2005 - 2006 Class Projects

"A" Team!
Team Members: Elizabeth Drasen, April Dyess, Cynthia Knapp-Finley, Ray Koukari, Delia Martinez, Bill Warmington

Mission: Improve communication between the City of Racine's bus company and companies in Renaissance and Grandview Parks.

Vision: To increase bus ridership while at the same time facilitating communication with the business leaders in the two industrial parks.

Challenge: Racine County, located between Milwaukee and Chicago, is on the verge of becoming an "Edge-County" in a Mega-Metropolitan.  This trend created the need to provide an incubation ground for business development.  Racine County provided the sites in the Renaissance and Grandview industrial parks and water and sewer agreements provided the ability to produce goods and services.  The lacking element is consistent, timely transportation services for many workers.  Our solution, working with employers and the bus system, is to improve scheduliing, marketing and availability of transportation for current and future workers.

Neighborhood Connections
Team Members: Jane Kurylo, Chris Larsen, Roseanne Lee, Mark Polzin, Greg Shaver, Laura Tomasek

Mission:  Improve the neighborhood surrounding St. Catherine's High School and help the school and residents connect and work together.

Vision: The neighborhood will benefit from information and networking opportunities at our events.  We will help neighbors meet each other and learn about the resources to make their neighborhood a better place to live.  We will facilitate the introduction of the Community Campus Coalition to the residents and provide an opportunity for dialogue between them.  We will involve the students of St. Catherine's to help residents get to know the school.

Challenge: This neighborhood suffers from crime and poverty.  Many of the residents are renters.  Residents may be hesitant to talk to one another and to people they don't know.  Attendance at our events may be low because people may be uneasy about getting involved.

Education and Community Connectors
Team Members: Dan Coyle, Catherine Jetzer, Justus Morgan, Brent Oglesby, Elizabeth Speck, Ann Stotts

Mission:  Promote achievement in Racine Public Schools to the community.

Vision: Heighten the community awareness of achievement in Racine Public Schools.

Challenge: To change the opinions of the population that has a negative image of Racine Public Schools by showcasing the achievement in the schools and providing an opportunity to express their opinions to the leaders of the Racine Unified School district.

The Self Es-TEAM of Racine
Team Members: Francesca Bumpurs, Jeff Ferraris, Steve Kitelinger, Karen Sutherland

Mission:  Educate current and prospective Racine residents as to the opportunities and benefits offered by the Racine Unified School District (RUSD) through the development and distribution of a multi-media marketing tool.

Vision: Instill pride in the community relative to the Racine Unified School District.

Challenge: To create a positive impression of the Racine Unified School District within Racine County.  To reach existing local residents as well as those new to the area and make them aware of the positive aspects and opportunities available within the school system.

LENK – Learning, Empowering and Networking for Kids
Team Members: Beth Balcer, Jim DeSonia, Damien Evans, Crystal Morris, Tara Panasewicz

Mission:  Create a resource directory for Racine County outlining available activities and programs for children ages 5-18.

Vision: Children and parents in the Racine area will benefit from the directory by exposing them to the many wonderful activities that are available for children to participate in.  We want to help parents and children become connected and active in the community by providing them with a “one stop” resource of available activities in the Racine area.

Challenge: Creating something sustainable for children in the Racine community in an environment in which funds are often cut from youth programs.