December 2019
Community Advocates Connections
Friends --

Happy Holidays! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year. During the holidays, we are thankful for our generous donors who provide holiday gifts, cook festive meals, and volunteer their time. Your generosity of time, talent, and treasure is truly appreciated. We’re so grateful for our allies and supporters who help us do this important work. On behalf of all of us at Community Advocates, we wish you a very happy holiday season and an even greater 2020. 

 In gratitude,
Andi Elliott
Chief Executive Officer
Community Advocates
A Big Thank You to Our Generous Supporters
At this time of year we are especially grateful for our generous supporters, who open their hearts to give during the holidays to our community members in various ways, from knitting hats to serving meals to organizing toy drives and bake sales.

"The gifts, time, and talents shared with members of Community Advocates’ programs mean so much more than people realize," said CEO Andi Elliott. "When our community members receive a gift or enjoy a home-cooked meal, they know that someone out there cares about them and is cheering on their success. That’s priceless."

During this holiday season, we’d like to give special thanks to:

Association for Women Lawyers | Congregation Shalom | Dolled You Up Charity | John Eshun | Tina Flores | Jennifer Hays | Deb Heffner | Taylor Hibl | Holy Serpent Bake Sale | Terrece Irving | Johnson Brothers of Wisconsin | Joe Kavanaugh | Kids Impact Community | KMC Stamping | Rick, Cindy, and Katie Mattson | Milwaukee PBS’s 12th Annual Mittens and More | Molly Maid of East Metro Milwaukee and Racine | Susan Nemetz | Northwestern Mutual | Jane Nowak | Erin Orlowski | Perlick Corporation | PetSmart Greenfield | The Potawatomi Business Development Corporation | Joanie Redenz | Susan Russ-Belhumeur | St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church | Sharing Tree Project at Our Lady of Good Hope Parish | Linda Tietz | Time of the Month Club | The Turkey Club of Wisconsin | WCREW | West Allis Gives Back | Katie Wick | Conor Williams
A Festive Luncheon with Friends
Earlier this month, participants in our supportive housing programs gathered for a festive holiday luncheon with all of the trimmings, including turkey legs, stuffing, vegetables, homemade cookies, and peach cobbler, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. After the feast, Supportive Housing Program Director Matt Raymond and Project Bridge Operations Manager David Brown led a round of carols and each party-goer received a gift. This annual holiday luncheon is a highlight of our year and is always full of good cheer.
The Public Policy Institute’s 2019 Initiatives
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute’s policy and prevention teams have spent 2019 finding unique ways to advance their mission of preventing and reducing poverty, substance abuse, and barriers to wellness. You can take a deep dive into their work in these blog posts reviewing their 2019 policy and prevention initiatives. 
It's Easy to Give with Amazon Smile
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!
One Last Request
Community Advocates strives to provide top-notch services to the more than 70,000 individuals who seek us out for help. The demand is always there, even when the economy seems to be doing well. We appreciate all gifts, no matter how big or small. All have an impact on our work and create a ripple effect throughout the community. If you would like to donate to Community Advocates or the Milwaukee Women’s Center, you can do so at this link or mail a check to Community Advocates, Attn: Fund Development, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, WI 53233. Thank you!
Your support of Community Advocates will help us reduce homelessness, increase access to safe and affordable housing, and provide advocacy and critical services so that all who reach out to us for help can meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity. Thank you for your support!
Each year, the Milwaukee Women's Center's programs touch the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals who are experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, or substance abuse. Thank you for helping us break the cycle of violence.
Calendar
December 31 & January 1: Community Advocates’ offices will be closed to observe the New Year’s holiday, but our 24/7 sites will remain open. The Milwaukee County Energy Assistance program will not take appointments on those dates. If you do not have heat, please contact Impact at 2-1-1. If you are experiencing a domestic violence situation, call the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140.

January 9: MAXIMUS Job Fair at Community Advocates: Come dressed for success and bring a resume to MAXIMUS' monthly job fair at our downtown offices, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. Come anytime between 10 a.m. and noon. All are welcome.

January 17: ECOM meeting: The first Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee workshop of 2020 will focus on Milwaukee County Entitlements/W2/FSET Programs. Click here for details.

January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Community Advocates' offices will be closed to observe this holiday, but our 24/7 sites will remain open.

We're always adding events to our online calendar. Bookmark it here.
Community Advocates
2019 Board of Directors
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
Lisa Kaiser | Community Advocates | 414-270-2999  | lkaiser@communityadvocates.net | communityadvocates.net