Community Advocates
Connections
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Friends --
I'm delighted to announce that Community Advocates' downtown offices has a new look. We just unveiled Mauricio Ramirez's mural, called "Heart & Sol," on the east side of our building, overlooking Sixth Street. Not only is the mural gorgeous to look at, but it truly represents what Community Advocates is all about. Mauricio incorporated comments and insights from our staff and community members to bring his vision to life. I think you'll agree that his artwork is a vibrant depiction of our mission to serve with hope, dignity, and respect for all we meet on our journey in life. Make sure you take time out to take a closer look at this unique work of public art.
In gratitude,
Andi Elliott
Chief Executive Officer
Community Advocates
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Celebrating Milwaukee’s Beauty, Inside and Out
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On October 24, Community Advocates had the great pleasure of celebrating the completion of
Mauricio Ramirez’s
mural on the east side of our downtown offices.
You may recognize Ramirez’s artwork on ten utility boxes along Wisconsin Avenue and on large-scale murals in Walker’s Point, the East Side, Cesar Chavez Drive, and South Milwaukee. He participated in a neighborhood engagement session earlier in October, where he got to hear feedback on his plans.
"Community Advocates is proud to play a role in celebrating the vibrancy of the west side of downtown," said CEO Andi Elliott. "Now the exterior of our office building is just as lively as our work inside of it."
We celebrated with complimentary coffee and donuts from our neighbors Dunkin’, which is host to Emma Daisy Gertel’s "Westown in Bloom." Community Advocates is surrounded by beautiful artwork, and we love it!
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Community Advocates' 2018 Annual Report Is Here!
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As Community Advocates’ Board President Sheree Dallas Branch writes in the introduction, "In the City of Milwaukee, 27% of our neighbors live below the poverty line, a number that is more than double the national average. As a result, we see a tremendous need for the programs and services that Community Advocates has to offer. In 2018, 70,983 individuals sought help from our organization, representing 1,549 more people served as compared to 2017. This year was also the third consecutive year that we saw an increase in the number of people who reached out to us for help, guidance, and assistance. We are proud of our staff, who show compassion, kindness, and unyielding dedication to help individuals and their families meet their needs so they may live in dignity."
Thank you to our friends and allies for making 2018 a productive one.
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David Riemer Book Launch & Signing
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Community Advocates Public Policy Institute was thrilled to support its Founding Director and Senior Fellow David Riemer’s latest endeavor, the book
Putting Government in Its Place: The Case for a New Deal 3.0
, in which David argues that the New Deal Era is not dead. In fact, now is the perfect time to update it to address our current needs and disparities.
Despite terrible weather, David drew about 100 readers to his book launch and signing on November 6 at Boswell Book Company, a testament to his decades of innovative work and long-lasting friendships in our community. Congratulations, David!
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Project Homeless Connect Changed Lives
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The annual Project Homeless Connect at Marquette University, organized by the
Milwaukee Continuum of Care
and the
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
as part of Homelessness Awareness Week
, provided a host of services, from free haircuts to housing advice, to some of our community’s most vulnerable members. Shawanna and Lauren from our Housing Department were on hand to provide resources, winter hats, and support to visitors during the day-long resource fair.
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October Activities Targeted Domestic Violence
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In October, ECOM brought together advocates from Jewish Family Services, UMOS Latina Resource Center, the Milwaukee Women's Center’s Older Abused Women’s Program, Nevermore Batterer's Prevention and Intervention Program, Team Teal 365, and Aurora Healing & Advocacy Services.
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Staff at the
Milwaukee Women’s Center’s
emergency shelter also wore purple all month to show support for survivors. They held a contest, and the staff member who wore purple the most often won a gorgeous quilt created by Myrtle Dillon from the Center’s Older Abused Women’s Program. The lucky staffer was Cheryl!
If you need to talk about your relationship, please call the center’s 24/7 crisis line at 414-671-6140. We believe survivors.
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PPI’s Busy Substance Abuse Awareness Month
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October was Substance Abuse Awareness Month, so Community Advocates Public Policy Institute’s prevention team created a variety of ways to raise awareness of the importance of preventing abuse from developing. The
Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention
coalition and the southeast region of the
Alliance for Wisconsin Youth
, both housed at PPI, sponsored a "Changing Your Alcohol Environment" series with Rodney Wambeam of the University of Wyoming and Julia Sherman of the
Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project
. They discussed the role of alcohol in American culture and what community members can do at the local level to prevent harmful drinking. You can catch their presentations on
PPI’s YouTube channel
.
During Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31), created to promote substance-free living, the prevention team organized a pop-up resource fair at Community Advocates' downtown offices to offer information, resources, and support around substance abuse prevention to our clients and community members.
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Villard Commons Is Breaking New Ground
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Community Advocates is proud to be a partner in a new $8.3 million mixed-use development in Old North Milwaukee. Villard Commons, 3619 W. Villard Ave., will encompass 43 affordable residential units and commercial space, including the Rise and Grind Café. Our partners are Index Development Group and Brinshore Development. Villard Commons’ partners broke ground on November 7.
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Join the Nevermore Support Network
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If we truly want to break the cycle of violence and ensure that future generations live in peaceful, loving homes, we need to address the motivations behind intimate partner violence. The
Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Nevermore Batterers Intervention Program
does just that, with individual, group, and couples counseling and other services. Please consider joining our
Nevermore Support Network
so that the Nevermore men know that you believe in their ability to transform their lives and relationships.
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You Can Make this Thanksgiving a Special One
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We are looking for an individual or small group that would be interested in providing and serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving at the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s emergency shelter. The meal would be served at noon. We expect 20 adults and approximately 30 children. Our shelter is located on the near south side of Milwaukee and has a full kitchen. The meal can be brought in fully cooked or it can be made at the shelter. If you are interested please contact Jeri Kavanaugh at
jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net
or 414-270-2984. Thank you!
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Children's Winter Coats Needed
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The arrival of cold weather means that the young guests at our Milwaukee Women’s Center needs warm clothing. Please consider donating your new or gently used winter coats and snow pants, from infancy to teens for both boys and girls, to our shelter. Contact Jeri at
jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net
or 414-270-2984 to donate. Thank you!
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The Milwaukee Women's Center is looking for a Shelter Case Manager. Deadline to apply is November 20.
Get details here
.
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It's Easy to Give with Amazon Smile
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When you shop on Amazon, your purchases can help Community Advocates. Simply use Amazon Smile and designate Community Advocates as your charity of choice. Then, a portion of the purchase price of eligible items will be donated to Community Advocates--at no charge to you. It's easy!
Simply click on this link to get started
. Thank you!
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Giving Tuesday Arrives December 3
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Despite the booming economy, Community Advocates served 70,000 individuals needing help with their basic needs, such as housing, utilities, mental health, and domestic violence services, in 2018.
Please help us continue
our life-changing work by supporting our clients and guests on the global day of giving, Giving Tuesday, on December 3. We appreciate your support!
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When you play the
Canal Street
Bingo game at Potawatomi Hotel & Casino now through Dec. 12, you’re helping raise funds for area children’s charities, giving them the gift of a promising future. Half of each $3 or $7
Canal Street
Bingo game purchased goes to the
Heart of Canal Street
fund, which totaled more than $1.1 million last year!
Community Advocates’ Siemer Institute for Family Stability Program
is excited to be in the running to be a benefiting charity. Visit
paysbig.com/heart
to learn more.
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November 1-December 15: Open Enrollment period begins for Affordable Care Act health care coverage.
Need help applying for health insurance? Not sure if you qualify? Contact
Covering Wisconsin
at 414-270-4677 and a navigator will help you sign up for the ACA during the Open Enrollment period, November 1-December 15, and answer your questions about eligibility.
November 20: Circle of Support for Returning Citizens:
Community Advocates hosts this monthly restorative justice-informed gathering for returned citizens and community members.
Details here
.
November 28 & 29: Thanksgiving Holiday:
Community Advocates’ offices will be closed to celebrate Thanksgiving, but our 24/7 sites will remain open. If you need energy assistance or other help while we’re closed, please contact Impact 2-1-1; if you are experiencing a domestic violence situation, call the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s 24/7 crisis line at 414-671-6140.
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Community Advocates
2019 Board of Directors
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Leadership
President: Sheree Dallas Branch | The Salvation Army
Vice President: Jodi Wire | We Energies
Treasurer: Sandra Samse | Johnson Keland Management
Secretary: Bryan House | Foley & Lardner, LLP
Board Members
Marquette Baylor | Aurora Health Care
Anne DeLeo | Community Volunteer
Valerie Gabriel | Community Volunteer
Dr. Stephen Hargarten | Medical College of Wisconsin
Erin Henry | Northwestern Mutual
Betsy Hoylman | Northwestern Mutual
Gary Ingram | Igary Events
Moriah Iverson | Medical College of Wisconsin
Sharon Jordan | Direct Supply
Pamela Klein | Fresh Coast Partners, LLC
Jim Liedtke | Community Volunteer
Kate Venne | Brady Corporation
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