Featured Agency
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ozaukee
Partner of United Way of Northern Ozaukee since 1979
MISSION
Create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.
United Way-Funded Program
Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center: Forensic interview for children of Ozaukee County.
Success Story
2020 showed the world the value of friendship. Big Brothers Big Sisters matches have found creative ways to stay connected. Big Sister Becky and her Little Sister Giselle have embraced this by trying to phone or video chat once a week to discuss school, life at home, their week's plans and what their next project is. They have also become pen pals and send each other cards in the mail, which include handmade pictures, friendship bracelets and origami. Little Sister Giselle always knows her Big Sister is just a call away. Isn’t that what friendship is all about?
Adult Literacy Center of Ozaukee
The Adult Literacy Center of Ozaukee County provides individualized educational services for adult learners to improve academic and life skills. These skills help learners pursue personal, professional and life goals.
United Way-Funded Program
United Way of Northern Ozaukee funds One-on-One Tutoring at the ALC. The center serves adult learners with a variety of needs including, English as a Second Language (ESL), Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Development (GED) preparation, college entrance and class assistance, and citizenship.
In 2019, the ALC designed and implemented a Self-Assessment Tool for students to complete. This self-assessment tool measures a student’s progress in academics, employment, and life skills. Of the 35 students who completed the self-assessment in 2019, 100% reported having an increased skill level as well as increased confidence in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Success Story
Ms. O recently informed the ALC Staff that for the first time since coming to the U.S., she was able to talk with her personal physician without having to use an interpreter. She said she felt comfortable and confident when speaking to her doctor. She also understood the directions and recommendations the doctor gave her. Ms. O attributes her successful visit with her physician to the English tutoring she has been receiving from the ALC.
Featured Agency
Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center
Partner of United Way of Northern Ozaukee since 2017
MISSION
To be a trauma-informed environment where partners collaboratively investigate child abuse, families receive support and advocacy, and most importantly, the child’s words are always heard.
United Way-Funded Program
Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center: Forensic interview for children of Ozaukee County.
Success Story
Earlier this year, Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center had the pleasure of meeting a soft-spoken 15-year-old boy, “Tyler.” Tyler had, unfortunately, been physically abused at the hands of his mother. The abuse had been ongoing, escalating over the years, and finally came to a head in late spring 2020. The physical assaults, the verbal abuse and the threats had gotten so bad that Tyler chose to sleep outside where he felt safer.
One day in the midst of a physical assault, Tyler fled on foot to a friends’ house where he finally told what was happening. The friend’s mother immediately called 911, leading to his visit to Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center. At our center, he was listened to, treated for injuries and, most importantly, he was believed. This visit, this moment marked a line in the sand where Tyler would be advocated for and where his safety, security and wellness would be paramount. Even today, Tyler is safe, healing and thriving out of the reach of his abuser.