Welcome Luka Pavlakis to Sweet Water!

We have a new Adopt-Your-Drain coordinator here at Sweet Water! Each year, Sweet Water partners with Volunteer Wisconsin, a program run by Marshfield Health Clinic, to host an AmeriCorps member for a year of service. This program year, Luka is joining the team and will manage volunteers through our Adopt Your Drain program through August of 2021. Luka answered some questions about himself and how he decided to spend a year of service with Sweet Water.

SWWT: Where are you from?

Luka: I was born and raised in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, a town about 20 miles northwest of Chicago. The last few years I have been in Champaign, Illinois, where I earned a B.S. In Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign(UIUC).

What does your role as Adopt Your Drain Coordinator entail?

During my time at Sweet Water I will be serving as the volunteer coordinator. My responsibilities include outreach and coordination for Sweet Water’s Respect Our Waters campaign, including the Adopt Your Drain program. I hope to help continue progressing the excellent work that the previous volunteer coordinator, Ali, started during her year of service by continuing to increase the participation in Adopt Your Drain, as well as driving community involvement, engagement, and education through community outreach events and the implementation of educational programs to complement Sweet Water’s initiatives.

What exactly is AmeriCorps?

Americorps is a service based network of national service programs, with the goal of helping communities and their members meet community needs. Their programs range from increasing academic achievement and mentoring youth to helping fight poverty and environmental issues.  It is supported by the government, businesses, and corporations. 

How did you become interested in environmental issues?

As a child of the late 90’s, I have grown up in a time where climate change, sustainability, and human impacts through pollution have been hot topic issues. While exploring my potential career pathways, I realized that working on these issues would provide me with a fulfilling and impactful career, where I can do meaningful work that will hopefully leave a lasting impact and better the lives of future generations. I am most passionate about working to secure sustainable water use and management in both rural and urban areas, as water is essential to all life on our planet.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, my favorite thing to do is is play rugby! I played for and captained the team at UIUC, and after graduation I am now continuing to play with a men’s team in Chicago. I have quite the travel bug, and have been to over 15 countries and over 30 states. I am also a bit of a foodie- I enjoy cooking, and I enjoy eating even more!

What would you like to do when your service year with the AmeriCorps is done?

My plans are currently undecided! I know that I would like to work with water resources and management, but I don’t yet know at what capacity. I’m hoping that this year will provide opportunities to learn about different environmental careers paths, help me connect with people in environmental based fields, and decide whether or not I want to go back to school to get a masters degree!