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Milwaukee Ranked #4 in Volunteer Service Nationally
More Americans than ever are volunteering, according to a new federal study by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that oversees AmeriCorps, especially in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI Metro Area came in 4th nationally in volunteer rate, with 44.6% of its residents volunteering, which was over 14% higher than the national rate of 30.3% of all Americans.
Additionally, the state of Wisconsin was also far above the national rate, with 37.4% of its residents volunteering, which was 12th in the nation.
In total, Wisconsin had 1,718,821 volunteers contribute 164.3 million hours of service, with the monetary value of this volunteer service being estimated being worth $3.9 billion.
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Member Highlight:
Jotshua Vega Marcon
Milwaukee Christian Center's YouthBuild
When Jotshua Vega Marcon started as an AmeriCorps member at Milwaukee Christian Center's YouthBuild program, he recalls that the 13th Street house back in October 2017 "was an open house you could see through, like a skeleton." A little over a year later, Jotshua is now a full-time AmeriCorps member that has completed his high school diploma and multiple industry certifications and the home where he learned many construction skills has now been fully built. Jotshua is planning on using his education award at the completion of his AmeriCorps service to attend Milwaukee Area Technical College and become an electronics technician, fulfilling his goals of both finishing his high school education and receiving the training that can provide permanent family-sustaining employment.
For more information on Jotshua and the YouthBuild program, please access the following links:
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Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat
Partners for After-School Success
PASS AmeriCorps Members engaged youth in service through the annual Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat food drive this fall. Youth in schools, neighborhood centers, churches, and other community organizations throughout Dane County were mobilized to help reduce social inequality and collect food donations to stock the pantries of the Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc, in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. Food pantries and other social equity-focused organizations typically struggle to keep up with demand this time of year. This annual event coordinated by Dane County Human Services' Partners for After-School Success (PASS) AmeriCorps Program works to combat hunger and help minimize the effects of poverty within its local community.
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Remembering President George H. W. Bush and his Promotion of National Service
As AmeriCorps prepares to celebrate its 25th Anniversary next year, we pause to celebrate the life of one of the foremost promoters of volunteerism and national service, former President George H. W. Bush, who passed away at the end of November. George H. W. Bush signed the National and Community Service Act of 1990 during his presidency, which laid the foundation for the creation of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). During his inaugural address, this promotion of service within our communities was given national attention, as he spoke of "a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. We will work hand in hand, encouraging, sometimes leading, sometimes being led, rewarding. We will work on this in the White House, in the Cabinet agencies. I will go to the people and the programs that are the brighter points of light, and I will ask every member of my government to become involved. The old ideas are new again because they are not old, they are timeless: duty, sacrifice, commitment, and a patriotism that finds its expression in taking part and pitching in." This legacy to service will continue to live on through our nation's AmeriCorps programs and Points of Light, the non-profit organization promoting volunteerism and service that he created while president.
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Staff Changes at Serve Wisconsin: A Hello and a Goodbye
Welcome to Kyle Clower, our new Community Engagement Specialist!
Kyle Clower is originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, and is returning to Madison via Los Angeles, California. He brings a wealth of experience to Serve Wisconsin. In Missouri, Kyle was on staff of Lieutenant Governor Joe Maxwell, who was a member of the Missouri Community Service Commission. His primary role was as the Elderly Advocate for the state of Missouri and he assisted with service efforts promoted by the lieutenant governor and the commission. Kyle spent the past eight years in LA teaching high school history and serving for multiple years as both the History Department Chair and High School Activities Director, where he expanded the role of service in school-wide events. While living in Los Angeles, Kyle and his wife were thrilled to welcome a daughter and a son to their family, helping lead to the decision to return to Madison, where they lived while his wife completed a post-doctoral fellowship.
Thank you Kara Rivers!
Serve Wisconsin would like to thank Kara Rivers for all of her work as a program officer the year. Kara has been instrumental in our formulation of the Disaster Service Corps here in Wisconsin, laying the foundation for the next steps that our programs and our office will take. Kara has worked with multiple AmeriCorps programs during her tenure and is currently the lead program officer for the Afterschool, Volunteer Wisconsin, and Recovery Corps programs through Marshfield Clinic, the Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services, Blugold Beginnings at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and the planning grant for University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. We would like to whole-heartedly thank Kara for all of her service and wish her the best of luck in all of her new endeavors. Kara will be relocating to Indianapolis in the new year.
Serve Wisconsin will be hiring a new program officer soon. If you are interested in working for Serve Wisconsin or know some one who is, please have them contact Jeanne Duffy, [email protected].
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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.
We look forward to speaking with you!
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Calendar: Upcoming Events
December
- December 13 - Wisconsin National and Community Service Board Meeting (Madison - Goodman Community Center)
- December 24 - State Holiday - Serve WI Office closed
- December 25 - State Holiday - Serve WI Office closed
- December 31 - State Holiday - Serve WI Office closed
January
- January 1 - State Holiday - Serve WI Office closed
- January 9 - Wisconsin AmeriCorps Monthly Update Call
- January 20 - 2018-2019 Quarter 1 Progress Reports and Quarter 1 Aggregate Financial Reports are due
- January 21 - State Holiday - Serve WI Office closed
- January 23-24 - New Program and Staff Boot Camp (Madison - Pyle Center)
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