2004 - 2005 Class Projects

Project Reach II
Team Members: Fabiola Diaz, Denise Freeman, Matt Nelson, Patrick Wagner, Lisa Woods

Mission: To continue a program for habitually truant students and to make this program sustainable within the Racine Unified School District.  This project will offer students the chance to see the importance of education and how their choices in life will determine their future.

Vision: Create an opportunity for students to learn the value of education as a tool to achieve future success; foster a clear understanding of the lasting impact of education

Challenge: It is a known fact that Racine Unified School District has a high truancy rate.  This problem is due to a gap between what is going on in the school and what is going on in the home.  Our group has decided to use Project Reach II as a way to bridge the gap by educating both students and parents.  The common goal can then be achieved with the school, parents and students working together on attendance and education.

Youth Empowerment Team
Team Members: Alyson Eisch, Jennifer Gustin, Todd Hunsucker, Donna Melby, Myles Mullikin, Mike Phillips

Mission: To serve as a catalyst by funding positive opportunities for disadvantaged youth with the support and cooperation of existing community services

Vision: Raise funds for an endowment providing multi-year sports scholarships for 10 to 12 underprivileged children in partnership with Racine Youth Sports.

Challenge: We looked to the question of what we mean by children and youth, what issues are important, what do we want to help our youth develop?  Concerns were safety, activities, mentoring, empowering and becoming engaged in the community while building self-esteem and positive relationships.  We will target primary school children to provide assistance in their participation over an extended period of time.  We will ask high school youth to provide support.

Racine METRA Transportation System
Team Members: Tami Bellis, Scott Blasi, Aaron Hertzberg, Nancy Pierce, Sammy Rangel, Ursula York

Mission: To assist in the development of an integrated transportation system that serves the Chicago/Milwaukee corridor.

Vision: What METRA can mean to you.  Create an educational/outreach presentation to show the benefits of the METRA extension to our community.

Challenge: While governmental agency agreement work is underway, there is a lack of material to assist the public in understanding what the extension of METRA will mean to the economic development, quality of life and conservation of resources as an integral part of the Racine Transportation System. 

Jammin' for the Arts
Team Members: Kellye Diem, Elaine Linn, John McAuliffe, Lori Stafford, Gwendolyn Villarreal, Jennifer Wiza

Mission: Raise funds for the arts in the greater Racine area and at the same time raise awareness of Racine talent and businesses.

Vision: To provide an entertaining evening, raise funds for the arts, and showcase multiple talents.

Challenge: Funding exisiing and new arts programs is an increasing challenge.  Because the Racine United Arts Fund supports the four major arts areas in Racine, an arts fundraiser would benefit the greater arts community.

Come Enjoy it All
Team Members: Elizabeth Mendez, Ben Smith, Cassandra Sura, Haylie Lyn Vaughn, Tom Zikowski

Mission: Enhance a positive change and awareness of Racine's image for current and prospective residents.

Vision: Create a "Come Enjoy it All" calendar to increase awareness within the community.  Reach diverse markets to inform them of the broad spectrum of events in Racine.

Challenge: The image of Racine is negative, according to current residents.  We have identified one of the reason as a lack of awareness of community events.  Issues include the digital divide, only 46% of households receive the local newspaper and a lack of cohesiveness of existing organizations.  Solution is to create a comprehensive community calendar to invite all residents to enjoy any or all of the events in Racine.