Uniting to Prevent Targeted Violencein Southeast Wisconsin (UPTV-WI), led by Urban Rural Action in partnership with Common Agency,is a non-partisan civic engagement program that builds relationships across differences to prevent targeted violence in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Racine, Walworth, and Waukesha counties.
We follow a ‘public health’ approach to preventing targeted violence (any premeditated act of violence directed at a specific individual, group, or location). This means we support community-led efforts to reduce a range of societal risk factors such as increased social isolation and sense of powerlessness, as well as decreased social connectedness and economic stability.
Our program is based on the theory that we can tackle these underlying causes of targeted violence by working hand-in-hand with local organizations and institutions to connect and collaborate across differences and reduce harmful divisions.
UPTV-WI began in October 2023 and ends in September 2025.
How it works: There are three primary components of UPTV-WI:
Uniters - Twenty-eight community members (‘Uniters') with political, racial, generational, and other differences from across Southeast Wisconsin collaborate to advance the work of a community partner. Uniters learn and practice constructive dialogue techniques, and work closely with their partner to design and implement projects that respond to local needs, support the partner's work, and address a driver of targeted violence.
If you're interested in applying to become a Uniter and/or if you think a friend or someone from your organization (whether a Board member, staff, or volunteer) might be interested in applying, please contact us at uptv-wi@uraction.org.
Threat Assessment and Management (TAM) Teams - Uniters and community partners work with county officials to strengthen TAM Teams to detect and act on warning signs around targeted violence. We are excited to learn from, support, and possibly replicate existing TAM Teams such as the School Threat Assessment in Coalition in Kenosha.
If you're interested in getting involved in a county-wide TAM Team in Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine, or Kenosha, please reach out at uptv-wi@uraction.org. Neighborhood Networks - Set up and maintain digital neighborhood networks in partnership with crews of local ‘Network Stewards' in four communities in Southeast Wisconsin. These neighborhood networks leverage email, text message, and an app to help people plug into their neighborhood to connect offline and shape their communities. These Network Stewards will be a mix of Uniters, community partners, stakeholders, and maybe even you!
If you're interested in getting involved or want to suggest a specific neighborhood, please email us at uptv-wi@uraction.org.
UPTV Consortium UR Action leads a consortium with the following partners:
Common Agencystrengthens neighborhood social cohesion by helping people co-create inclusive digital neighborhood networks that encourage offline interactions and local decision-making;
Kenosha Human Development Services provides public, individual, and group care to help all people in the community lead healthy, productive lives and operates a 24-hour crisis intervention line;
Near West Side Partners works through five anchor institutions in Milwaukee to revitalize and sustain thriving business and residential corridors in otherwise underserved communities;
New Beginnings provides comprehensive, compassionate support and services to people in Walworth County affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking; and
This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, opportunity number DHS-22-TTP-132-00-01.
