Serve Wisconsin

Congratulations to Eric Hoffman, AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year honoree at the 2026 Governor’s Service Awards.

Eric Hoffman has devoted his career to expanding educational opportunities and strengthening communities through national service. He began his national service journey as an AmeriCorps member with City Year Bay Area, making a positive impact for local students through the program. Eric carried the values of service into his leadership of Wisconsin Reading Corps and Math Corps, helping transform a small Milwaukee pilot into a statewide initiative serving nearly 200 schools and more than 24,000 students.

Watch Eric receive his award at the 2026 Governor’s Service Awards ceremony from Governor Tony Evers and hear about the impacts of his service here: https://youtu.be/lVwRkJHxNyc

America's Service Commissions Wisconsin Department of Administration Ampact

Eric Hoffman - AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year - 2026 Governor's Service Awards Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Congratulations to Eric Hoffman, who was recognized this June by Governor Tony Evers with the 2026 Governor’s Service Award as AmeriCorps Alumni of the Year.

Check out a full description of his service here:https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/s/Eric-Hoffman-AmeriCorps-Alumni-of-the-Year-GSA-2026.pdf

Eric Hoffman has devoted his career to expanding educational opportunities and strengthening communities through national service. He began his national service journey as an AmeriCorps member with City Year Bay Area, making a positive impact for local students through the program. Eric carried the values of service into his leadership of Wisconsin Reading Corps and Math Corps, helping transform a small Milwaukee pilot into a statewide initiative serving nearly 200 schools and more than 24,000 students. Under his leadership, over 250 AmeriCorps members now provide evidence-based tutoring to students across urban, rural, and tribal communities throughout Wisconsin.

Eric combined strategic leadership with a deep commitment to member development, building strong systems for training, coaching, and community partnership while ensuring programs remained responsive to local needs. His work also helped launch Math Corps statewide, expanding support beyond literacy to address broader educational challenges. The impact of his leadership extends beyond students alone. One former tutor shared that her AmeriCorps experience helped her discover “her own ability to succeed in the classroom.” She later became a third-grade teacher and Reading Corps site supervisor at the same school where she served. Stories like these reflect Eric’s lasting influence in building both stronger schools and the next generation of educators and public service leaders across Wisconsin.

America's Service Commissions Wisconsin Department of Administration Ampact

Congratulations to the Green Bay Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps Program of the Year honoree at the 2026 Governor’s Service Awards.

Since its founding in 2022, their AmeriCorps members have restored more than 300 acres of parks and natural areas, planted over 100,000 native trees and plants, and engaged more than 650 volunteers in meaningful service.

Watch Green Bay Conservation Corps receive their award at the 2026 Governor’s Service Awards ceremony from Governor Tony Evers and hear about the impacts of their service here: https://you and hear about the impacts of their service here: https://youtu.be/sD3CsDVWm14

America's Service Commissions Wisconsin Department of Administration Green Bay Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department Mayor of Green Bay City of Green Bay Government State Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner

Green Bay Conservation Corps - AmeriCorps Program of the Year - 2026 Governor's Service Awards Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Congratulations to Green Bay Conservation Corps, which was recognized by Governor Tony Evers this June with the 2026 Governor’s Service Award as AmeriCorps Program of the Year.

Check out a full description of their service here:https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/s/Green-Bay-Conservation-Corps-AmeriCorps-Program-of-the-Year-GSA-2026.pdf

The Green Bay Conservation Corps has become a model for how national service can strengthen both communities and the environment through hands-on conservation and volunteer engagement. As one of Wisconsin’s only municipally based AmeriCorps programs, the Corps brings together students, retirees, working adults, and community volunteers to restore habitats, improve public green spaces, and address challenges such as flooding, climate resilience, and biodiversity loss. GBCC is nationally recognized for their conservation efforts. They were named a “2025 Top Small Corps” by The Corps Network and received the "2026 Invasive Species Action Award" for their impact on habitat health.

Since its founding, the program has restored more than 300 acres of parks and natural areas, planted over 100,000 native trees and plants, and engaged more than 650 volunteers in meaningful service. Through partnerships with organizations such as the Green Bay Botanical Garden to help create the Northeast Wisconsin Pollinator Corridor and with We All Rise: African-American Resource Center to organize community volunteer projects for MLK Day of Service, they have expanded access to conservation opportunities while building stronger community connections.

The program’s impact is perhaps best illustrated by its work at Navarino Park, where volunteers helped design and install a rain garden that completely resolved a longstanding flooding issue while creating new habitat for endangered pollinators and birds. Even after unexpected AmeriCorps funding cuts in 2025, community support helped sustain the program, demonstrating the trust and value it has built throughout Green Bay. Through innovation, stewardship, and service, the Green Bay Conservation Corps continues to create lasting environmental and community impact.

Green Bay Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department City of Green Bay Government Mayor of Green Bay State Representative Amaad Rivera-Wagner

In this episode of The S-Files, we are exploring the service done by AmeriCorps member Zu Bai, who is serving this year with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) - ClubCorps.

https://servewisconsin.transistor.fm/episodes/giving-back-and-gaining-skills-through-service-with-graduation-plus-through-the-boys-girls-clubs-of-greater-milwaukee

Zu discusses how he is assisting students participating in their Graduation Plus program by providing mentorship and guidance to high school students from their freshmen year through and after their graduation from high school. He describes assisting students with all of the stages of the college application process and their preparation in the summer after graduation as they prepare to enter college. Zu discusses how he strives to form connections with students to strengthen the support he can provide to students, understanding the value of this assistance from his own participation in the program as a student. Listen in to learn about how Zu has gained skills in communication and leadership, which he plans to build upon once he completes his own college coursework for his nursing degree.

Thank you Zu for the difference you have made through your !

For all episodes of The S-Files - https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/podcast

America's Service Commissions Wisconsin Department of Administration

Congratulations to JaVeon Matthews, who was recognized by Governor Tony Evers this June with the 2026 Governor’s Service Award as AmeriCorps Member of the Year .

Check out a full description of his service here:https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/s/JaVeon-Matthews-AmeriCorps-Member-of-the-Year-GSA-2026.pdf

JaVeon Matthews has become a trusted and steady presence for youth at Pathfinders’s Drop-In Center, where young people facing homelessness, instability, and crisis can access support, meals, housing resources, and a safe community. Although this is his first year as an AmeriCorps member with Wisconsin Assoc. for Homeless and Runaway Services WAHRS, JaVeon’s commitment began years earlier as a summer Earn & Learn student. As he shared, “I love helping the community, I love giving back.” His calm, compassionate presence helps youth feel comfortable seeking support, whether they need food, help with employment or school, or simply someone to listen to them.

JaVeon’s emotional intelligence and crisis de-escalation skills consistently stand out. Staff describe him as patient, observant, and reliable, with an ability to make young people feel safe and understood. One youth “looked up to me like a big brother,” JaVeon explained, recalling how he helped her calm down during moments of crisis. Another grieving youth immediately sought out JaVeon after a family funeral because of the comfort and trust he provides. Beyond daily support, JaVeon balances full-time service while helping care for his younger siblings and pursuing his GED. His leadership, empathy, and dedication have created lasting impacts on both the youth and staff at Pathfinders.

America's Service Commissions Wisconsin Department of Administration

Congratulations to Rebecca King, AmeriCorps Member of the Year honoree at the 2026 Governor’s Service Awards.

Rebecca served three terms as an AmeriCorps member with Marshfield Clinic – Community Corps at United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties. During her service, she transformed Reading Under the Lights into a powerful countywide literacy initiative that gives children both access to books and confidence in themselves as readers

Watch Rebecca receive her award at the 2026 Governor’s Service Awards ceremony from Governor Tony Evers and hear about the impacts of her service here: https://youtu.be/VZD8k531KL0

America's Service Commissions Wisconsin Department of Administration

Rebecca King - AmeriCorps Member of the Year - 2026 Governor's Service Awards Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Congratulations to Rebecca King, who was recognized by Governor Tony Evers this June with the 2026 Governor’s Service Award as AmeriCorps Member of the Year.

Check out a full description of her service here:https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/s/Rebecca-King-AmeriCorps-Member-of-the-Year-GSA-2026.pdf

Rebecca King has transformed Reading Under the Lights into a powerful countywide literacy initiative that gives children both access to books and confidence in themselves as readers during her service with Marshfield Clinic’s Community Corps program at United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties. Through partnerships with every public library and school district in Jefferson and Walworth counties, she helped distribute thousands of free books to children and created welcoming, family-centered reading experiences that made literacy feel exciting and accessible. One child quietly told her, “This is the first book I’ve ever gotten to keep,” a moment that captures the lasting impact of her service.

Rebecca went beyond traditional event planning by creating guided reading circles, sensory-friendly spaces, and opportunities for caregivers to engage alongside their children. Despite limited staffing and resources, she coordinated volunteers, secured donations, and built strong community partnerships to expand the program’s reach. Her work has led to increased library visits, new library card registrations, stronger home reading habits, and greater confidence among young readers. Through compassion, innovation, and an unwavering belief in youth opportunity, Rebecca has helped create a culture where children feel celebrated, families feel empowered, and reading becomes a source of joy throughout the community.

America's Service Commissions Wisconsin Department of Administration Marshfield Clinic Health System Center for Community Health Advancement

Congratulations to Callie Grones, AmeriCorps Member of the Year honoree at the 2026 Governor’s Service Awards.

Callie served two terms as an AmeriCorps member with Marshfield Clinic – Community Corps at the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve. During her service, she has demonstrated exceptional dedication to environmental education, restoration, and community engagement.

Watch Callie receive her award at the 2026 Governor’s Service Awards ceremony from Governor Tony Evers and hear about the impacts of her service here:

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/hxZFEgbmPs8

America's Service Commissions Wisconsin Department of Administration

Callie Grones - AmeriCorps Member of the Year - 2026 Governor's Service Awards Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Congratulations to Callie Grones, who was recognized by Governor Tony Evers this June with the 2026 Governor’s Service Award as AmeriCorps Member of the Year.

Check out a full description of her service here:https://www.servewisconsin.wi.gov/s/Callie-Grones-AmeriCorps-Member-of-the-Year-GSA-2026.pdf

Callie Grones has demonstrated exceptional dedication to environmental education, restoration, and community engagement through her service with Marshfield Clinic’s Community Corps program at the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve. She organized inclusive public programs, educational events, and conservation initiatives that significantly increased community participation, with some events doubling in attendance. Callie helped coordinate habitat restoration projects, invasive species removal, and shoreline cleanups, including efforts that removed 363 pounds of trash and 139 pounds of invasive knapweed from the estuary. Additionally, she helped raise awareness of conservation efforts in the St. Louis River estuary by appearing on at episode of PBS Into The Outdoors TV focused on young people exploring careers around the natural world of the Great Lakes.

When her AmeriCorps position was abruptly terminated due to federal cuts, Callie chose to remain and continue serving as a volunteer because of her deep commitment to the community and environment. Her resilience inspired those around her and led local supporters to create temporary funding so she could continue her work. Callie’s leadership, compassion, and willingness to go above and beyond have strengthened environmental stewardship, expanded accessibility to outdoor education, and created lasting impacts throughout the Lake Superior region.

America's Service Commissions Wisconsin Department of Administration Marshfield Clinic Health System Center for Community Health Advancement