Kathryn Yang, Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services (WAHRS) AmeriCorps Member, Wins National Excellence in AmeriCorps Award

Wisconsin AmeriCorps member Kathryn Yang received the Impactful Service Award during the Excellence in AmeriCorps Awards in recognition of her three terms of AmeriCorps service with the Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services (WAHRS) at Pathfinders in Milwaukee. Kathryn was one of six honorees from across the country, three individuals and three organizations, that were recognized with a national Excellence in AmeriCorps Award on September 5 in Washington, DC during the 2024 AmeriCorps State and National Symposium. Kathryn was previously honored with the 2024 AmeriCorps Member of the Year award at the Governor’s Service Awards in Madison on May 15, 2024.

When presenting the award to Kathryn, Director of AmeriCorps State and National Sonali Nijhawan stated ”this honoree came highly recommended by several of her peers, who wrote several letters applauding her for her remarkable dedication to advocating for vulnerable youth and addressing systemic issues surrounding homelessness and sexual exploitation.” Nijhawan described how “one person said, I am often in awe of Kathryn’s approach when serving youth and her ability to connect with just about anyone who walks into a room. I felt a little bit of that today when I met Kathryn.”

When concluding her presentation of the award, Nijhawan stated that “Kathryn has gone above and beyond during her AmeriCorps service to aid youth facing housing insecurity and survivors of sexual exploitation feel safe and supported as they work to navigate the challenges that stand in the way of their potential. For her unwavering advocacy, we are so pleased to present Kathryn Yang with the impactful Service Award.”

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

• Video of Kathryn Yang receiving the 2024 Excellence in AmeriCorps Award
• Serve Wisconsin Press Release: Wisconsin AmeriCorps Member Kathryn Yang Recognized with National Excellence in AmeriCorps Award
• AmeriCorps press release: 2024 Excellence in AmeriCorps Awards Celebrates Outstanding Service and Impact

Information on Kathryn Yang 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.

Marshfield Clinic - Recovery Corps AmeriCorps members share service stories as part of CDC Foundation efforts

Two AmeriCorps members and a program director with Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) Recovery Corps recently participated in a national campaign by the CDC Foundation to highlight the impact of Public Health AmeriCorps across the country. The campaign will share innovative and successful models developed over the past few years with Public Health AmeriCorps in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control to boost the public health workforce.

Earlier this month, the CDC Foundation released several videos highlighting the impact made by MCHS Recovery Corps AmeriCorps members as part of their service as recovery coaches providing support to individuals in recovery from substance abuse disorders and addiction. One of these videos, Public Health AmeriCorps: Recovery Corps Gets Things Done in Wisconsin, highlights the overall efforts of MCHS AmeriCorps throughout the state, with additional videos focusing on the service and stories of individual AmeriCorps members.

MCHS Recovery Corps AmeriCorps member Christian Johnson reflected following the recordings that “the opportunity to share both my story and successes was made incredibly smooth by all the wonderful people behind the scenes. My hope is that this interview will help people to understand why finding AmeriCorps is so important!” Christian is currently serving his second AmeriCorps term at Marshfield Medical Center-Eau Claire. He explains during his interview as part of the Public Health AmeriCorps: Helping Others with Recovery Corps video that he came to his AmeriCorps service through his own recovery. Having noticed that it was hard for people who not been through recovery to talk about it, including professionals, he started looking for ways that he could give back to others and address this, leading to his service with MCHS Recovery Corps.

MCHS Recovery Corps AmeriCorps member Julie Wilson, who is currently serving her second term at the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley in Eau Claire, is highlighted in another video, entitled Public Health AmeriCorps: Community Through Service. Julie discusses the Sober Strong program that she created to provide support to women in early recovery from substance abuse disorder, including how she was inspired to create the program based on her own experiences in early recovery. Reflecting on her participation in the project, Julie explained that “I found the interview and filming process with the CDC to be thought provoking. It helped me reflect on the past year (and beyond since I have been in recovery for 3 ½ years now) and realize just how much is possible. I went from having little hope for my life to helping women find hope for their lives. It has been an amazing journey.”

Videos featuring MCHS Recovery Corps

• Public Health AmeriCorps: Recovery Corps Gets Things Done in Wisconsin
• Public Health AmeriCorps: Helping Others with Recovery Corps (Meet Christian)
• Public Health AmeriCorps: Community Through Service (Meet Julie)

Dane County area AmeriCorps programs join 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 several programs serving in Dane County joined with other organizations and volunteers as part of a habitat restoration project at Madison School Forest. Participants cleared away invasive species to help make way for a thriving prairie and help restore the surrounding forest to oak savannah.

The project was organized by Partners for After School Success (PASS AmeriCorps) in partnership with the Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) Outdoors team, with this being the fourth consecutive year the project was held for 9/11 Day. y AmeriCorps members and staff joined them from United Way of Dane County - Achievement Connections, United Way of Dane County - Schools of Hope, and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction AmeriCorps Farm to School, and staff from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Serve Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Justice Center (MJC) AmeriCorps participates in diaper drive and packing for 9/11 Day of Service

This year, the Milwaukee Justice Center (MJC) AmeriCorps program collected and packed diapers for 9/11 Day of Service. MJC AmeriCorps ran a diaper drive in partnership with the Greater Milwaukee United Way from August 10 through September 10, which collected 1,171 diapers. Following the diaper drive, MJC AmeriCorps members and program staff went to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County on September 11 to pack the diapers they had gathered over the last month with thousands more donated as from the efforts of others. By the end of their service for 9/11 Day, they packed 5,019 diapers for the the United Way’s Diaper Bank Hubs.

WAFCC AmeriCorps members pack hygiene bags for

9/11 Day of Service project

The AmeriCorps members with the Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics came together from clinics across the state for a 9/11 Day project at City on a Hill in Milwaukee. During their project, they packed hygiene bags to support patients and individuals in need in the communities they serve. Throughout their service, they will continue having a positive impact in these communities, as they increase access to healthcare services for low-income and uninsured patients across Wisconsin.

Marshfield Clinic - Community Corps AmeriCorps member organizes Manitowoc County resource fair

While wrapping up her first AmeriCorps term with Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) Community Corps at NAMI Inc. of Manitowoc County this summer, Amy Smith was actively planning a community-wide resources fair to highlight county-wide social services resources in Manitowoc County. The fair was designed to be attended by potential clients of the agencies participating in the fair, as well as community members who might want to volunteer with these organizations.

Amy realized that getting the word out for an event like this would be critical, explaining that “we don’t want to have a party and no one shows up!” Seeing advertising as a problem to be solved, Amy reached out to contacts at a local broadcasting company with several stations. These efforts were highly successful, as she recorded a radio ad that had 270 donated commercials running just before the event, an invaluable help in spreading awareness of the event.

By the time the event was held on September 9, over 30 agencies signed on to participate in the resource fair. Approximately 100 participants attended the fair to learn about all of the organizations and the services they provide.

Reflecting on the scope and success of the event, Amy’s host site supervisor, Donna Firman, Board President of NAMI Inc, of Manitowoc County, reflected that “it is not an exaggeration to say that there has never been an event like this in size, scale and quality in the decade that I’ve lived here. We are so proud of Amy - a perfect combination of heart, hard work and execution.”

Serve Wisconsin welcomes Kate Perleberg

as our new Fiscal Officer

Serve Wisconsin is happy to welcome Kate Perleberg as our new Fiscal Officer. In this position, Kate will conduct federal expenditure reviews on the AmeriCorps program and Serve Wisconsin grantees, conduct financial and administrative risk management reviews during the grant application process, and provide training and technical assistance services to AmeriCorps program managers in the requirements of grant accounting.

Before joining Serve Wisconsin in September, Kate spent several years in accounting and finance positions for various for-profit and non-profit organizations.  Most recently, Kate served as the CFO first at RISE Wisconsin, a Madison non-profit specializing in early childhood and mental health care coordination, and then at YWCA Madison, specializing in affordable housing, employment & transit services, and racial and restorative justice. Kate is a Certified Public Accountant and looks forward to utilizing her skills and experience to support AmeriCorps programs/members and the communities throughout Wisconsin. When Kate is not working, she enjoys hanging out with friends, traveling, especially road trips, and being outdoors camping, kayaking, biking, hiking, and snowshoeing.  

Service story from Milwaukee Justice Center (MJC) AmeriCorps member

September episode of The S-Files podcast

This month on The S-Files, we explored the service story of AmeriCorps member Tholia Lewis, who served with the Milwaukee Justice Center (MJC). Check out this month's episode below. You can access all of the episodes on The S-Files podcast series website.

Assisting the Public at the Milwaukee County Courthouse with MJC AmeriCorps

In this episode of The S-Files, we are exploring the service done by AmeriCorps member Tholia Lewis, who is serving with the Milwaukee Justice Center (MJC). Tholia discusses her service assisting members of the public at the Milwaukee County Courthouse in several ways, including serving as a courthouse navigator, helping them complete forms needed for different processes, and providing information at their help desk, as well as assisting people calling their helpline prior to coming to the courthouse. Listen in to learn about Tholia’s experience serving during the initial year of the MJC AmeriCorps program and how she is gaining experience helping people navigate the court system before beginning law school.  (listen to the episode here)

Deadline for NCCC AmeriCorps Concept Papers for Projects in March-April 2025 is November 5

Does your organization need extra assistance meeting critical needs in your community?

The deadline for submitting a concept form is November 5 for nonprofit organizations and government agencies interested in working with an AmeriCorps NCCC team next year between March 5 and April 24, 2025. Information on the application process is available in their Request for Proposal (RFP) for 2025 service dates.

AmeriCorps NCCC teams are 18-26 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 Maple 7 AmeriCorps NCCC team is currently serving at YMCA of the North Camp St. Croix in Hudson, WI from September 14 through November 12. The AmeriCorps NCCC team’s work will preserve and build on the camp’s natural resources to allow for hands-on, engaging environmental education, create easier access for people of varying abilities to experience a natural and agricultural setting, improve the climate-resilience of trails, prairie, and forests, and other initiatives. While serving at the camp, they will will contribute to project goals through trail-building assistance in a ravine area, assistance with tree planting to expand the maple syruping program, raspberry planting to create a pick-your-own patch, fence building and repair for farm/garden, greenhouse maintenance, forest management, invasive plant removal and outdoor and indoor maintenance tasks on their 100 buildings.

For those interested in taking an active role in promoting national service and volunteerism in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board has two vacancies for a board member for the following appointment type:

• A representative of local labor
• A service program representative between the ages of 16 and 25

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.

Serve Wisconsin | servewisconsin.wi.gov | AmeriCorps

FOLLOW US