Campus and Community Network

The Campus & Community Network brings members of the campus and community together who are interested in tackling some of the most pressing issues and needs that are inadequately met with current resources in our community and region. After the needs are identified, work groups who will meet regularly are formed to address them. We have summarized the information regarding the current groups below and included contact information for each of them. If you would like to get involved, please contact the specific group leaders.

Community Partnership for Immigrant and Refugee Issues

The Community Partnership for Immigrant and Refugee Issues workgroup, in the past six months, has been working on immunization issues, as well as mental health, ESL, and other issues. The group used this meeting time to evaluate their progress, and review goals that they had in place for their work group. Their primary focus relates to the capacity of our immigrant and refugee students to learn and thrive in the schools and community. But, the aim quickly takes them into many areas related to family. It is a very large group, including active partners from Warren Co. Schools, BG city Schools, International Center, KY Office for Refugees, Commonwealth Att., Warren Co. Judge Executive, BG Police, ALIVE Center, Life Skills, Community Action, Warren Co. Health Dept.

English Language Service Cooperative

Concentrating on student Immunization and health education-transport laws, greater variety in advanced ESL classes/adult ESL classes, transportation and child care, document services, job opportunities, teacher training, Lifeskills training, and dependency on children, spouses of scholars, and visitors.

At the fall CCN meeting, the English Language Services workgroup reported on their past work at this meeting. In the past six months, this group has worked with various organizations and businesses to compile a calendar of ESL Services throughout the Bowling Green community. They have also formed an ESL Teacher Support Group. They seek to meet the needs of education, employment, transportation, childcare, funding, and Saturday classes, related to ESL. Increased transportation with the Go Bus has caused greater need for these services than before. In the future, they would like to work on centralizing services and locations, as well as having the participating organizations take over the documents, to promote sustainability.

Please contact: Pat Stewart at pat.stewart@warren.kyschools.us

 

The South-Central Kentucky Coalition On Homelessness

The South-Central Kentucky Coalition On Homelessness is a community –wide collaboration that works to connect, to coordinate, and to resource our community’s efforts to identify and eliminate those conditions that inhibit/prevent person and families from access to safe, decent, affordable and permanent housing.

The South-Central Kentucky Coalition On Homelessness was founded by HOTEL INC, WKU Alive Center, Community Action, LifeSkills, Warren County Jail, Salvation Army and other caring community individuals. We welcome other nonprofits, faith-based organizations, business owners and individuals to join us.

Please Contact: Dick Freed at dickfreed@gmail.com

 

(Subgroup) Re-Entry Transitional Housing

Please Contact: Captain Baker at wcjail@hotmail.com

 

Amigos Resource Network

Concentrating on the needs of the Hispanic community in Bowling Green, including the information gap between the community and the services that are already in place, and the availability of bilingual staff at existing resources.

Please contact: Leyda Becker  at Leyda.Becker@bgky.org or 270-393-3766

 

Campus and Community Advocates for At-Risk Youth

The work group felt that At-Risk Youth can be defined as (for their purposes) youth ages 12-20 (those who aren’t currently covered by other programs) who are handling the following issues: single-parent families, homes with an incarcerated parent, students on assisted lunch, educating and preventing underage drinking, bullying (school yard and cyber), students with health risks, involved in juvenile justice or alternative school, and financial status issues. The group acknowledges that no matter what economic class someone fits into, a student can be considered “at-risk” based on their family structure/ stability of home life. This group seeks to work to develop Mentoring programs, teen pregnancy and safe sex education, Fatherhood Initiative (male mentors), and work against bullying and interpersonal violence.

 Please contact: Aubree Alvarez - aubree.alvarez@wku.edu

 

Senior Solutions

The aim of the Senior Solutions workgroup is to address issues related to our aging community, including Health and safety issues, Home Safety, Nutrition Knowledge and Resources, Transportation, Medical Advocate, Crime and Taking Advantage of, Fall Prevention, Improve Mobility, Social Interaction, Independence, Support Network, and Financial Concerns. They identified one of the reasons for this need as being the loss of support and network in our mobile society. Their aim is to create a publication of resources, as well as discounts, have collaborative meetings to discuss, and work together to address needs within the community. They identified a great need for community support by current organizations and businesses. They hope to meet on Tuesdays or Thursdays, once a month, beginning in November.

Please contact: Andrea Norris at norram@chc.net

West Side Economic Development Task Force

This newly formed workgroup is seeking to improve economic development on the West side of Bowling Green. The main problem that was identified was a lack of businesses on the west Side, which has resulted in very few jobs in that area, little money spent in that area to be reinvested in the community, as well as no attraction or development in the area. The education level and criminal backgrounds of the population living in this area factor into the unemployment. A high concentration of nonprofit organizations in the area has built up a “charity model” perception, as well. Some of the projects that this Task Force hopes to undertake include a business incubator site, community gardens, partnering with farmer’s markets, and bringing in larger, established partners.

Please contact: John David Ryan at jdryan@broadwayunited.org

Regional Needs and Action Workgroup

The Regional Needs and Action Workgroup is seeking to work on the assessment of needs, resources, and opening a dialogue throughout 10-county Barren River Area Development District regarding sustainable community development to connect the resources to meet the needs identified. This need in the community is being caused by poor communication, loss of traditional funding, poor connection of services, and infrastructure issues. The group hopes to address these issues by beginning a focused goal-setting process driven by community stakeholders.

 Please contact: Sharli Rogers at sharli.rogers@wellcare.com

Senior Solutions:                                                                                                                                                                                                              Andrea Norris - norram@chc.net