It's with heavy hearts that we are sharing the news that Mark Rosnow, Community Advocates' longtime IT director, passed in June. Mark spent his entire career helping other people, most prominently by putting his talent for technology and problem solving to good use at local nonprofits. Mark played a big role in creating database applications that help us to better serve our community members and to connect with each other internally. More personally, Mark created friendships throughout Community Advocates and he had a real gift for making everyone feel welcome and at ease. Mark earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work as well as a Master's in Business Administration from UW-Milwaukee, and his many interests included social justice, politics, gardening, and sports. He is survived by two children, Nathan and Katie, and many relatives and friends. We are grateful for Mark's contributions to Community Advocates and Milwaukee as a whole, and we will miss him.

Need another reason to join our Public Policy Institute's Membership Network? We’re offering a state budget debrief exclusively for PPI Members with special guests State Rep. Evan Goyke and State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, both of whom served on the budget-writing Joint Finance Committee. Facilitated by PPI Senior Advocate Julie Kerksick, this debrief will cover the budget's impact on Community Advocates’ core issues, such as health and behavioral health care, investments in Milwaukee, and tax policy. This session is one of our convenings with subject matter experts exclusively for PPI Members. We offer individual and group memberships that will help PPI to engage with the community and improve the health, wellbeing, and prosperity of our community members.

The Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center invites you to this rental housing fair and back-to-school celebration! RHRC partners are offering information and resources to help you be a successful tenant and to prevent evictions. We're also giving away backpacks (child must be present) and other items. Stop by Community Advocates' parking lot (north of our building) to talk to folks from the City of Milwaukee, Community Advocates, IMPACT 211, Legal Action of Wisconsin, Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, Mediate Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Housing Division, Rental Property Association of Wisconsin, and UEDA.

We turned out in strength for Milwaukee’s Juneteenth Day Celebration in the heart of the city. Community Advocates, the Public Policy Institute, the Milwaukee Women’s Center, and the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program did outreach about our programs and services to better connect those in need with vital resources. We had a great time!

Staff from Community Advocates, the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center, the Milwaukee Women’s Center, and the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance program met with community members at one of the best fests the city, the two-day Garfield Avenue Blues, Jazz, Gospel and Arts Festival. One special guest joined them for a bit—Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson! We’re proud to be part of this community and show our support for all of the good things happening in the city.

We’re out and about in Milwaukee County to provide information and resources to our community members. You’re invited to these free events in August:



• August 8: Living Well with Mental Health Challenges at the Milwaukee Public Library – Capitol Branch explores strategies and tips for those living with a mental health challenge.
• August 10: RISE Drug Free MKE presents Reality Check at Wellpoint’s Back-to-School Bash to help parents and caregivers learn how to identify signs of a youth’s substance use and what to do about it.
• August 11: Discover Wellness combines a wellness resource fair and family-friendly activities with movie night in Johnsons Park.
• August 17: The Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center invites you to this rental housing resource fair with back-to-school giveaways at Community Advocates’ downtown offices.
• August 31: International Overdose Awareness Day Milwaukee: Meeting You Where You Are brings together community organizations at three sites to provide a day of hope and healing for those coping with overdose. 

We have paused the Emergency Rental Assistance Program that has helped thousands of Milwaukee County tenants stay safe and healthy during the pandemic. However, we remain committed to serving tenants and landlords in need of help.

Our Housing Department will help community members in person without an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome at Community Advocates' downtown offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee.

• Monday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can also find available rentals in Milwaukee and surrounding areas on our website. We update the listings every week on our website and Facebook page.

We have a number of career opportunities right now. Join our team!

• Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator
• Prevention Coordinator, Alliance for Wisconsin Youth
• RISE Drug Free MKE Coalition Coordinator
• Shelter Advocate (Full Time and Pool Staff)

Can you help Community Advocates and the Milwaukee Women's Center meet the needs of our program participants? We serve families and individuals who have experienced homelessness or domestic violence, and most of them come into Emergency Shelter or our Autumn West Safe Haven with few belongings. We're currently seeking these items for our guests:

• Box fans
• Hoodies for toddlers up to adults
• Jackets of all sizes, from toddlers to adults
• Twin sheets
• Blankets
• Socks, boys and girls, men and women
• New underwear for all ages, from toddlers to adults
• New pillows
• Tennis shoes for boys, girls, men, and women
• New or gently used towels
• School supplies
• Pots and pans, utensils, dishes, blankets, and other household items

If you are able to give, please reach out to Jeri at jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net to coordinate delivery of your donation. Thank you!

You can get in touch with us in the following ways:

• Call: 414-270-2992
• Email: Contact Us
• Facebook: facebook.com/CommunityAdvocatesMilwaukee
• Milwaukee Women’s Center’s 24/7 Crisis Line: 414-671-6140
• Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program: 414-270-4653 or KeepWarmMKE.org
• FSET at Community Advocates: 414-290-7700
• Rent HelpLine: renthelp@communityadvocates.net
• Bottomless Closet: 414-270-2984
• Emergency services after hours or on weekends: 2-1-1