Program Goals
The COAST Leader program was initiated at UWM with several goals in mind. Safety precautions in the areas surrounding the UWM campus can be reinforced by healthy relationships between neighbors and students living off-campus. Good realtionships between student tenants and long-term residents build a sense of shared responsibility, which can result in greater cooperation in keeping neighborhoods clean and safe. Students living off-campus benefit from information about campus resources that are available to them, and for mediation and referral services provided by COAST Leaders. Both long-term residents and students benefit from the presence of student-community liasons, from informational and social events regularly organized by COAST Leaders, and from the resultant increased communication.
How do COAST Leaders work toward these goals?
Each COAST Leader serves one or two blocks in the campus area. They become involved with their neighborhoods, meet students and long-term residents, and host events for their communities to get involved.
COAST Leaders...
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Participate in a comprehensive training week at the beginning of the semester
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Write articles for the monthly COAST newsletter, which they personally distribute to their residents
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Speak with students who live off-campus and with area residents about neighborhood concerns
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Refer students to on-campus organizations and represent the Neighborhood Housing Office
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Plan social and informational events for students and area residents
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Meet weekly for group meetings and one-on-ones with the program director
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Develop relationships with their respective neighborhood association(s) by regularly attending meetings
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Represent the student voice at neighborhood association meetings
COAST Leaders' foremost goal is to assist students living off-campus in the UWM neighborhoods. They encourage community involvement, awareness of community issues, and communication between neighbors.
