| 2025-2026 Programs Eyes of Hope, Stoughton, Inc. - 2025 |
Amount Funded: $2,000.00 |
| Eyes of Hope seeks funding to implement and expand three free, high-impact programs for Stoughton youth and families during the 2025–2026 program year: Hope Explorers, Hope Tutors, and Hope Grows. Together, these initiatives address academic equity, after-school care gaps, food and wellness education, and youth mentorshipâ€â€particularly in historically underserved populations within Stoughton’s school district.
During summer 2025, Hope Grows will begin its summer program for ages 5–16, offering hands-on gardening, cooking, and wellness learning.
From fall 2025 through spring 2026, Hope Explorers will operate two afternoons a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3–6 p.m.) at the Bayview Neighborhood storm shelter and outdoor classroom. Students in grades K–5 will participate in STEM learning, creative play, storytelling, and arts activities, guided by two consistent adult mentors and one teen leader from the BIPOC community. The program fosters communication skills, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.
Hope Tutors will continue to match K–12 students with trained volunteers for individualized, no-cost academic support. Sessions will take place online, in public spaces, or in homes with a caregiver present. Homework Clubs for middle and high school students will meet twice a week. Tutors will receive monthly newsletters and quarterly trainings, while families will receive regular updates and opportunities for feedback and connection.
Hope Grows will continue during the school year with after-school, garden-based learning aligned with Wisconsin’s growing season. From July through October, Hope Grows will also host a series of free seasonal events, including garden tours, foraging walks, fermentation and herbal workshops, Indigenous food preparation, and family storytime. These gatherings promote intergenerational learning and deepen community relationships through shared land-based traditions.
By the end of the 2025–2026 school year, Eyes of Hope expects to serve more than 250 Stoughton-area youth and their families in all of its programs. Anticipated outcomes include greater academic confidence and consistent access to tutoring, expanded enrichment and mentorship opportunities, improved food literacy and wellness habits, and stronger collaborations with local partners such as START, Mosaicos, the City of Stoughton, and the Youth Center. Most importantly, this work contributes to a more connected and equitable Stoughton where all youth are seen, suppo |
| Hope Explorers is a club for students in grades K5. We anticipate this program will serve 15 students with participation of siblings and parents not counted in this estimate. The goals of Hope Explorers include improving relationships among students, their parents, and housing management; increasing youth access to extracurricular activities; and fostering trust and growth in Bayviews community. Activities are grounded in STEM concepts. Hope Explorers are scheduled from October 1, 2025, to May 30, 2026, 2 days a weekTuesday and Thursdayfrom 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Hope Tutors serves students in grades K12. Historically, this program has supported 50 students and we seek to double our number of tutors from last years 25 to 50. The program is designed to address Covid-19 learning deficits, raising standardized test scores, reducing truancy, and strengthening relationships between parents, teachers, and students.
Volunteer hours for Hope Tutors spans year round. This is an online matching service provides free tutoring because we believe every student deserves access to a tutornot as a luxury, but as a right. To succeed in this, we provide quarterly tutor training to increase the number of tutors we can connect to students, regular tutor nights to answer questions, and up to date software to link students with tutors virtually. Each tutor and student set their own schedules on a weekly basis.
Hope Grows is built in partnership with City of Stoughton Parks and Recreation Department. This program offers free garden and nature-based activities for children ages 511, and volunteer opportunities for youth ages 1216 to connect, learn, and grow. Gardening teaches children where their food comes from and encourages healthy eating habits, responsibility, leadership, and teamwork. It nourishes the mind, body, and soul.
Juneteenth has been celebrated in Stoughton for the past six years. The non-profit organizations involved include Eyes of Hope, Stoughton, Inc., Mosaicos, Madisons Black owned businesses, City of Stoughton and the Stoughton Public Library.
In 2025, we hosted over 270 attendees for Juneteenth. 2026scelebration will be a collaborative effort once again, with volunteers and partners coming together to honor the rich history of liberation in communities of color. Each of the 40+ volunteers dedicates approximately 40 hours to planning and executing this five-hour event, underscoring the dedication of the Stoughton community to foster inclusion and b |
|
