Together, We're Better!

Welcome to the Together We’re Better Podcast! In this episode, we’re joined by two members of the Financial Aid Support Team, along with the Project Manager from Higher Expectations of Racine County. Together, we dive into the Kenosha/Racine summer initiative aimed at increasing FAFSA applications among recent high school graduates, with the goal of boosting post-secondary enrollment.

Guest Speakers:

In this episode, we’re excited to introduce The Black Students/Families Network, a new initiative aimed at addressing the unique challenges African American students face in their educational journeys. Data from Kenosha County reveals that African American students experience poorer outcomes compared to other racial and ethnic groups in our community. These trends mirror national patterns affecting Black students across the country.

Our network seeks to understand these challenges in-depth and work towards overcoming the barriers faced by Black students and families, with the goal of fostering success and achieving better educational outcomes.

Guest Sp...

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 Higher Expectations of Racine County; Marie Hargrove, Managing Director of Mission Programs for the YWCA of Southeastern Wisconsin; and Shayla Malone, Transition Specialist 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 an...

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 Buil...

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.<...

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, this episode 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...

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 an...

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 bene...

In this episode, we sit down with Leigh Ann Martinez and Katie 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...

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...

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/

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...

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, BO...

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!

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 exp...

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.

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 am...

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.

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...

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 th...

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.

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 – 8...

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!

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...

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 clea...

Today, we’re going to hear about the history of Building Our Future (BOF). Jean Moran, retired CEO of LMI Packaging, Todd Battle, president of Kenosha Area Business Alliance and Tatjana Bicanin, executive director of Building Our Future walk down memory lane on how Building Our Future became the first collective impact initiative in Kenosha County to address social and educational outcomes in Kenosha County.

Together, we’ll learn about the origin of Building Our Future and how the partnership has evolved over the past five years.

Learn more about BOF at buildingourfuturekc.org

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...

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 Cohor...

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!

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...

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...

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." 

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! 

“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.