Community Advocates Connections
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Friends,
Thank you for being part of our community of support. We truly could not serve more than 90,000 individuals and families in need each year without your generosity, your time, and your collaboration. As you may know, Community Advocates began in 1976 as a small storefront center to help neighbors meet their basic needs, primarily around their housing issues. Although we have expanded throughout the decades, we remain committed to aiding and empowering neighbors who are seeking safe, stable, healthy, and affordable housing and related support. Our Homeless Outreach Program, Autumn West Safe Haven, and Supportive Housing Program are critical to individuals who have experienced street homelessness and live with a disabling health condition. Our programs connect people to health care and other services, help them live in their own apartments, and provide them with support so that they can live with dignity on their own terms. Our staff is wholeheartedly dedicated to their care, but they can't do it alone. This year we are focusing our 48 Hours of Giving Campaign on these programs and ask that you contribute what you can to these life-changing services. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
In gratitude,
Andi Elliott
Chief Executive Officer
Community Advocates
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48 Hours of Giving Campaign
March 22-March 24
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On behalf of Community Advocates,
the Milwaukee Women’s Center, and the Public Policy Institute
join us from March 22 through March 24
to make a difference in someone’s life!
Please consider making a donation during our
48 Hours of Giving Campaign!
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The first $20,000 in donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar when you donate from 10 a.m. on March 22 to 10 a.m. on March 24 courtesy of our Match Sponsor Direct Supply and generous support from Community Advocates’ Board of Directors.
It’s easy to participate:
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Please visit our website to make a donation online. Please select 48 Hours of Giving 2022 on the Select the Destination of Your Contribution drop down menu.
- Please share this with your friends and family members and ask them to consider making a donation.
- Mail a donation to: Community Advocates, Attn: 48 Hours of Giving, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, WI 53233.
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If you are a Facebook user, you can donate on our page and also create a fundraiser to support our work.
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Your contribution will improve the lives of individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and mental health issues, those living on the streets in need of shelter and stable housing, and individuals who are transitioning from temporary shelter or safe haven to their own permanent housing.
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Our Homeless Outreach team is working diligently to engage with people living on the streets who also suffer from chronic mental health challenges to connect them to services to stabilize their mental and physical health and improve their homeless situations. Our Autumn West Safe Haven provides free, private one-bedroom apartments to serve this vulnerable population and is an alternative to traditional shelter and designed to provide safe, short-term housing along with supportive services for residents as they transition out of homelessness and stabilize their mental health.
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Our Permanent Supportive Housing program provides immediate access to safe and affordable housing to Milwaukee residents who have been identified as chronically homeless and living with one or more disabilities. The program provides comprehensive case management services to help individuals achieve housing stability.
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Client Assistance allows us to provide furniture and other household items for individuals transitioning to their own housing. It is our goal to ensure that each individual has a furnished, functional, and comfortable environment to call home.
Thank you for supporting our most vulnerable neighbors in need!
We appreciate you!
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Acting Mayor Johnson Spotlights Eviction Prevention Resources |
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We were happy to give Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson a tour of the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center located in our downtown offices in February. The City will be offering RHRC information at Milwaukee Public Library branches to help tenants and property owners prevent eviction. Both CBS 58 and Milwaukee Independent covered Johnson’s visit.
The Milwaukee RHRC Triage Team accepts walk-in appointments Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, at Community Advocates offices, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. The RHRC Triage Team can assess your situation and make referrals so you can get the help you need. You can also call 414-895-RENT (7368), email info@renthelpmke.org, or visit the RHRC website for more information.
If you have questions about an application status or need to pick up or drop off documents, we are here to help. The Emergency Rent Assistance Program is open to the public 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at our downtown offices, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, for those who prefer to come in person. You can also call 414-270-4646 or email renthelp@communityadvocates.net.
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There's Still Time to Sign Up for Energy Assistance Benefits |
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Community Advocates is proud to continue our partnership in the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program. The new benefits season runs from October 1, 2021, to May 15, 2022, and we will be meeting with clients on the phone to ensure everyone’s health and safety. You can get details about the program at keepwarmmke.org and schedule your appointment now at that website or by calling 414-270-4MKE (4653).
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We are pleased to share that Community Advocates is a Thrivent Choice® enrolled organization.
Through the Thrivent programs, we are now eligible to receive grant dollars, fee-free donations, and support from Thrivent Action Team service projects.
Everyone can use the Thrivent online giving platform to make a donation to enrolled organizations like Community Advocates. Thrivent pays the donation processing fees so that means 100% of your donation benefits the recipient organization.
Thank you!
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Molly Maid Supports Milwaukee Women’s Center |
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We are always so grateful for the generosity shown by Molly Maid of East Metro Milwaukee and Racine to the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s guests who are seeking safety after experiences of homelessness or domestic violence. This year the Molly Maid staff presented a new VERY BIG check to the center. We can't thank them enough for their thoughtfulness!
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Light & Unite Red Week
March 26-April 1
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Mark your calendars for Light & Unite Red week, which will be held March 26 to April 1 to align with National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week. LUR Week, organized by the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition (MCSAP), gives county residents and organizations a chance to connect on health and wellness, increase substance misuse awareness, and showcase support for those seeking substance-free lives. This year, Light & Unite Red Week will feature multiple mental health and wellness workshops, a virtual youth summit, a screening of "Growing Up Milwaukee" and talk-back with creator Tyshun Wardlaw, many family-focused social activities, and much more. Watch for local landmarks, including Community Advocates, to light up red! Follow the Light & Unite Red Facebook page or check out MCSAP's website to keep up with news, RSVP for events, and get involved in activities going on that week.
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Counter Tools Volunteer Opportunity
March 18 - May 15
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Join Community Advocates and Counter Tools in conducting retail store assessments across Milwaukee County. These surveys provide data to help us understand how young people are influenced by the marketing and availability of tobacco, e-cigarettes, and alcohol. There will be incentives provided for volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about this volunteer opportunity, please email Martha by March 18 at mghebregziabiher@communityadvocates.net.
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Can You Help with Easter Brunch? |
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We are looking for a group, club, or organization that would like to provide, prepare, and serve Easter Brunch at the Milwaukee Women’s Center Emergency Shelter. Brunch will be served at noon for an estimated 50 people at our Near South Side location. We have a commercial kitchen so the meal can either be prepared on site or brought in fully cooked. We also ask that the team stays for clean up as well. Volunteers may require a temperature check and rapid COVID test upon arrival. If you’re interested, please contact Jeri at jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net. Thank you!
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Medication can be life-saving, but it can also be dangerous if it gets into the wrong hands. To keep your home safe, it’s critical that medications are stored securely or disposed of properly. We’re providing free medication lock boxes and drug disposal kits to community organizations and individuals who want to prevent substance misuse and overdose. Please contact Africa Lucas and Martha Ghebregziabiher for more information.
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Milwaukee Women’s Center Wish List |
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Can you help the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Emergency Shelter meet the needs of our guests? We serve families and individuals who have experienced homelessness or domestic violence, and most of them come into shelter with few belongings. We're currently seeking these items for our guests:
- Bath and face towels
- Twin size sheet sets
- Twin size bed bug covers
- Pillows
- New underwear (adults and children, all sizes)
- Bras (all sizes)
- Pack 'n Plays
- Car seats, strollers, and high chairs
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Community Advocates is seeking qualified applicants for the following positions:
- Maintenance
- Case Manager (FSET)
- Stronger Families Case Manager
- Housing Advocate Case Manager
- Shelter Advocate (Pool Staff)
- Shelter Advocate (First and Third Shift)
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Community Advocates’ Services and Resources during COVID-19 |
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You can get in touch with us in the following ways:
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Community Advocates
2022 Board of Directors
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Leadership
President: Jodi Wire | We Energies
Vice President: Bryan House | Foley & Lardner, LLP
Treasurer: Sandra Samse | Johnson Keland Management
Secretary: Sharon Jordan | Direct Supply
Board Members
Sheree Dallas Branch | The Salvation Army
Anne DeLeo | Community Volunteer
Natasha Dotson | Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative
Valerie Gabriel | Community Volunteer
Erin Henry | Northwestern Mutual
Gary Ingram | Igary Events
Pamela Klein | Community Volunteer
Jim Liedtke | Community Volunteer
Ashley Pavlic | Medical College of Wisconsin
Alexandra Urrutia-Comas | Advocate Aurora Health
Kate Venne | Brady Corporation
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