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06.08.2006
AmeriCorps*NCCC, Groundwork Milwaukee to Sponsor Day of Service on June 10, 2006
Press Release
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An AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps (AmeriCorps*NCCC) team is serving with Groundwork Milwaukee, undertaking a variety of environmental projects in the urban setting. Groundwork Milwaukee and AmeriCorps*NCCC will participate in a day of service on June 10, with community volunteers of the Havenswood Community. The Milwaukee project is one of several of the "signature projects" around the country that Groundwork USA and AmeriCorps*NCCC are sponsoring. AmeriCorps*NCCC teams from three campuses are serving in nine communities.
"AmeriCorps*NCCC members help communities respond to their specific environmental issues," said Merlene Mazyck, director of AmeriCorps*NCCC. "The members provide expertise, leading volunteers to get things done, while Groundwork Trusts have designated the projects, recruited volunteers, and obtained support from local businesses. This is a great opportunity to focus on addressing issues in urban environments."
"The NCCC crew has provided a great service on many trail and park projects, continuing our mission of parkland stewardship. They set a great example for people of all ages in our community," commented Parks Director Sue Black regarding the team's assistance to the Milwaukee County Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture, in projects throughout Milwaukee County.
"Leveraging local resources with the NCCC team has made the difference in being able to complete a new pedestrian trail along the East Bank of the Milwaukee River," said Kimberly Gleffe, Executive Director of the River Revitalization Foundation in Milwaukee. The team has worked with staff of Milwaukee County and volunteers of the River Revitalization Foundation (RRF) to build the trail, which is along the East Bank of the Milwaukee River.
"Collaborating with NCCC in landscaping and beautifying, builds on the progress that we have made through the City of Milwaukee Targeted Investment Neighborhood (TIN) program," said Stephanie Harling of the Havenwoods Business Improvement District (BID). Planting trees and shrubs with residents of the Havenwoods Community will occur on Saturday June 10, 2006. Trees for this project will be provided by Greening Milwaukee through grants from the Home Depot Foundation's NeighborWoods program and the Gardner Foundation. Mark Weaver, Community Planner for the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program created designs for the landscaping.
"The unflagging enthusiasm displayed by the team has made it a great partnership," commented Mary Beth Driscoll, Executive Director of Groundwork Milwaukee. "The team also worked with Menomonee Valley Partners, Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail, Growing Power and the Urban Ecology Center during their eight weeks of service in Milwaukee."
"Groundwork USA is honored to have the opportunity to partner with AmeriCorps*NCCC in helping to revitalize some of our nation's most underserved communities through our signature events," said Vernice Miller-Travis, Groundwork USA Executive Director. "Our partnership represents a wonderful coming together of a federal partner working through and with local Groundwork Trusts to help reclaim and renew areas in urban communities that are park and green space deprived."
Groundwork Milwaukee is a member of the Groundwork USA network of 16 Groundwork Trust communities across the country. Groundwork USA, launched in 1996 by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program and the Groundwork USA Steering Committee, addresses the need for recreation, conservation, and environmental restoration in urban communities. They were later joined by the Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program. In Milwaukee, additional support is provided by the City of Milwaukee. The mission of Groundwork USA- and Groundwork Milwaukee - is to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships to empower people, businesses and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being. For more information on the Groundwork network of Trusts, please log on to www.groundworkusa.net. More information on Groundwork Milwaukee is available on the web at www.groundworkmke.org.
AmeriCorps*NCCC is a full-time service program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24. Working in teams of 9 to 12, AmeriCorps*NCCC members take on a variety of projects during their 10-month term of service. AmeriCorps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. The programs of the Corporation engage more than 1.6 million Americans each year in meeting critical needs in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security, and other areas. Together with the USA Freedom Corps, the Corporation is working to build a culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. For more information, visit http://www.nationalservice.gov.
