Emergent Need
Oshkosh Programs & Services
Like our Zambia-based projects, SEPO’s work in northeastern Wisconsin is centered on the pillars of sustainability, education, and progress as one.
In Oshkosh, our work focuses on advancing racial equity, advocacy, and leadership in Oshkosh, serving the BBAIR*, community, navigating BBAIR families through complex institutional barriers, and building coalitions with local partners.
REAL Oshkosh
REAL Oshkosh is committed to Racial Equity Advocacy and Leadership in Oshkosh, with an initial focus on our students and our schools.
REAL Oshkosh is coalition of community of advocates and leaders pushing for substantive changes in Oshkosh to increase racial equity.
REAL Oshkosh grew out of dialogue among members of the Oshkosh Parents of Black/Brown Students and seeks to amplify these parents’ calls for action in Oshkosh.
In May 2023, REAL Oshkosh released a substantive report on the persistent racial discipline disparities throughout the Oshkosh Area School District. Check out the report below:
REAL Oshkosh is fully supported by SEPO.
Building Literacy & Academic Confidence with Kids
This initiative is laser-focused on BBAIR youth in our community who are approaching the end of their high school years without proficient reading skills.
Beyond the literacy skill development, the program also includes exposure to a classroom led by black mentors and holds transformative potential, promising a more sustainable future for BBAIR families.
We are currently enrolling for our spring cohorts. If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Mushe at 920.312.2048 or mushe@sepoishope.org. You can also reach out through our Contacts page.
Youth Balaeli (Mentorship) Initiative
In the summer of 2023 SEPO hosted a series of indabas (meetings) to kick-off our SEPO Youth Balaeli Initiative. Balaeli translates as ‘mentor’ and the program utilizes a mentoring model based on the principles of ubuntu – a paradigm that centers interconnectedness and relationship-building.
Reach out to Mushe at 920.312.2048 or mushe@sepoishope.org for more information on our next series of indabas.
Refugee Outreach
SEPO provides direct assistance to refugee families as they navigate complex institutions and bureaucracies in our community – particularly after their resettlement services come to an end. SEPO meets with business, government, and community leaders to move them forward in their recognition of the lived realities of refugee families in Oshkosh.
If you are need of advocacy services, reach out to Mushe at mushe@sepoishope.org or 920-312-2048.
Advocacy Services
SEPO provides advocacy for BBAIR youth and families in the community as they navigate challenges. We routinely accompany parents to meetings with principals and school administrators, provide social opportunities for BBAIR youth to build peer relationships, and build trust within the community by advocating alongside each other.
If you are in need of an advocate, please reach out to Mushe at mushe@sepoishope.org or 920-312-2048.
Community Health Conversations
In the summer of 2023, SEPO conducted a series of focus groups within the BBAIR community on behalf of the Winnebago County Health Department.
Our report provided a comprehensive summary of community conversations and participants’ ideas about how to make life better in Winnebago County.
Funding for this project was provided by ESTHER, in partnership with the Winnebago County Health Department.
*BBAIR = Black | Brown | African | Immigrant | Refugee
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