Each month, Community Shares of Wisconsin and our sponsors, Budget Signs and Specialties, Isthmus, and 105.5 Triple M Radio, recognize two outstanding member agency volunteers who have given their time to our member groups and to our community. These volunteers are seldom in the news but are always on the front lines of critical issues that make our community a better place to live.
Ananda Mirilli, Nuestro Mundo, Inc Ananda Mirilli, a parent of a child at Nuestro Mundo Community School, the charter school managed by Nuestro Mundo Inc., has generously volunteered at the school for five years. She also volunteers and serves on the board of the Latino Education Council and UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence. Thanks to Ananda for her active involvement in these many community organizations. For more information about Nuestro Mundo or to volunteer, visit www.nuestromundoinc.org or call 608.279.1568.
Jeanan Yasiri Moe, ABC For Health 
Jeanan Yasiri Moe dedicated many years of volunteer service on the ABC for Health Board of Directors. Jeanan facilitated the mission of ABC for Health with commitment and compassion, ensuring health care access for children and families, particularly those with special needs or who are at risk. She continues to work tirelessly advancing the health of her community.
For more information about ABC for Health or to volunteer, visit www.abcforhealth.org or call 608.261.6939.
Jan Primus, Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Jan Primus has been a very dedicated board member of Friends of Wisconsin State Parks for years. She is also President of Friends of Mirror Lake State Park, which just completed new natural stone seating and upgraded lighting. Jan is an inspiration and a role model in how she gives her time and talents to support many community organizations. For more information about Friends of Wisconsin State Parks or to volunteer, visit www.friendswiparks.blogspot.com/ or call 608.264.8994.
Deborah Percival, Tenant Resource Center 
Deborah Percival, board member for Tenant Resource Center, goes above and beyond when it comes to raising funds for TRC. She has been a volunteer housing counselor and has supported the TRC mission for many, many years. She is also a grief counselor and an educator, and her warm personality makes her a pleasure to have on the board.
For more information about Tenant Resource Center or to volunteer, visit www.tenantresourcecenter.org or call 608.257.0143.
Nancy Buckwalter, Rape Crisis Center In just one year Nancy Buckwalter dedicated nearly 300 hours as a Rape Crisis Center volunteer, ensuring that those calling the 24-hour crisis line receive immediate support and information. Nancy also helps train new volunteers and enthusiastically staffs outreach events, especially during April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month. For more information about Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Rape Crisis Center, or to volunteer, visit www.danecountyrcc.org or call 608.251.5126.
Alice Hawley, Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger 
When toxins were found in the water by Badger Army Ammunition Plant, Alice Hawley and others distributed flyers to warn the neighbors. Alice said that volunteering is important to her because of the dangers of pollution left behind by the Plant. She added that she’s working to educate others about saving not only the neighborhood, but also our state.
For more information about Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger or to volunteer, visit www.cswab.org or call 608.643.3124.
Emily Jones, Sierra Club Foundation – John Muir Chapter Emily Jones began volunteering Sierra Club Foundation (John Muir Chapter) during a time of environmental uncertainty in Wisconsin. A trained water monitor, Emily showed absolute dedication to water protection, and to educating others through the materials she developed. She also volunteers each summer to collect river and stream samples, to check for high phosphorus levels. For more information about Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter or to volunteer, visit www.wisconsin.sierraclub.org or call 608.256.0565. (Photo by John Urban)
Lara Carlson, Wisconsin Democracy Campaign 
Lara Carlson has been an incredible addition to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign’s office. A former teacher and now a grad student in Environmental Studies at UW, Lara is passionate about educating citizens—about politics, the environment, or other community projects. She also volunteers with the Sierra Club and the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters.
For more information about Wisconsin Democracy Campaign or to volunteer, visit www.wisdc.org or call 608.255.4260.
Sonja (Sunny) Reichertz, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin UW grad student Sunny Reichertz has checked daily on state legislature news, tracking all bills that were of interest to 1000 Friends of Wisconsin and its many environmentally conscious members. She was also in charge of the group’s print and web Legislative Update. The staff say she’s not only intelligent and diligent, she’s a delight in the office. For more information about 1000 Friends of Wisconsin or to volunteer, visit www.1kfriends.org or call 608.259.1000.
Michael Shoultz, New Harvest Foundation 
Michael Shoultz has volunteered for the New Harvest Foundation for nearly six years. He’s done much more than coordinate most of the nonprofit’s communications, and recruit innumerable board members. His superb skills allowed him to create and run the New Harvest Art Auctions, raising thousands of dollars to support LGBT grantees.
For more information about New Harvest Foundation or to volunteer, visit www.newharvestfoundation.org or call 608.256.4204.
(Photos by John Urban)
Victoria Boucher, Commun Victoria Boucher was an intern and then a work-study student at Community Shares of Wisconsin, and she returned often as a volunteer during her tenure working at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin. Her wide-ranging talents have been enormously helpful. But most impressive is her dedication to nonprofit work and advocacy—especially advocacy to improve the lives of women. For more information about Community Shares of Wisconsin or to volunteer, visit www.communityshares.com or call 608.256.1066.
ity Shares of Wisconsin
Laura Pogatchnik, Women in Transition 
Laura Pogatchnik volunteers at Women in Transition’s Halfway House. Laura spends several hours weekly teaching, mentoring, and guiding the women who live there. Laura said she wanted to volunteer at Women in Transition because “it is a wonderful opportunity for women with mental illness to have independence and structure in their lives. It is very empowering for them.”
For more information about Women in Transition or to volunteer, call 608.244.2046.
(Photos by John Urban)
Michael Bullock, OutReach, Inc. Former intern Michael Bullock not only worked at OutReach, Madison’s LGBT center, he would cheer up the office with his presence. He worked on the database, served as a peer counselor, and worked with clients. Michael is pursuing his BA in Human Services and plans to work with the African-American community in the future. For more information about OutReach or to volunteer, visit www.lgbtoutreach.org or call 608.255.8582.
Amy Crowe, Common Wealth Development 
Amy Crowe has volunteered at Common Wealth since 2009. Amy has served as a mock interviewer, as a field trip guide, as a guest speaker in our Earn$ave program, and as a leader in developing strong relationships between Summit Credit Union and Common Wealth Development to ensure CWD students receive the best financial knowledge, services and support from Summit staff.
For more information about the Common Wealth Development or to volunteer, visit www.cwd.org or call 608.256.3527.
To read about earlier Backyard Heroes, please visit the Backyard Heroes Archive.