are excerpts from reflections from five AmeriCorps members answering 211 calls that have been serving with Marshfield Clinic Health Systems Volunteer Wisconsin at various locations throughout Wisconsin, with their FULL REFLECTIONS AVAILABLE HERE:
 
Elisha Adelman -- MCHS AmeriCorps Volunteer Wisconsin member serving at Sunshine House Inc. in Sturgeon Bay
The opportunity to help field 2-1-1 calls for the Wisconsin system has been informative and a personal way to give back to those who are in need, which these days, is a lot of people. The experience of answering calls can be tough when people are afraid and lacking in basic resources, but many callers seem to feel a bit of relief knowing there are organizations and programs out there designed to help. Furthermore, these calls provide an opportunity for people to feel like they are not alone, both in their experiences and in the world. With our inability to make daily contact with others, just getting to connect with another person for a few brief moments is so important, for people on both sides of these calls. It's clear our resources are stretched thin, but I hold out hope that through systems like 211 we have the feedback loop to help fill in the gaps for those in need. I am grateful to be part of this service and thank those who keep this program going.
 
Ben Li -- MCHS AmeriCorps Volunteer Wisconsin member serving at United Way of Dane County 2-1-1
. . . At United Way 211, we are working tirelessly to keep Wisconsinites informed and connect them with community resources to get them through this crisis. I am very thankful for this opportunity to be able to serve my state in this time of great need through AmeriCorps. I would also like to encourage folks to remember that the basic needs people are calling for help with right now, in particular finding food and stable housing, are the same needs that we were getting nearly 100 calls per day for before this crisis. For many Wisconsinites, these needs will not disappear when this pandemic is over. I hope that the issues exposed in our society by COVID-19 will continue to be a focus of communities moving forward and that together we can cut our call volume in half and someday bring it down to zero.
 
Alli Sukow --  MCHS AmeriCorps Volunteer Wisconsin Member serving United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
I am continuing to serve by taking calls for 211 and providing childcare for a full-time nurse/part-time EMT. With 2-1-1 phone answering, I feel like I am a huge help for the other volunteers and the people calling....The 12 hours a week taking these calls have opened my eyes to how many people have general questions, but no one that they can ask....Everything I am doing is making me grateful that I have this time to help other people that need it.
 
Natesha Davis -- MCHS AmeriCorps Volunteer Wisconsin member serving at MCHS Center for Community Health Advancement remotely from Madison
I am an AmeriCorps Member who is serving to help United Way 211 answer the influx of calls they have been receiving since the start of this global health crisis. My first day serving was a few weeks ago when there was not as much information about the virus, so on that day I had a lot of anxiety....to answer calls and give good valuable information. United Way has made it easy to access pertinent information and so that has made it much easier to give out the right information, but weeks later it seems there is still a lot we do not know and people are aware of this and afraid....No matter where or who the call comes from, the commonality among all these different calls is that they are all afraid and like most of us do not know where to turn for answers or if they should trust the information they have been given.
 
Cindy Katocs -- MCHS AmeriCorps Volunteer Wisconsin member serving at Volunteer Services, Walworth County
It is a privilege to have the time to assist with the 211 calls because I live alone. Taking calls and assisting people helps me get out of my head, and after my shift I am left with a satisfied feeling knowing I did my best directing the caller to obtain the right information.
CPwithMPSCollege Possible Milwaukee  AmeriCorps members continue serving students by distributing meals and learning materials


Eight College Possible AmeriCorps members are serving at three Milwaukee Public Schools locations preparing and distributing meals to students and their families and distributing educational materials for students of all different grade levels. AmeriCorps members are serving at South Division High School, Casimir Pulaski High School, and Hamilton High School, with some of these members providing assistance at the same schools where they have been serving throughout the school year.  In addition, members with College Possible Milwaukee are continuing their previous service by connecting remotely with their students to mentor and provide assistance with the process of applying and preparing for college. 
 
Videos from College Possible AmeriCorps members assisting with MPS food and materials distribution
MCHSfoodboxesMarshfield Clinic AmeriCorps members helping to distribute emergency food boxes to those impacted by COVID-19


Since the closure of schools in the Marshfield area on March 16, three AmeriCorps members with MCHS Afterschool, Ashley Bloczynski, Kayla Ahles and Olivia Stillwell, have continued serving Marshfield and the surrounding communities by packing and distributing emergency food boxes to alleviate food insecurities. Over the last month, they have been serving at Soup of Socks, a food pantry and clothes closet in Marshfield, and have helped with the serving of 535 families.
 
Ashley Bloczynski has reflected that "seeing their reactions and knowing how grateful they are keeps us motivated and grounded in this time of crisis," and shared the below story about one moment from their service.
 
A man came to the food pantry asking for help with food.  He had just moved here and was looking for an apartment. He didn't have a car and was concerned about how he was going to feed himself while waiting for his first paycheck.  He had walked across town to get to Soup or Socks.  I asked him if he would like to be on the delivery list for food and could he wait a few days until the next delivery.  His eyes began to water and he looked down at the ground and said he wouldn't make it.  Because he didn't have a car, we weren't sure how he was going to get everything home.  We prepared a bag especially for him that he would easily be able to carry home and added some extra produce.  When I brought the food out to him his face lit up.  He thanked me numerous times and said this service was truly a gift to him.
 
A participant arrived at SOS and I took down his information.  He commented on my homemade mask and was thankful our staff was being safe.  I let him know that one of our staff had made some to hand out and asked if he wanted one.  He said absolutely!  He informed me he had had a heart attack in the last month and suffered from lung problems.  He said, "It was worth it to come here just for the mask!"  Because of the mask he would feel much safer going out for necessary supplies.
NCCAPNCCAP AmeriCorps members continue serving students in the Wausau School District


Even though they are no longer able to physically meet with their students, the AmeriCorps members with North Central Community Action Program (NCCAP) are continuing to work with the students they serve in the Wausau School District through several remote platforms. When teachers and schools in the district were making their preparations for the transition to remote learning, the AmeriCorps members serving in Wausau schools were factored into the support that students will still be able to receive when digitally completing their coursework. NCCAP AmeriCorps members have been able to assist their students virtually in numerous ways, ranging from checking in on grades and homework through email, assisting students through shared online collaborative documents, and video chatting with students to go over complicated problems and assignments or for advisory circles.
 
Below are excerpts from reflections from three of the NCCAP AmeriCorps members serving remotely to assist their students in the Wausau School District, with the FULL NCCAP REFLECTIONS AVAILABLE HERE:
 
Charles Bouza
... My partner and I set up multiple channels through which we would interact with our students and fellow staff members....As AmeriCorps members for Wausau East, we made sure that we let our students and staff know that we are still here for them. We set up a Google Hangout to chat with our students, sent copious amounts of emails to them, and set up Google Docs so they can ask questions from their homework...We spent the first week using these platforms to remind them of upcoming assignments and tests, and to reinforce the idea that we are still here for them even though we could be miles from where they are... We ended up being praised by our host site supervisor, teachers and AmeriCorps staff for taking initiative and not letting this closure of the school and our Academic Learning Center be some kind of break for us... .Right now, it is the best we can do without physically being with them individually at their houses. That is the main conclusion I am drawing from this experience. We are doing the best we can despite the circumstances, and I think that that is part of the patchwork of AmeriCorps when crisis comes up...
 
Ryan Aderholdt
.... we are all trying our best to come out of this situation unscathed and to continue a sense of normalcy during an abnormal time. But what does that mean for us AmeriCorps members? Well, in my case it is to implement social distancing while also using virtual learning to continue being involved in the assistance of my students. In fact, the day before local community areas closed, I met with my fellow AmeriCorps member, Charles, to discuss our plan of action moving forward. Since then, we have been active every day with communicating with our students. Whether it is been emailing them grade checks, video chatting to go over complicated problems/assignments, or just messaging them via Google Hangouts to let them know about daily assignments, we will continue to provide a positive presence in their lives.
 
Quentin Rickert
As a new AmeriCorps member from the Greater Wausau Area, I began serving EEA Learning Academy just a week before the recent school closures. I was incredibly lucky to be placed on an amazing team who facilitated student learning through online courses. Yet, even with our technology centered curriculum, we could never have anticipated the transitions we would have to make when the orders of a statewide quarantine took place. As remote learning began, students didn't think much of the changes. It was still a new situation where the students enjoyed being away from school. It wasn't until after Spring Break had ended when we began to gather as an entire school for virtual advisory circles. It was during the first few meetings that the new perspectives brought about by our students started to appear. Students had not been with each other or our staff for nearly two weeks, and many of them spoke about how they wish they could be back in school again. Some students wanted the ability to be around friends again, some wanted the accountability provided by advisors, some needed the safe-haven and services provided by the school, while others spoke of a combination of these reasons.
PAforGYSDPublic Allies Milwaukee hosting a virtual community center for Global Youth Service Day on Saturday, April 18 due to COVID-19


Public Allies Milwaukee will host a virtual community center on Saturday, April 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to provide a supportive group environment for those in need.
 
AmeriCorps members will present or coordinate activities for area residents via video conferencing, allowing them to learn, celebrate, and rejuvenate in a time that calls for attention to both physical and mental health.
 
Sessions will focus on topics such as self-care, skill-building, movement, and continuing education and will begin approximately on the hour and half-hour, allowing people to rotate through virtual rooms or attend for the time that is best for their schedules.
 
Milwaukee-area residents may register for this free event, on a first-come, first-served basis at  https://forms.gle/5CXgKsd4Atb3yZbL8.
WisCorpsWisCorps AmeriCorps members continuing to serve by assisting local organizations  during COVID-19

 
AmeriCorps members with WisCorps continue to serve during the spread of COVID-19, assisting multiple local nonprofit organizations in the La Crosse area. Prior to beginning this effort, the AmeriCorps crew at WisCorps researched the proper health and safety guidelines and discussed planning and logistics for safely serving. One of their primary response projects has been serving meals with the local Salvation Army, with additional recent service done at the Kane Street Community Garden and litter removal in local public lands. Other projects that will take place will help the La Crosse County Health Department, Hunger Task Force, Catholic Charities, and the Neighborhood Associations of La Crosse. Additionally, the members have continued researching and preparing for summer programming and other ways to continue providing assistance to people in the La Crosse area.

For media coverage of the service WisCorps has been doing, please visit
RacineZooFirst Year of the Racine Zoo AmeriCorps Program - 
Providing Environmental Education and Adjusting to COVID-19



When the COVID-19 outbreak first began across the globe, the AmeriCorps members serving with  Racine Zoo were working with students in Racine County to provide environmental education programming within the classroom and at the zoo during the inaugural year of their new AmeriCorps program. Prior to the temporary closure of the Racine Zoo, the AmeriCorps members had already taught lessons to nearly 2,000 students in kindergarten through 9th grade.
 
Following the closure of schools across the state and the closure of the Racine Zoo to the public, the AmeriCorps team has been working on finding ways to continue sharing information and creating new materials to fulfill its educational mission.  While the Racine Zoo itself might be closed, the animals still need daily care, with AmeriCorps members continuing to go into the zoo for their regularly scheduled animal care shifts alongside animal care staff to provide assistance and gain skills for future work in animal care.
 
To learn more about the service and educational programming being provided during the first few months of the program, read the below articles written by Racine Zoo AmeriCorps members for the zoo's monthly newsletter, with an overview of all of the programs found in "Racine Zoo AmeriCorps Program's First Year" by Amelia Ford. 

Racine Zoo newsletter articles by AmeriCorps members
ECLIPSEECLIPSE AmeriCorps members promote literacy at Book Scootin' Boogie on March 7 for nearly  1,000 children and family members 


As part of its mission to promote early childhood literacy in Eau Claire and Altoona, UWEC ECLIPSE partnered with thirteen local community nonprofit programs to support literacy growth and development by hosting the first annual Book Scootin' Boogie on March 7.

Just under 1,000 children and their family members from the local community attended the event, which featured numerous literacy games and activities designed to promote skills such as ABC recognition, rhyming, and knowledge of sight words and let every attending child bring home a free book. In addition to these activities, the children that attended the Book Scootin' Boogie were able to meet Pete the Cat and the Cat in the Hat, attend a Sky Stories show in an inflatable planetarium, make crafts, play games, and enjoy storytime with special guests.

The activities and event were designed to help teach parents how to encourage healthy brain development in their young children, with instilling a love of reading early on being critical due to the level of brain development that occurs by age five. "Really it's so simple. It's singing, talking, reading, and playing with your kids. So that's what this event is all about. These are different ideas and ways to interact with your children, and it doesn't have to be overly complicated," said ECLIPSE AmeriCorps program director Amy Fink in an interview with WQOW ABC-18.

The engaging educational activities and the free books provided to families at this event, demonstrate yet another way that the AmeriCorps members with ECLIPSE (Early Childhood Literacy Intervention Program Services and Evaluation) at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire are dedicated to helping young children grow in the areas of language, literacy, social interaction, and initiative skills.

For media coverage of the Book Scootin' Boogie, please visit
STEAMSTEAM Night hosted by Blugold Beginnings 
at Roosevelt Elementary on March 5
 

The AmeriCorps members with UWEC Blugold Beginnings partnered with the PTA at Roosevelt Elementary School in Eau Claire to host a STEAM Night on March 5, bringing activities focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math to the students and their families.
 
The students were able to have fun with robotics, drones and Sphero ball mazes as part of the efforts of Blugold Beginnings to increase access to STEAM activities and help students believe that a post-secondary education is important, attainable, and available.
 
"We definitely want them to know that education is important. It is really fun, and this is a really great opportunity to get them excited about education - particularly the sciences - and we're really excited to be partners with Roosevelt Elementary with this program," said UWEC Associate Student Services Coordinator Rochelle Hoffman during an interview with WEAU NBC-13.
 
For media coverage of the STEAM Night at Roosevelt Elementary please visit
GSA20Governor's Service Awards Postponed (date TBD)
Still Accepting Nominations


The 2020 Governor's Service Awards was originally scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 25.  The awards ceremony will be postponed until later this year due to concerns for public health with large gatherings, the impacts of COVID-19 on national service programs, and the potential need for continued deployment of AmeriCorps members doing alternative service to assist with needs related to COVID-19.

Serve Wisconsin is continuing to evaluate the scheduling for this event and will be following state guidance and concerns for health safety regarding the new date. Additionally, with the postponement of the ceremony, Serve Wisconsin will continue to accept nominations for this year until further notice, as we know that many of those currently serving are having a critical impact for the people of Wisconsin.

The nomination form, which is the same for all award categories, as well as information on past recipients of the awards can be found at  https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/governors-service-awards .

The nomination categories for this year are listed below, with descriptions on the application form.
  • Governor's AmeriCorps Member of the Year Honoree
  • Governor's AmeriCorps Program of the Year Honoree
  • Governor's AmeriCorps VISTA Participant or Program of the Year Honoree
  • Governor's Senior Corps Participant of the Year Honoree 
  • Governor's Senior Corps Program of the Year Honoree 
  • Veteran Volunteer of the Year Service Honoree
  • Volunteer Engagement Honoree
  • Marty Stein Friend of National Service Exemplary Supporter
  • Governor's AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year Honoree 
  • Governor's AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni of the Year Honoree
If you have any questions or concerns regarding submitting a nomination or the ceremony itself, please contact Kyle Clower at [email protected].
Become an AmeriCorps Member Today!


If you wish to engage in meaningful community service and acquire job skills, consider joining AmeriCorps!
 
To learn more about AmeriCorps or if you are ready to join and have questions about which program is right for you, contact us! We are happy to answer your questions and help you explore the different opportunities available.  Program information is also available on our Serve Wisconsin  website.
 
Please email us at [email protected]  or call (608) 492-2928.
We look forward to speaking with you!
Interesting in serving as a member of the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board?


For those interested in taking an active role in promoting national service and volunteerism in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board has a current or pending vacancy for board members for the following two appointment types:
  • An individual between the ages of 16 and 25, inclusive, who is a participant or supervisor of a service program for school-aged youth, or of a campus-based or national service program 
  • A representative from a national service program / representative of the volunteer sector
Those interested in serving are required to complete an application to the governor for the appointment. The online application for applying for a board position can be found  HERE, with additional information on the application process found at  Apply to Serve - Governor Tony Evers. If you are potentially interested in serving on the board and have any questions, please contact Serve Wisconsin Executive Director Jeanne Duffy at  [email protected].
Calendar: Upcoming Events and Key Dates

MAY

  • May 14 - Wisconsin National and Community Service Board Meeting (virtual)
Serve Wisconsin |  servewisconsin.wi.gov | AmeriCorps

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