Building a Stronger Community: YMCA of the Chippewa Valley

Afterschool programs do more than just provide a safe space for children—they serve as training grounds for future educators, social workers, and community leaders. The YMCA of the Chippewa Valley exemplifies this by not only enriching children’s lives but also offering invaluable hands-on experience for University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (UWEC) students who work in their programs.

During a recent visit to the YMCA’s afterschool program at Robbins Elementary School in Eau Claire, I witnessed firsthand how this program benefits both the children and the young adults who help run it.

Housing instability and homelessness represent deeply complex challenges that profoundly impact youth and families, extending far beyond simple issues of shelter. This post explores the multifaceted nature of these challenges and provides practical strategies for support. 

The current housing crisis is characterized by a complex web of interconnected challenges that demand nuanced understanding and comprehensive approaches. Systemic barriers to affordable housing combine with intricate challenges related to mental health and economic stability, creating a landscape that requires empathetic, strategic intervention. Experts emphasize the need for comprehensive, compassionate support strategies that address the root causes of housing instability. 

Nestled in Rio, Wisconsin, just over thirty miles from Madison, a remarkable initiative is making waves in the fight against food insecurity. CC Cattle Company, founded by Sam Cooke, is not just a farm; it’s a shining example for many families struggling to put nutritious food on their tables.

A Vision Rooted in Service
Sam Cooke, a Navy veteran, and firefighter has always been driven by a desire to serve. His journey into farming began when he noticed a significant need for fresh meat in local food pantries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from his farming background, Sam decided to act. He purchased a farm outside the Madison area and established CC Cattle Company with a mission to raise cattle and donate the beef to those in need.

Why Relationships Matter in Helping Families Get Connected to Resources

Relationships are foundational in connecting families with the resources they need. These connections are built on trust, respect, and effective interpersonal skills. Successful relationships require individuals to be courteous, trustworthy, compassionate, empathetic, active listeners, non-judgmental, and supportive.

When a relationship is established on these principles, it fosters partnerships that empower individuals and families, enhancing their confidence and engagement. A relationship grounded in integrity and authenticity demonstrates to families that their success is genuinely valued by the resource provider. This connection encourages families to openly share their needs and stay motivated throughout the process.

Hydroponic Innovators: Fork Farms’ Impact on Education and Food Security

In the heart of Green Bay, WI, a groundbreaking company is transforming the way we think about food, education, and community health. Fork Farms, with its innovative approach to hydroponic gardening, is making waves by bringing sustainable food production directly into schools. This initiative not only teaches students about healthy eating and agriculture but also plays a crucial role in combating food insecurity. Let’s examine how Fork Farms is changing the game and why their work is so essential.

Food insecurity is a critical challenge affecting millions of families, with profound implications for children's well-being, learning, and development. As out-of-school time (OST) program staff, educators are uniquely positioned to provide meaningful support and create positive interventions for students facing these challenges.

Understanding food insecurity requires looking beyond simple hunger. It represents the persistent lack of consistent access to nutritious food necessary for an active, healthy life. This complex issue extends far beyond empty stomachs, potentially compromising academic performance, triggering behavioral challenges, creating long-term health complications, and significantly impacting emotional and mental well-being.

In Beaver Dam, WI, where neighbors know each other by name and community spirit runs deep, the impact of a local initiative like the Food is Free pantry is profound. This 24/7 food pantry is not just a place where people pick up food: it is a symbol of hope and a vital resource in the fight against food insecurity. Let's explore how Food is Free is making a difference and why feeding families is more crucial than ever.

The Heart of Food is Free

The Food is Free pantry operates on a simple yet powerful principle: everyone deserves access to nourishing food, regardless of their financial situation. The 24/7 pantry established in Beaver Dam to address the needs of those facing food insecurity provides round-the-clock access to essential food items. With no eligibility requirements or barriers, anyone in need can take what they need, whenever they need it.

In both Oneida & Vilas County, WI, a remarkable grassroots initiative is making an impact. Feed Our Rural Kids (FORK), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating child food insecurity, is a testament to what can be achieved when local residents come together with a shared mission. This organization, born from the collective efforts of community members, is transforming the lives of children and families in their own backyard.

A Grassroots Beginnings

FORK is a powerful example of grassroots activism. The organization was founded by community members who recognized a pressing issue in their own neighborhoods. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural families, they set out to create a solution from the ground up.

Celebrating Youth Creativity at the Milwaukee Public Recreation Art Showcase

The Milwaukee Public Recreation Art Showcase on May 30th at Turner Hall was a lively celebration of young talent and creativity in the Milwaukee community. Organized by Leighton Cooper, the Recreation Coordinator for Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), the event showcased the dedication and hard work of youth in the arts.

"The Art Showcase is our premier recreation art show," Leighton Cooper explained. "It gives us a chance to highlight the talent, creativity, and effort our young people have put into their art. This event brings together all our community arts partners from across the city. We have groups involved in visual arts, dance, music, poetry, spoken word, and literature. The showcase allows young people to take the stage, display their talent, and show the community the amazing work we're doing to support arts enrichment and education in the city."

LGBTQ+. That’s the current set of letters that we use to refer to a wide range of gender- and sexuality-variant people. You might feel like all of the changes in language to refer to these things are hard to keep up with–they certainly can be! But don’t let that intimidate you. 

It’s important to recognize that LGBTQ+ kids are at greater risk of mental illness and suicide due to the challenges they frequently have to navigate by how they are received in the world - especially when they don’t have supportive adults in their lives. 

Out of School time programs provide kids, families, and entire communities with innumerable benefits. However, sometimes the biggest barrier to accessing programs and the benefits we provide is literally getting kids in the door. 

Transportation access, or lack thereof, has an enormous impact on OST programs and the families we serve. Whether your program exists in a major city or in a rural community, a host of issues can make getting kids in the door challenging. Providers in urban spaces often lament the challenges of young people trying to navigate complicated public transit systems and unsafe walking routes. Rural providers commonly deal with long commutes for kids to and from program hubs - commutes which are often affected by inclement weather. No matter where you are located, schools and programs continue to feel the effects of the ongoing bus driver shortage. When we are lucky enough to have access to dependable bussing, it remains incredibly costly and often options are limited. At the family level, many Wisconsinites do not enjoy the privilege of access to a safe, reliable vehicle that they can use at their disposal. When taking all these factors into consideration, it seems like no small miracle that we manage to have any children arrive at all! 

As out of school time professionals, you have opportunities to get to know kids on a level that school day staff and other providers do not. You get to see kids in some of their toughest transitions but also get to see them in their natural states, playing and exploring in ways that offer you deeper insights into their world. You notice when things are off - like when a child is tired or hungrier than usual. And you build relationships with their caregivers, opening up conversations with them as they pick up kids at the end of the day, and welcome them into your space.

All of this puts you in a unique position to serve the whole child and whole family and to tap into the community to provide kids and families much needed supports. Despite this unique opportunity to work with and support families however, it can be overwhelming to think about where to start. It is not always easy to initiate a conversation when you are worried about someone and you do not want to offend or make premature assumptions. In this blog post, we will explore the convenience and power of the open-ended question as a tool to start conversations and to dig deeper. 

Have you ever heard the phrase “It’s really expensive to be poor?” Think about it for a minute. There are a lot of ways to save money on everyday items and activities, but oftentimes, the ability to take advantage of those savings requires abundance elsewhere in your life.

Take, for example, buying toilet paper. Costco has famously excellent toilet paper that is really inexpensive for such a quality product! If you’re the kind of person who has a Costco membership, you might be shocked at how much a roll costs at the local drug store.