To be proud of one’s culture and ethnic identity is vital in a community as diverse as Milwaukee is. Positive self-image is compromised when commonalities are overlooked by what a young person looks like. From the age of 3 until BGCS students graduate in 8th grade, they go to school with other students that look similar to them. Their family’s values and traditions are similar to their peers. After graduation, they all separate to different high schools around Milwaukee, merging into a sea of diversity. It is important to help these students develop pride in who they are, who their family is, and where they came from. YES3 students will have opportunities to learn about their own culture as well as other cultures throughout the city and Wisconsin. The YES3 students will research and learn about their culture to be able to teach others about what makes them so unique and special. We will work with other cultural organizations to be able to learn what makes them unique and special. The hope is to develop an understanding and tolerance of other cultures and value diversity.
Nationally recognized Latino Arts, Inc. programs throughout the year will be attended by YES3 students to enrich their education through the arts. Possible Latino Arts and YES3 workshops include poetry, art exhibits, a visiting artist and others to be developed in conjunction with input from the youth advisory council. Latino Arts, Inc. will provide a schedule of cultural experiences locally including Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Art Museum, Hmong American Friendship Association and Milwaukee Reparatory Theater. YES3 students and mentors will attend events and write about them in their journals.
For parents
Your child will be exposed to different cultures other than their own through other students and mentors involved in the YES program. They will also be able to make a different in Milwaukee by volunteering at varies locations around the city.
For students
You will be exposed to different cultures other than your own through other students and mentors involved in the YES program. You will also be able to make a different in Milwaukee by volunteering at varies locations around the city.
