Whatsoever You Do, Inc. Street Lights Outreach Block Parties – The organization will coordinate and host neighborhood block picnics located at Whitney park and will be focused on bringing together diverse groups of people. The organization has had a long-running effort of collaborating with local partners in hopes of transforming the park and surrounding neighborhood to be more inclusive and a welcoming space for all. Their desired outcome from this project is that neighbors in Whitney Park will build lasting and supportive relationships with one another. BCUW funding will be used for food for the picnics.

Urban Partnership Community Development Corporation, FarmoryWorks Program – The FarmoryWorks program will target economically displaced workers with a newly branded, more intensive, cohort-based FarmoryWorks training program that provides industry-aligned skill-building, work experience and networking with area employers. This program is a twelve-week service-learning experience–Fish Hatchery Technician and Aquaculture Entrepreneur; and the other is The FarmoryWorks Youth and Family Outreach Program. Participant recruitment will come from the Navarino neighborhood, nearby K-12 schools, the Navarino Neighborhood Association, and the Howe Community Resource Center to attract adult participants as well as build interest among children toward future participation in the FarmoryWorks program. BCUW funding will support Farmory staff salaries and program costs as they grow the FarmoryWorks programs.

Downtown Green Bay, Inc., The Downtown Dining Room – The Downtown Dining Room project aims to provide a comfortable, safe, easily accessible, and welcoming space in the Downtown neighborhood for nearby employees, residents, and visitors to patronize local establishments and dine outdoors. The organization is targeting its efforts at supporting local restaurants and their front-line workers; one of the hardest-hit industries from the COVID-19 pandemic. After being aesthetically transformed, this area will not only be safe and functional, but a destination for the community with the hope to create an increased sense of community and connection, as well as increase additional revenue for downtown businesses, and their employees. BCUW funding will be used to support the improvements made to the physical environment and beautification efforts.

NeighborWorks Green Bay, Neighborhood Infrastructure & Engagement – NeighborWorks Green Bay will be launching several projects and initiatives aimed at neighborhood development. A neighborhood survey will be conducted to glean findings on social connectedness in hopes of driving specific activities designed to engage neighbors and break down barriers between them. A renewed effort at reforming the Downtown Neighborhood Association and Joannes Park Neighborhood Associations will take place. Volunteers from these areas will be engaged to build relationships with neighborhood residents and develop leadership capacities. A particular focus will be on diversity and inclusion to help bring greater neighborhood representation to leadership roles and active neighborhood engagement. Additionally, in partnership with neighborhood residents, Home & Life workshops will bring residents together to learn from each other on topics such as home improvements, and household management. BCUW funding will be used for staffing and program costs.

Navarino Neighborhood Association: Increasing Safety through Security Lighting in Navarino Park

The Navarino Neighborhood Association is working to improve the physical environment for increased safety in a communal neighborhood space. Security lights will promote safety of the park for the neighborhood residents as well as organizations that host youth programming and recreational opportunities in the park. The Navarino Neighborhood Association anticipates the increased lighting will abate crime because of the increased visibility in Navarino Park during evening and nighttime hours. BCUW funding will be used to support the request for the project from round one. (Total project cost totaled $9,750, round one and two).

Whitney Park Neighborhood Association: Whitney Park Upgrade 3.0

The Whitney Park Neighborhood Association is continuing its efforts for greater park security and beautification through the implementation of additional park lighting, installation of trash cans, light pole banners, and hanging planters. These efforts are targeted at making the park a public gathering space that residents can confidently commune and patronize. Residents are welcomed into a safe, clean environment to listen to summer concerts, give children a place to play, and dogs to run. Bringing people together in a safe, attractive environment is one of their top priorities.

Literacy Green Bay: Books and Bubbles

Literacy Green Bay (LGB) will work with Brown County Library (BCL) to establish Family Read, Play & Learn Centers at the three laundromats closest to the four neighborhoods cohort. The goal is to support school readiness and enrich the time families spend doing laundry by providing safe, fun spaces and literacy-rich materials and activities that support early brain and language development. Neighborhood cohesion would occur as families naturally come together at these literacy centers. They will learn about the literacy activities offered both at the laundromat as well as throughout the community, especially at LGB and the BCL.

The Einstein Project: Mobile Makerspace Experiences

Einstein Project staff and community volunteers will offer a variety of age and skills-based activities (STEAM programming-science, technology, engineering, arts, math) to promote creativity and critical thinking during the spring and summer months of 2021 The aim is to provide opportunities and access to STEAM experiences to all children by bringing the activities right into the neighborhoods. A Mobile Makerspace truck is equipped with digital fabrication equipment such as a laser cutter, 3D printer(s), and other tools that can be used for design and creation. Children will have access to this equipment as they explore materials and creatively solve problems. Participants may also participate in Creativity Scrimmages, in which teams work to develop a solution to a problem while working with certain design constraints. They will be practicing communication and collaboration skills all while working toward a common goal of achieving the task. The application of design thinking along with the skills in using tools will equip students for solving problems that they see within their own communities.