"Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc."

In 1964 the Archdiocese of Milwaukee gave John Maurice $6,000 to open a center dedicated to serving the Latino population. After it’s incorporation the organization was given a name, “Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc., with the original headquarters at 524 W. National Avenue. So after the council was established the organization began developing their programs, starting with the “Guadalupe Head Start Program” in 1965, and the “Adult Basic Education Project” just as quick in December of 1966. Before the end of the decade the council also managed to establish the “El Centro Credit Union.”

During the 1970’s John Maurice retired his position as President. Carlos Sevilla replaced Maurice, becoming the second President for the council. The 70’s also started the Council’s traditional Thanksgiving food drive and distribution. By this point the council became the first Latino agency to receive “United Way” funds. Before the end of the decade the council was donated the Zonta Club of Milwaukee building at 614 W. National Avenue. They also established another on-going program, the “Santa Cruz Apartments for the Elderly and Disabled,” at 3029 W. Wells.

With the introduction to the 1980’s El Jardin I, at 920 W. Madison, El Jardin II, at 1504 S. 6th St., and La Paz Apartments, at 1313 S. 6th St., were constructed. The Guadalupe Head Start program also expanded their services to the north and west sides of Milwaukee. In 1986 the council took home the MATA award for “Outstanding Cultural Programming,” with the film, “Ninos Aprendan a Cuidarse!”

“Loyola Academy High School,” formally “St. Ignatius of Loyola Church and Grounds,” was purchased during the 90’s, with a sponsorship from MPS, opening the doors to thirty at risk students. Along with their new high school program came “Sixteen unit Casa Catalina,” constructed at 3640 W. Mitchell. The enrollment with the “Guadalupe Head Start” program also increased to 563 children. 


With the turn of the century the council was named “one of the top 25 non-profit organizations in the nation serving Hispanics,” by Hispanic Business Magazine. They also continued their work with housing for the elderly, completing construction on “La Villa,” an eight-unit complex. It was also a big moment for Loyola Academy, fifteen of the twenty-seven seniors that graduated enrolled in college. In addition, Guadalupe Head Start was named a "Center of Excellence" by the State of Wisconsin. The Council also received a grant from the National Council of La Raza to transform Loyola Academy High School into an "early college bilingual high school," allowing student to earn college credit while studying to get their high school diploma.

"Final Project-Project Proposal”

Proposal-#5

For our group’s final project in Film 150: Multicultural America we decided to explore the number five option on the suggestion sheet, “Milwaukee’s South Side.” The guidelines to this project consist of using “archival and original footage to document the changing landscape of Milwaukee’s South Side.” After a group discussion with the Loyola class it was decided our focus would be on the organization “True Skool,” and one of their numerous urban murals. In this case, the class scheduled a trip to the “Cesar Chavez” mural for a better understanding of what True Skool stands for, and what/who they’re trying to represent.

The individual aspect of my project is based on the Milwaukee Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc.; how/when they were established (important event), the history of their programs, and what direction the council is headed in for the future. To summarize the student’s wishes for their school and their community, we’ll discuss potential opportunities the council can consider, continuing to expand/build on the services readily available.

"True Skool-Chavez Mural. Final Project Blog"

Service Learning 12/17/09

Final Project Presentation

On my final trip to Loyola Academy I presented some of the media aspects incorporated in our group’s final project. In addition to a brief description of photobucket.com, we gave a tutorial of iMovie for the purpose of slideshows, showing how we created portions of our multimedia assignments. The class also discussed the sound track from our groups “summary-video,” which was based on the student image assignments. We finished by brainstorming a few things the students wished Loyola would offer/change, which will tie into my final project concerning the future of Loyola and the Spanish Speaking Council.

Service Learning 12/10/09

Research/Archives

This week I set aside time to research for my final project on the Milwaukee Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc. The majority of my time was spent in the archives gathering information on the history of the council. The UWM achieves actually had so much information most of my time was spent searching through the catalogue to sift out what I needed. After I gathered the appropriate information I made copies, and scanned the material onto my computer when I got home. I also created a video “summary” of our groups final project, combining images from the class trip to the True Skool, “Cesar Chavez” mural, found footage, and samples of songs selected from musicians summarized in the student’s “favorite” assignments.

Service Learning 11/17/09

Council for the Spanish Speaking, Inc.

This week I made it a point to go see where the council’s programs were located throughout Milwaukee. I felt it was important since my final project covers the council as a whole; Loyola, as well as the other programs provided by the organization. Other programs provided by the council include “Adult Learning and Workforce Development,” “Guadalupe Head Start,” “Housing,” and a Social Services department.

Service Learning 11/12/09

Student Assignments

This week the students were given their first assignment; righting a brief summery on an image they selected depicting their “favorite” something. The assignment was described in our syllabus, “Find one picture of your favorite singer or group, favorite movie or television show, and an image that illustrates an activity they like to do (original or found). Most of the students in our group picked their favorite musicians. I also completed the same assignment to share with the group. We finished by discussed the future of our group projects, presenting concept ideas.

"Group Project Summary-Video"

"Group Project Summary-Video" Link... (low quality)

"Group Project Summary-Video" Link... (high quality)

Artist Statement

Over the course of the fall semester our Film 150 class discussed American diversity is terms of media representation. Using the information presented in our course materials, we took what we were learning and applied it to Service Learning with students from the Loyola Academy High School, on the South Side of Milwaukee. Through our efforts and experiences in class we were asked to piece together a blog, representing our building understanding of American diversity, in collaboration with our Service Learning efforts. Our blogs were to be filled with media rich content, artist’s statements, service learning journals, and other course assignments.

As far as completion concerning the Film 150 class I found the blogging process of the project surprisingly fun. I had no problem piecing together our projects, keeping up on journal response, and providing a media-rich, well-organized, page. On the other hand, what I did have trouble with was clearly collaborating with my small (project) group. Material and schedules were extremely unorganized, not too much you could never be certain who was going, or who would show up. I also find myself in situations where I couldn’t find a ride, and no ride meant a no-show.

At the same time, I appreciate the opportunity to explore a part of Milwaukee I rarely find myself in. The service learning experience really opened my eyes to the Milwaukee school system. Although Loyola is necessarily part of MPS, the urban educational environment was something I had zero experience with. I think it was a real eye-opener; the vast difference in terms of economic struggle here in Milwaukee is simply ridiculous. With a bit more structure to the Film 150 Service Learning portion of the course it could make for a priceless experience, for UWM and high school student alike.

The video link at the top of the post combines images of our groups central focus with the Loyola Students on the Cesar Chavez mural, created by the organization known as “True Skool,” and songs by the student’s favorite artists, based on their responses from our first collaborative assignment. My intentions were to create a short video that would summarize our experiences with Service Learning and the Film 150 classroom.