Past Share the Plate Recipients

Each month, UCN shares half of its cash donations with a charitable organization.

March 2013

In March, donations will be supporting COPE Hotline services in Ozaukee County. COPE has trained volunteers (currently about 50, ages 18-90) who are there for anyone who needs a safe and confidential place to discuss worries and concerns, to find support or to get help. Our own Joette Heckenbach is the Executive Director of COPE.

The Mission of COPE Services is to provide emotional support, crisis intervention, and information and referral services to Ozaukee County and the Greater Milwaukee area. This mission will be accomplished by maintenance of 24-hour telephone helplines, a website, information and referral database and development of educational materials and programs.

COPE Hotline, 262-377-2673. The COPE Hotline is available 24/7. Are you depressed, feel isolated, hopeless? Do you need help finding services? Call COPE, the caring connection.

For more information on the COPE Hotline, visit http://www.copeservices.org/.

February 2013

In February we will continue our contribution to Friends of Ngong Road and the child we have sponsored since 2008 – Veronicah Chemwitch. Vicki Fuerstenau introduced us to this program for children in Nairobi, Kenya.

UCN's help with sponsorship has provided Veronicah with all school-related expenses, including uniforms and shoes. Meals are provided daily and medical expenses, as well.

Vicki says, "Through the connection with UCN, Veronicah has grown in confidence as her knowledge expands through school." She has received "hope, caring and encouragement" through UCN. Vicki goes on to say "Personally, I am a believer that to change one life at a time can and will change the world."

To learn more about this important program go to http://www.ngongroad.org/. There are memorable stories of children who have had the opportunities UCN and Vicki are giving Veronicah.

January 2013

Each month, UCN shares half of its cash donations with a charitable organization.

In January UCN will begin 2013 Sharing the Plate with the Benedict Center in Milwaukee. Their mission is to work with victims of crime, offenders, and the community to achieve a system of criminal justice that is fair and treats every person involved with dignity and respect.

Services offered by the Benedict Center:

• The Women's Harm Reduction program offers opportunities for women who are in conflict with the law by offering anger and stress management resources, drug and alcohol treatment, adult education, parenting and family nurturing and more.
• Success Works helps women learn the skills needed to successfully apply for a job and keep it.
• Community Advocacy is an ongoing program of interacting with the community and the criminal justice system.
• Outreach to women involved in drugs and prostitution through the Sisters Project.
• Restorative Justice Program.

Learn more about all of these programs and opportunities to volunteer at: www.benedictcenter.org/programs.  

December 2012

In December UCN will be Sharing our offerings with Mothering the Mother. This organization's mission is to provide access to quality childbirth professionals, especially for teens and low-income moms. It as
nominated by Jaclyn Orozco. Everyone receives help from a group of 11 doulas, two educators, and one lactation specialist. Income guidelines determine sliding-scale fees; some clients receive services for free. Pre-natal, labor, birthing, nursing, parenting education, and other post-natal services are offered. Mentoring services are available to individuals who would like to become part of a support system for mothers and families. Learn more about the services offered at www.motheringthemotherinc.info.

November 2012

Each month, UCN shares half of its cash donations with a charitable organization.

In November we will learn more about the Himalayan Institute’s VIDA program in Mexico. VIDA is a campaign to alleviate epidemic levels of dietary disease in rural Mexico through compact, home gardens and nutritional counseling.

During Mexico’s transition into industrial agriculture, generations of region-specific farming knowledge was lost, and now rural Mexican farming communities no longer have the ability to feed themselves. The instability of the global market for cash crops like coffee has robbed families of the self-reliance, making healthy food unaffordable.

In the VIDA program, a team of experts trains 50 nutritional counselors. Each counselor teaches 10 families how to create high-yield raised-bed gardens and teaches the basics of good nutrition. Seeds, mesh fencing, and technical know-how are provided. Family diets (and health) are improved. Surplus yields are sold in markets or retained for seed.

The VIDA program was nominated by Anna Rychner. More information is available at http://www.healthyvida.org/.

October 2012

In October shared our weekly offerings with STEPPING STONE FARMS. SSF offers programs for at-risk youth and veterans. These programs improve mental health by fostering resilience, responsibility, and self-esteem. With the support of certified therapists, the clients work with horses, caring for them and riding them, to build their own ability to meet challenges, to trust, and to succeed.

Executive Director, Lia Sader, has certifications from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, and is a member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, and Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association. Lia owns and maintains the farm; she does not accept a salary for the work she does with teens and veterans. Programs offered are: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP); Teens Riding Out Trouble (TROT); Equine Assisted Learning (EAL). 

Michaela Powell has been a volunteer at Stepping Stone Farm. Her experience as a volunteer with Stepping Stone Farm moved her to name them as a candidate for Sharing the Plate. Learn more about the programs offered at www.steppingstonefarms.org.

September 2012

We shared our September Sunday offerings with the Peace Learning Center of Milwaukee. The PLC will be celebrating their 10th anniversary in the Milwaukee community working with Milwaukee Public Schools to present day-long workshops for 4th and 5th graders on learning peaceful ways to solve conflicts. After the initial workshop the staff of PLC returns for follow up with the children. One child summed up what the workshop meant to her: "You helped us to care for each other more, and we are nicer to each other now."

The Peace Learning Center, at the request of staff at a public school in Bonduel, WI, trained counseling staff and teachers to present the workshop in their school. As funds become available, they are also expanding their workshops to middle schools in MPS. 

On September 16th, in the afternoon, the PLC will celebrate their anniversary. There will be demonstrations of the workshop, nature hikes, refreshments and fun for children of all ages. The center is located in the Friends Meeting House at 3324 N. Gordan Place in Milwaukee. To learn more about the work PLC is doing go to www.peacelearningcentermilwaukee.org.

Summer 2012

Family Sharing of Ozaukee County

In the summer of 2012, UCN's Share the Plate program worked with Family Sharing, an Ozaukee County Food Pantry, to ensure that organic produce is available to people they serve – those on limited incomes. Family Sharing used funds from Share the Plate to purchase organic produce through a plan they have with Piggly Wiggly. They were offered the maximum flexibility to choose which vegetables to purchase based on their knowledge of the client base and their storage capabilities. The nomination for Family Sharing came from UCN’s Green Committee – the first nomination from a UCN committee! For more information, go to http://www.familysharingozaukee.org/.