March 6, 2017
Written by Anita Mogaka
In celebration of AmeriCorps Week, March 4-11, we talk to our very own AmeriCorps member, Neil Hanbury. Having lived in various states over the course of his life, Neil has always been on the move. We interviewed Neil to learn what inspired his career choice, the mission of his work, and his key takeaways from his work at United Way.
What attracted you to United Way?
What originally attracted me was that my dad worked for United Way, so I knew that it had it a community focus, and my college studies— I earned a B.A. in Urban Studies from UWM-- could still be applied.
Another reason I chose United Way was because the scope of what they do is really big and very recognizable. Also, Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County is one of the best United Ways in the country, and it’s known for being a very robust organization. I like that I am able to serve my community while also getting work experience.
What is your current position, and what kind of projects have you worked on?
I’m a Volunteer Engagement Coordinator through AmeriCorps. My main responsibility is to recruit and engage volunteers. In my role, I provide the “5-Star Experience,” which mean I go to different sites where volunteer opportunities are happening and provide the best possible experience for volunteers.
I’ve also had the opportunity to work on a few projects. The first was Project Homeless Connect, working with over 500 volunteers. Our team made sure that everything was set up and that we had the manpower we needed to make sure the day ran smoothly. Currently, we’re recruiting volunteers for the My Very Own Library initiative, which brings book fairs to MPS schools so children can choose free books to build their home library and enhance their reading skills. The Backpack Coalition will start in May and will give local kids a backpack filled with brand-new school supplies so they can be prepared for the school year.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing the volunteers and the recipients interact with each other is so rewarding. A lot of individuals living in poverty are so isolated from the rest of society and initiatives like Project Homeless Connect break down that divide. Working that event was a very humbling experience and really allowed me to appreciate the privilege that I have. Also, going to the different sites/organizations that we work with and seeing the work they do is very cool, and it makes me feel like I'm part of their good work when we help provide volunteers and other resources.
Feeling inspired? Sign up to be a volunteer today!
Learn more about the work of AmeriCorps.