“Portal” Creating Conversations on Gun Violence

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“Portal” Creating Conversations on Gun ViolenceDevelopment2016-05-10T11:41:56-05:00

Project Description

What is that big gold container next to the COA Goldin Center? It’s part of a global project designed to create new perspectives through face-to-face video conversations between people who may never have met. The portal in Milwaukee will connect you with a resident in New Jersey for a video conversation. The project is a collaboration between artist and creator/organizer of the portal program, Amar Bakshi, and major research universities including Yale and Rutgers. Amar Bakshi’s organization Shared Studios states “Our hope is to create a safe space for meaningful dialogues on how people understand their safety, the police, and the system of laws they live within.”

Bakshi went on to say “Shared Studios is honored and excited to be partnering with COA Youth & Family Centers, The Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative and Pepp Nation, among a number of other local groups, to bring the Portal to the Amani community and the broader Milwaukee public. We’re particularly happy to be working alongside so many dynamic community leaders and organizations who ultimately will program the Portal for domestic dialogues on safety and justice, and global dialogues on a wide range of issues.”

Dialogues about criminal justice can be scheduled from 1-5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Every twenty minutes a different individual (must be 18 or older) will enter the portal and discuss a subject such as “When you think of Ferguson, what comes to mind?” Or “How would you describe your neighborhood and your relationship with local police to a stranger?” There’s other discussions planned for Tuesdays and Thursdays linking the Milwaukee portal with the rest of the global network, including Nairobi, Afghanistan, Berlin, and many other locales.

Learn more and sign up for your spot at www.sharedstudios.com/milwaukee-portal.html

Project Details

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Our Mission

COA Youth & Family Centers helps Milwaukee children, teens, and families reach their greatest potential through a continuum of educational, recreational, and social work programs offered through its urban community centers and rural camp facility. As a multicultural agency, COA values diversity and cooperation, and promotes growth and positive social interaction.

The COA Philosophy

COA Youth & Family Centers’ history is deeply rooted in the American Settlement House movement. The underlying foundation of this movement was that a holistic approach is essential to give children and families the tools to become self-sufficient. And more than a century later, COA continues to provide families with a holistic array of services to give children and families these tools to become stronger, healthier, and more self-sufficient.

Four-Star Organization

For nine consecutive years, COA has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a national evaluator of nonprofit organizations. Only one percent of the nation's charities have received the highest four-star rating for twelve consecutive years.

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When I was 20 and a new mom, I found the Family Center. At 22 with 2 kids, the center saved me time and time again. Today, 42 and pregnant with 4 kids under 3years old in my care, you brightened my rainy day as usual. So grateful for this resource!

"COA is a lifesaver!! We go stir crazy in the house. The kids love it here. I need to feel a social connection with other parents. I get so bored and lonely and isolated home with the kids all day. Also – social interactions for the toddlers is invaluable."

"I come to the COA to expose my son to other kids, so he can interact and learn from them. I appreciate the many different people from different cultures and walks of life. I love all the difference art projects that my son can try without messing up my house."

"I come to COA because it is an awesome, clean, friendly environment that is very well-suited to my kids. I also really appreciate the educational aspect of drop-in, such as crafts and songs. My kids would not be the same had we not been coming to COA. Thank you Anne and COA."