Press Releases
Please find below an archived list of Serve Wisconsin press releases from the past few years. If you would like information about or access to prior press releases from 2017-2021, please contact servewisconsin@wisconsin.gov.
Governor Evers recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for their service at the 2025 Governor's Service Awards
May 15, 2025
Governor Tony Evers congratulated the honorees at the 2025 Governor's Service Awards, stating, "I want to recognize all the individuals and programs being honored today for the truly extraordinary work and service you've provided to communities across Wisconsin…and I'm incredibly grateful for the work that you do. Whether it's helping communities in need, cleaning up and protecting our natural spaces, or supporting veterans and their families, the work AmeriCorps does makes a difference. And there's no denying that the overall success of our state has always relied on the hard work and dedication of individuals and organizations like yourselves."
Serve Wisconsin Executive Director Jeanne Duffy reflected on the impact the honorees have made and the example they set for others, "the honorees we recognize today represent the very best of Wisconsin—people who give of themselves, who uplift others, and who remind us of the power of compassion in action. Their selfless contributions have created lasting, positive change, and we are proud to share their stories with you.” READ MORE
Governor Evers Proposes Scholarship to Support Wisconsin AmeriCorps Members Following their Service in 2025-27 Executive Budget
February 27, 2025
Governor Tony Evers reaffirmed his commitment to service and education in Wisconsin by proposing a state scholarship in his 2025-2027 Executive Budget to match the AmeriCorps education award. This initiative aims to support the education of those who have made a positive impact on Wisconsin communities through AmeriCorps service. The scholarship would provide financial assistance to AmeriCorps members who use their federal Segal Education Award at Wisconsin universities, colleges, and technical colleges.
Governor Evers has long advocated for reducing financial barriers for AmeriCorps members. In 2021, he proposed exempting the Segal Education Award from state income tax—a measure that received bipartisan support and was enacted as part of the 2021-2023 biennial budget. READ MORE
Serve Wisconsin now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Service Awards — Nominations are due March 17
January 27, 2025
Serve Wisconsin is pleased to open nominations for the 2025 Governor's Service Awards.
The Governor's Service Awards honor individuals and programs for their exceptional dedication to service through AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors, and other impactful volunteer initiatives. Additionally, the ceremony will recognize a Volunteer of the Year across multiple categories of volunteerism, highlighting the extraordinary value and contributions of volunteers to communities statewide.
Nominations are due on Monday, March 17, and the award ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 15, at 2:00 p.m. at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison. READ MORE
Wisconsin AmeriCorps Member Kathryn Yang Recognized with National Excellence in AmeriCorps Award
September 27, 2024
Wisconsin AmeriCorps member Kathryn Yang received the Impactful Service Award at the Excellence in AmeriCorps Awards in Washington, DC on September 5, 2024, which honor outstanding service from across the country. Kathryn was recognized for the impact she made during 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 at the ceremony. 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 that “we're proud to honor Kathryn Yang with this distinguished award. Kathryn’s service during her three terms as an AmeriCorps member with the Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services at Pathfinders in Milwaukee reflects her commitment to helping others.” READ MORE
Serve Wisconsin Announces $12.8 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Wisconsin
September 3, 2024
Serve Wisconsin proudly announces that Wisconsin received $12.8 million in grant funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and community volunteerism, to support 29 AmeriCorps programs and planning grants across the state.
"This funding will put 875 AmeriCorps members on the ground at over 200 service sites throughout the state to help make a difference and improve the lives of people across Wisconsin," said Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin. READ MORE
Governor Evers recognizes outstanding service at the 2024 Governor's Service Awards and celebrates 30th Anniversary of AmeriCorps in Wisconsin
May 16, 2024
Governor Tony Evers congratulated the honorees at the 2024 Governor's Service Awards, stating that "So much of our local impact rests on the shoulders of dedicated volunteers and organizations such as yourselves, and we could not have the reach or influence that we do in this state without partners like all of you. Whether you have been doing this work for two years or twenty years, rest assured, the work you are doing is truly making our state a better place for Wisconsin kids, families, and communities everywhere."
Highlighting the difference that the honorees made through their service, Serve Wisconsin Executive Director Jeanne Duffy reflected that "these individuals have gone above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others. They are assisting homeless youth, offering compassion and care to our vulnerable seniors, and ensuring our youth have the necessary resources, education, and love to thrive. Their selfless efforts have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless fellow community members." READ MORE
Serve Wisconsin now Accepting Nominations for the 2024 Governor’s Service Awards — Nominations are due March 18
February 8, 2024
Serve Wisconsin is pleased to open nominations for the 2024 Governor's Service Awards. The award ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 15, at the Green Lake Conference Center.
The Governor's Service Awards honor outstanding national service members, volunteers, and programs. Those honored by these awards will have made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service, with their generous service impacting the lives of countless Wisconsinites. Awards will recognize outstanding national service by individuals and programs serving through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors and the tremendous impact volunteers make throughout the state by honoring a Volunteer of the Year from multiple categories of volunteer service. READ MORE
Serve Wisconsin Announces $14.8 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Wisconsin
August 28, 2023
Serve Wisconsin proudly announces that Wisconsin received $14.8 million in grant funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and community volunteerism, to support 27 programs across the state. "This funding will put 936 AmeriCorps members on the ground at over 200 service sites throughout the state to help make a difference and improve the lives of people across Wisconsin," said Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin.
"As AmeriCorps prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its creation this September, we look forward to these AmeriCorps members continuing and expanding the service legacy of those that have served before them. They will build upon the previous service of over 31,000 Wisconsin AmeriCorps members, whose combined efforts amount to an astonishing 46 million service hours and have undeniably and positively shaped the lives of Wisconsin's citizens," Duffy continued. "Throughout their service, these new AmeriCorps members will help tackle some of our toughest problems by addressing the achievement gap and educational challenges, public health and healthcare access, opioid and substance abuse, economic opportunity and housing availability, conservation and environmental sustainability, and other concerns impacting communities across the state." READ MORE
Lt. Governor Rodriguez recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for their service at the 2023 Governor's Service Awards
June 8, 2023
Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez congratulated the honorees at the 2023 Governor’s Service Awards, stating that “all of you set an incredible example of what it means to take care of our fellow neighbor and the people in our state.” She continued by saying “recognizing the hard work of dedicated volunteers like yourselves will always be a joy for me. Seeing your efforts and the projects and initiatives that you work on reminds me of my own experience in the Peace Corps after college, and that experience in the Peace Corps helped drive my decision to be a public health nurse, and to pursue a career in service.”
The Governor’s Service Awards honors outstanding Wisconsin volunteers, AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, and national service organizations that address serious social needs across Wisconsin. The 2023 ceremony recognized sixteen individuals and one organization from throughout the state for their outstanding volunteerism and service and 49 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for reaching the milestone of twenty years of volunteer service in their communities. The awards were presented on June 7 and were sponsored by Serve Wisconsin, the state commission for national and community service. READ MORE
Serve Wisconsin now Accepting Nominations for the 2023 Governor’s Service Awards — Nominations due april 10
March 6, 2023
Serve Wisconsin is pleased to open nominations for the 2023 Governor’s Service Awards. The award ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 7, at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison.
The Governor's Service Awards honor outstanding national service members, volunteers, and programs. Those honored by these awards will have made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service, with their generous service impacting the lives of countless Wisconsinites. Awards will recognize outstanding national service by individuals and programs serving through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors and the tremendous impact volunteers make throughout the state by honoring a Volunteer of the Year from each of six Wisconsin regions. READ MORE
Wisconsin AmeriCorps Member Angel Brown Awarded National Excellence in AmeriCorps Award
September 2, 2022
Angel Brown received the national Excellence in AmeriCorps Award for the Most Impactful Member Service on September 1st during the 2022 AmeriCorps State and National Symposium. Angel served as an AmeriCorps member for the last three years with Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) AmeriCorps – Recovery Corps, and before that, for a year with the Tribal AmeriCorps Program. Angel was one of four honorees from across the country, two individuals and two programs nationwide, that were recognized for their AmeriCorps service during this ceremony. Prior to winning this national award, Angel was honored with the 2022 AmeriCorps Member of the Year award at the Governor’s Service Awards in Madison on May 26, 2022. READ MORE
Serve Wisconsin Announces $13.1 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Wisconsin
August 31, 2022
Serve Wisconsin proudly announces that Wisconsin received $13.1 million in grant funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and community volunteerism, to support 31 programs across the state.
"This funding will put 880 AmeriCorps members on the ground at over 200 service sites throughout the state to help make a difference and improve the lives of people across Wisconsin," said Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin.
"The AmeriCorps members will continue and expand on the over 1.2 million hours of service by Wisconsin AmeriCorps members over the last two years, as they helped to tackle some of the toughest problems in Wisconsin, many of which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic," Duffy continued. "During their service this year, these new AmeriCorps members will positively impact the lives of people throughout Wisconsin by addressing issues including the achievement gap and educational challenges, public health and healthcare access, opioid and substance abuse, economic opportunity and housing availability, conservation and environmental sustainability, and other concerns impacting communities across the state." READ MORE
Lt. Governor Barnes and First Lady Kathy Evers recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their service at the 2022 Governor's Service Awards
May 26, 2022
Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes congratulated the honorees at the 2022 Governor’s Service Awards, explaining that “throughout the tough times the last two years, it has been volunteers, just like the honorees who are here today, that have inspired us all to believe that an end the pandemic is possible and that everyone doing their part is exactly the way that we can achieve that.” He continued by saying “I'm excited to help recognize 14 wonderful, amazing individuals and one organization from throughout the state for the impactful service that you've done with the Governor’s Service Awards, as well as 49 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for reaching the milestone of twenty years of volunteer service in their communities.
The Governor’s Service Awards honors outstanding volunteers, AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors participants and national service organizations that address serious social needs across Wisconsin. The 2022 awards were presented on May 26th and were sponsored by Serve Wisconsin, which is the state commission for national and community service. READ MORE
Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes & Michael Smith, AmeriCorps CEO, announce $5.7 million in federal funding to support more than 200 Public Health AmeriCorps members
May 6, 2022
MILWAUKEE– Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO, formally announced five Wisconsin Public Health AmeriCorps grant awards to four organizations at an event on Friday, April 29, in Milwaukee. Public Health AmeriCorps is a partnership between AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public Health AmeriCorps will support the recruitment, training and development of a new generation of public health leaders whose service will positively impact the lives of people in Wisconsin and throughout the nation.
“Public Health AmeriCorps and Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation, Sixteenth Street Community Health Center, United Way Fox Cities and the Wisconsin Association of Free & Charitable Clinics will add capacity to strained public health systems and build a career pipeline for public health careers in Wisconsin,” said AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith. “Over the next year, more than 200 new AmeriCorps members will provide invaluable services to rural and underserved communities and address the COVID-19 pandemic, substance use, community health and health education across the state. I look forward to championing these programs in partnership with our grantees, Lt. Gov. Barnes and Wisconsin health leaders.” READ MORE
Serve Wisconsin now Accepting Nominations for the 2022 Governor’s Service Awards — Nominations due april 4
February 24, 2022
Serve Wisconsin is pleased to open nominations for the 2022 Governor’s Service Awards. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 26, at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison.
The Governor's Service Awards honor outstanding national service members, volunteers, and programs. Those honored by these awards will have made significant contributions to Wisconsin through their service, with their generous service impacting the lives of countless Wisconsinites.
New in 2022, in recognition of the tremendous impact volunteers make throughout the state, we will honor one Volunteer of the Year from each of six Wisconsin regions. Additional awards will recognize outstanding national service by individuals and programs serving through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors. READ MORE
Serve Wisconsin Announces $8.1 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Wisconsin
September 20, 2021
Serve Wisconsin proudly announces that Wisconsin has received nearly $8.1 million in grant funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and community volunteerism.
"This funding will put 888 AmeriCorps members on the ground to help our local communities as our state continues to grapple with the effects of COVID-19," said Jeanne Duffy, Executive Director of Serve Wisconsin. READ MORE
Governor Evers and Lieutenant Governor Barnes recognize outstanding individuals and organizations for their service at the 2021 Governor's Service Awards
August 10, 2021
Reflecting upon the significant difference that engaged Wisconsin citizens have made within the state, Governor Tony Evers stated that the 2021 Governor’s Service Awards would be “honoring nine Wisconsinites and five organizations in our state that are spearheading positive, impactful change through their service to the people of Wisconsin.” He continued, telling the honorees that they “have made a real difference thanks to your tireless efforts to support and help your fellow Wisconsinites. But your service is not only outstanding because of the impressive, quantifiable impact you have had in the number of students served, masks made, meals delivered, and many other important measures. It's also outstanding because of the compelling stories of the impact you have had on folks and entire communities across the state.” READ MORE
Bipartisan Efforts Honor AmeriCorps Members’ Service by Exempting the Segal Education Award from State Income Tax
July 8, 2021
With his signature, Governor Evers exempted the AmeriCorps Segal Education Award from state income tax, benefiting Wisconsin AmeriCorps members serving in communities throughout Wisconsin.
Governor Evers proposed the exemption in his 2021-2023 Executive Budget to recognize and reward AmeriCorps members' contributions to Wisconsin through their service. "Wisconsin AmeriCorps members provide critical service throughout the state in education, conservation, health care, addiction recovery, disaster response, and through supporting a huge array of other vital local efforts," said Evers. "This good work exemplifies our shared Wisconsin values of empathy, compassion, service, and taking care of our neighbors. Exempting the Segal Education Award from state income tax will remove this unique tax burden from those that have served the people of Wisconsin and help make it possible for AmeriCorps members to more fully continue their education and expand their ability to serve our communities." READ MORE