Suzanne Pagel

This story was published originally by ServeMinnesota.

When Daniel Winker’s test scores made it clear that the Burnsville fifth-grader was struggling with math last year, his mom, Talitha, didn’t waste a moment. “I was concerned that he’d fall farther behind and get further disconnected,” she said. “The pandemic meant that he’d miss the face-to-face assistance he was used to receiving.”

With COVID-19 continuing to be a threat to public health and safety, AmeriCorps is stepping up to help slow the spread with a new case investigator/contact tracer position this September. “To slow the spread of COVID-19, we need to follow where the virus may be spreading in our communities,” says Sadie O’Connor, managing director of Reading & Math, Inc. “Case investigation and contact tracing is essential because it helps to quickly identify people who should stay home and away from others.”

We’re excited to help launch a new strategic initiative of ServeMinnesota in September! Developed by a climate design team, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Department of Forestry, Minnesota Green Corps and Tree Trust, the Community Forestry Corps will engage a team of AmeriCorps members in the preservation and revitalization of Minnesota’s forests.