Courtesy of Julio Guerrero
Founded in 1994, the nonprofit Public Allies Milwaukee (a member of the AmeriCorps national service network) develops young leaders by pairing them with local nonprofit organizations for full-time paid apprenticeships as well as offering intensive skills training, personalized coaching, and critical reflection about social and business interactions in the nonprofit sector and community. This year, 39 allies are “doing dynamic, amazing things,” says Julio Guerrero, program manager with Public Allies Milwaukee. “We are giving allies nonprofit work in communities in hopes of bringing more diversity into nonprofit and community leadership. It allows young, passionate, talented people to build leadership skills and become comfortable with leadership beyond our program.”
Guerrero, an alum who completed the program twice himself, recently joined Public Allies Milwaukee’s lean staff and feels fortunate working with this year’s group of allies. “This is a very transformative experience for them professionally and in terms of personal growth,” he says. “Allies work outside of their comfort zones and are challenged to be better people and leaders.”
A few ally projects include holding workshops about breast cancer awareness and offering translation services at Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic, and working with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to reach out to Latinos and African Americans to inform them about the resources available for mental illnesses.
The organization receives nearly 300 applications each year to fill up to 45 ally spots. Recruiting is in progress until May 30 and the application can be found at apply.publicallies.org. Fiscal support is always appreciated. Nonprofits that would like to host an ally are encouraged to contact Public Allies Milwaukee (161 W. Wisconsin Ave., Suite 6000) at any time. For more information or to volunteer, visit publicallies.org/Milwaukee or contact Guerrero at 414-831-0965 or juliog@publicallies.org.
