UNCOM PROGRAMS Together We: 1. Share and replicate best practices. 2. Develop programs based on highest priority neighborhood needs. United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee is fortunate to have the support of a wide range of partners to assist the organization in developing programs that greatly enhance the lives of our stakeholders across the Milwaukee community. These key programs include,

ZILBER NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVE
UNCOM is proud to serve as an operating partner in the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative (ZNI). The purpose of the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative is to improve the quality of life in Milwaukee neighborhoods by making them better places for people to live, work, learn, and play. UNCOM is participating in the Initiative by providing technical assistance in human services program design to ZNI partners and working collaboratively with funded neighborhoods to support projects important to neighborhood residents and groups.

MILWAUKEE NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS SERVICE
The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service provides vital information to Milwaukee residents about their own community's improvement initiatives. At the same time, NNS informs all Milwaukee residents about the assets and opportunities in under-covered communities, giving them a more complete picture of what these neighborhoods are and can be. This, in turn, helps attract consumers, businesses, and residents to the city's core communities. Calling attention to residents who volunteer time to improve their communities, both energize them, and motivate others to join them.

UNCOM VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVE
The UNCOM Violence Prevention Initiative partners with the Medical College of Wisconsin to decrease rates of violence in identified areas of Milwaukee and strengthen community capacity to prevent future violence. The project uses proven models of community engagement and best practices among our member agencies to create safe communities and options for Milwaukee residents.

MILWAUKEE CHILDHOOD OBESITY PREVENTION PROJECT
This project funded by Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, works to provide access to good nutrition and regular physical activity for all who attend, work at, and/or live near UNCOM member neighborhood centers. The project aims to accomplish this vision by helping our neighborhood centers to develop or expand upon nutrition and physical activity policies.

UNCOM JOBS PROGRAM
Funded by a grant from the Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board (MAWIB), the program develops an intensive job training program that assists young people, ages 16 -20 years of age, with graduating from high school or obtaining a GED and successful placement into full-time employment or post-secondary education.

CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAMS
Funded by the Helen Bader Foundation, UNCOM offers youth arts educational opportunities from high quality arts educators in several artistic mediums. As part of the program UNCOM partners with the Milwaukee Cultural Arts Alliance and Arts-At-Large to develop a website/directory offering a wide variety of arts education programming.

UNCOM DATABASE
UNCOM utilizes an integrated data system at all UNCOM sites to collectively evaluate program effectiveness and track participant outcomes.

PROJECT RESPECT
A implementation grant funded by the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program that develops leadership, capacity and programs at UNCOM sites to engage youth in the prevention of risk factors of sexual and intimate partner violence involving adolescents.

DRIVERS EDUCATION
Free Driver's Education programs for youth who earn the opportunity to participate in the program, by regularly attending after school programming, meeting the G.P.A. requirements, and performing a minimum of 25 hours of community service.

OTHER CENTER-BASED PROGRAMS

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS/COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS
UNCOM member agencies provide youth with a variety of positive achievement opportunities after school. Participant outcomes include: increases in academic achievement, self-esteem, and social skills; reduced risk for criminal involvement, substance abuse, and other unhealthy behaviors; acquisition of new skills like goal-setting and teamwork.

URBAN SPORTS LEAGUES
Citywide structured league play in various leagues coached by volunteer coaches.

SUMMER RESIDENT CAMP
UNCOM youth ages 8 to 15 can get out of the city and into nature through resident camp experiences. Camping is an activity that teaches youth many skills, including self-reliance, how to get along with others, leadership, and teamwork. Over 600 campers participate each year.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Teen leadership training is provided at UNCOM sites throughout Milwaukee after school, in the evening and throughout the summer including attendance at a 4-day Youth Leadership Institute. Participants develop site-specific community service projects and become leaders at neighborhood sites.

FAMILY LITERACY
Adults and youth alike can attain their academic goals by participating in the Adult Basic Education (ABE), General Education Development (GED), English as a Second Language, and other educational and literacy programs offered by UNCOM centers. While adults study, qualified child care workers watch over their children. There is also a wide variety of reading and literacy-focused activities for children and parents to work on together. This program impacts over 4,000 families each year.