Beyond the Bell with Wisconsin Out of School Time Alliance

I’m Rachel Charron, Health Educator with Marshfield Clinic Health System's Center for Community Health Advancement and Wisconsin Out of School Time Alliance. We are excited you are listening today to our conversation with the team from Mendota Elementary in Madison, WI: Shennon Lawhorn-Williams, Athena McNeal, and Turkessa Hayes. They will share with us the value of investing in your team as a way to support each individual member in their own well-being.

Join Rachel Charron, Health Educator with Marshfield Clinic Health System's Center for Community Health Advancement and Wisconsin Out of School Time Alliance, as she hosts an engaging conversation with Corie Zelazoski, Director of Operations, and Alli Hinkleman, College and Career Readiness Coordinator, from the Boys and Girls Club of the Northwoods. Corie and Alli share their passion for working with youth and discuss innovative ways to help campers connect with nature, moving away from electronic devices. Tune in to learn how the Northwoods Club is fostering a love for the natural world among young people.

This podcast episode explores the powerful role that young people can play as advocates for their peers. It provides practical strategies for program staff to empower youth to take on leadership roles and support each other. By fostering a culture of peer advocacy, you can enhance the sense of community and resilience within your programs. Ideal for those committed to promoting youth leadership and mutual support.

This podcast episode provides essential strategies for navigating difficult conversations about mental health with young people. It offers practical tips for program staff to approach these sensitive topics with empathy and confidence. By mastering these techniques, you can foster open communication and build stronger, more supportive relationships with the youth in your programs. Ideal for those committed to promoting mental health awareness and well-being.

On this episode Kimberly Lowe, Associate Director of Grants Administration at Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, joins us to talk about how to break down the daily tasks of running a food program. She provides concrete strategies around organization and promotion and also gives insight into how to create a safe culture in your program where families feel comfortable getting additional support and accessing resources.

In this episode, Jeremiah Covington, a Community Schools Resource Coordinator, discusses how small interventions can have significant positive impacts on children and families. He shares examples like providing weekend snack packs or bus passes and emphasizes the importance of considering the whole child and family in out-of-school time (OST) work. Jeremiah also highlights how this holistic approach can inspire and motivate staff.

In this episode, Lisa Brooks discusses the critical issue of homelessness and its impact on health. As a CHW and Advanced Housing Navigator, Lisa shares insights on how quality housing promotes health equity and what we can do to support families facing inadequate housing. Tune in to learn from Lisa’s experience in creating successful housing plans and her work with the Milwaukee Area Health Education Center.

In this episode, Lisa Smith and Megan Kenney discuss the 211 resources, accessible to anyone in Wisconsin. They explain how 211 helps connect families to necessary resources and services, and offer insights on treating others with dignity during this process. Megan Kenney is the 211 State Program Director for United Way of Wisconsin, and Lisa Smith is the Director of United Way Fox Cities 211.

In this episode, Jennie Mayer, Safe Routes to School Coordinator, discusses the challenges and solutions related to transportation for families. She highlights the benefits of walking school buses and other alternative transportation methods. Learn how these initiatives can improve access to programs and enhance overall health in both urban and rural areas.

Discover the benefits of a walking school bus with Rachel Deterding, Community School Resource Coordinator at Lake View Elementary. In this episode, Rachel explains how this initiative can positively impact children’s health and community engagement. Learn how to assess and implement a walking school bus in your program for lasting benefits.