Project Description Narrative:
Mental health is a major public health issue in the U.S., and in Wisconsin, it has been identified as the number one health issue in Milwaukee County. Research on Wisconsin students has also shown that students are experiencing significant mental health challenges with fewer supports at home. Less than a quarter of Wisconsin youth are comfortable speaking with an adult family member about their mental health. And in our state, it’s been reported that youth who experience poverty and are from low-income families deal with more stress, and poorer mental health outcomes, than those in higher-income families.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) serves more than 9,000 of the Greater Milwaukee area’s youth-in-need, many of whom are from low-income households. In this project, Herzing University will partner with the organization to provide educational resources for the caregivers of BGCGM youth, complementing the programming BGCGM offers to students in order to develop more confident caregivers, better relationships between them and youth they care for, and ultimately, healthier children.
Additionally, Herzing University students in the Master of Social Work program will have opportunities to engage in the project as part of their community service requirement, contributing to the community and also gaining important hands-on experience and workforce development skills.
Community Partner: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee