Common Wealth Development's quarterly newsletter
for residents, commercial tenants, workforce participants, and supporters LIKE YOU .
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Common Wealth Family,  

As I sit down to write to you today, I am overwhelmed, like all of you, with what is happening across the globe. This is an unprecedented moment for our generation, one which will have an impact for decades to come. The physical, emotional, and economic toll COVID-19 has taken on the global population is tremendous. But for all of the terrifying news and devastating loss, there is a relentless resilience that has united the global population and offered respite from the onslaught of grief. 
 
Where our national leadership has failed us, regions, cities, neighborhoods, friends, colleagues, and families are stepping up. We are building networks that, if properly structured and supported, could continue to grow well beyond the duration of this pandemic. I see that nowhere more clearly than in our Common Wealth Development community. We, along with all the countless individuals and organizations that make us who we are, have never faced a crisis of this nature, but I am proud to work alongside so many people who dedicate their days to making Madison a better place for everyone to live, love and grow.  Common Wealth is here to support you through this, and we will do everything we can to continue to work in solidarity with all of you as we navigate our way through. 
 
We have created the Common Wealth Development Emergency Program Fund to support the residents in our housing and are working with local and national entities to find support for the amazing community of small businesses in our incubators.   One hundred percent of the money donated to the emergency fund will go directly towards supporting our residents through rental assistance to help maintain stable housing in uncertain times. We are going to keep the fund going through August of 2020, and will have more updates in our Q3 newsletter. Additionally, we will continue to be a source for information and resources and general support. 

For over 40 years, Common Wealth has continued to support the causes of healthy affordable housing, equitable economic development and sustainable land use. Our commitment to all of the families, residents, small businesses and program participants is unwavering, and we will continue to be here for you throughout these extremely surreal and stressful times. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if there is anything we could be doing better or if there are opportunities to support you all beyond what we have done thus far.  
 
In solidarity, 
Justice Castañeda
Executive Director
Common Wealth Development, Inc.
Healthy Housing
Dear CWD Residents/Family,
 
Spring has sprung and this year the season has brought with it a challenge that none of us could have ever prepared for. The last month has been a very stressful and surreal time for us all as we try our best to navigate the ever changing circumstances brought on by the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Staff at Common Wealth have been working tirelessly to ensure that we are doing everything we can to support our residents and community during this time; whether it be raising funds for potential rent assistance, seeking out community meal programs, implementing aggressive cleaning and sanitation practices and reaching out to our community partners to join forces, we will do what it takes so make sure the health and safety of our residents during this and anytime!
 
Housing Contact Information
Due to the extension of the Governor's “safer at home” order, all Common Wealth offices are closed to the public. However, your Housing Specialist and I are still available to you remotely from 9 AM-5 PM Monday-Friday
•        Conner Wild:
·         E: conner@cwd.org
·         P: 608-516-4055
•        Della Hooks
·         E: della@cwd.org
·         P: 608-516-0420
•        Ashley Gohlke
·         E: ashley@cwd.org
·         P: 608-516-9443
•        Maintenance
·         Email: fix@cwd.org
·         Non-Emergency: 608-256-3527 X28
·         Emergency: 608-516-6480
·         Mark Adkins
·         Sataro Sato
·         Mark France
 
Maintenance During Pandemic
During this time maintenance will be conducted on an emergency basis only, all non-emergent work orders will be placed on hold until the “safer at home” order is lifted.
If Maintenance must enter your unit to conduct emergent repairs, we ask that you as the resident assist in the following areas.

•        Please allow at least 6 feet of space between you and the Maintenance Coordinator at all
times.
•        Please do not ask the Maintenance Coordinator to conduct any other maintenance while
they are tending the emergent work, they will not be able to assist.
•        Please report maintenance concerns as they arise, although they may not be attended to
right away, we still want to make sure they are reported and that we have a record of what
will need to be completed after the safer at home order is lifted.
 
Building Cleaning Adjustments
•        We have taken measures to adjust our building cleaning and sanitation practices to be more
effective by increasing the frequency of sanitization efforts at some of our locations and plan
to implement similar practices at all locations by the middle of next week.
•        Common area doors & handles, mailboxes, elevators/buttons, laundry systems tops/buttons
will all be disinfected regularly.
•   It is not necessary to sanitize the inside of the appliances separate from its normal wash/dry
cycles.
•        For the time being, following the guidance of our Public Health officials, we are closing all
common and community areas, where applicable.
•        Please minimize your use of other common areas, as this will assist in minimizing the
likelihood of the spread of COVID-19.
 
Eviction Moratorium (what you need to know)
•       Governor Evers issued a statewide ban on evictions and foreclosures effective 3.27.2020, this
means that landlords are prohibited from serving any notice terminating a tenancy unless it is
for an imminent threat of serious physical harm to another person.
•        NO Provision in this order is constructed as relieving an individual of their oblations to pay
rent, make mortgage payments, or any other obligation an individual may have under a
tenancy or mortgage.
•        It is strongly encouraged that if you are able that you continue to pay your rent in full and on
time and/or pay what you can during this time.
•        Not paying rent in Wisconsin is a legitimate reason to file for eviction and can be enforced
once the moratorium is lifted.
 
Food Resources
Boys & Girls Club will drop off emergency food bags if you fill out this survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1b3xLu30qrRoa-GzeP7NI6vZ-O5EwTx5hr9PjULK8Qs8/viewform?ts=5e875fad&edit_requested=true

Food Banks: West Madison

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - (608) 271-6633
5701 Raymond Road, Madison WI 53711
Thursdays: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

West Madison West YMCA - (608) 276-6606
5515 Medical Circle Madison, WI 53719
Weekdays: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Food Banks: East Madison
East YMCA - (608) 221-1571
Weekdays: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Goodman Community Center - (608) 241-1574 or (608) 204-8049
149 Waubesa Street Madison, WI 53704
Tuesday: 9:30 AM - 12 PM Wednesday: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Thursday: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM
 
Emergency Funds
Latino Consortium for Action Emergency Relief Fund

Tenant Resource Center (Homeless/Eviction Prevention) – (608)-257-0006

Blackhawk Church Psalm 46 Relief Fund – (608)828-4200

Meadowood Health Partnership – (608-622-2355); Sheraywallace44@gmail.com
 
 
Please know as always, the health, safety, and security of our residents are of the utmost importance to us and we will continue to support you all by any means necessary at all times. We are working, non-stop, to explore every option and resource available to provide financial relief for our residents and are looking for as many resources for you all to access during this time. We are here for you—let us know if there are things that we could be doing!
Equitable Economic Development
To our dearest small business community,

Common Wealth is continuously monitoring the economic impact that COVID-19 is having on small businesses in our community. Madison Regional Economic Partnership (MadREP) has created a resource page and is continuously updating with loan programs and grants available to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
 
 
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has also set up a COVID-19 resource page with small business resources and details on SBA loan programs and other programs available at this time.
 
Check out their page here: https://madisonbiz.com/smallbusiness/
 
With the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19, we are hard at work listening and learning how we can support our small business owners and program participants. Please stay safe and well!
Warmly,
 
Megan Diaz-Ricks
Director of Economic Development
Adult Workforce Development

Did you lose your job because of COVID-19 and are struggling
to find employment?
Maybe Common Wealth Development’s STEP program can help.
 
Southwest Transitional Employment Program (STEP) is a comprehensive relationship-based employment initiative. We connect motivated neighborhood residents to short-term paid employment experiences. Simultaneously, we provide the underlying case management and creative supports necessary to actualize the employment goals of participants.
 
The Adult Workforce Development team provides case management to each STEP participant based on his or her own goals, experiences and skills. Part of this casework includes resume development, weekly tailored job leads, resource referrals and connection to area employers that have partnered with us. 
 
STEP participants are hired by Common Wealth Development as LTE employees and are paid a living wage while working temporary STEP positions designed specifically with individual participant’s goals in mind.  Participants are paid for up to 10 hours a week ($13.62 per hour) to work at a community placement while simultaneously working on finding employment.
 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all paid STEP placements have been suspended effective 3/17/2020 until further notice.
 
At this time the paid portion of STEP is suspended but if you need help, finding job leads, doing a resume, enrolling in FoodShare or would like to explore what resources may be available to you and your family during these difficult times, just call or email us to set up a time to speak with us about your situation.
 
Appointments for STEP enrollment and no contact, face to face meetings with Adult Workforce Development staff, will be available beginning May 4th, 2020.
 
Please contact us with any questions about our available services or to set up an appointment at the numbers listed below.
 
John Wroten, Adult Workforce Development Manager, 608-516-5332 or john@cwd.org
or
Marquis Sanders, Coordination of Care Specialist, 608-516-1582 or marquis@cwd.org
Youth Workforce Development
Due to the current COVID19 pandemic, we are awaiting news of when in-person school will resume. Pending this news, we may cancel the remainder of our trainings for the spring. If you know of a student who would be interested in our training, please reach out to Annie Johnston at annie@cwd.org and we can provide more up-to-date information about the status of our trainings.
 
Youth Workforce Development
On March 13th, we had our Youth-Business Mentoring Program graduation for our LaFollette High School students. They had just completed a two-week training through which they learned: how to apply for a job, customer service, and financial literacy topics such as budgeting and credit. In the next few months, those students will be working with their mentors to find employment opportunities.
 
 
Financial Literacy Workshops
In other news, we have also just wrapped up a Financial Literacy workshop at Toki Middle School. Our specialists worked with all the 8th graders at the middle school to provide them with a foundational understanding of financial literacy and pre-employment tips.
 
We offer these free workshops to groups around Madison and Dane County. If there is any interest in having Common Wealth staff provide training to your student group(s) please reach out to Annie Johnston at annie@cwd.org. Please note that we will most likely be scheduling workshops starting at the 2020/2021 school year, pending news regarding COVID19.
 
Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship Program
The 2020 Wanda Fullmore Internship Program provides Madison high school youth interested in learning more about their local government and civic engagement a paid 8-week summer internship at different City of Madison departments. Interns must have either a City of Madison address or attend a Madison school, and be at minimum 14 years of age.
 
Due to school and business closures as a result of COVID19, applications will still be accepted, but applicants will be notified about any updates or further cancellations regarding the program. If there are any questions about this program, please reach out to Annie Johnston at annie@cwd.org .
Welcome to the
Madison Enterprise Center!
A Little TCC
The Creative Company got its start at our Madison Enterprise Center a few years ago and we are excited to have them back with us at Main Street Industries. 
 
The Creative Company is a Telly Award-winning creative public relations and digital marketing agency that has worked with many local and national brands including Common Wealth Development.
 
They love helping businesses, and as their mission states, increasing awareness and changing the world for the better.
 
Welcome Back!
 
To learn more about the Creative Company team, please visit their website: https://thecreativecompany.com/


 
Stop and Smell the Lily’s in the Forest
If you’re in the Madison Enterprise Center, there is a chance you may smell the sweet aroma of flowers coming from the third floor.
 
Lily Forest Designs has decided to make Madison Enterprise Center home. In addition to floral wedding and event design, Lily Forest Designs also offers floral classes and floral subscriptions.
We’re so excited to have her at the Madison Enterprise Center.
 
To learn more about Lily Forest Designs, please visit their website: https://www.lilyforestdesigns.com/
 
‌
Health Equity and Well Being
Community Based Crime Reduction News

Exciting new programming will start later this spring under the Community Based Crime Reduction grant. Although start dates are not determined due to COVID-19, programs will run at least through September 30, 2020, with the possibility of an extension. For more information, contact the listed program coordinator or Stephanie Bradley Wilson at stephanie@cwd.org or 608-256-2117.
 
Operation Fresh Start (OFS) Drive 1 : 
Drive 1 focus is on helping 18-24-year-old young adults secure their WI DL.  A multi-week mentoring program, Drive 1 will wrap driver education into a broader program that helps participants overcome barriers to attain a WI driver license and engage in a path to employment.
Contact: Jasmine Banks, Project Manager, jbanks@operationfresh-start.org , 608-244-4721.
 
Meadowood Neighborhood Center: Family Fun Nights:
On Fridays, once per month, the Center will offer early evening activities with different themes for family fun from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Contact: Tauri Robinson, Center Director, ltrobinson@madison.k12.wi.us , 608-467-8360.
 
Toki Middle School Family and Community Engagement Program (FACE):
Toki staff will support vulnerable, at-risk African American students and their families to improve communications, connections and school achievement during the fall semester. 
Contact: Cory Foster, Program Manager, ctfoster@madison.k12,wi.us, 608-204-4740.
 
Madison Urban League-Southwest Fatherhood Program:
The Fatherhood program will serve non-custodial Black fathers who are wanting to have a better relationship with their children, under court-order child support payment or arrearage to help strengthen family bonds. The multi-week program will cover many aspects of parenting.
Contact: Leotha Stanley, Project Manager, lstanley@ulgm.org , 608-729-1233.
 
Charles Hamilton Houston’s Dear Diary 8th grade summer transition program:
During the 3-week summer school sessions at Memorial High School, Dear Diary will focus on six target areas with 9th-grade girls: self-esteem, academic achievement, personal development, professional excellence, family engagement, and service through intensive, strategic mentoring.
Contact: Yanna Williams, Project Manager,  Deardiaryofmadison@gmail.com .
 
Other programs with continued funding under CBCR are:
·         The Mellowhood Foundation
·         Safe Passage People on Premises (contact Tutankhamun Assad)
·         Intentional Mentoring, (contact Katie Mae Imhoff-Smith)
·         100 Black Men mentoring program’s Project Soar (contact Dr. Floyd Rose)
PSALM 46 RELIEF FUND
The Psalm 46 Relief Fund was created by the Madison African American Council of Churches. 
Rev. Dr. Marcus Allen is the president of the organization and is the pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

The Psalm 46 Relief Fund was created to gather resources and provide assistance with food, rent, health care and other needs for those in hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Please complete this form in its entirety. Funding is not guaranteed and forms will be processed by a committee.

If you are facing any financial hardships please complete this form as soon as possible because of the limited amount of funding: 

Common Wealth Development
news@cwd.org
P: 608.256.3527