Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps

06/01/2026

Motivational speaker Muhibb Dyer presented to CERT School students and challenged them to think differently about who they are and what they can become. He used props to recognize the reality of trauma, violence, or pain many have in their lives, but insisted that circumstances do not define them—their choices and their dreams do. He co-founded Flood the Hood with Dreams and the I Will Not Die Young Campaign, movements born out of both grief and hope, ensuring that tragedy becomes fuel for change. His message of transformation empowered students to rise above their circumstances.

05/29/2026

Veterans Corps members welcomed CERT High School student Brayshon C. to the field work operation. Field work is a vital part of the experiential learning the Great Lakes CCC offers young adults to attain high school credit toward graduation. Fields crews are comprised of a magical mix of young and old, military and civilian…who unite in service to protect water quality and function as stewards of the Great Lakes.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

We are especially grateful for the veterans who continue to serve their communities through conservation, stewardship, and leadership. Their dedication reminds us that service takes many forms — and their impact continues long after their military service ends.

05/21/2026

Nearly sixteen years ago, Daviyon Hartzog enrolled in the summer youth employment program located at the current site of the Great Lakes CCC’s Racine campus. His efforts back then to rebuild the local community infrastructure have since compounded immeasurably. He returned relatively recently from a supervisory position at the Wisconsin DOT offices in Kenosha and Milwaukee to lead the charge to address the runoff of stormwater from impervious surfaces that can overwhelm the wastewater utility’s capacity, and his focus has been the City of Racine’s Sump Pump Program that provides Racine homeowners up to $5,000 in grant funds to install sump pumps. After the intense storms and rainfall in mid-April, he visited to the same location where he started sixteen years ago to coordinate how the Great Lakes CCC and the City of Racine can complement each other’s objectives by overlaying green infrastructure with sump pump installation and disconnection of neighborhood homes’ stormwater conveyance piping from the sanitary sewer.

05/18/2026

Saving Lives – The majority of deaths associated with flooding occur in vehicles. During the recent week of torrential rains and flash floods, the bioswales along Sherman Boulevard proved their worth by keeping ponding to a minimum along the vehicle corridor. Great Lakes CCC crews were present daily to inspect, clear debris and maintain the bioswales to ensure effective and efficient operation.

05/15/2026

Local schools are an indicator of the ethnic and cultural diversity of the neighborhoods in our community. Valuing diverse cultures in neighborhoods and schools strengthens communities by fostering empathy, improving critical thinking, and building resilience. Culturally responsive environments validate individual identities, creating safer, more inclusive spaces where students and residents feel valued, ultimately reducing prejudice and enhancing social cohesion. CERT School hosts a monthly luncheon of foods from featured countries to introduce its students to the respective culture, norms and perspectives beyond physical and perceived borders.

05/12/2026

Hear Ye, Hear Ye – This archaic phrase was used to command public attention for important announcements, literally meaning "listen, all of you". Drivers and pedestrians alike periodically shout a ‘thank you!’ to the crews at work, or honk their horns as a sign of appreciation…unaware that those performing the service are military veterans doing so with purpose, objective and a second mission to serve their community. To inform the general public and passersby about who, where, and why the Veterans Corps members are present, Great Lakes CCC began posting newly created yard signs at all of its project sites.

05/07/2026

Moving On Up -- The Great Lakes CCC congratulated Veterans Corps member and U.S. Army veteran Jerry Coleman who became a permanent employee of the Corps responsible for the transportation of training participants and field work cargo. As a workforce development and training provider, the Great Lakes CCC has the privilege to skill up participants and promote from within.

05/05/2026

Public health education outreach nurses from Ascension Healthcare presented information to Corps members about high blood pressure, stroke, and the signs to recognize a stroke in others, e.g. balance, face, eyes and speech. They emphasized the importance of controlling risk factors and that the key is to know your body. Diet, personal behavior management and consistently taking blood pressure medication were cited as best approaches to prevent heart disease and stroke.

05/05/2026