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Alexis Dean, AmeriCorps Member with Schools of Hope,
Wins National Excellence in AmeriCorps Award
AmeriCorps Alumni Alexis Dean
was one of only two individuals throughout the nation honored with an Excellence in AmeriCorps Award.
Chester Spellman, the Director of AmeriCorps for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), presented the award to Alexis for the Most Impactful Member Service on September 19, 2019 during the AmeriCorps State and National Symposium in Arlington, VA.
The following day, Alexis had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Mark Pocan on Capitol Hill and visit the Speaker's Balcony at the US Capitol Building. Prior to winning this national award, Alexis was honored by Governor Tony Evers with the 2019 AmeriCorps Member of the Year award at the Governor's Service Awards in Madison on June 6, 2019.
Alexis
served with United Way of Dane County - Schools of Hope at Mendota Elementary School in Madison during the 2018-2019 school year
as a literacy tutor and coordinated tutoring volunteers. His AmeriCorps service went "well above and beyond the required duties of his position, as Alexis attended nearly all of our community school events which occur late at night and on the weekends - hosting classes, supporting scholars and staff, and jumping in to help out in any way that was needed," according to Maura McKinley, an Instructional Coach at Mendota Elementary School.
Alexis brought an incredible element of creativity to his work, taking multiple approaches to his literacy tutoring to boost student engagement, including working with students to record their own raps to embrace novel approaches for improving literacy skills. Seeing the impact these methods had and wanting to support school efforts to increase student attendance at Mendota, he produced a music video called the "Attendance Rap" to encourage students to be at and on-time to school, which was then shared with the other schools in the district (VIDEO). "Alexis's outstanding dedication and service has brought so much exuberance, joy, and creativity to our school community. He is an amazing inspiration for both staff and students at Mendota," said McKinley.
Although his AmeriCorps service has ended, Alexis continues to have a connection with the students at Mendota Elementary School, as he started teaching there as a 4K teacher this fall. "Every day, I want to be a person that inspires, motivates, and helps my community as best I can. Whether it's as an AmeriCorps Member, 4K teacher, camp counselor, or just a friendly face serving food at a community center, my passion is supporting others, and I always will," said Dean.
For more information, including photos and video from the ceremony and the press releases by both Serve Wisconsin and CNCS, follow the links below:
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Governor Evers Visits Disaster Recovery Project
Team Rubicon and Serve Wisconsin coordinated a disaster recovery project across multiple sites in Oconto and Langlade Counties from September 28 through October 6 in response to damage caused by storms this past summer. Over one hundred people participated in this project, with the 43 volunteers from AmeriCorps programs and community partners that were recruited by Serve Wisconsin serving for 967 hours. As a result of local community input and participation with the project, a major focus of this effort was clearing snowmobile trails, which are vital to the tourism economy of the region during the upcoming winter season.
On October 1, Governor Tony Evers met with
Serve Wisconsin
and
Team Rubicon at the project's command center at the Riverview Volunteer Fire Station in Mountain, WI to assess recovery progress over the past few months and to meet with volunteers. Earlier this summer, Governor Tony Evers issued a State of Emergency to expedite storm response and requested a federal disaster declaration from FEMA. "I can remember flying over this with the National Guard after it happened," said Governor Evers. "And it's just amazing how much damage was done." After receiving the update on the work that has been completed, Governor Evers said "I can't thank you enough, all volunteers...For me, the cool part is these (groups) are now working together on a really important project...It just shows you how important volunteerism is to the state of Wisconsin"
For more information on this disaster relief project, please go to:
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PASS AmeriCorps completes September 11 Day of Service and Remembrance Project with the Governor's Office
As part of the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, over 40 volunteers from the Governor's Office, Lieutenant Governor's Office, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, Serve Wisconsin, and Dane County Department of Human Services - Partners for After School Success (PASS AmeriCorps) joined with Dane County Parks staff to complete a service project planting trees and removing invasive plant species at William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park in Madison. The project was organized by Partners for After School Success (PASS), whose AmeriCorps members enhance the academic achievement and school engagement of middle and high school youth through positive relationships, literacy tutoring, extended learning programs and coordinating volunteer services.
"Wisconsinites have always believed in coming together and helping our neighbors in difficult times, so it is fitting that we remember September 11 and pay tribute to those who lost their lives, survivors, family members and loved ones, service members, and the first responder heroes who acted in our time of need through acts of service to our neighborhoods and our communities," said Governor Tony Evers.
"While all these participants value the ability to make a difference in the lives of others through their regular positions, providing service on September 11 is particularly meaningful as a way to honor those lost and those who responded to help others eighteen years ago" said Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin.
Each year, thousands of Americans complete service projects on September 11 as a tribute to the victims, survivors, first responders, and others who rose up in service in response to the attacks in 2001. To encourage this spirit of service, Congress established in 2009 that September 11th would be a National Day of Service and Remembrance.
For more information on this service project, please go to:
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AmeriCorps State Application RFP Released - Applications due November 7
Serve Wisconsin released its 2020-2021 AmeriCorps State Application RFP on October 3. The Request for Proposals, Application Instructions and other documents and information regarding the application process and technical assistance can be found at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/start-a-program.
Nonprofit-organizations, state and local units of government, institutions of higher education, faith-based organizations, and Indian tribes looking to address a community need are encouraged to submit a proposal. Funding is available to support an AmeriCorps program for the 2020-21 program year.
Important Dates
Those interested in applying should check the website frequently for updates, such as details on scheduled technical assistance webinars and answers to frequently asked questions. Additionally, you can contact Serve Wisconsin to sign up for our email lists and follow our social media pages for notifications on this and future RFP releases.
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Serve Wisconsin is Hiring an AmeriCorps Compliance and Training Officer
Serve Wisconsin is now taking applications for an AmeriCorps Compliance and Training Officer. Applications for the position are due on Tuesday, October 15. Information on this position and how to apply is located
HERE
Position Description
The AmeriCorps Compliance and Training Officer provides administrative and programmatic support to AmeriCorps programs and activities and projects that further the mission of Serve Wisconsin. The position functions independently and in a team environment to provide complex monitoring, training & program planning and support for a wide variety of program activities for Serve Wisconsin, Executive Director and Program Officers. The position is responsible for monitoring AmeriCorps programs' compliance through site visits and progress report reviews to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements and coordinating the development of trainings. Serve Wisconsin approaches monitoring with an educational/collaborative spirit.
Additional duties include assisting the Executive Director in planning and developing operational policies, strengthening Serve Wisconsin's relationship with stakeholders including federal contacts, elected officials, administrators of non-profit organizations and the general public. State and national travel is required.
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Public Allies Milwaukee AmeriCorps members complete service project and meet author Jacqueline Woodson
As part of September 2019 New Member Orientation, the 45-Member Public Allies Milwaukee AmeriCorps 2020 class volunteered at a Service Day at Alice's Garden, which provides models of regenerative farming and community cultural development in Milwaukee. The Members were oriented by Alice's Garden Executive Director Venice Williams and through clean-up efforts helped the surrounding community better access the 2-acre property.
Later in September, the Public Allies Milwaukee AmeriCorps members were hosted by Milwaukee's Boswell Book Company for a special learning session with multi-awarding-winning writer Jacqueline Woodson, as part of the Rose Petranech Lecture series. The Members each received Woodson's latest book, met Woodson, and participated in a lecture on the ways class and history affect how we support community.
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WisCorps AmeriCorps Members Create a New Trail at Council Grounds State Park
The WisCorps Roving Crew's AmeriCorps members built a new trail in Council Grounds State Park near Merrill, Wisconsin. The project was a partnership between Council Grounds State Park, Friends of Council Grounds State Park, and WisCorps. The trail begins at the visitor center of the park and creates a loop through including pine plantations, mixed hardwood, and hemlock stands and will be used for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The Roving Crew AmeriCorps members described their sense of accomplishment each day of the project as they walked the trail they had just completed back to their campsite each evening.
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Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers Hiring an AmeriCorps Program Coordinator
Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers (SSCHC) received an AmeriCorps program planning grant to create a new AmeriCorps program that will improve health outcomes for individuals from low-income families and areas underserved by
professional
medical care. AmeriCorps members will serve as health resource navigators and enhance educational programming for women's health, obesity, chronic illness, and other medical needs.
Sixteenth Street is currently accepting applications for its AmeriCorps Program Coordinator position, which will be responsible for the overall administration and management of the AmeriCorps program, providing leadership in identifying and evaluating prospective new programmatic initiatives, developing and maintaining effective administrative procedures that are necessary to support the program, training and supervising all AmeriCorps members to meet federal guidelines, developing relationships with various stakeholders.
Application information for this position is available at
https://www.milwaukeejobs.com/job/detail/39274026/AmeriCorps-Program-Coordinator
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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.
We look forward to speaking with you!
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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 currently has three vacancies for board members for the following appointment types:
- A representative of community-based agency
- 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
- An open seat where the individual would meet any of the slot descriptions in state statute for one of the other appointed members
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].
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Calendar: Upcoming Events and Key Dates
October / November
- October 11 - Opening Ceremony (Peck Center, Milwaukee County Zoo) and WNCSB Meeting
- October 15 - Technical Assistance Webinars, RFP Updates and New Applicants
- October 23 - Technical Assistance Call/Webinar - Theory of Change/Logic Model, Evidence Base, Evaluation
- October 25 - Notification of Intent to Apply for RFP is Due
- November 1 - Last Day for Submitting Inquiries Regarding the RFP
- November 7 - Proposals and Additional Documents for RFP are Due
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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