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In this episode, we expand our focus beyond Kenosha County to explore an initiative spanning Racine and Walworth counties. Building Our Future sits down with Zyaire Strowder, Student Engagement Associate at HigherExpectations of Racine County; Marie Hargrove, Managing Director of Mission Programs for the YWCA of Southeastern Wisconsin; and Shayla Malone, TransitionSpecialist at Gateway Technical College. They discuss a tri-county HSED initiative. The YWCA’s 5.09 HSED program, approved by the Department of Public Instruction, is centered on coursework instead of testing. Participants attend classes for 12 hours per week over 20 weeks, with a curriculum that emphasizes workforce skills and real-life applications. Join us as we delve into thesignificance of high school attainment and how organizations across three counties are collaborating to create pathways for economic mobility.
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Join us this month on the Together, We’re Better Podcast as we delve into the invaluable initiative known as Help Me Grow (HMG) with special guests from KAC. HMG is a nationwide system model designed to support parents and caregivers in accessing the best resources for child development and family wellness. Discover how this FREE helpline provides vital information and assistance tailored to children aged from birth to 5 years old, helping parents track their child’s growth and development at every stage. Learn about KAC's integral role in this program within Kenosha and how it originated from the Building Our Future’s Smart Beginnings Network, a collective of earlychildhood professionals dedicated to ensuring all children in Kenosha County enter kindergarten ready to learn on the first day of school. Don't miss out on this enlightening episode!
Learn more about Help Me Grow (HMG) here: helpmegrowkenosha.org
Join the Sparkler community today and enter code '𝐇𝐌𝐆𝐊' to access exclusive benefits.
Sparkler is more than just an app—it's a lifeline for parents, offering essential information and resources to ensure their children's developmental success, all at their fingertips and completely free of charge. Aligned with Help Me Grow's mission of supporting families to improve child developmental outcomes, Sparkler is poised to make a significant impact. -
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In recent years, literacy has emerged as a prominent national issue, prompting a call to action in communities across the country. Building Our Future has stepped forward to confront the reading crisis in our own Kenosha County. Through strategic partnerships with schools, agencies, and organizations, an important initiative unfolded, leading to the introduction of Wisconsin Reading Corps as a literacy support at Brass Community School and Wilson Elementary School during the 2021-2022 academic year. The success story continues, with its expansion to additional schools:Jefferson Elementary, Grewenow Elementary, Somers Elementary School, Frank Elementary and Riverview School in Silver Lake.
In this episode, we sit down with Felicia Dalton, Director of Strategic Initiatives with Building Our Future, Eric Hoffman, Director of Wisconsin programs with Wisconsin Reading Corps, and Kristy Makowka, Interim Principal from Jefferson Elementary. Together, they shed light on the power of literacy and the strides being made to equip K-3 students with the essential reading skills they need.
Discover the passion, dedication, and impact of these literacy champions as they discuss their experiences, the challenges faced, and the victories achieved in the pursuit of a more literateand empowered future for the youth in Kenosha County.
Tune in, be inspired, and share this episode with others to spread the word about the efforts underway to build a brighter, more literate future for our community.
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Step into the New Year with Episode 28 of The Together We're Better podcast: 'New Year, New Library!' This month, we sat down with our partners from the Kenosha Public Library to explore the highly anticipated Uptown Children's Library project. Join Barb, Brandi, and Kahlil as they share the strides, they're making to ensure the Kenosha Public Library remains a vital community space. From innovative projects to heartwarming stories, thisepisode is a celebration of community, creativity, and collaboration. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that's sure to resonate with library lovers and community enthusiasts alike. Don't keep the excitement to yourself – hit play, listen in, and share with others!
Learn more about KPL by visiting their website here: https://mykpl.info/
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Welcome to Together, We’re Better, where we dive deep into conversations that matter. In this episode, join us for a discussion with Chief Chris Bigley and members Ezekiel Thompkins and Tim Lewis from the Kenosha Fire Department's Diversity & Recruitment Committee.
Discover how this committee is reshaping the landscape of fire department recruitment in Kenosha. In partnership with Building Our Future, UW-Parkside, and other community collaborators, they've embarked on a journey to reimagine recruitment strategies, striving to reflect the demographics of the community they serve.
This episode is a testament to the power of collaboration and community-driven initiatives. Chief Chris Bigley and his team showcase how a forward-thinking mindset can bring about positive change in an essential public service sector. Join us as we explore the inspiring story of the Kenosha Fire Department's Diversity & Recruitment Committee and discover that anything is possible when we work together!
Learn more about the fire department here: https://www.kenosha.org/departments/fire-department
Visit the Kenosha Fire Department YouTube page here: kenosha.org/departments/fire-department
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Welcome to the Together, We're Better Podcast, sponsored by Building Our Future (BOF), a place-based partnership dedicated to supporting young people in Kenosha. In this episode, we delve into BOF's Continuous Improvement Cohort, featuring representatives from three local organizations: April Gunther fromKAFASI, Jasmine Alvarez from the LGBT Center of Southeast Wisconsin, and Jennifer Pain from Women and Children’s Horizon. These organizations received roughly 24 hours of training and coaching on the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s ResultsCount framework, exploring crucial questions about their services. In the cohort we explored the answers to hard questions like, who is benefiting the least from your services? And from there identifying the reasons, deeply understanding them, and then developing solutions.
Tune in and be inspired by their dedication to continuous improvement. Don't forget to share this episode with your networks!
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In this episode, we sit down with Leigh Ann Martinez andKatie Tuttle from United Way of Racine County to explore the transformative Walking School Bus project. This initiative, in partnership with Racine Unified School District, offers a safe, supervised walk to school for students. From its humble beginnings at one school to expanding to three, discover the impact it's making. Plus, gain insight into BOF's upcoming Walking School launch in Kenosha. This episode showcases the power of community-driven initiatives, inspiring us all to enhance the educational journey for students in our communities.
For more information on the Walking school Busproject in Racine please click the link:https://www.unitedwayracine.org/walking-school-bus#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Walking%20School,to%20school%20with%20adult%20supervision.
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In this episode, we're delving deep into the world of partnerships, and we've brought together two exceptional guests to guide us on this journey. Join your host, Kirby, as he engages in a captivating conversation with JP Moran, the President and CEO of LMI Packaging, and President John Swallow of Carthage College.
Partnerships are the backbone of progress, and in this insightful episode, we'll uncover the secrets to their success. From the boardroom to the classroom, we'll explore the power of collaboration and the pivotal role it plays in driving both businesses and educational institutions towards unparalleled achievements.
Whether you're a seasoned business enthusiast or a dedicatededucation advocate, this episode has something in store for everyone. You'll gain valuable insights into the dynamics of collaboration and discover how it can pave the way for innovation, growth, and a brighter future.
Be sure to check out the Sparks Program, a remarkableinitiative that bridges the worlds of academia and industry, bringing tangible benefits to both. Visit https://www.carthage.edu/life-at-carthage/aspire/for-employers-community/carthage-spark-at-lmi/to learn more about how this partnership between Carthage College and LMI Packaging is making waves.
And if you're on the lookout for an exciting career opportunity, look no further than LMI Packaging. Explore the possibilities and apply for a fulfilling career with them at https://www.lmipackaging.com/
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Join guest host Felicia Dalton, BOF's Director of Strategic Initiatives, as she interviews Lawrence Kirby, our Community Engagement Network Manager. Listen as they dive into the history of BOF's CommUNITY Conversation series and what led to its recent rebranding as The Collaborative Community Network. Tune in and share it with your networks!
Learn more about Building Our Future, please visiting our website: https://www.buildingourfuturekc.org/
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In this month’s episode, you’ll learn about BOF’s Youth Leadership Cohort! The Youth Leadership Cohort is an opportunity for high school students to lead and engage in specific projects that elevate their voice. The cohort provides tangible tools to help students develop and exercise skills such as conflict resolution, continuous improvement, organizing and event planning. In March, a total of 8 students created and executed a Town Hall: School Board Candidate Forum. This project allowed them to learn more about the school board and its responsibilities; and build community awareness around school board candidates for the 2023 KUSD school board election. Today, we have Jacob Puhr, a senior from Tremper High School, Kennedy Kirby, a junior from Indian Trail School and Karma DeGrazio, a freshman from Indian Trail School to tell us about their experience during the 3-month leadership cohort.
Check out this episode and don’t forget to share it!
Learn more about the Youth Leadership Cohort here: https://www.buildingourfuturekc.org/youth-initiatives.html
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This month, we’re speaking with Chief Christopher Bigley (Kenosha Fire Department), Mitch Ferraro (Owner, Family Legacy Real Estate), Crystal Miller (CEO, Frontida Assisted Living), and Tamarra Coleman (Executive Director, Shalom Center) to discuss how their involvement in the Racial Equity Institute Phase 1 workshop has impacted their lives, careers, and organizations. Since January 2020, BOF has partnered with the Racial Equity Institute (REI) as part of our responsibility to better understand diversity, equity, and inclusion. To date, BOF has trained more than 200 local leaders in Kenosha County representing almost every sector!
Thanks to the investment from Snap-on Incorporated, BOF will continue to offer workshop opportunities in 2023!
Learn more about the Racial Equity Institute here: https://racialequityinstitute.org/
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This month we had the privilege of sitting down with Chief Patrick Patton, Deputy Chief Thomas Hansche, and Inspector Joe Labatore of the Kenosha Police Department. With so much debate and public opinion around the issues of modern policing strategy, policy, and practice, it was important to discuss how KPD is approaching community engagement and how they work with and in the communities that they serve. Tune in!
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We are kicking off 2023 by talking about the work of building local civic infrastructure in Kenosha County and how it brings people, ideas, and resources together to build stronger communities. So, I am here with Tatjana Bicanin, Kevin Meagher and Felicia Dalton who along with myself make up the staff at Building Our Future.
“So... What do you do?" is one of the most frequent questions asked when having an initial conversation with someone. And in my role at BOF, I realize that we operate in a unique space. It's one of those jobs that requires more explanation! So, I thought it made sense to dedicate an entire podcast episode to explaining the work that we do because the concept is still pretty unique.
Discover more ways to stay connected to BOF on our website: https://www.buildingourfuturekc.org/
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This month we sat down with Barbara Sanchez, Principal of Edward Bain School Of Language Arts and Rhonda Lopez, Principal of Wilson Elementary School, two schools that serve the Wilson Heights neighborhood. Both schools — EBSOLA and Wilson participate in Building Our Future’s monthly community conversations to help the overall success and experience of their students and families.
We had a great conversation as each of the principals reflected on their experiences leading schools and their work of engaging the community to build stronger relationships with the schools and students.
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In our partnership, we often talk about the importance of creating a culture of continuous improvement, an ongoing effort to improve services and supports for children and families to improve a community-level outcome. These efforts seek incremental improvement over time.
In this episode, we sit down with the leadership team at the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha – largest provider of after-school activities, delinquency and gang prevention programs, youth employment opportunities, arts programs, and sports/recreation programs – as they reflect on their experience in participating in BOF’s Results Count Cohort and how it has helped to shape the amazing work they are engaged in.
Tara Panasewicz, CEO of The Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha had this to say when asked what her organization learned that would improve their services to the community through the Results Count Cohort.
“The tools that we have learned through this cohort has changed how we approach our work. From now on we will do data walks as a team… We will find new and innovative ways to present data... This cohort has given us the courage to be open to change and not just do things the way we’ve always done them. We will strategically ask ourselves the 5 Whys and determine if there is a way to get better results…”
Building Our Future’s continuous improvement process is called Results Count. Learn more about our work here:https://www.buildingourfuturekc.org/results-count.html
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In this month's episode, Lawrence Kirby sits down and has a great conversation with Brandon Morris reflecting on his time as the Community Engagement Network Manager for Building Our Future, his plans for the future and how he will continue to engage in the work of helping every child succeed in school and in life from cradle to career.
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This week, we sit down with Kristin Kappleman and Kevin Meagher, both Data Managers for backbone partnerships. This episode will give you insight into the intentionality required to share data effectively with others. At Building Our Future, we strive to use data as a flashlight and not a weapon. Data isn't just numbers; it's any information gathered. It's powerful to help us understand what’s changed over time and in other communities, and it can be used to support policy change, especially when the community shares their lived experiences to help bring the data to life. We invite you to challenge yourselves by using and viewing data from an asset-based lens.
Explore Kenosha County's Dashboard here: https://www.buildingourfuturekc.org/county-overview.html
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Today, we’re going to speak with Ezekiel Thompkins, Harry Tolbert, Kristin Kaminski, and Louie Sosa, all Firefighters of the Kenosha Fire Department. They will share their combined 67 years of experience and build awareness around opportunities to begin your very own family-sustaining career in fire service here in our Kenosha community. "Unfortunately, we sometimes have to meet families on one of the most horrific days of their life, but thankfully we chose a career that gives us the opportunity to turn some of those families' horrific days into an optimistic future; that being the career of a Firefighter for the Kenosha Fire Department."
Our partners at the Kenosha Fire Department are looking to grow their work family! Learn more and apply here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/.../347.../firefighter-emt...
This awesome video takes a look inside the Fire Department.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PH5C4ywFjQ&t=7s
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In Youth Takeover Part 2, Community Engagement Manager Brandon Morris continues his discussions with 6 of the 11 students involved in BOF’s Youth Leadership Cohort. The students share their experiences and opinions on the Youth Town Hall School Board Candidate Forum held last month. Tune in to learn more about these remarkable high school students in Kenosha County.
In Part 2, you’ll hear from six students from Bradford, Tremper and Indian Trail High School & Academy representing the Junior and Senior Class: Marciara, Ben, Ariana, Jacob, Aniyah and Eric.
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This week, we’re speaking with 5 of the 12 youth from BOF’s Youth Leadership Cohort to not only hear about who they are and their wins and challenges as high schoolers, but to also hear their take on the 3-month leadership cohort that is leading up to the Youth Town Hall School Board Candidate Forum.
In this lively episode you’ll hear from five students from Bradford and Indian Trail High School & Academy representing the Junior and Senior Class: Alana, Ariana, Mer, Aniyah, Ja'Nya.
Please join us in supporting our youth on Tuesday, March 29th, 6:30pm – 8pm at the Lincoln Middle School Auditorium; Doors will open at 6pm. Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1072799403450548?ref=newsfeed
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