Recognizing the power of everyday contributions made by engaged citizens, Governor Tony Evers recognized 10 individuals and three programs at the 2020 Governor’s Service Awards ceremony for their significant service to Wisconsin citizens and communities on October 15, 2020, a recording of the entire ceremony is available here.

The Governor’s Service Awards honors outstanding volunteers, AmeriCorps and Senior Corps participants and programs, veterans, local volunteers, and AmeriCorps alumni that address serious social needs across Wisconsin, including specific recognitions this year for those responding to COVID-19. The awards are sponsored by Serve Wisconsin, which is the state commission for national and community service. Details on each honoree and the service they have performed to assist the people of Wisconsin, as well as the recording of the entire ceremony and the individual segments on each honoree, can be found at https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/governors-service-awards.

As part of their mission to expand the capacity of nonprofit organizations to deliver critical direct services to Milwaukee residents and to develop local leadership, Public Allies Milwaukee is partnering with Fund for Lake Michigan, which is funding eleven Ally AmeriCorps members' service at host sites for the 2020-21 program year. By partnering with Public Allies Milwaukee, the Fund has helped ensure AmeriCorps members serve in environmentally focused nonprofits to expand the ability of those groups to meet their missions. Host sites benefiting from AmeriCorps service include Clean Wisconsin, Groundwork Milwaukee, Harbor District Inc., Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Milwaukee Water Commons, Menomonee Valley Partners, Reflo, River Revitalization Foundation, Urban Ecology Center, Walnut Way Conservation Corps, and Wisconsin DNR.

Part of this partnership is to not only build up the capacity for organizations to make a continued difference into the future, but to also expand the diversity of the perspectives and views used in their efforts. A 2018 national study of environmental nonprofits revealed that 80% of board members and 85% of staff of environmental nonprofits are White. The Fund for Lake Michigan, Public Allies Milwaukee, and the host sites understand that placing AmeriCorps members who have innate desires to diversify approaches is essential to lasting change. Additionally, the environmental-justice-focused consultancy Cream City Conservation will also create a community of practice for the selected environmental nonprofits’ leaders who are working to integrate equitable practices organization-wide. AmeriCorps member Kareem Benson-White, who served with Public Allies Milwaukee last year at the Milwaukee French Immersion School and will be placed as a Public Allies Fellow at Reflo this year, reflected that "being asked my opinion is huge for me. It also comes with more responsibility and I'm definitely up for it and looking forward to impacting Reflo and the community."

The eleven Members and Host Sites will receive specialized coaching and training during the program year to build capacity around environmental justice and water justice in Milwaukee, with help from Public Allies AmeriCorps Alumnus Darrin Madison. AmeriCorps Member Public Ally Catie Petralia, placed with River Revitalization Foundation reflects, "I'm so excited to serve the community and share our beautiful Milwaukee River Greenway trails!

While it may look a little different this year, the AmeriCorps members with Partners for After School Success (PASS) are continuing their annual support of the “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat” food drive for the Community Action Coalition For South Central Wisconsin, Inc. Typically, PASS AmeriCorps members have supported efforts by their students to leave bags at doors throughout Dane County to be collected at a later date. In 2019, 2,449 pounds of food were collected through this Halloween trick-or-treating alternative.

This year, the PASS AmeriCorps members are working with eighteen host sites to collect food at community centers and other locations throughout the county. With the activities at most of their host sites running virtually or limiting in-person activities, they have had to get creative this year, with much of their focus on having students create promotional materials that can be shared on social media and through other networks.

The project this year is being organized by AmeriCorps members Jon Gullickson, who is serving at the MSCR-Meadowood Neighborhood Center, and Ian O’Connor-Giles, who serves with MSCR at La Follete High School. As second term members, Jon and Ian have taken the lead in coordinating information with the Community Action Coalition (CAC), communicating that with the AmeriCorps members, and coordinating bag donations, as a few sites are still handing out bags for donations.

AmeriCorps, formerly known as the Corporation for National and Community Service, recently released a Notice of Funding Opportunity to expand the scope of Foster Grandparents Programs throughout the nation, including the opportunity to expand service in 42 Wisconsin counties.

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.

Additionally, AmeriCorps Seniors will host a series of technical assistance calls to answer questions about these funding opportunities, performance measures, and eGrants, with call dates and times can be found at that webpage. Those with questions at any time during the application period can send an email to 2021FGPSCP@cns.gov.

For nonprofit organizations and government agencies interested in working with an AmeriCorps NCCC this spring, the next deadline for submitting a concept form is for November 4, which is for organizations interested in having a team in 2021 between either March 8 and April 24 or March 18 and May 7. 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.