What is the AmeriCorps Program?
Annually in the summer, GGR sponsors teams of 7 to 10 AmeriCorps workers full time for eight weeks to contribute to environmental projects in greater Racine. GGR does this in order to promote a more sustainable Racine and to support environmental organizations by providing volunteers to staff their hands-on projects.
What has AmeriCorps been up to recently?
In 2021, GGR board member Pastor Lynn Nys organized projects for a seven-member AmeriCorps team to work with Habitat for Humanity, do coastal restoration for the Health Department, clear invasive species at River Bend, and plant trees at the Caledonia Conservancy. Plans are in the works for a 2022 summer sponsorship.
GGR sponsored three previous AmeriCorps teams. Scroll down for information in reverse chronological order for years 2021, 2019, and 2018.
2019
Greening Greater Racine is tremendously grateful to the Cedar 2 AmeriCorps NCCC crew that worked through the rain and colder temperatures on improvement projects throughout Racine, Wisconsin. Thanks to the supervisors and all who helped to make this another successful year.
Listed below are the project partners and description.
- Racine Urban Forestry Program: Planted 400 trees.
- Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network: Cleared invasives at Smolenski Park.
- City of Racine Public Health Department: Cleared and planted at Sam Myers Park Racine.
- RiverBend Nature Center: Cleared invasives and pathways.
- Uptown Racine BID: Cleared greenspace and trail-making.
- Racine Revitalization Partnership: Painted two houses.
- Caledonia Conservancy: Cleared trails.
- Racine Family YMCA: Assisted with the Lighthouse Run.
- Extra days: Worked with RUGN: The Racine Urban Garden Network and Weed Out! Racine
AmeriCorps team battles invasive species during local service tour
The Journal Times covered the crew while they were tackling invasives at River Bend Nature Center. We are thankful for these dedicated people to make improvements throughout Racine!
Read the full article by clicking HERE.
2018
Greening Greater Racine is proud to have endorsed nine AmeriCorps NCCC North Central Region Class XXIV Oak 4 Team corps members from all over the US to come work on some cool projects throughout the City of Racine. Throughout the two months they are here, they will be tackling various sites possibly planting trees with City of Racine Forestry Dept, working at various City or County Parks with Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network, at North Beach Park Racine or Sam Myers Park with the City of Racine Public Health Department, around Uptown assisting Racine Revitalization Partnership with home assessments or Habitat for Humanity ReStore Racine, and assisting with home weatherization all around the city. We are incredibly proud and thankful for their work.
A special THANK YOU shout out to Pastor Thompkins of Fellowship Christian Believers for providing them a place to stay and Racine Family YMCA for providing them passes so they can have a place for recreation and to do their PT!