Angel Brown, MCHS Recovery Corps AmeriCorps Member,

Wins National Excellence in AmeriCorps Award

Wisconsin AmeriCorps member Angel Brown received the Excellence in AmeriCorps Award for the Most Impactful Member Service in recognition of her four years of AmeriCorps service. Angel was one of four honorees from across the country, two individuals and two programs nationwide, that were recognized with a national Excellence in AmeriCorps Award on September 1 during the 2022 AmeriCorps State and National Symposium.

Angel served as an AmeriCorps member for the last three years with Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) – Recovery Corps and for a year with the Tribal AmeriCorps Program. Angel was honored with the 2022 AmeriCorps Member of the Year award at the Governor’s Service Awards in Madison on May 26, 2022.

Upon receiving the reward, Angel said, “they say that I won this Most Impactful Service award, but honestly, AmeriCorps has been the most impactful in my life and my story and recovery. I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for the things that they offered me.” During her first year as an AmeriCorps member, Angel served as a mentor for students and supported children in multiple classrooms and programs in Lac du Flambeau with the Tribal AmeriCorps Program. Following that experience, she began serving with MCHS Recovery Corps, receiving extensive training and serving as a recovery coach to assist individuals with substance abuse disorders along their journey to recovery. 

Examining her growth during her service, Angel explained that “AmeriCorps has helped make me who I am today. It has changed my life tremendously. It's not only gave me the opportunities to be there for others who are struggling, but it has given me the motivation and dedication to change my own life. I'm doing things today I never thought possible, from speaking at public events and sharing my own personal journey…I've learned a lot. I've gained a lot of certifications, and I've been through amazing trainings, which has also molded me in my own recovery. I will celebrate five years clean on September 12, so this has just been an experience I will never forget.”

Angel concluded her fourth year of service this August, which is the maximum an individual can serve as an AmeriCorps member. She will build upon the experience she gained by starting as a certified peer support specialist at The Human Service Center on September 6. “Without this program and without all the things that I've done and learned, I wouldn't be where I am today…Paying it forward and doing the service work has been a phenomenal experience, and I will continue my journey through service work in a little bit different of an avenue…I will never forget these last four years because they will always be the first four years that molded the rest of my life.”

For more information about Angel Brown’s service, including a video from the ceremony and the press releases by both Serve Wisconsin and AmeriCorps, follow the links below:

• Video of Angel Brown receiving the 2022 Excellence in AmeriCorps Award
• Serve Wisconsin Press Release: Wisconsin AmeriCorps Member Angel Brown Awarded National Excellence in AmeriCorps Award
• AmeriCorps press release: Four National Service Champions Win Annual Excellence in AmeriCorps Awards

Information on Angel Brown receiving the Governor’s Service Award earlier this year for her service, as well as videos and service descriptions for her and all of the other honorees, is available at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/governors-service-awards.

Dane County AmeriCorps members come together for

9/11 Day of Service Project at Madison School Forest

In recognition of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, AmeriCorps members from multiple programs joined with other organizations and volunteers to complete a service project at Madison School Forest this month to clear out invasive species, including buckthorn and honeysuckle.

Partners for After School Success (PASS) AmeriCorps program organized the 9/11 Day project with the Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) Outdoors team. They were joined during the project by AmeriCorps members from United Way of Dane County - Schools of Hope and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Farm to School, as well as staff and volunteers from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Friends of the Madison School Forest, and Serve Wisconsin.

Virtual Information Session about serving with AmeriCorps and Peace Corps on November 3

Representatives from multiple AmeriCorps programs and the Peace Corps will host a virtual session on November 3 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. to learn about a year (and beyond) of service, including potential service options and the benefits of service.

During the Gap Year and Beyond: Peace Corps and AmeriCorps Panel presentation, representatives will discuss service opportunities with their programs, an overview of day-in-the-life during service, the skills gained and the impact created while serving, the application process, benefits received during and following service, and more.

Please complete this online RSVP form to receive the Zoom link to participate on November 3.

Thank You Robin Lee!

Serve Wisconsin would like to thank Robin Lee for all of his work and dedication to Serve Wisconsin over the last three years. Robin will be leaving Serve Wisconsin on October 6 for a position with the federal Department of Energy, assisting with weatherization efforts, similar to the work he did with the Wisconsin Department of Administration before joining our team.

Robin first joined Serve Wisconsin as our Fiscal Officer, responsible for conducting financial desk reviews, providing financial, and technical assistance to grant recipients and grant applicants, and monitoring expenditures and financial reporting for compliance with statutes and regulations. Earlier this year, Robin transitioned to a new position as our Volunteer & Disaster Response Officer. He coordinated our efforts to support Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOADs) and collaborated with disaster response organizations and other agencies. In addition to these efforts, Robin also served as a program officer for two AmeriCorps programs, Western Dairyland EOC - Chippewa Fresh Start and NCCAP AmeriCorps.

Service stories from AmeriCorps members serving with Marshfield Clinic Health System - Community Corps

September episodes of The S-Files podcast

This month on The S-Files, we explored the service stories of two AmeriCorps members serving with Marshfield Clinic Health System - Community Corps. Check out these episodes below and access all of the podcast episodes on The S-Files podcast series website.

Sparking a Love of Lifelong Volunteering with MCHS Community Corps

In this episode of The S-Files, we are exploring the service done by AmeriCorps member Sarah Webb, who served over the last year with Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) - Community Corps and served the previous two years with MCHS Volunteer Wisconsin at the Volunteer Center of Racine as their Youth Volunteer Coordinator. Sarah describes her service connecting students with volunteer opportunities as part of the Youth Volunteer Corps program, both during the school year and as part of the youth volunteer summer camps she has been coordinating over the last few months. She also discusses several trainings she has organized for youth this summer, including CERT disaster training, First Aid, and their initial Junior Citizen Police Academy, for which she drew upon her own prior experience as a police officer to create. Listen to learn about how Sarah dramatically increased student participation in volunteer activities during her service, including her recognition nationally in 2021 at the Youth Volunteer Corps Summit Awards Ceremony with their Catalyst Award for the impact of her service. (listen to the episode here)

Leading Classes for Refugees and English Language Learners with MCHS Community Corps

In this episode of The S-Files, we are exploring the service done by AmeriCorps member Bethany Mallek, who served over the last year with Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) - Community Corps at the Portage County Literacy Council. Bethany describes her service teaching classes for adult English language learners and U.S. Cultural Orientation classes for refugees that are living in the Stevens Point area. She discusses several aspects of planning and leading each of these classes, including how she has worked to adapt the lessons to fit the experiences of the participants. Listen to learn about how Bethany has forged participant connections and a supportive environment in these classes, which she is excited to continue to lead as she begins her second AmeriCorps term this fall. (listen to the episode here)

Deadline for NCCC AmeriCorps Concept Papers is November 1 for Projects in March-April 2023

Nonprofit organizations and government agencies interested in working with an AmeriCorps NCCC team between March 3 and April 27, 2023, the deadline for submitting a concept form is November 1. Information on the application process for this upcoming period or for late spring, summer, and fall 2003 is available in their Request for Proposal (RFP) for 2023 service dates.

AmeriCorps NCCC teams are 18-24 year-olds traveling 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 that address compelling community needs. These projects address five main service areas: natural and other disasters, energy conservation, environmental stewardship and conservation, infrastructure improvement, and urban and rural development.

As an example, the Cedar 3 Team of AmeriCorps NCCC members are serving between September 19 and November 8 at YMCA Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya to provide assistance to the Greater Green Bay YMCA. They will be completing several projects at the camp including improving trail systems, renovating the amphitheater, and building new camp sites.

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 appointment type:

• A representative of business
• A representative of local government
• A representative of local labor

Those interested in serving must complete an application to the governor for the appointment. The online application 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 interested in serving on the board and have any questions, please contact Serve Wisconsin Executive Director Jeanne Duffy at jeanne.duffy@wisconsin.gov.