For the City Times

MADISON – Serve Wisconsin announced that Wisconsin has received $7.1 million in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service the federal agency responsible for AmeriCorps and other national service programs. Included within those funds are $1,420,085 in AmeriCorps funding for four AmeriCorps programs centered in North Central Wisconsin, with several other statewide programs also having members serving in the region.

“These funds will put more than 900 AmeriCorps members on the ground to tackle some of the toughest problems in Wisconsin including the opioid epidemic, the academic achievement gap, housing shortages for low-income families, and healthcare access,” stated Jeanne Duffy, executive director, Serve Wisconsin.

After completing a full term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an award of approximately $6,000 that they can use to pay for college or to pay off student loans, resulting in an additional $3.5 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Award funding for the over 900 Wisconsin AmeriCorps members that will be serving this program year.

This fall marks the 25th anniversary of the first class of AmeriCorps members, with over 26,000 Wisconsin residents having served since 1994.

Funding will support the following Wisconsin AmeriCorps programs centered in North Central Wisconsin: Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Afterschool 25 AmeriCorps members provide support to afterschool programs through promoting academic success, personal/social development and healthy active living for youth ages 8-18; Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Recovery Corps 20 AmeriCorps members will be trained as recovery coaches to help people recover from opioid and other substance addiction and provide community education about substance use disorders and recovery resources; Marshfield Clinic AmeriCorps – Volunteer Wisconsin 35 AmeriCorps members are placed in non-profits across the state to increase their capacity to effectively engage and utilize volunteers; and North Central Community Action Program 31 AmeriCorps – Members provide direct services to youth and their families as mentors and tutors during and after school. Members serve elementary, middle school, high school and adult learners.