Community Advocates Connections
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Friends,
I hope you are enjoying your summer. We have been spending our summer out in the community in addition to delivering services connected to housing, homeless outreach, domestic violence, substance use treatment, disability advocacy, energy assistance, and substance use prevention. We are finding that the need for support and advocacy is great, especially for those who have been struggling to remain stable and emotionally well during such turbulent times. We encourage anyone who needs help solving problems, no matter how big or small, to contact us for assistance or a referral to another partner who can be of more help. As always, we are grateful for your partnership as we work toward a better future for all by working together as a community.
In gratitude,
Andi Elliott
Chief Executive Officer
Community Advocates
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Keep Your Meds Safe This Summer |
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The Keep Your Meds Safe initiative is making medication lock boxes and drug deactivation pouches available for free to the public at six pharmacy locations in Milwaukee County. The initiative encourages individuals and families to safeguard medications by following three simple steps:
- Lock Them Up: Always safely store your medications
- Destroy Them: Use a safe disposal pouch for unwanted or expired medications
- Drop Them Off: Return unwanted meds to a designated safe disposal site
Nationally, about 50,000 children go to the emergency room each year because they got into medicines when an adult was not looking, and young people between the ages of 18 and 25 are the most likely to misuse medication not prescribed to them.
You can find Keep Your Meds Safe supplies while they last at these locations:
- 1919 W. North Ave.
- 5928 W. Vliet St.
- 8434 W. Silver Spring Dr.
- 807 W. Layton Ave.
Milwaukee Pharmacy (Dr. Carter's) location
- 3512 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood
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We Are Here to Help Tenants & Property Owners |
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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.
The Milwaukee RHRC Triage Team accepts walk-in appointments Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 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.
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Discover Wellness
Thursday, August 18
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Diverse groups from across Milwaukee County, including Community Advocates, are inviting individuals and families to Grant Park from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, to experience activities and gather resources that will improve their health and wellness. "Discover Wellness" will feature a Walk for Wellness, free food, prizes, activities, and a chance to win a Milwaukee Bucks swag bag, a Kwik Trip gift card, an adult and kid’s bike, and more.
"Discover Wellness" will encompass the eight dimensions of wellness—emotional, physical, occupational, intellectual, financial, social, environmental, and spiritual—to provide visitors with a broad range of activities that can help to enhance their health and well-being.
"Discover Wellness" sponsors include Healthiest Cudahy Collaboration; Healthiest Oak Creek Coalition; Healthy Mind, Healthy Greendale; Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention coalition; Neu-Life Community Development; The Parenting Network; Volition Franklin; West Allis-West Milwaukee Family Resource Center; and Community Advocates Public Policy Institute.
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MCSAP International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Event
Wednesday, August 31
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The Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention coalition and partners will hold a local event observing International Overdose Awareness Day. All are welcome to attend on Wednesday, August 31, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee. There will be speakers, food, resources, and much more. If you want to participate as a partner, kindly contact Gloria Marfo at gmarfo@communityadvocates.net.
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Make it Happen Mondays:
Celebrating Minority Mental Health Month
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This hour-long conversation presented by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention coalition (MCSAP) focused on what Milwaukee’s African American residents are experiencing as it relates to mental wellness.
Panelists included Harry Evans of Heal Black Man, Michaela Ramos of Blue Willow Counseling and Consulting LLC, Dr. Ingrid D. Hicks of Transformation Services Inc., and Pastor Willie B. Davis of Invisible Reality Ministry. Panelists discussed issues such as access, empowerment, empathy, and care. They also explored some of the unique ways that local organizations and providers are supporting the mental health and well-being of unique individuals here in the Greater Milwaukee area. How are we meeting people where they are?
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Mental Health and Wellness Workshops |
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We are offering Mental Health and Wellness workshops throughout August to our community members on Mental Health First Aid, trauma and the brain, verbal de-escalation techniques, and suicide prevention. Check out our online calendar and register today! To schedule a session for your workplace or organization, contact Rita at rliesiefsky@communityadvocates.net.
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Thank You Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate School! |
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Members of the Student Council selected the Milwaukee Women's Center's Emergency Shelter to receive donations from their Glow Dance Fundraiser. Our Emergency Shelter team had the opportunity to present information about our work to 900 6th, 7th, and 8th graders on May 10 in advance of the dance on May 13. The students raised $1,000 and collected numerous in-kind donations for our guests in Shelter. We appreciate your support!
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Congratulations Goodkind! |
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On June 14, our friends at Goodkind celebrated their eighth anniversary and designated a portion of the proceeds from special menu items to benefit the Milwaukee Women's Center's Emergency Shelter. We are very grateful for everything they have done and continue to do to support the Shelter and those we serve! Thank you for your ongoing donations and for providing meals and collecting in-kind items! Happy Anniversary!
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Community Advocates' Wish List |
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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 shelter or our Autumn West Safe Haven with few belongings. We're currently seeking these items for our guests:
- 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
- Pots and pans, utensils, dishes, blankets, and other household items
In addition, we are collecting household items and clothing for a Community Advocates employee who lost everything in a house fire.
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Now is a great time to join Community Advocates' team. We're currently looking for qualified candidates for the following positions:
- Building & Maintenance Technician
- Prevention Coordinator
- Prevention Coordinator - MCSAP
- Grant Accountant
- Housing Advocate Case Manager
- Shelter Advocate
- Shelter Advocate (Pool Staff)
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Community Advocates’ Services and Resources |
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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 | Community Volunteer
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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