FRIENDS OF THE UW ODYSSEY PROJECT INC
Overcoming adversity and achieving dreams through higher education
Learn how to support this organization
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Odyssey Junior
While their parents are in class, over 50 children and grandchildren of Odyssey students, ages 2.5-18, participate in one of our three Odyssey Junior classrooms. Recognizing that breaking the cycle of generational poverty involves whole families, we piloted Odyssey Junior in 2015 to support children in self-discovery, literacy, and expression through a variety of forms, including writing, speaking, visual arts, music, movement, and theatre.
A recent evaluation found that Odyssey Junior helps children develop their love of reading, improve their writing ability, and develop goals for their future, including attending college. Students shared that “I like reading more, learning new words” and “[Odyssey Junior] reintroduced me to reading.”
The Odyssey Course
Each year, thirty new students enroll in a two-semester UW-Madison program taught by award-winning faculty in English literature, philosophy, American history, and art history. The students receive free tuition, textbooks, childcare, and a weekly dinner. One-on-one tutoring is also available for both adults and children. In class, students read, write about, and engage in lively discussions of Emily Dickinson, Martin Luther King, Shakespeare, Lorraine Hansberry and more. Through exposure to these great works of literature, philosophy, history, and art, Odyssey students gain six credits from UW-Madison, skills in critical thinking, a sense of empowerment, and a voice.
Over 90% of Odyssey students complete the program each year (an unparalleled completion rate for a program of this kind). After Odyssey, 75% of students continue to enroll in post-secondary education. To date, approximately one-quarter of students have earned a college degree or a technical/professional certificate.
Onward Odyssey
With three-quarters of Odyssey graduates taking additional college courses after Odyssey, there is an enormous opportunity to work more closely with these students on their education pathways to increase college retention and graduation rates.
Onward Odyssey addresses this need by connecting alumni with other UW-Madison courses taught on or off the UW campus. In the past, these courses have included a Special Education Paraprofessional training course, a Food Systems course taught by Professor Alfonso Morales, and an African American Studies course taught by Professor Craig Werner. In addition to these courses, for the past four years Dr. Kevin Mullen has offered an English 100 class to Odyssey alumni focusing on intensive writing skills. Onward Odyssey offers a supportive learning community that leverages the strong relationships that Odyssey Project alumni have with each other and with faculty and staff.
In addition to courses, Odyssey can provide some direct financial support to students to supplement their financial aid, helping students struggling to pursue degrees while often supporting a family. Odyssey, with the help of campus partners, offers academic, career, financial, and personal counseling as well as one-on-one tutoring two nights a week. If Odyssey helps to light a spark within students, Onward Odyssey is focused on feeding this flame.
Odyssey Beyond Bars
Odyssey Beyond Bars is Odyssey's newest initiative to offer credit-bearing, face-to-face UW-Madison courses to students in prisons across Wisconsin. First offered at Oakhill Correctional Institution in Oregon, Wisconsin, English 100 was taught by Professor Kevin Mullen and was a huge hit with the students. This course is now offered in other Wisconsin prisons and has been met with the same interest and success. Students who complete the semester will obtain three UW-Madison credits that can then be transferred if the incarcerated learned decides to continue in higher education once they are released. During the semester, students have access to academic and financial advising, as well as tutoring once a week. These students are given the opportunity to build a community and share their voices through writing and lively discussions focused on transformative texts and ideas.
Where we work
Photos
Videos
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
FRIENDS OF THE UW ODYSSEY PROJECT INC
Board of directorsas of 05/14/2024
Alison TenBruggencate
Donald Miner
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data