Project Ujima

Project Ujima is designed to reduce physical and psychological consequences of violence and to prevent victims of violence from becoming perpetrators of violence or from incurring repeated injuries. Project Ujima’s work begins when a child injured by violence is treated in the emergency department and referred to the program. A community liaison, social worker, and volunteer peer counselor offer support and care for the children and their families.

After initial treatment, follow-up services are provided by a community liaison, a peer liaison and a counselor from the psychology department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. A team meets in the family’s home to evaluate their needs and develop a plan for ongoing services which may include: health care, counseling, connections to community programs, and legal and professional support.

The goal of Project Ujima is to stop the cycle of violent crimes by reducing the number of repeat victims of violence.

As of 2002, Project Ujima had served 1,200 children and their families.