Today’s youth represent our community’s future. MGE and the MGE Foundation are committed to providing the next generation with energy education for a more sustainable tomorrow. From elementary to college students, MGE provides programming around energy efficiency, sustainability, safety and utility industry careers. We also support local organizations that enrich the lives and expand the minds of young people through science, technology, engineering, arts, math and beyond. Education and opportunity fuel a vibrant community, strong local economy and healthy families for our future.
Bringing technology education to girls and youth of color
Maydm works with girls and youth of color to change the face of STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) for this often underrepresented group in most STEM fields. Photo courtesy of Maydm.
Maydm Inc. provides girls and youth of color in grades 6 to 12 with skill-based STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) training with an emphasis on the technology sector. This group of students, which is often underrepresented in the tech sector, learns technical and analytical skills, receives career exposure as well as mentorship, holistic development and internship opportunities. To date, about 2,200 students have participated in one or more Maydm programs.
Those programs include full-day, month-long summer immergence programs in robotics, game development and virtual reality; after-school programs; and paid internship opportunities for high school juniors and seniors. The technology or science-focused paid internships were launched in 2021 and doubled in participation in 2022.
The paid internships provide important career pathway and resume-building tools. “They are also a valuable income source considering 57% of our participants qualify for free or reduced lunch,” Maydm Executive Director Christina Outlay explains. Maydm is committed to removing barriers in this area.
MGE also has hosted younger Maydm students through its summer Career Ambassadors Program, through which they are able to learn more about career opportunities in the utility industry, with hands-on experience at MGE.
Maydm Inc. is looking to the future—growing education programs so they fit strategically with career pathways and existing programs, expanding internship opportunities and creating an innovation center to support youth.
“Maydm provides girls and youth of color in grades 6 to 12 with skill-based STEM training for the technology sector. We’re committed to values such as inclusivity, quality, boldness and reflection.”
Christina Outlay,
Executive Director, Maydm Inc.
Helping first responders help children
REACH-A-Child supports first responders throughout Wisconsin, providing tools to help lessen the immediate impact of a traumatic situation on children. Photo courtesy of REACH-A-Child.
Whether it’s a car crash, a house fire or a visit by police in the middle of the night, REACH-A-Child steps in to help comfort children affected by trauma. The Madison-based nonprofit reaches children throughout the state by giving first responders tools to help children in the midst of a crisis—and those tools are something as simple and effective as a book in a backpack. When a first responder encounters a child during an emergency call, the responder makes sure the child is in a safe place and the child receives a book—which they read together—and a drawstring backpack.
The results are lasting and meaningful. Children are comforted and distracted from the immediate trauma of the situation, which studies show may lessen the PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) impact. Simultaneously, first responders report the act of giving a child a book and seeing how the child is comforted also helps them deal with their own work-related stress. This simple connection makes a significant difference in the lives of children and first responders. With support from the community for the REACH-A-Child program, children will continue to be comforted by a book and a friendly connection during one of the most traumatic moments of their lives.
“There are so many wonderful aspects to this partnership. Know that those donations have resulted in countless children being comforted by first responders and through the power of a book.”
Curtis Fuszard,
Executive Director, REACH-A-Child