2009 Funded Programs

Child and Family Development Committee

First Cycle (February, 2009)

Bridge Lake Point Waunona: The “Kids Kuisine” program will provide 40 children with the opportunity to participate in a weekly cooking program throughout the year, including summer. It will involve both kids and their families. In addition to after school snacks, there will be 6 family events that will teach kids the essentials of cooking, event planning, nutrition and kitchen safety. Math and science will be incorporated into the activities.

Latino Children and Families Council (Partnering with Rainbow Project): The Radio program is a monthly Spanish language program on La Movida. It provides culturally and linguistically competent information to members of the Latino community about the issues that impact the safety, well-being and success of their children and families. The host of the program is joined by a number of guest experts on each topic including agencies that serve the community. If needed, a translator will be provided. We will specify that the Kids Fund grant amount is not to be used for purchasing commercial advertising. (Due to potential conflict of interest issues, the Youth Development Committee evaluated the proposal.)

The Rainbow Project: The Grandparenting project is to work with grandparents to successfully raise their grandchildren as primary caregivers. The project will serve 100 grandparents and 50 grandchildren through a phone warm line, individual support contacts, bi-monthly groups, a newsletter as well as community education and advocacy regarding the special needs of grandfamilies. Topics will include legal rights of grandparents, the impact of domestic violence on children, the role of the guardian ad litem, understanding kinship care and adoption, psychotropic medication, child development information and information on how to respond to the challenging behaviors of children (among others).

Today Not Tomorrow: Project Babies is an annual all-volunteer community baby shower and resource fair for low-income moms and mothers-to-be. The gifts are solicited and contributed from local businesses and the community (both new and gently used items). Baby items are distributed along with information about community resources and education about the care and nurturing of babies. There are two showers that reach 100-125 pregnant women or parents of young children up to 12 months old. Educational presentations include games on topics such as pre-natal care, breastfeeding, early brain development, bonding and attachment.

Referrals come from a broad cross section of relevant community agencies and churches. For those who can’t attend a shower event, gift bags are still available.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center: The “Nature Nuts Program for At-Risk Youth” is an after school initiative for low- income kids K through 5th grade). Its’ goal is to serve 340 students per year to develop an appreciation for nature, while improving literacy and societal skills. They partner with Madison Schools and Community Recreation Learning Centers, 2 Boys and Girls Clubs, Bridge Lake point Waunona Neighborhood Center and Bayview International Center. The program includes Wildlife Writing, Animal and Plant Identification, Snow shoeing, Campfire Cooking and many other activities that increase confidence and build skills.

RSVP: The Storytelling Project matches elders and youth in the Elver Park area to become partners in listening and telling their stories to promote a sense of community and develop ongoing relationships. They estimate that they will connect with 2000+ middle and high school youth. While this may be an inordinately high estimate, The basic design is very good. Youth will interview elders and vice versa. Music, including hip hop, and dance will enrich the story.

Troy Gardens: The “Youth Grow Local” program focuses on improving the nutrition, horticultural and culinary skills, and environmental literacy of low-income youth through gardening, food preparation and exploration of the natural world. The full program serves over 700 kids with a safe, supportive city environment where they can learn to grow and prepare nutritious foods and develop a lasting respect and affection for nature.

Second Cycle (April, 2009)

Bayview Community Center: The Eco-arts program will be delivered after-school and during the summer. There will be outdoor activities, field trips, physical fitness, art projects and eco-awareness activities.

Domestic Abuse Intervention Services: The Kids Space Upgrade will refurnish space used for children’s programming.

Family Connections: The Community Outreach Brochure and Reading Connections Storage proposal is to update the brochure and expand the program by funding rental space for books. This enables the program to reach mothers in prison and their children.

Lussier Community Education Center (formerly Wexford Ridge): The Elementary After-School program would do a variety of educational programming for elementary students after school and during the summer.

Respite Care Center: “Weathering the Storm” is to increase availability of respite care to families with issues of child abuse and neglect.

Safe Harbor: “Making Safe Harbor Comfortable for Children and Families” would re-furnish the waiting room, buy DVD’s and video games, buy new toys and provide snacks. This program relates to families that may have issues of child abuse and neglect.

University League: Bookworms providers volunteer readers and books for low-income preschool children.

Women in Focus: Women in Focus members work with the otherwise homeless mothers and children living at the YWCA in the Third Street program. During the school year there are fun activities for both groups with an emphasis on reading. Books are also read and given to the families. There are two Book Fairs: one at the beginning of the school year and one to launch the summer. Books are also provided at these events along with engaging activities.

Developmental Disabilities Committee

2009 Grant Summary

Madison Jewish Community Council: Funding provided “Camper-ships” for youth with developmental disabilities.

Wisconsin Badger Camp: Funding provided “Camper-ships” for youth with developmental disabilities.

Autism Society: Funding offered social and sensory activities youth w/autism.

Epilepsy Foundation: Funding offered a recreational/educational day for siblings with developmental disabilities.

Common Threads Family Resource Center: Scholarships were offered to students to attend this day program for children w/autism.

VSA Arts Wisconsin: Funding was used to offer guided art opportunities to youth with developmental disabilities.

Madison Ice Inc.: The program offered skate lessons to a greater number of youth with developmental disabilities.

Three Gaits: Funding offered opportunities for youth to benefit from therapeutic horseback riding.

Wheelchair Recycling Program: Funding expanded the inventory of pediatric equipment for families/youth with developmental disabilities.

United Cerebral Palsy - Youth Resources: Funding sponsored 8 high-need children/families for after-school programming and summer care.

Exchange Center: Parents with cognitive disabilities were connected with LOV-Dane, an organization that assists families in community building activities designed to expand the families’ connections.

Easter Seals: Funding expanded the number of youth to attend Camp Wawbeek.

Responsive Solutions, Inc.: Funding expanded the number of home modification projects for families with children with developmental disabilities and physical needs or challenging behaviors.

Youth Development Committee

Programs funded by the Youth Support Committee

YMCA of Dane County, through the Bayview summer Outreach program, will supplement the safe environment at the Bayview Community Center with sports and other creative activities. It will take place two nights per week and will include fieldtrips.

Girls on the Run program will work with approximately 30 girls in the fall via the Boys and Girls club of Madison. The goal is to promote healthy self images as well as inspire the girls to be involved with healthy behaviors and attitudes. Low-income girls are the target population.

YMCA, Oregon Youth Center’s summer sports camp will provide opportunities for the youth to engage in positive activities in a safe environment. The program will target 15-20 unduplicated youth to encourage the values of sportsmanship and fair play.

KOJO Production’s, Growing our own in theater”, summer youth program will focus on providing local youth the opportunity to build positive self Images via volunteering for stage productions, as well as learn about possible careers in theater.

Girl Scouts of Blackhawk Council will work with thirty-five –fifty girls, first through sixth grades, from the Allied Neighborhood where they will meet weekly to participate in activities in which they will learn to take responsibility for their actions and to provide positive contributions to their community.

The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Scholarship program provides financial assistance to disadvantaged youth who would not otherwise be able to participate in the WYSO experience.

The Community Adolescent Program, Madison Street Team, is a youth program that provides first-time summer employment to 14 and 15 year old youth who have significant barriers to employment.

The Briarpatch “Choices” program provides life-skills, education, individual and group counseling. In addition it exposes girls who are runaways, to self-esteem building exercises.

The Mentoring Positives program provides evidence based youth intervention services and positive mentoring relationships to at-risk youth. This is to help them develop the necessary skills to become law-abiding and competent individuals via education, recreation community awareness and life skill development activities.

Urban League of Greater Madison will offer programs to enhance the employability skills of low income youth.

The Simpson Street Free Press will launch a series of new online publications. Through this project they will be able to hire additional student reporters and reach thousands more young readers.

Wheels for Winners: The purpose of Wheels for Winners is to advocate for healthy lifestyles, healthy choices and healthy communities through bicycling, recycling and community service. It is a earn–a-bike program.

Madison Youth Choirs: MYC provides scholarships to low-income youth to participate in their performing Choir programs. The funds provide partial scholarships for up to eight middle school age children who are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Vera Court Neighborhood Center: The VCNC uses the funds to expand their academic programming to include a college prep program for youth entering the 9th and 10th grades. The program is designed to help develop effective study skills, provide tutoring and help students establish long term scholastic goals.

Bridge Lake Point [Waunona] Neighborhood Center: The “Engage to Prevent will empower youth through education and positive community engagement to become contributing members of their community and to gain the necessary tools to resist the lure of Gangs and other negative activities.

Lussier Community Education Center (formerly Wexford Ridge): The “Teen Build up is the LCEC’s leadership development and organizing program that focuses on supporting youth ages 12-20.

Common Wealth Development: The “Your Money and You Workshops” works in collaboration with schools and other community agencies to increase the financial literacy skills of economically disadvantaged youth.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin: The goal of the “Empowering Youth to make healthy choices” program is to provide young people with the knowledge, skills and support they need to make smart choices about their sexual and reproductive health, in order for them to lead healthy and productive lives.

Dane County Timebank: Has established a new Youth Court site at Lafollette High School and is in the planning stages of adding an additional site in South Madison. The purpose is to build strong communities by establishing a way to value and reward all types of work by caring for the elderly, children and others who need help. Thus, promoting positive youth behaviors and development.