Community Advocates
Connections
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Friends --
Summer is finally here! Instead of relaxing, we're loading up our calendar with wonderful events. Some highlights in July: Four performances of the musical comedy/drama
SISTAS
will raise funds for Community Advocates and the work of the Milwaukee Women's Center. The Milwaukee County Energy Assistance team will be doing outreach at the Garfield Avenue Blues, Jazz, Gospel & Arts Festival. And Direct Supply's SeniorFest Day at Summerfest on July 3 will provide free admission to those 60+, as well as great entertainment, including Community Advocates' David Brown in the Golden Idol talent showcase. Make the most of your summer!
In gratitude,
Andi Elliott
Chief Executive Officer
Community Advocates
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WGIRLS Milwaukee’s Big Night for Milwaukee Women’s Center
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WGIRLS Milwaukee
, a volunteer-run philanthropic organization run by professional women, created a fantastic fundraiser for the
Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Emergency Shelter
on May 17 at the Westin in Downtown Milwaukee. A Night Under the Big Top, a carnival-themed gala, featured aerial acrobats, DJ Sushi Lor, and games, a silent auction, an after-party at the Milwaukee Brat House, and incredible energy. We are beyond grateful for the time, energy, and talent donated by WGIRLS Milwaukee, and we are thrilled to announce that the event raised $13,200 for the programs and services offered at our Emergency Shelter. Thank you, WGIRLS Milwaukee, and all of the supporters who gave so generously to our shelter guests! WGIRLS Milwaukee members have also volunteered at the shelter, proving that they truly walk the walk. We are so grateful for their support.
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This month, the
Milwaukee Women’s Center
welcomed Penelope Dixon as the manager of our emergency shelter serving adults, families, and kids who are impacted by homelessness and domestic violence. Penny’s a great fit. Last year, she provided trauma-informed self-care workshops for the guests in the shelter, which helped participants begin to understand how trauma affects their body, mind, and emotions.
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SISTAS: The Comedy StagePlay’s Milwaukee Performances
to Benefit Community Advocates & the Milwaukee Women’s Center
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Five adult sisters, successful careers, and a recording contract. What could possibly go wrong?
SISTAS: The StagePlay,
written, directed, and produced by Chicago playwright KaySandra Hunt, explores family challenges in an evening of laughter, tears, comedy, and music. Join us July 13 and 14 at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. Two performances daily: 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Attend the Sistas VIP Sweet Reception an hour before each show for tasty delights, photo ops, gifts, socializing and networking, and selective seating for the live performance.
A donation will be made to our programs with each ticket purchased by a Community Advocates supporter. Call the box office at 414-291-7800 and mention that you support Community Advocates, or use the code "Advocates" when you
purchase your tickets online,
and a donation will be made to our programs.
Tickets are on sale now.
Thank you!
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Catching Up with Board Member Valerie Gabriel
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Community Advocates has been lucky to have some long-serving members on our Board of Directors to guide our work. Among them is Valerie Gabriel, who joined the board in 1986 as a way to stay connected to and give back to the community.
"Community Advocates accepts people’s stories where they are, they accept the city’s story where it is," Gabriel said. "We aren’t a bully agency. We recognize that every client who comes to us has his or her story and that is important to that person. We don’t try to undo them; we try to make going forward something easier."
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The
Milwaukee Women's Center
and Community Advocates are sincerely grateful to our friends Lauren Boguslawske and Kasandra Wysocki for hosting a fund raiser to benefit our domestic violence services. More than 50 friends and family gathered on Saturday, May 11, and raised $2,201! Many thanks to all who attended and donated to support the mission of the Milwaukee Women's Center!
Pictured (L to R) - Lauren Boguslawske, Development Director Kris Uhen, Kasandra Wysocki
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Community Advocates’ Youth Reentry Work in the News
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Community Advocates Public Policy Institute has expanded their
professional and community training opportunities
this past year, thanks to a ReCAST Milwaukee grant from the
City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention
. One of the newest learning opportunities focuses on supporting youth who are reentering the community after incarceration. The training, led by Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator Jeremy Triblett and Economic Policy Analyst Conor Williams, provides data and background information on the collective and individual impact of youth incarceration, as well as local resources available to reentering youth and their families. The training is so insightful that the
Journal Sentinel
reported on it last week
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Circles of Support Seek Participants
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Circles of Support have formed throughout Milwaukee for those touched by the criminal justice system. These circles explore hope, healing, and accountability in restorative justice-style gatherings that include returned citizens, community members, and a circle keeper. A meal is shared before the circle forms.
Circles of Support gather at:
- Hephatha Lutheran Church, 2906 N. 18th St., Milwaukee
- St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, 1015 N. Ninth St., Milwaukee
- Community Advocates, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee
- Project RETURN, 2821 Vel R. Phillips Ave., Suite 223, Milwaukee
- St. Vincent de Paul, WCTC Campus Building W, 892 Main St., Pewaukee
See the flyer below for details about times and dates.
In addition, a weekly Peer Support Circle gathers at Project RETURN every Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m., and welcomes new participants whose lives have been impacted by incarceration and supervision.
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Matthew Desmond’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book
Evicted
is now a traveling exhibit currently being shown in Milwaukee. The exhibit provides an introduction to the intimate, complicated, and all-too-common experience of eviction. Desmond connected with Community Advocates while researching
Evicted
, and we’re pleased to see that he’s sparked a much-needed national conversation around housing instability, eviction, and homelessness. Evicted the exhibit is presented by
Near West Side Partners
at Mobile Design Box, 753 N. 27th St., Milwaukee, Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September 30.
Get details here.
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Extra Luggage Needed for Shelter Residents
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When you're cleaning closets and come across luggage, overnight bags, gym bags, diaper bags or backpacks you don't use anymore, consider donating them to the Milwaukee Women's Center. Most of our emergency shelter residents arrive with just the clothes on their backs or with their belongings in garbage bags. We provide them with clothing and essentials if they need them. We'd also love to allow them to leave the shelter with dignity. That means with a proper suitcase or bag in which to carry to their belongings.
Interested in donating an extra bag?
We're also looking for small groups who would like to donate food or prepare a meal for our shelter residents. Jeri can explain the details, so contact her with questions.
Thank you!
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As you know, Community Advocates provides household and personal items that aren’t covered by FoodShare or are hard to find for a reasonable price. That’s why we’re asking our supporters to pick up some extra items while you’re shopping or when you’re cleaning out closets.
We’d gratefully accept:
- Portable radios with ear buds
- Backpacks suitable for teens or adults
- Towels, twin sheets, or sleeping bags
- Steel-toe shoes (any size)
- Baby supplies, including disposable diapers, strollers, and pack and plays
- Summer toys, such as sidewalk chalk, hula hoops, Nerf balls, and basketballs
- Tissue, toilet paper, cleaning supplies
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July 3:
Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Team will be providing outreach during SeniorFest Day at Summerfest, from noon to 4 p.m.
SeniorFest Day is presented by Direct Supply
. All seniors (age 60+) will enjoy free admission, a $2 food and beverage voucher, musical performances, activities and much more!
July 3:
Cheer on Project Bridge’s Operations Manager David Brown as he performs in Direct Supply’s Golden Idol 2019 during SeniorFest Day at Summerfest.
July 4 & 5:
Community Advocates’ offices will be closed through the 4th of July holiday weekend, but our 24/7 sites will remain open. We’ll be back in touch on Monday, July 8.
July 13 & 14:
SISTAS: the Comedy StagePlay
will offer four performances at the Skylight Music Theatre. Mention Community Advocates when you buy your tickets, and we’ll receive $1 for each ticket.
Buy your tickets here.
July 19:
Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee Workshop: Organized by Community Advocates’ Housing Department, ECOM’s July workshop is focused on human trafficking and exploitation.
Get details and RSVP here.
July 24:
A Circle of Support for individuals returning home will be held at Community Advocates, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, with a meal beginning at 5:30 p.m. before the circle begins at 6 p.m. Interested in building your support network after returning to the community? Contact Amanda at 414-374-8029 or
amanda@projectreturnmilwaukee.org
.
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Community Advocates
2019 Board of Directors
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Leadership
President: Sheree Dallas Branch | Public Relations Consultant
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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