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Together, We're Better!

Together, We're Better!

By Building Our Future in Kenosha County

Together, We’re Better is brought to you by Building Our Future, a local movement in Kenosha, Wisconsin with a clear purpose – helping every child succeed in school and in life, cradle to career. Every month join Building Our Future leaders as well as local partners who are working together to improve outcomes for as many young people as possible. We are here to share resources, tools, and success stories to support cross-sector collaboration. As we come together across sectors to identify shared goals and hold ourselves accountable, we pave the way for meaningful impact.

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Taking The Time To Make Results Count

Together, We're Better! Aug 13, 2021

00:00
33:37
Episode 29: The Power of Literacy!

Episode 29: The Power of Literacy!

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 literate and 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.

Feb 15, 202432:27
Episode 28: New Year, New Library!
Jan 09, 202436:31
Episode 27 - Diversity & Recruitment with the Kenosha Fire Department
Dec 01, 202337:39
Episode 26 - BOF's Continuous Improvement Cohort

Episode 26 - BOF's Continuous Improvement Cohort

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 from KAFASI, 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 Results Count 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!

Nov 13, 202330:49
Episode 25 - Walking School Bus: Empowering Students, Empowering Communities
Oct 02, 202319:03
Episode 24 -Driving Success through the Sparks Program: A Conversation with JP Moran and President John Swallow

Episode 24 -Driving Success through the Sparks Program: A Conversation with JP Moran and President John Swallow

Sep 18, 202324:03
Episode 23 - Introducing CCN
Jun 06, 202322:43
Episode 22 - Elevating Youth Voice
May 01, 202321:20
Episode 21 - Why DEI Training?
Apr 05, 202351:13
Episode 20 - KPD & The Community

Episode 20 - KPD & The Community

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!

Feb 03, 202347:59
Episode 19 - So... What do you do?
Jan 02, 202335:59
Episode 18 - Schools & Communities Together

Episode 18 - Schools & Communities Together

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.

Oct 17, 202247:13
Episode 17 - Results Really Count

Episode 17 - Results Really Count

Sep 12, 202225:46
Episode 16 - The Work Continues

Episode 16 - The Work Continues

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.

Aug 05, 202222:12
Using Data as a Flashlight and NOT a Weapon

Using Data as a Flashlight and NOT a Weapon

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


Jun 15, 202232:39
Building Community with the Kenosha Fire Department
May 13, 202242:04
The Youth Takeover: Part 2

The Youth Takeover: Part 2

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.

Apr 08, 202239:35
The Youth Takeover: Part 1
Mar 25, 202241:24
BOF: The Team Behind the Work!

BOF: The Team Behind the Work!

Check out this month’s episode where you learn more about the people behind the work at Building Our Future.

You'll hear from Data Manager, Kevin Meagher, Director of Impact and Strategy, Lynn Debilzen, Community Engagement Manager, Brandon Morris, and Executive Director, Tatjana Bicanin as they share who they are personally, and highlights of the collaborative work to improve educational, economic, and social mobility outcomes for Kenosha County youth and families!

Feb 14, 202239:31
Kenosha County Health Equity Taskforce

Kenosha County Health Equity Taskforce

This week, we’re speaking with Dr. Jen Freiheit, Health Officer/Director for Kenosha County Public Health, Tamarra Coleman, Executive Director for Shalom Center and Kirsten Gundersen, Kenosha County Public Health Strategist for Kenosha County Public Health to hear about the evolution of the Kenosha County Health Equity Taskforce. They’ll share their wins, challenges, and learnings through their boots on the ground approach over the last 12 months.

Kirsten Gundersen, Kenosha County Public Health Strategist for Health Equity shares, “... as a Kenosha County Public Health entity, we learned a lot about how important it is to keep going back (to the underserved neighborhoods and small businesses) because that’s a part of building trust …. that’s a way to achieve systemic change.”

Jan 26, 202239:54
How Libraries Can Transform Communities

How Libraries Can Transform Communities

In episode nine of Together, We’re Better, Building Our Future Community Engagement Manager Brandon Morris hosts a conversation with Zander Miller (Kenosha Public Library Digital Strategy Librarian), Barb Brattin (Kenosha Public Library Director) and Cindy Fesemyer (State Library Consultant: Adult & Community Services) as they discuss the Wisconsin Libraries Transforming Communities cohort, a state-level community engagement training conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Division for Libraries and Technology in partnership with the American Library Association.

When asked how Building Our Future was identified as a partner for this project, Barb Brattin explains, “It was very clear if you know anything about Building Our Future, community engagement is a very large part of what they do. The partnership was already conducting the same community outreach around the topic of student success in our city, so it seemed like a natural fit to put these two organizations together.”

Dec 20, 202138:15
The history of Building Our Future
Nov 16, 202132:24
Parents Advocating for Child Care

Parents Advocating for Child Care

In episode 7 of Together, We’re Better, Community Engagement Manager Brandon Morris talks with our local Parent Advocates and our partners from the Wisconsin Partnership – a collaborative effort of the four StriveTogether-affiliated local collective impact partnerships in Wisconsin, about how parents can lead change in their communities, specifically for early childhood care and education. 

One parent advocate, Ashley Wells, explains how the PACC Fellowship equipped her with the necessary skills to confidently speak with her elected representatives and inspire other parents to use their power as a parent to make changes.  

Parents Advocate for Child Care (PACC) Fellows: Ashley Wells, Genevieve Gerou and Patrick Langston

Nov 05, 202134:02
A Community Where Early Learning is Centered

A Community Where Early Learning is Centered

In episode six Together, We’re Better, Building Our Future Community Engagement Manager Brandon Morris hosts a conversation with Atifa Robinson, Luanne Rohde, Dr. Diane Gerlach and Lynn Debilzen as they discuss the Early Learning Nation Team which is efforts connected to a national movement. But locally, it is a three year action plan that is focused on creating a space for families and a community where early learning is truly at the center. 

Atifa Robinson (Community Strategist-Kenosha, UW School of Medicine and Public Health) expresses, “I wanted to be a part of the Early Learning Nation Cohort because the Early Learning Nation focuses on networking with community leaders, looking at neighborhood resources/barriers and improving policies to help children and families be successful…promoting a healthy community for all."

Oct 08, 202133:32
Why Young Voices Matter

Why Young Voices Matter

In the fifth episode of Together, We're Better, Brandon Morris hosts a conversation with the EquiTeens: Sophia Hysaw, Meredith Kaufmann and Alana Carmickle; three Seniors at Indian Trail High School Academy. In this conversation you will hear a range of topics -- virtual learning experience, vaccination for students, require or not require wearing a mask, communication within the schools, student curriculum and more! You'll want to listen to this 30-minutes of Why Young Voices Matters!

Sep 07, 202136:57
Taking The Time To Make Results Count

Taking The Time To Make Results Count

In episode four Together, We’re Better, Building Our Future Community Engagement Manager Brandon Morris hosts a conversation with Suzi Wolf the Early Intervention Program Manager (for KAC Kenosha Achievement Center), Lynn Debilzen our BOF’s Director of Impact & Strategy and Laurie McDonald the former Director of Community Impact for United Way of Kenosha County.  Laurie explains “I think we all do [continuous improvement] subconsciously, where we’re constantly looking at what we can improve… The difference with the CI Cohort was you really took the time to dive into [your] program or service, and to me, that time, the tools, and the coaching alongside it, was so beneficial.”
Aug 13, 202133:37
Getting It Done at The Community Level

Getting It Done at The Community Level

In episode three of Together, We’re Better, Building Our Future Community Engagement Manager Brandon Morris hosts a conversation with Elizabeth “Liz” Webb, Genevieve Gagliardi-Gerou and Jean Moran – several of our community members involved in both the Lincoln Park/Uptown CommUNITY Conversations and Operation Neighborhood Community clean-up. The topic centers around ‘Getting It Done at The Community Level’.
“You’ll never get that sense of community until you become a part of the community and actually get out there, so get there and do something and see what you can do to help yourself grow and help your neighbors grow at the same time,” says Liz Webb. She and the group talk about their engagement and commitment to stay in the neighborhood work.
Jul 20, 202132:25
Building Community

Building Community

In episode two of Together, We’re Better, Brandon Morris hosts a conversation with Brittany Meyer, 2nd/3rd Teacher at Wilson Elementary and Gabrielle Hood President of Clear Technology Solutions of Wisconsin. Together they talk about the importance of building community. When it comes to building community, Brittany believes, "it's important that parents know that they are speaking with people that have their best intentions, that are going to be real with them and that it's a safe space especially after COVID." 

Jun 29, 202134:29
Real Talk: Shattering the stigma on Mental Health

Real Talk: Shattering the stigma on Mental Health

In the first episode of Together, We're Better, Brandon Morris hosts a conversation with licensed therapist, speaker, consultant, media contributor and CEO of Beloved Wellness Center Dr. Dominique Pritchett and Behavioral Health Manager of Kenosha County Division of Aging, Disability and Behavioral Health Services, Kari Foss. Together they talk about the stigma towards mental health and how to normalize mental wellness. You'll want to listen to the 30-minutes of Real Talk! 


May 20, 202131:31
Intro to Building Our Future

Intro to Building Our Future

“BOF” = Building Our Future! Building Our Future is a catalyst for systems change, aligning our members’ collective work to ensure success for all children, regardless of race, zip cope or circumstance. Why? Cause ‘Schools Can’t Do It Alone’ nor should they have to.

Apr 19, 202103:04