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 Speake...

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 affectin...

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...

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 child...

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 lit...

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...

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...

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 Pai...

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 ins...

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,...

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 v...

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 s...

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...

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...

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...

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 g...

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-schoo...

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 cha...

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...

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...

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 &...

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, economi...

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 b...

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...