Young intelligent people with potential and promise, in need of more opportunity, trapped in the day-to-day struggles of racial and class oppression, are often left at the margins of society. The drive of Tutankhamum “Coach” Assad lay here, in these realities that link the fate of young residents of Meadowood, a neighborhood on the southside of Madison. Assad founded the The Mellowhood Foundation, in 2012, in the context of love and community to create more opportunities for underprivileged children and young adults. As a father of two sons, Assad finds strength in imagining a bright future for them, and other young folks in Mellowhood. Young people, Assad said, are “incredibly engaged children with a lot of energy but not a sense of direction.”
After seeing many young folks without much structure in their life, Assad set out to change that.
The holiday season is here, and with it comes the hustle, bustle and in-laws. Here are some ways to enjoy the holidays with or without family and friends. From volunteering at a community organization, to catching a show or bundling-up to play outside, we’ve compiled a few ideas on how to make the most of the holiday season in Madison. Volunteer Opportunities
Bell ringing for the Salvation Army
Volunteer at Second Harvest Food Bank
Donate to the Hoofers Ski and Snowboard Re-sale
Help with Bethel Lutheran Church Homeless Support Services
Volunteer with United Way of Dane County
Volunteer with Dane County Humane Society
Volunteer with The Road Home in Madison
Donate to the Sharing Christmas Program with the Middleton Outreach Ministry
Help with Creating for a Cause: Holiday Art Fair
Donate time or winter clothing to the Beacon of Madison
Volunteer at Goodman Community Center
Attend the benefit dinner: Savoring Success: A Night for Porchlight
Help out at River Food Pantry
Donate toys to Toys-for-Tots
Volunteer with Habitat For Humanity Dane County
Outdoor Activities
Visit the Fantasy Lights in Olin Park
Visit the holiday lights at Henry Vilas Zoo
Go Ice Skating at Edgewater, Vilas Park or Tenney Park
Get into a snowball fights with kids who walked on your lawn over the summer
Walk, ski or snow-shoe across a (frozen) lake
Go sledding in Elver Park or Arbor Hills Park
Go ice fishing (Make sure lake is frozen completely)
Go cross country ski in the Arboretum in Madison
Get a group together and play boot hockey
Take a stroll in the UW Madison Arboretum during their Night Walk on New Year’s Eve
Take a hike on Glacial Drumline State Trail
Go skiing with the Madison Nordic Ski Club, which is open to beginners and experts
Visit the Madison Winter Festival
Hike the Ice Age Trail
Go Snowshoeing on trail near Madison
Compete in the Freeze for Food 5K/10K run/walk
Shows
Attend the Children’s Theater of Madison’s production of A Christmas Carol at the Overture Center, which runs December 9 to December 23
Attend The Nutcracker presented by Madison Ballet at the Overture Center, which runs December 9 to December 26
Attend the Third Day of Christmas Carol Sing at Luther Memorial Church on December 27
Attend the Madison Jazz Orchestra at Brink Lounge on December 28
Attend the Hoot’n Annie at Chief’s Tavern on Jan 4
Attend Mr. Popper’s Penguins at the Overture Center on January 7
Attend the Rent at the Overture Center presented by Broadway Across America, which runs from January 2 to January 7
Family Events
Attend the Kids in the Rotunda at the Overture Center (
Still looking for the right gift for your loved ones? Traveling over the holidays? Possibly leaving Wisconsin? Look no further. Here are ten amazing gifts ideas made in Wisconsin.
A deep look at the Proud Boys chapter in Madison revisits one night of violence. Education
A workshop aims to teach parents of students STEM skills. The Goddard School for early-childhood learning tests educational toys. The group 100 Black Men of Madison is bringing the holiday spirit to high school students who are caregivers for younger siblings. Development
Promega, a biotech company, shareholders are in a legal dispute alleging racketeering.
The Madison Community Foundation announced an $84,200 grant last week which aims to expand bicycle access to Madison residents and increase community education on bicycle maintenance and safety. Called ‘Mad About Bikes,’ the grant aims to fund local bicycle charities and recruit volunteers to help expand community access to Madison’s bicycle infrastructure. Key elements of the grant are a 1,000-bicycle giveaway, the installation of new roadside repair stations throughout the city and multiple bicycle repair internships for local youth. This grant is one of 12 gifts composing a nearly $1 million dollar charitable giving campaign, running through May 2018 to celebrate the Madison Community Foundation’s 75th anniversary. Local organizations participating in the Mad About Bikes program include Wheels for Winners, the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board and Free Bikes 4 Kidz Madison, which refurbishes used bicycles and redistributes them to youth in need.
United Way of Dane County announced this fall a $25,000 investment grant to be divided between seven local organizations working in areas of social equity, community organizing and civic engagement. Positive Women for Change, the Northside Planning Council and the Community Immigration Law Center are among the seven awarded organizations, who received grants ranging from $1,200 to $5,000. The grant renews United Way of Dane County’s support for groups that build leadership capacities in disadvantaged communities, and especially among communities of color. “As our communities face increasingly uncertain futures, it’s more important than ever to keep social justice and equity as two of our topmost priorities,” said Nolan Brown, Co-Chair of United Way’s Community Engagement Capacity Building Team. Another grantee, The Middleton Outreach Ministry received $1,200 to support their work with local business, schools, and religious communities.
Long-celebrated local out-of-school program Simpson Street Free Press is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2018 with several programs that connect students with the greater Wisconsin community. At their core, SSFP’s anniversary projects embody the mission that the organization has been promoting for 25 years—challenging achievement gaps through out-of-school, high-impact literacy training. “To celebrate, we will continue doing what we do best,” senior editor Taylor Kilgore said. “Write, publish, and spark academic achievement.”
Many of SSFP’s anniversary projects launched in 2017, and will continue to grow, overlap and connect in its anniversary year. The plan for 2018 is an enhanced focus on science, environment, art and history, Kilgore said.
