By Margaret Porco
Housing Ministries of Wisconsin

Northport and Packers Apartments Community Learning Centers, part of Housing Ministries of Wisconsin (HMW), celebrated scholarship awards to 29 resident students Sept. 16. The Scholars Banquet brought over 120 guests and scholars together for dinner and celebration at the Monona Terrace. Over the last 10 years, HMW has awarded over $1 million to residents in its Madison and Milwaukee housing communities.

The four HMW Community Leaning Centers — two in Madison and two in Milwaukee — were founded by the Rev. Dr. Carmen Porco, who believes higher education is a way to break the chains of poverty. He established a learning center as well as the educational program bases, computer labs and scholarship funds in each of the housing communities he manages for HMW. He is grateful for the dedication of his resident staff and thanks them for the long-term success of the learning center programs.

The work of Pat Wongkit, program director at the Northport and Packers Community Learning Centers, is one of the main reasons for the educational success. She has supported the achievement of resident scholars who have gone on to higher education and graduated. In fact, some of those students are now going on to graduate schools.

We are grateful for the residents at our Madison communities. The way in which they have dedicated themselves to their goals and their community demonstrates not only their potential but the significant contributions they make to the larger Madison community. These individuals are contributing to enhancing institutions in our community, such as schools, churches, employment centers, volunteer organizations and other groups to which they belong. They are also using their success to mentor the next generation of scholars.

Our communities and the residents within those communities are serving the Northside and supporting it as the unique and amazing community it is. The work and success of your neighbors at Northport and Packers demonstrate the importance of shared humanity, dedication and a spirit of commitment to something other than ourselves. 

When all people begin to see the dignity of each other then, and only then, will we be able to say that justice rolls down like a mighty stream that fills the village with lifegiving qualities and substance.