A few weeks ago, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay junior Jasmine Puls was at her AmeriCorps job at the Girl Scout Reaching Out program, preparing for a trip to a local elementary school, when she got an email marked “URGENT.”

“Out of nowhere, we just got an email that we were being shut down, and that they tried to appeal it but that it was non-appealable, and that there was nothing they could do,” Puls said. “We were literally given no warning.”

Seven staff members lost their jobs “within 10 minutes,” including Puls. They weren’t alone: Statewide, about 430 AmeriCorps workers found themselves out of work after the federal Department of Government Efficiency made cuts to their programs.

Reaching Out focused on connecting students in underserved communities — often due to financial or language barriers — with outdoor education and life skills, according to assistant program and inclusion director Brittany Pyatt. Many other AmeriCorps programs offered similar services, providing students in need with tutoring and engagement services.

Sudden termination of AmeriCorps funding in Wisconsin has left hundreds of young service workers jobless and disrupted vital services across schools, nonprofits, and community health programs. The cuts eliminated the jobs of 430 active AmeriCorps members in Wisconsin, including 69 in Dane County, and halted programming at more than 300 sites statewide.

The AmeriCorps members worked in schools, clinics, homeless shelters and other direct service agencies.

Serve Wisconsin, the state agency that oversees AmeriCorps programs in Wisconsin, learned at about 6:20 pm Friday that all funding for AmeriCorps programs was terminated effective immediately because the programs no longer “aligned with agency priorities.”

The AmeriCorps website lists the agency’s priorities as disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and supporting veterans and military families.

Serve Wisconsin executive director Jeanne Duffy said the cut will also affect about 680 service workers scheduled to work in summer programs.

Dear Editor: At 6:20 p.m. Friday, April 25, we received notice that federal grants for the 25 active AmeriCorps programs in our state board’s portfolio were being terminated immediately, as well as planning grants for five organizations to develop programs through the Volunteer Generation Fund.

Closing these programs would halt service at more than 300 sites across Wisconsin, including schools, medical clinics and nonprofit organizations, as well as harming the hundreds of AmeriCorps members currently serving.

If these grant terminations take effect, thousands of students will suddenly lose tutoring and support programming. Hundreds of people with substance abuse disorders will lose their recovery coaches and thousands of people will lose programming at health clinics and organizations throughout Wisconsin.

Services provided to homeless youth and individuals with disabilities will be greatly reduced and hundreds of nonprofits will lose support in serving their communities. Planned conservation projects and summer programming for children that families depend on will no longer take place.

In the Madison area, this will eliminate service through nine AmeriCorps programs, including United Way of Dane County’s Schools of Hope and Achievement Connections, Partners for After School Success, Easterseals Wisconsin, DPI Farm to School, and several more organizations.

Contact your members of Congress to let them know these grants need to be reinstated. To find their contact information, click here.

A coalition of 25 states, including Wisconsin, sued the Trump administration Tuesday to block the cancellation of AmeriCorps programs across the country.

The cancellation has upended plans at more than two dozen organizations in Wisconsin that have engaged AmeriCorps members in community service work, and stranded scores of participants in the midst of one-year stints in the program.

“I was completely blindsided,” Parker Kuehni told the Wisconsin Examiner on Tuesday. The University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate with a degree in global health was in his second year with AmeriCorps, working at a Madison free health clinic and preparing to start medical school in June when he learned Monday morning that the program was canceled.

Created by Congress in 1993 as the Corporation for National and Community Service, its official name, AmeriCorps has deployed community service workers across the country in the decades since. AmeriCorps members are usually recent college graduates who join the program for a year or two. They teach in schools, assist with disaster relief and take on a host of other roles.

Over 13,000 individuals and nearly 500 area businesses helped United Way of Dane County to raise $17.3 million during its 2024 Community Fundraising Campaign. On Tuesday, the nonprofit hosted a Community Celebration with more than 500 attendees at the Monona Terrace.

Through its Plan for Community Well-Being, United Way of Dane County is investing in local nonprofits working on family well-being, with a focus on supporting the areas of youth opportunity, financial security, and a healthy community. This year marks the organization’s first cycle funding local nonprofits that align with this plan.

The greater Madison community came together to raise $17.3 million during the 2024 United Way Community Fundraising Campaign, the United Way of Dane County announced on Wednesday.

The United Way of Dane County hosted a Community Celebration on Feb. 25 with more than 500 community members joining the non-profit organization at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

“I’m always awe-struck by the incredible generosity of our community,” says Renee Moe, president & CEO of United Way of Dane County, in a statement. “I’m grateful to every community member who trusts us with their hard-earned dollars, knowing we will multiply them and be accountable stewards. We know times are uncertain and challenging, and there are so many options for where to invest your money. By giving to United Way, you’re amplifying your impact and advancing solutions. Thank you for being a part of the Power of Caring. Working for All.”

A Culver’s fundraiser to benefit families affected by the Dec. 16 shooting at Abundant Life Christian School has grown beyond the Madison region to
include Culver’s restaurants across Wisconsin.

As of Friday afternoon, 66 Culver’s will be participating in Monday’s fundraiser, during which a portion of the day’s proceeds at each participating Culver’s will be donated to the United Way of Dane County’s fund to support Abundant Life Christian School families.

The percentage donated will vary, but each restaurant will display it, a Culver’s spokesperson said.

As of Friday afternoon, the United Way fund had collected $226,251.

Participating restaurants in the Madison area include those in DeForest, Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Mount Horeb, all of the Madison Culver’s restaurants, McFarland, Middleton, Oregon, Stoughton, both locations in Sun Prairie, Verona and Waunakee.

In response to the devastating and fatal shooting at Abundant Life Christian School (ALCS) on Monday, United Way of Dane County has established the Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund. All funds raised will go directly to ALCS to support those impacted by the tragic events.

“Our hearts go out to every student, family and educator who has been affected by this act of violence,” says Renee Moe, president and CEO of United Way of Dane County, in a press release announcing the fund. “While our collective reality is forever changed, United Way of Dane County stands ready to help our community recover. Please give with your hearts to support our neighbors through this difficult time. Every dollar counts.”

To give to the fund, visit www.unitedwaydanecounty.org or text help4ALCS to 40403.

“We are overwhelmed by the community’s support and grateful for United Way’s assistance,” says Doug Butler, principal of Abundant Life Christan School. “We will be announcing a transparent process for funds distribution once we understand clearly what is needed and how best to support our families and school.”

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – In response to the deadly shooting at a Madison private school, United Way of Dane County has established a fund to support those impacted by the tragedy.

According to United Way of Dane County, 100% of the proceeds of the Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund will go to the school’s families.

Renee Moe, the President and CEO of United Way of Dane County, said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway asked for their organization to set up an official fund.

“We worked with the officials at the Abundant Life Christian School to make sure they wanted that and to make sure to center that process around the families, the educators and those most affected,” said Moe.

The Principal of Abundant Life Christian School, Doug Butler, shared that the school will be announcing a transparent process for the distribution of the funds once it’s clear what is needed and how best to support our families and school.

Moe says in the wake of tragedy, it often can take time to determine what support is most needed.

“When the reality hits you for what it means for grief, what it means for having a sense of safety, what it means for having mental health support, those are the kinds of realities that come a bit later,” said Moe.

If you would like to donate, you can text “HELP4ALCS” TO 40403 or click HERE to donate through the United Way website.

“We are really focusing in on what the schools need and what the families of the school need,” said Moe. “We’ll be able to most directly provide these dollars to families in support services.”

Officials at Abundant Life Christian School are asking donors to consider giving financially and to avoid sending physical items, like food or toys, to the school at this time.

“The school very strongly wishes for financial support through the official fund and not to have to triage all the other donations that might be coming in in various ways,” explained Moe.

United Way of Dane County also wants you to be aware of the 211 Hotline. This number is an information and referral resource and has tips for

“They’re ready to take calls associated with this shooting and the aftermath,” Moe said. ” If you need some support with how to talk to your children, or if you need some support yourself, you can call 211 and they can connect you with resources.”

As of 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Moe said 61 people had donated for a total of over $4,200.

In the wake of a school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison on Tuesday that left three people dead and six injured, members of the Madison community are wondering what they can do to provide support.

Fundraising efforts were already underway Monday evening, led by the Madison Community Foundation and the United Way of Dane County. Money raised from the effort will go to those affected by the incident.

People can contribute to the Abundant Life Christian School Emergency and Recovery Fund by texting Help4ALCS to 40403, calling 608-232-1763, or donating online here.

Ashley Manthei is the communications director for the United Way of Dane County. She said in addition to fundraising efforts, the organization is on standby to help the community recover.

“Obviously we’re all forever changed by this tragedy, but we’re here to help neighbors through this difficult time,” she said. “If there’s one thing we know about our Dane County community is that it’s strong and we step up when others need help.”

Manthei encouraged people to call the United Way’s 24-7 call center at 211. They connect people with a variety of resources from mental health support to warm clothes to meals.

“We host the largest database of resources in Dane County,” Manthei said. “So we encourage people who are looking for help to call 211 and we can get people connected to the resources that will actually help them … if you need help, reach out, you know you’re not alone.”

The City of Madison put together a webpage with resources and information related to the incident at cityofmadison.com/resources.

An alumni group associated with Abundant Life Christian School is also collecting donations. In a post on Facebook, alumn Adam Rostad wrote that he had received messages from across the country of people wanting to help.

Rostad graduated from Abundant Life in 2006. His grandfather started the school in 1978 and was the lead pastor at what is now called City Church.

He told WPR the last 24 hours have been surreal. Rostad still knows teachers at the school and has close friends with kids enrolled there.

“For us [alumni], we can close our eyes and be there in vivid, intimate detail,” he said. “Everybody has said it’s different when it’s so close to home, and yes, that’s totally true. But this is so close to home in a way that, like, I can’t even describe.”

Now Rostad is hoping to provide meals to support the families and faculty at Abundant Life. He has an online sign-up sheet for people to donate gift cards. As of Tuesday afternoon nearly 100 people had signed up.

“I would really love to see families from ALCS not have to worry about where food is coming from for a couple months,” he said.

“Community is this powerful, powerful thing. And you find community within the stories that we share with one another.” Rostad added. “And right now, there’s a lot of people carrying around a pretty tragic story from this week, at the very least, I can show up with a meal and be an ear to hear their story and help find community in that space with them.”

Vigils give community chance to come together

Lake Edge Lutheran Church held a candlelight vigil Monday evening. That church is less than 2 miles from Abundant Life.

Pastor Justin Dittrich said it was clear from the event that his church won’t forget the shooting.

“This community was full of people calling around to coworkers or neighbors that work at the school to make sure that everybody was OK,” Dittrich told WPR. “Those hours or minutes that tick by, and they don’t hear from someone … just heightens all the memories and trauma that goes along with it.”

He said next, he wants action.

“A prayer vigil is not a solution,” Dittrich said. “It is an opportunity to go towards a solution.”

He said that solution should be holistic — from gun management, to mental health and awareness to school preparedness.

Another prayer service will be held Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at City Church, the church affiliated with Abundant Life.

In a post on their website, the church said the service will be live-streamed both online and at High Point Church on the west side of Madison.

A candlelight vigil led by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is planned for Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at the state Capitol by the Vel Phillips Statue.

Michael Johnson is the CEO and president of the organization. He told WPR that in times of tragedy, it’s important to lean on one another.

“Sometimes you just got to bring the community together to heal,” he said. “And I really want the focus tonight to be about the kids and their wellbeing and what we will do collectively as a community to support them.”