SEPA describes literacy, mentorship and community services funded in part by ARPA

At a meeting of the Oshkosh City Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Moshe Shasuguro, president and co‑founder of Sustainability Education and Progress as One (SEPA), described the nonprofit’s community center, youth mentorship and adult support services and said the organization opened a local center in 2025 using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding the committee had supported.

SEPA, Shasuguro said, focuses on place‑based development and is “guided by our anti colonial, anti racist principles and strategies.” He told committee members the group began community work in Zambia in 2008, registered in Wisconsin in 2010, received 501(c)(3) status in 2018, and launched multiple youth programs in Oshkosh in 2023. “At SEPA, we identify local needs, we harness community strength, and develop global partnerships, and build more sustainable futures,” he said.

Why it matters: Committee members had previously supported SEPA’s ARPA request, and SEPA’s programs touch education, social services and racial equity efforts in Oshkosh. Shasuguro said the group’s youth and adult programming is intended to address literacy gaps and barriers he and volunteers see among Black, Brown and immigrant families.

Program details and scale: Shasuguro said the Balayeli youth mentorship program targets middle‑ and high‑school students with literacy and confidence‑building work. He told the committee the program has held two sessions in the spring and, in total, has served “about 50 students.” He said the mentorship cohorts grew beyond initial expectations — from a planned 10 students to as many as 30 in some sessions — and that SEPA also ran a combined financial literacy cohort in partnership with downtown businesses.

Shasuguro described the SEPA Center’s on‑site resources: a computer area for job searches and benefit applications, a learning area used for literacy classes, a mini food pantry and clothing donations, and other social‑services navigation. He said SEPA helps families with paperwork, scheduling medical appointments and driver’s license preparation, and that volunteers sometimes provide emergency help at any hour.

Partnerships and school work: Shasuguro said SEPA reviews district data and meets with students to corroborate academic concerns. He thanked the school district’s staff, saying the district adopted a new curriculum under “Dr. Coleman” and is working to improve results. A committee speaker described instances of perceived over‑discipline of Black and Brown students and said SEPA’s doors remain open to students who were suspended or expelled.

Volunteers, funding and operations: Shasuguro said SEPA currently has no paid staff and that “all we do is volunteer work.” He described donations going directly into programming — meals, books and classroom materials — and reiterated a call for volunteers and financial contributions. SEPA displayed contact information and a website on the meeting screen and Shasuguro said he had business cards available.

Community events and outreach: Shasuguro reported SEPA organized a Juneteenth celebration at South Park that drew “about 400 people” and said the group holds monthly racial equity and leadership meetings that include nonprofit representatives, city officials and community members. He encouraged committee members and attendees to stop by the SEPA Center.

Voices from SEPA: A student participant, Steve Gunn, said attending SEPA helped him build confidence: “I wasn’t, like, sure if I wanted to do it or, like, I was very shy and didn’t want to speak out loud. But over the time, I started showing up more and getting to know the people that go there really helped me, like, build my confidence to speak in front of people, to actually read, and, be able to help others too.” Deb Martin, identified in the meeting as a SEPA supporter, said she sees positive results and is glad to support the organization.

Cultural accommodations: SEPA staff and volunteers emphasized culturally appropriate food and programming. Shasuguro said volunteers and partners work to ensure families who require halal food or other culturally specific accommodations receive appropriate meals and supports.

Next steps and requests: SEPA requested volunteers and donations. Shasuguro said the group will continue literacy and mentorship programming and invited the committee and community members to its monthly meetings.

Ending: Committee members thanked SEPA for the presentation and for the work running the center and programs. SEPA left contact information visible during the presentation for anyone who wished to volunteer or donate.