| In January of 2001, the Wisconsin Chapter was given funding to support development of a “Youth Training Initiative.” The project was to serve as a groundbreaker for similar projects in high schools across Wisconsin. Brookfield East High School was chosen as the high school to start the program and it has been growing ever since.
The goals of Brookfield East High School’s chain reaction were to educate students about approaches to public and political advocacy, educate students about the March of Dimes goals and core initiatives and provide students with advocacy experience in support of March of Dimes goals.
In May of 2001, 10 Brookfield East students attended Capitol Day in Madison, Wisconsin to meet to advocate for the March of Dimes. They met with Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow as well as their local legislators. Capitol Day 2001 was a huge success and the students involved thought it was a great experience.
The third year of the project was just as successful as the first two. The students made their own lollipops and sold them at school raising over $1000, visited the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital and participated in Capitol Day. In 2003, the most students yet attended Capitol Day in Madison and made an excellent case to the legislators about March of Dimes objectives.
For more information about starting a chain reaction in your area, please contact the chapter office at (414) 778-3500. |
