This fall, WisCorps operated a disaster response crew consisting of five AmeriCorps members that was focused on flood-related projects in Monroe and Vernon counties. Both counties were dramatically impacted by significant flooding that hit Wisconsin in August and September 2018. While much of the initial cleanup has been completed, the AmeriCorps members on this disaster response crew primarily focused on community-based projects impacting parks, public facilities, and lands that had still not been completed two years later.

One project was the renovation and restoration of Coon Valley Veterans Memorial Park and its baseball field. The field was unusable since being damaged by the flooding of Coon Creek two years ago. The WisCorps crew removed the remaining debris and power-washed and refinished the bleachers, benches, picnic tables, and bathrooms. They performed maintenance on the announcing booth, concession stand, and storage shed, as well cleaning up the youth field and children’s park within the 10 acre park. The completion of all of these projects should allow for the park to begin hosting youth and league baseball games in 2021.

Another set of revitalization projects were completed in Readstown, which experienced massive flooding from the Kickapoo River. The AmeriCorps members completed debris removal and structural maintenance at the Readstown Public Library. Additionally, they completed two projects to revitalize Tourist Park, which is located alongside the Kickapoo River, through the reconstruction of its butterfly garden and the installation of a 9-hole disc golf course.

The disaster recovery crew was led by AmeriCorps member Amber Bydynkowski, who is currently serving her third term with WisCorps. When describing their service this fall, Amber said “I am inspired every day by not only the community members we work with, but the drive and dedication of our staff to be outstanding members of our community and responsible environmental stewards. I could not have asked for better people to call my crew members and, more importantly, my friends.” The four other members of the disaster response crew this fall were Carly Morris, Ben Olson, Kyle Salek, and David Wastart.

Earlier this fall, Amber and WisCorps as an organization were both honored with the COVID-19 Response Service Award at the Governor’s Service Awards on October 15, 2020 for the service done by the WisCorps COVID-19 Disaster Relief Crew this spring that Amber helped to lead.

AmeriCorps members with the United Way of Dane County’s Schools of Hope AmeriCorps Project participated in a book drive to help provide books to Madison elementary students unable to access their school libraries during virtual education.

As part of this drive, they reached out to community volunteers who provided literacy tutoring alongside Schools of Hope AmeriCorps members before the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know they miss being in schools this year, and this was a way for our volunteers to do something and provide books for students whom they normally would be working with,” said Emily Greene, director of the Schools of Hope AmeriCorps Project. “It was really great for them to be able to do something when we all feel so disconnected from each other.”

By the end of the drive, the AmeriCorps members had obtained 1,500 books to distribute to the children at the seven elementary schools whose students they are currently serving this year. “My hope for the book drive is we are able to get physical books in the kids’ hands so they can spend less time on screen and more time physically engaging with books, which I think is a more effective way to read,” said Ethan Seidenberg, AmeriCorps member with Schools of Hope, who was able to deliver roughly 200 books to the students he serves at Hawthorne Elementary.

While the way in which the AmeriCorps members at College Possible Milwaukee are serving has changed to a virtual model this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impacts that they are having for high school and college students from low-income backgrounds are continuing and will last for years to come through the opportunities that college success will open up.

With their service becoming potentially even more important as their students encounter challenges during remote learning, the 37 AmeriCorps members this year with College Possible Milwaukee are making a significant difference for over 1,800 students.

Striving to help make college admission possible for high school students, the 23 AmeriCorps members that serve as high school coaches are working with over 600 students at fifteen Milwaukee high schools and one high school in Stevens Point. The AmeriCorps members provide support to either high school juniors or seniors with test preparation, subject specific assistance, and the application process for admissions, scholarships, and the FAFSA.

One of the high school students they have impacted this year is Leroy Hope, who attends the Milwaukee School of Languages, and described how College Possible “helped me out a lot, especially with financial aid like FAFSA. That was a pain. But they helped me figure that out and they also took me on college tours. It helped me narrow down choices. If I didn’t have that, I’m not sure what I’d be doing right now.” With that assistance, as well as assistance preparing for the ACT and applying to the eight colleges, Leroy has already been accepted to seven of these school and is currently waiting on the decision from the final school. Leroy Hope explained that “College Possible has helped me out tremendously with that. I kind of use my last name as my mantra. College Possible definitely gave me some hope for going to college.”

The mission of College Possible Milwaukee does not end though after students have been admitted to college, as their 13 AmeriCorps members serving as college coaches continue to provide support to the nearly 1,200 college students at over 100 colleges that remain connected to the program. The college coaches provide support through a near-peer model, helping their students as they navigate the milestones and resources essential to graduating from college. One of these students is West Allis native, Jeremiah Baez, who is now a freshman at Bryant Stratton College. After being introduced to College Possible as a high school junior at Pulaski High, he said that before then, “college would have been a maybe for me” and that College Possible has helped to put him on the right track to success.

Earlier this fall, College Possible Milwaukee as honored as AmeriCorps Program of the Year at the Governor’s Service Awards on October 15, 2020.

Serve Wisconsin held its first session it its yearlong training series on racial justice on December 18. The racial justice training will explore a historic background to racism, how it affects people and communities today, opportunities to reflect on our own beliefs, and actions and steps we can all take in the journey to end racism. Through this training we hope to continue our continuous path towards creating a more just and equitable society.

The training series kicked off with the keynote remarks at the Wisconsin AmeriCorps Opening Ceremony on October 30 by Public Allies Milwaukee AmeriCorps alumnus Jeremy Triblett, who was able to connect with the AmeriCorps members through his understanding of the joys and challenges of AmeriCorps service. He continued to build upon that foundation in the first virtual session, which had just under 200 AmeriCorps members and program staff from throughout the state joining in the learning activities and breakout discussions.

The racial justice training series will continue throughout the current program year through seven additional virtual sessions, with participants also completing reflection activities and exploring additional resources to apply their learning to their service.

Serve Wisconsin is currently accepting applications for its first three AmeriCorps VISTA positions to help end racial disparities in Wisconsin. As part of this initiative, VISTA members will support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) led organizations to help increase their capacity to provide the services that will end racial disparity and create a just Wisconsin, particularly due to the historic under-funding of BIPOC-led nonprofits.

The scope of these disparities is vast, as according to the 2019 Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS) report entitled Wisconsin’s Extreme Racial Disparity, Wisconsin is ranked among the worst states in the nation for racial inequality, with stark disparities including poverty, unemployment, educational attainment, and incarceration.

During the first year of the project, three VISTA members will be placed at nonprofit organizations located throughout the state in January 2021 to recruit BIPOC-led organizations working to end racial disparities for the placement of future VISTA members. This first cohort of VISTA members will develop contacts with these BIPOC-led organizations and assist them in their development of program goals and objectives for future VISTA members, provide training to them, and assist in the recruiting and placement of VISTA members.

Starting in the second year of this initiative, Serve Wisconsin plans to have 10-20 BIPOC-led organizations statewide selected and trained to host VISTA members. The VISTA members will develop programing, expand volunteer engagement, develop new support systems, develop partnerships, expand fundraising, and/or conducting needs assessments.

For information about Serve Wisconsin’s VISTA initiative, email Ruhamah Bauman at ruhamah.bauman@wisconsin.gov and follow the below links to the initial three AmeriCorps VISTA positions with this initiative. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. Please submit applications as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

Serve Wisconsin has reopened the application period for funds to increase both the number and capacity of existing Community/Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters VOAD/COADs in the Wisconsin Emergency Management's Northwest Region and Northeast Region through January 19, 2021. These funds are available through a grant that Serve Wisconsin received from the AmeriCorps Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) to help strengthen local communities in preparedness, response, and recovery to disasters.

Grant funds will be utilized to support regional VOAD/COAD coordinators, placed strategically throughout the six Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) Regions at various organizations, with funds not to exceed $30,000 per region during this funding cycle. These funds are intended to be utilized to support staff salaries and benefits. Other approved expenses such as training and exercises are not included in this amount, but they can be reimbursed separately through Serve Wisconsin.

Organizations interested in applying for funding in the Northwest and Northeast regions should complete this VOAD/COAD Coordinator Funding Application by January 19, 2021:

Organizations supporting regional VOAD/COAD coordinators will:

Addition information on this initiative is available on the Disaster Services section of the Serve Wisconsin website.

AmeriCorps, formerly known as the Corporation for National and Community Service, released a Notice of Funding Opportunity this fall to expand the scope of Foster Grandparents Programs (FGP) throughout the nation, including the opportunity to expand service in 42 Wisconsin counties, with applications due by 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 3. Application information is available at this webpage for the FGP competition.

The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program provides a way for volunteers age 55 and over to stay active by serving children and youth in their communities, serving as tutors and mentors to children and youth with special or exceptional needs, or who would benefit from the one-one-one attention a AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer can provide. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve an average of 20 hours per week in schools, hospitals, drug treatment centers, correctional institutions, and childcare centers. Among other activities, they review schoolwork, reinforce values, teach parenting skills to young parents, and care for premature infants and children with disabilities.

Foster Grandparent programs can be managed by nonprofit organizations, local and state governments, institutions of higher education, and Native American tribes. Those interested in learning more about the application process can access the AmeriCorps webpage on the Foster Grandparents Expansion Sponsor Competition.

AmeriCorps Seniors will host a series of technical assistance calls in January to provide information and answer questions about the FGP funding opportunity, performance measures, budget development, and eGrants, with call dates and times can be found at this webpage for the FGP competition. Organizations will need to register in advance on the website, with session recordings, slides, and transcripts posted on the website afterwards for those unable to attend live or that would like to review the information afterward. Those with questions at any time during the application period can send an email to 2021FGPSCP@cns.gov.

Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Calumet, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Douglas, Dunn, Florence, Forest, Iron, Jefferson, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Price, Racine, Rock, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan,

St. Croix, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Wood

Serve Wisconsin will be virtually hosting its annual New Program Boot Camp on January 19-22, 2021 to bring together new program staff and those from organizations interested in learning more about operating a successful AmeriCorps program.

This training is geared for new staff at existing Wisconsin AmeriCorps programs, organizations with a planning grant to develop a program, or organizations considering applying for AmeriCorps program funds, with experienced staff from current programs welcome to attend as well.

This training will include an overview of the national service and AmeriCorps landscape, rules and regulations, site monitoring and compliance, the AmeriCorps member experience, and other topics.

To register, please complete this online registration form by January 8, 2021.

As a reminder, staff from new programs, new staff at established programs, and staff from planning grants funded through Serve Wisconsin are required to attend.

For questions regarding the New Program Boot Camp, contact Tracey Brent, Serve Wisconsin Compliance and Training Officer, at tracey.brent@wisconsin.gov.

Serve Wisconsin is seeking to engage a part-time, contractor to focus on embedding AmeriCorps and a year of service as a standard post-graduation option to high school students, in the same manner that college, the military and trades are presented.

For more information, go to this description of the duties and hours/rate for this contractor position.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your qualifications for this position and your commitment to AmeriCorps/service to Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director, Serve Wisconsin, via email jeanne.duffy@wisconsin.gov by Thursday, December 30, 2020.

For nonprofit organizations and government agencies interested in working with an AmeriCorps NCCC during the latter part of next spring, the next deadline for submitting a concept form is for January 5, which is for organizations interested in having a team in 2021 between May 3 and June 22. Information on the application process for this upcoming period or for several other project windows next spring, summer, and fall are available in their Request for Proposal (RFP) for 2021 service dates.

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 wiamericorps@gmail.com or call (608) 492-2928.

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 jeanne.duffy@wisconsin.gov.