City Life

United Way’s ‘Dane Changers’ teaches players how they can help in community

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Despite Madison being rated as one of the best places to live, 64,000 people live in poverty in Dane County. That’s one in eight people, and one in six children. Dane Changers, an interactive digital game created by United Way of Dane County, teaches players about issues in education, income and health faced by people in the county who are living below the poverty line. The game, launched on August 21, introduces players to characters throughout the Dane County who tell players about their struggles, which raises awareness on the issues intertwined with poverty. From there, the game presents players with choices on how to assist those in need.

City Life

City of Madison, Cycling Without Age offering free trishaw rides to promote new public program

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The Madison Senior Center is offering free trishaw rides on Monday as part of a demonstration of their partnership with Cycling Without Age. The partnership will introduce free volunteer-driven rides to local nursing home residents and the public. The two-hour event occurs during National Senior Center Month, the theme of which is “Building Momentum: Growing - Learning - Giving - Connecting.”

A trishaw, like a rickshaw, features the passengers in the front and a pilot behind them. The vehicle allows people with limited mobility opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, socialize and get from place to place. Madison’s trishaw, co-owned by Oak Park Place and Cycling Without Age, is the city’s first.

City Life

Media Digest, September 8, 2018

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Flood Coverage

Flood damage in Dane reaches $209 million; flooding not expected to let up until this coming week in Southern Wisconsin, Bill Novak, Wisconsin State Journal, September 6.  Boats all but disappear from Madison lakes, Steven Verberg, Wisconsin State Journal, September 8.  Also make sure to read Verberg's essential story:  persistent high lake levels set the stage for  big flood.  Renewed debate over lake levels, Steven Elbow, Capital Times, September 5. United Way of Dane County launches flood relief fund, Chis Lueneburg, Channel 3000, September 7.  Shorewood Hills recovering from flash flooding, Dylan Brogan, Isthmus, September 6.  Ironman Triathlon routes modified, Abby Becker, September 6.

Achievement Gap

Community schools provide resources for students, families and community members

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The Madison Community Foundation is issuing its largest grant ever at $1.1 million to support the community schools initiative in the Madison Metropolitan School District. The Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools will be matching the grant one-to-one through fundraising efforts and donations over the five-year grant period. “We’ve been talking for decades about how to improve the schools, we’ve put a lot of funding directly in schools. What I think is different about this is that it’s the whole community coming together...maybe we can really make a difference,” said Tom Linfield, the Vice President of Community Impact with the Madison Community Foundation

Hawthorne Elementary and Lake View Elementary will both be designated as community schools for the 2018-19 school year,  joining Mendota Elementary and Leopold Elementary, which have been community schools since the 2016-2017 school year. Hawthorne and Lake View were selected because of their dedication to family engagement, potential community partners, and support from parents, staff and the administration, explained Community Schools Manager Aronn Peterson in a written interview.