Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Campus News

Media Credit: Jennifer Hietpas

When Jeremy Gragert graduated from UW-Claire in 2005 with a degree in history, he wasn't sure what he wanted to do as a career. He said his history classes helped teach him what is important in life.

Gragert decided to dedicate a year to serving others by joining Americorps VISTA in February 2006. Americorps is part of a corporation for national and community service, a domestic version of the Peace Corps, Gragert said.

VISTA stands for volunteer in-service to America. Gragert said members of Americorps VISTA take a year to serve their country, without joining the military or going abroad.

Gragert said the VISTA program primarily deals with anti-poverty issues.

"Every city in the U.S. has a need in that area," he said.

Gragert received an award for his community service efforts. He received a 2007 Governor's Service Awards. According to a university press release, the award is "an honor that recognizes organizations and individuals that help solve social problems and meet their community's needs."

Gragert received the "Exemplary Community Service Participant" award, which is given to two people each year, he said.

Gragert's award-winning work is based out of the Service Learning office at Eau Claire. According to a university press release, "Gragert has worked to connect students and classroom curriculum with service-learning opportunities and civic engagement activities that address poverty issues among children in the Eau Claire area."

One of Gragert's more recent projects is the Eau Claire Big Read, which is an annual literacy initiative, he said. He helped write a grant to start the Big Read program in Eau Claire. One of Gragert's goals, he said, is to make sure the Big Read program continues for years to come, when he or another Americorps member is no longer in Eau Claire.

Another issue Gragert worked with is transportation in Eau Claire. He said for many people it is hard to get around because they may not be able to afford a car, there aren't sufficient bus lines or they may not be physically able to walk or ride a bike.

"Being dependent on such an expensive form of transportation leaves people out and is also bad for the environment," Gragert said on the United States' car dependency.

Continued...

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