Congratulations to the 2012-2013 CUP Grant Award Winners

Having Our Say: Healthier Homes and Babies

Ms. Dalvery Blackwell, African American Breastfeeding Network of Milwaukee;
Ms. Betty Koepsel, UW-Milwaukee College of Nursing

Abstract
This UWM College of Nursing (including nursing students)/African American Breastfeeding Network of Milwaukee collaborative project, as a pilot project, will focus on breastfeeding arid environmental health education in the African American population within the 53218 zip code.
The long term goal is to contribute to the elimination of health disparities in the community. 53218 is one of the zip codes in the lower socioeconomic status (SES) within the 29 Milwaukee zip codes. These zip codes in the lower SES-level, with poor health determinants and outcomes (infant mortality standing out) are in the greatest need of resources to provide residents with the opportunity to make healthy decisions and live healthy lives.
This pilot project, as a benefit to the 53218 community, will promote a cultural shift that will support breastfeeding within the African American community, along with emphasizing home environmental health, focusing on education through a series of classes, supporting behavior change specific to improving the health of infants and families.

Related Links
African American Breastfeeding Network
UWM College of Nursing
Betty Koepsel ~ Professional Webpage

The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in the United States

Ms. Janan Najeeb, Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition;
Mr. Abbas Sarour, UW-Milwaukee Muslim Students Association

Abstract
The Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition (MMWC) and the Muslim Students Association (MSA) at UW-Milwaukee will partner to present a seminar and student workshop on the Roots of the Islamophobia Network in the United States. "Islamophobia" is defined as an exaggerated fear, hatred, and hostility toward Islam and Muslims that is perpetuated by negative stereotypes resulting in bias, discrimination, and the marginalization and exclusion of Muslims from America's social, political, and civic life. This ambitious project will bring in the authors of the groundbreaking report, Fear, Inc., an intensive research on the organized and well funded efforts that have lead to the demonization of Islam and Muslims. The seminar will present the findings of this report to the broader community, while the interactive workshop will afford students the opportunity to understand how campaigns that seek to marginalize a minority group are launched. Although this workshop will specifically address the campaign against Muslims, students will become aware of how campaigns that have historically marginalized other minority groups have many similarities. Participants will be given a copy of the report and will be challenged to use their new found understanding to address bias and racism in all forms.

STREAM SEMINAR VIDEO:
The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in the United States

Related Links

Milwaukee Muslim Women's Association
UWM Muslim Students Association

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Translating the Evidence-Based Chronic Disease Self-Management Program into Community Action and Community Capacity Building

Dr. Patricia McManus, Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, Inc.;
Dr. Fang (Alice) Yan , UW-Milwaukee Department of Community and Behavioral Health Promotion

Abstract
This project will address chronic disease disparities in the African American community. Using a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) model, it will engage and support empowers the community through capacity building, research, and development. This project builds upon longstanding, continuous collaboration between the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Zilber School of Public Health and the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin (BHCW). The 24-year-old agency strives to improve the health status of African Americans in Wisconsin, and ensure equitable, and comprehensive health. The project will be implemented in three steps: (1) Establish an evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), which will be culturally tailored to meet the needs of African Americans, prior to delivering a series of six week workshops; (2) Collaborate with BHCW, and train community lay leaders to provide chronic disease self-management sessions. Training lay leaders plays an integral role in capacity building, and advances the self-sustainability of the CDSMP in local communities; (3) finally, conduct in-depth interviews and focus groups among community members, so that the collaboration will produce innovative multimedia-based digital stories, which will serve as resources for local residents, who are struggling with chronic disease and social justice-related problems.

Related Links
Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, Inc.
UWM Joesph J. Zibler School of Public Health
Dr. Fang (Alice) Yan ~ Professional Webpage

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Hmong Women’s Conference on Historical Trauma

Ms. MayTong Chang, Hmong American Women's Association; 
Ms. Ia Xiong, UW-Milwaukee Counseling Psychology Student Association

Abstract
The Hmong are a tribal minority ethnic group who lived in the mountains of Laos, and were critical allies to the United States during the Secret War. When the United States left the Vietnam War in 1975, they also left their Hmong allies to fend for themselves against an on-slot of genocide wherein nearly half died as they made their escape to Thailand. After years in refugee camps, the Hmong were dispersed to countries that were willing to take them, with the majority arriving in the United States in the 1980s as highly traumatized, indigenous refugees. The Hmong face many barriers as their way of life has historically been oppressed. This traumatic past has left its mark as indicated in low educational attainment, high poverty rates, alcoholism, high domestic violence, high crime rates, and numerous health disparities. In addition, a general lack of understanding of Hmong history has contributed to a negative group identity and unresolved grief. To promote healing in the Hmong community, a critical understanding of Hmong history, strengths, and resiliencies is needed. The Hmong Women's conference focuses on addressing the legacy of trauma, internalized oppression, and cultural resiliency in the Hmong community.

Related Links
UWM Counseling Psychology Student Association

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CULTURE Club: Cultural Understanding & Leadership Training United in Real-world Environmentalism

Ms. Jamie Ferschinger, Urban Ecology Center;
Ms. Dana Kaleta, UW-Milwaukee Quest Project; TRIO & PreCollege Programs

Abstract
"CULTURE Club" joins existent precollege programming emphasizing cross-cultural literacy and mentorship with environmental science and sustainability education to promote cultural sensitivity, environmental stewardship, and local and global consciousness in Milwaukee-area youth. "CULTURE Club" (an acronym for "Cultural Understanding & Leadership Training United in Real-world Environmentalism") is a proposed Community/University Partnership between Quest Project, a UWM precollege program serving underrepresented Milwaukee youth, and Urban Ecology Center, whose mission fosters ecological understanding as inspiration for change, neighborhood by neighborhood, in the City of Milwaukee. UWM precollege students in" CULTURE Club" will team with Urban Ecology Center educators, Quest Project staff, and UWM student Mentors to explore campus and local communities and to make global connections through:

•    Appreciation of community and world cultures and related local and global environmental challenges and solutions (Cultural Understanding)

•    Acceptance of personal roles and responsibilities as environmental stewards and contributing community and world citizens (Leadership Training)

•    Acknowledgement of local and global environmental threats to water, energy and sustainability (Real-world Environmentalism)

• Access to food security, local food communities and global food economies (promoting healthy minds and bodies)

The "CULTURE Club" Community/University Partnership will engender informed environmental stewardship and culturally-inclusive leadership among students within campus, Milwaukee and global communities.

Related Links
Urban Ecology Center
UWM TRIO & PreCollege Programs
UWM Quest Program

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(Re)generating American Indian Partnerships Between Home and School

Ms. Amy Tromp,  Indian Community School of Milwaukee;
Dr. Jeremy Garcia, UW-Milwaukee Department of Curriculum & Instruction

Abstract
The (Re)generating American Indian Partnerships Between Home and School Project is a partnership between UW-Milwaukee and the Indian Community School of Milwaukee (ICS). The ICS serves American Indians from pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. The ICS recognizes a need to (re)generate American Indian partnerships between the home and school that develops opportunities for parents and educators to have quality interactions built on trust, respect and reciprocity. By drawing upon American Indian cultural values and knowledge, this project seeks to redefine a culture of schooling at ICS that reflects collective ownership and reinforces the home to school relationships that support American Indian student achievement and cultural identity. This project will work to reconceptualize ways to strengthen parental involvement structured around 4 major school wide activities developed by parents, educators and UWM service learning students as well as research associated with a parent group which will inform further development of ICS school culture and parent engagement. This project re-affirms affiliations between ICS and UWM by establishing mutually beneficial collaborations that honor the missions of the Electa Quinney Institute for American Indian Education and UWM Institute for Service Learning.

Related Links
Indian Community School of Milwaukee
UWM Department of Curriculum & Instruction

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Journey House Lego Robotics Program

Ms. Cherise Myers, Journey House;
Dr. Maria Hamlin, UW-Milwaukee School of Education

Abstract
The Journey House LEGO® Robotics (JHLR) program will engage a total of 28 middle school aged children throughout the 2012-2013 school year. Working in teams of two, and aided by UWM student mentors, youth will learn about STEM careers, participate in cutting-edge technology, and learn how they can make positive contributions to society through STEM. At the end of their program engagement, students will have the opportunity to participate in robotics competitions. Journey House has a strong focus on increasing education and building community across the south side of Milwaukee. Current programming for middle school students focuses on athletics, college preparation, character development, reading, and mathematics. The proposed project, in partnership with Dr. Maria Hamlin with University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, will enrich Journey House academic programs by introducing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education concepts through LEGO® Robotics.

Related Links
Journey House
UWM School of Education
Dr. Maria Hamlin ~ Professional Webpage

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Connecting University Students with the Milwaukee River Greenway Coalition

Ms. Ann Brummitt, Milwaukee River Greenway Coalition;
Dr. Ryan Holifield, UW-Milwaukee Department of Geography

Abstract
The purpose of this project is to enhance an existing service-learning partnership between Geography 125 (Introduction to Environmental Geography) and the Milwaukee River Greenway Coalition (MRGC), Our primary goal is to provide the partnership with needed technology and technological training and support, which will both strengthen the educational value of the program and develop the capacity of service learners to contribute significantly to Coalition's management of the Greenway, Portable Global Positioning System (GPS) units would be purchased to enable students to gather accurate data on the location of invasive species, watershed boundaries, soft trails, and critical species habitat in the Greenway.  We would also be able to hire a qualified student as a tutor in the use of both the GPS unit and ArcGIS (Geographic Information Systems software for mapping and spatial data analysis), The tutor would provide two hours of training to each Geography 125 student performing service with the Coalition and would also be available for consultation and technical support throughout the semester.

View examples of this project in MRGC newsletter!

Related Links
Milwaukee River Greenway Coalition
UWM Department of Geography
Dr. Ryan Holifield ~ Professional Webpage

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