Urban Triage Connects With Students at Leopold Elementary to Inspire Community Leadership

What Young People See. What They’re Learning to Notice. What Leadership Really Looks Like.

Urban Triage recently spent an inspiring day with fifth-grade students at Aldo Leopold Elementary School, engaging young learners in conversation about nonprofits, community leadership, and the power of giving back.

The visit centered on curiosity, preparation, and thoughtful engagement. After researching local nonprofits across Dane County, the fifth-grade class voted Urban Triage as the #1 nonprofit in Dane County—an honor that made the day especially meaningful and deeply affirming.

“These students didn’t just skim the surface—they asked real questions about how our work impacts families and communities,” shared Kimi Waller. “Their curiosity and readiness reminded us how powerful early civic learning can be when young people are given the space to see beyond the obvious.”

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Education as a Foundation for Community Care

Making the Unseen Understandable

Education has always been central to Urban Triage’s work. By partnering with schools and showing up in learning spaces, we help young people understand what often goes unseen: how nonprofits support families behind the scenes, how communities respond to crises, and how long-term care is built through relationships—not quick fixes.

Conversations with students explored how nonprofits strengthen neighborhoods, advocate for dignity, and respond to real community needs. These discussions helped students connect what they see in their daily lives with the systems and people working quietly to support stability and well-being.

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Learning From the Land

Food, Access, and Community Wellness

Students were especially energized by learning about Urban Triage’s farming and agriculture programs. Discussions about food access, sustainability, and community wellness sparked thoughtful questions about where food comes from, who has access to it, and why nourishment is essential to healthy families and neighborhoods.

These moments highlighted something important: when young people are invited to understand the unseen connections between land, food, and health, they begin to see themselves as part of the solution.

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Leadership in the Community

Showing Up Is Part of the Work

Urban Triage leaders Brandi Grayson and Kimi Waller spent time sharing their experiences, answering questions, and—just as importantly—listening. Being present in schools reflects Urban Triage’s belief that leadership isn’t only practiced in offices or programs, but in relationships, visibility, and mutual learning.

“This is what we mean when we say we are for the people,” Waller shared. “Showing up, listening, and learning alongside young people is just as important as the services we provide. It’s how trust and future leadership are built.”

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Investing in the Next Generation

Planting Seeds That Last

Urban Triage believes that investing in education and youth engagement is essential to long-term community health. Experiences like this help students see themselves not just as learners, but as future leaders, advocates, and changemakers.

We are deeply grateful to the students and staff at Aldo Leopold Elementary School for the warm welcome and meaningful dialogue. Moments like these remind us why staying rooted in community—seen and unseen—matters. When young people are invited into the full story, they begin shaping a stronger future for Dane County and beyond.

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