We began our program visits by meeting with WisCorps. Current AmeriCorps members Shannon Columb and Kyle Willoughby highlighted how they engage the public in a variety of environmental education programs. Additionally, WisCorps staff members Matt Brantner and Amber Bydynkowski, both AmeriCorps alumni, provided an overview of the conservation and disaster recovery projects that crews of AmeriCorps members are completing throughout Wisconsin.

We then visited with Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction AmeriCorps Farm to School Program members Maddie Smith and Isabel Greene, serving students at multiple schools in the Oregon School District, and the district school nutrition director, Sarah Tomasiewicz. They described multiple aspects of their service, including providing nutrition education, building relationships with farmers to increase procurement of local foods for school meal programs, and supporting school gardens across the district. As part of the site visit at Forest Edge Elementary School, they were able to show Secretary Blumenfeld some of the garden beds and the hydroponic tower that are part of the student learning experience.

We finished up the day visiting with AmeriCorps member Andrew Feist, who is serving with the Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services at Briarpatch Youth Services in Madison. Andrew and site staff from Briarpatch spoke with Secretary-designee Blumenfeld about multiple efforts to support youth experiencing housing insecurity or who may have run away from their homes by providing shelter services, counseling, and other resources to youth and their families. 

AmeriCorps members with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction AmeriCorps Farm to School Program helped students throughout the state celebrate Wisconsin-grown foods by joining the 2022 Wisconsin Chili Lunch. This celebration was part of an effort throughout the country to make and serve a chili recipe made with local ingredients on National Chili Day, Thursday, February 24, 2022.

As part of the celebrations, AmeriCorps members gave people an inside look into how ingredients were grown, harvested, chopped, cooked, and finally served as a bowl of delicious chili across the state through a video spotlighting how their students participated in all of the steps from cultivation to preparation.

Check out their video highlighting how Wisconsin students and Farm to School AmeriCorps members participated this year: 2022 Wisconsin Chili Lunch video

This month, Serve Wisconsin was happy to mark the 15^th anniversary of Steven Yule’s service supporting Wisconsin AmeriCorps programs and working with the Wisconsin National & Community Service Board. Steven began working at Serve Wisconsin on February 19, 2007 and including prior years of state government service with the Department of Military Affairs and what was then the Department of Administration – Division of Housing & Intergovernmental Relations, he has served the people of Wisconsin for over 20 years.

When Steven was asked what the best thing is from his 15 years with Serve Wisconsin, he replied, “The best thing for me has been being able to work with the many AmeriCorps programs across the state that are doing good things in their communities! It’s also been great to have had opportunities to meet many dedicated, passionate AmeriCorps members who are serving their communities!”

Thank you Steven for all of your efforts supporting AmeriCorps programs and members over the last fifteen years!

February episodes of The S-Files podcast

This month on The S-Files, we explored the service stories of AmeriCorps members serving with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) - AmeriCorps Academic & Career Planning and the Department of Public Instruction AmeriCorps Farm to School Program. Check out these episodes below and access all of the episodes on The S-Files podcast series website.

In this episode of The S-Files, we are exploring the service by AmeriCorps member Bryce Killibrew, who is serving with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) - AmeriCorps Academic & Career Planning program. Bryce discusses how he is assisting students in Milwaukee by providing mentorship and guidance through multiple aspects of the college application process. Bryce describes being on both end of the spectrum as both a student that participated in the program and now being able to give through his AmeriCorps service after having once been in the shoes of the students he serves. Listen in to learn how the mentorship Bryce is providing to students is helping to give them a blueprint they can follow as they hope to continue their academic journey following graduation. (listen to episode here)

In this episode of The S-Files, we are exploring the service by AmeriCorps member Emily High, who is serving with the Department of Public Instruction AmeriCorps Farm to School Program. Emily discusses the various nutrition activities and lessons that she has done with the students she serves in the Shell Lake School District, including growing and harvesting different vegetables, introducing new foods to students through taste tests, and games to keep nutrition lessons engaging for students. She describes their participation in events including the Great Apple Crunch and Wisconsin Chili Lunch Day and how she is helping foster relationships with local farmers as part of her efforts. Listen to learn how Emily is helping to create meals and memories with her students as part of her efforts to foster nutrition education and create connections in the community. (listen to episode here)

Nominations for the awards are due on Monday, April 4, with the 2022 nomination form and information on past recipients available on the Serve Wisconsin website at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/governors-service-awards, with specific resources listed below.

Please contact kyle.clower@wisconsin.gov with any questions and to submit nominations for the Governor's Service Awards by April 4.

Please direct any questions regarding the RFP process or application to servewisconsin@wisconsin.gov.

For nonprofit organizations and government agencies interested in working with an AmeriCorps NCCC team this summer or fall, the next deadline for submitting a concept form is March 1. This deadline is for organizations interested in having a team either between July 11 and September 10 or between August 12 and October 13. Information on the application process for this upcoming period or for the final 2022 windows this fall and early winter is available in their Request for Proposal (RFP) for 2022 service dates.

AmeriCorps NCCC teams are constituted of 18-24 year-olds that travel regionally to help communities meet their critical needs by completing projects that typically last 6-8 weeks. NCCC partners with a variety of nonprofit organizations, government entities (federal, state or local), educational institutions, neighborhood associations, Native American Tribal Councils, and community-based or faith-based organizations to complete projects which address a compelling community need. These projects address five main service areas: natural and other disasters, energy conservation, environmental stewardship and conservation, infrastructure improvement, and urban and rural development.

Serve Wisconsin | servewisconsin.wi.gov | AmeriCorps