What is AmeriCorps? AmeriCorps is a national service movement that unites Americans in improving our neighborhoods. AmeriCorps is not a job, but a service opportunity in which Americans dedicate a year or more of their lives in order to help meet the critical needs of others. In large and small communities, AmeriCorps members are taking responsibility, learning valuable skills and fulfilling their pledge to "get things done." What is Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps? Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps is a great opportunity for someone to become an AmeriCorps member and serve for a year or more with a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. This allows members to join Habitat in fulfilling its exciting mission of building simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. What do Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members do? Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members help create homes and hope in the city of Milwaukee. For members in construction positions, their primary role is to lead crews of volunteers and Habitat homeowners on site, in homes that are being newly-built or rehabilitated for Habitat families.  In addition, one member also helps in our office with coordinating and supporting our Habitat families and volunteers.  During the 2007-08 service year, they are all helping Milwaukee Habitat complete 35 homes, including new single-family houses and rehabbed condominiums.

Who are the Milwaukee members? We are very proud of all six of our 2007-08 Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members, and we are very thankful for their dedication in joining us to fulfill Habitat's mission here in Milwaukee. Here's a little bit of information about each of them, so that you can see why we're so proud:

2007-2008 AmeriCorps Members (STANDING, L-R) CHRIS GARRISON, JOHN WALSH  (SITTING, L-R) ZUZIA JARZEBSKA, KATIE KREBSBACH, LIZZY SHIEL, MIKE JONES

Chris Garrison, 23, is a first-year Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps member.  He grew up in Elm Grove, WI and went to college at The University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Chris looked for some engineering jobs, but found this AmeriCorps position and decided it would be a great experience.  He has always had a passion for community service, and this was not only a great opportunity to do that, but also to learn how to build houses and become an effective leader.  Chris is pretty sure he will be doing a second year of AmeriCorps in 2008-09.  When not building houses, Chris enjoys relaxing, snowboarding, being outside, or doing anything with friends.

Zuzia Jarzebska, 28, is a second-year Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps member.  Born in Warsaw, Poland, she grew up in Chicago and has lived in Milwaukee for 2 years.  Formerly a massage therapist and graphic designer, Zuzia found that her heart was in service and hopes to pursue a career working with non-profits.  Outside of serving with Milwaukee Habitat, she is a waitress (which she actually enjoys) and a volunteer at the Wisconsin Humane Society and the Riverwest Co-Op.  In her free time, when she manages to find it, Zuzia enjoys hanging out with her friends, playing with her dog, working out, biking, cooking, watching movies and all sorts of fun stuff.

Mike Jones, 22.  Do you like proper construction practices?  Do you like a man who can handle all kinds of power tools?  Then Mike Jones, a second-year Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps member, is the crew leader you are looking for.  While serving with Omaha Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps in 2006-07, he developed interests in outdoor activities and in trying new types of cuisine.  If Mike sounds like an AmeriCorps member you want to lead you in construction, then come to Milwaukee Habitat to volunteer.

Katie Krebsbach, 23, is in her second year of Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps service, but in her first year at Milwaukee Habitat.  Originally from Sheboygan, WI, she spent her first AmeriCorps year serving with the Omaha, NE Habitat affiliate.  Katie came to Milwaukee to continue to serve and to be closer to her family; plus she is more of a Badger than a Cornhusker.  Katie postponed college to serve as an AmeriCorps member, and she will resume in the Fall of 2008.  Besides learning all that she can at Habitat, Katie loves the outdoors, any kind of sports/games, and occasionally a good book.  Katie is looking forward to this year in the position of the Warehouse/Construction AmeriCorps member, and she is excited to see all of the new faces and the new aspects of another Habitat affiliate.

Lizzy Shiel, 23, is in her second year of AmeriCorps with Habitat for Humanity.  Last year, she served with the Seattle/South King County Habitat affiliate.  She enjoyed her experience so much, both learning to build and working with the many volunteers, that she decided to continue her second year in Milwaukee.  Lizzy looks forward to discovering a different perspective on how Habitat affiliates can be run, and also learning about different building techniques.  Moving to the Milwaukee has also brought her closer to her family in Chicago.  In her spare time, Lizzy enjoys traveling, reading books, and playing ultimate Frisbee.  Post-AmeriCorps, Lizzy sees herself attending graduate school for Urban Planning/Architecture, but for now, she looks forward to the rest of her year in Milwaukee.

John Walsh, 44, is in his second year of Habitat AmeriCorps service, but his first serving with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity.  John served his first term with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity.  After working out in the "real world" in the landscape irrigation industry for 16 years, he was looking for something different.  He first got the opportunity to be a regular Saturday volunteer while in Iowa, and really enjoyed helping others and learning new skills.  After doing that for a year, he was approached about joining AmeriCorps.  After doing a little soul searching, he realized that this seemed like the right path that would lead him to help others in bettering themselves.  Long-term, his goals are to hopefully be a staff member with a HFH affiliate, or to possibly use his AmeriCorps Education Award to help him pursue Environmental Studies.  When he isn't busy at Habitat, he enjoys hanging out with friends, reading or enjoying the beauty of nature.

What is a member's commitment? AmeriCorps members start their service in late August and serve full-time for about 11 months, ending in July. Each member must serve at least 1700 hours during this time, and must also complete other program requirements, including national and local training and orientation. What are some of the member benefits? There are many... both tangible and intangible. Here are a few of them: Knowing that you've made a difference in people's lives. Learning skills that will last a lifetime. Living allowance of $11,400 for the 2008-2009 service year. Education award of $4725 upon successful completion of the service term. Health insurance. Loan forbearance on most student loans, and accrued interest paid after completion of service term. Childcare reimbursement for qualified members. Optional, convenient housing available for only $100/month per member, or $150/month of housing assistance provided for members finding their own housing.  $150 worth of relocation/transition benefits, given at both the beginning and end of service year. $2000 worth of additional benefits/year given to 2nd-year Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members. Who can I talk to learn more? If you'd like to know anything else at all about the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps program, please contact Steve Tennies at (414) 562-6100, ext. 19, or at stennies@milwaukeehabitat.org. How can I become a member? We accept applications and select members on a rolling basis from about March through July. To apply online, first go to the national Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps web site to learn more about the program. You can then visit the official AmeriCorps application site, where you will be able to conveniently create an account with the AmeriCorps Recruitment System, and then complete and submit your online application. (If you would like to skip to our specific program listing page, you can click here.) If you need to have an application sent to you in the mail instead, please contact Steve Tennies at (414) 562-6100, ext. 19. What if I'm interested, and I'd like to learn about all of the things that make the Milwaukee area a great place to be? If you would like to learn more about all that Milwaukee and its surrounding metropolitan area has to offer, we suggest that you check out the web site of the Greater Milwaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau. Where can I learn about other AmeriCorps programs in Wisconsin? For information about other Wisconsin AmeriCorps programs, you can visit the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board website at www.servewisconsin.org.