AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is the national service program that provides thousands of Americans of many ages and backgrounds with education awards in exchange for a year of community service.

AmeriCorps engages approximately 80,000 members in intensive service annually to serve through nonprofit, faith-based, and community organizations at 23,000 locations across the country. These members help communities tackle pressing problems while mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve. Since 1994, more than 1 million Americans have provided more than 1.3 billion hours of service to their communities and country through AmeriCorps. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

AmeriCorps members in Wisconsin typically start their terms of service during the fall. Most AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance which is distributed in equal payments, typically every two weeks. Full-time members complete at least 1,700 service hours, typically during a 10-12 month period, and receive a modest living allowance of about $12,600, health care, child care, and a $5,815.00 Education Award. Some programs enroll less than full-time members and available benefits then vary. All AmeriCorps members who successfully complete their service are eligible for an Education Award, which can be used for higher education or can be applied to exising student loans.

Marshfield Clinic Health System AmeriCorps Volunteer Wisconsin

The Volunteer Wisconsin AmeriCorps program is administered by Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS). The program was developed on behalf of Volunteer Wisconsin, a coalition of local, regional and state organizations committed to serving as the state umbrella organization dedicated to volunteerism.

Nonprofits apply to be considered for a member placement. 35 nonprofits/schools/government organizations selected as host sites recruit their member. MCHS then verifies member eligibility and maintains the necessary verification paperwork. Staff from MCHS and United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County provide training at AmeriCorps orientation in September to prepare members for their term of service. They also provide education, training, and technical assistance throughout the term of service. Host site supervisors attend one day of the orientation to receive member management training and to develop a plan of service with their member. Members serve full time (35-40 hours per week) or half time (15-20 hour per week), providing direct support to the development and management of the volunteer program of their host site. Members will receive a bi-weekly living allowance and health insurance. Upon successful completion of their term of service, members will receive an education award or nearly $6,000.

The MCHS AmeriCorps Volunteer Wisconsin members focus on effectively engaging and utilizing volunteers to increase nonprofit capacity. Members will recruit skilled and on-going volunteers, and assess and strengthen the existing volunteer management system within the nonprofit. Typical activities include any of the following: marketing volunteer opportunities; developing efficient procedures and necessary forms for screening, training, supervising, recognizing, and retaining volunteers; overseeing volunteers; providing volunteer recognition, tracking and measuring volunteer impact; reporting impact and conducting evaluations. As a group, Volunteer Wisconsin members will recruit and mobilize at least 350 sustainable volunteers to support nonprofit organizations statewide.

Members will participate in initial team orientation for four days at a camp facility to bond as AmeriCorps members, participate in focused volunteer management training, and obtain the tools and forms needed to begin their work with volunteers. While placed in a nonprofit, members work independently, with staff, and with volunteers to help nonprofits achieve their missions and make measurable differences in their communities. The Volunteer Wisconsin members gather as a team several times during the year for additional team building and training.

Host sites are recruiting AmeriCorps members for the 2019-2020 service term which will start in September 2019. If you are interested in serving as an AmeriCorps member, please contact Shelly Kaiser or one of the host sites on the list below.

Barron High School, Baron
Beaver Creek Reserve, Fall Creek
Birchwood Schools, Birchwood
Cassandra Voss Center at St. Norbert College, De Pere
Central Rivers Farmshed, Stevens Point
Edgewood College, Edgewood
Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton
Friedens Community Ministries, Milwaukee
Friends of Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks, Hudson
Goodman Community Center, Madison
Greater Watertown Community Health Foundation, Watertown
Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary, Marion and Green Bay
Homme Home for the Aging, Wittenberg
Interfaith Caregivers of Polk County, Milltown
Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Northwest District, Eau Claire
Kids Matter, Inc., Milwaukee
Ladd Memorial Hospital, Osceola
Manitowoc-Two Rivers YMCA
Marshfield Child Advocacy Center, Marshfield
Marshfield Clinic Health System Community Connections Team, Marshfield and Eau Claire
Marshfield Medical Center Volunteer Services, Marshfield
Midwest Renewal Energy Association, Custer
Milwaukee Academy of Science, Milwaukee
Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Milwaukee
NAMI Washington County, West Bend
Opportunity Development Centers, Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids
Rainbow Hospice Care, Jefferson
Redline Milwaukee, Milwaukee
United Way of Dane County Volunteer Center, Madison
United Way of Dane County 2-1-1, Madison
United Way of Dunn County
United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, Milwaukee
United Way of Marathon County, Wausau
University of Wisconsin-Superior
Volunteer Center of Brown County, Green Bay
Volunteer Center of Washington County, West Bend
WasteCap Resource Solutions, Inc., Milwaukee
Waushara Prevention Council, Waushara
Wisconsin CASA Association, Green Bay
Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, Stevens Point
Wood County Health Department, Wisconsin Rapids

Contact: Shelly Kaiser, (715)221-8406, kaiser.shelly@marshfieldclinic.org