August 24, 2022

Next MCSAP Meeting
September 22

Our next full coalition meeting will be held on September 22, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. See you then!

Welcome Ismael Luna

We are excited to announce that Ismael Luna is MCSAP's Coordinator! Ismael is a  recent graduate of Cardinal Stritch University, where he earned his Bachelor's of Arts with a major in Political Science and  a minor in Spanish, and completed an internship in Washington, D.C. Ismael recently joined Community Advocates as our MCSAP Coordinator and hopes to be able to use what he has learned in life and school to help his community. Welcome, Ismael!

MCSAP International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Event

Wednesday, August 31

4 to 6 p.m.

Seeking to provide a safe, healing place for friends and families who have lost a loved one to overdose, the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention coalition (MCSAP) is hosting a community gathering to mark International Overdose Awareness Day through a Memorial Event on Wednesday, August 31. An unprecedented 644 individuals died as a result of overdose in Milwaukee County in 2021, driven by the lethality of drugs available in the community and across the country. At this event, MCSAP hopes to memorialize and grieve the individuals lost, as well as provide healing and hope to those left behind, including overdose survivors.

 

"The opioid crisis has left a mark on Milwaukee County in the struggles of people who currently are living with a substance use disorder, plus the grief and trauma of friends and family members of people who have overdosed or are misusing substances," said MCSAP Chair Aaron Lipski, Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department. "We want to recognize their experiences and provide them with an opportunity to honor their loved ones, connect with services and resources, and give them hope for the future."

 

MCSAP’s International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31, at the Humboldt Park Bandshell, 3000 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee. All are welcome to attend this free community event with free food provided by Neu-Life Community Development’s Farmfork, an urban agriculture and culinary arts program for youth. There will be memorialization activities, speakers, naloxone administration training, and an open mic.

 

An interactive highlight this year is the City of Milwaukee’s Community Memorial Tree, which gives friends and families the ability to honor their lost loved ones as part of an art installation that will live in City Hall. MCSAP’s event is one of three locations that will host the Community Memorial Tree on August 31, and friends and family members are encouraged to participate and share their experiences. 

 

A resource fair will feature partnering organizations BMO Harris Bank, CleanSlate Medical Group, Community Advocates, Community Medical Services, Gateway Foundation, Goal Chasers 2020 LLC, Milwaukee Fire Department, Rogers Behavioral Health, Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, Street Angels, Vivent Health, and Wraparound Milwaukee, just to name a few.

 

Interested in volunteering? Email Gloria at gmarfo@communityadvocates.net.

 

RSVPs are appreciated but not required here.

City of Milwaukee Community Overdose Awareness Memorial Tree

The City of Milwaukee will be marking International Overdose Awareness Day by visiting three sites on August 31 to provide an opportunity for community members to honor their lost loved ones by contributing to the Community Overdose Awareness Memorial Tree, which will live in City Hall. City representatives will visit Samad's House from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, 2875 N. 23rd St., Milwaukee; MHD South Side Health Center from 1 to 3 p.m., 1639 S. 23rd St., Milwaukee; and MCSAP's International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Event from 4 to 6 p.m., Humboldt Park Bandshell, 3000 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee. Come to share your experience and find healing.

September is

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, observed in September, aims to foster and destigmatize conversations around suicide and promote access to services and resources.

 

This year, Community Advocates is offering six opportunities to attend QPR Question, Persuade, Refer Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training to teach helpful techniques on how to talk to someone who may be thinking of harming themselves and providing a pathway to help. These trainings will be held on August 31 and September 8, 15, 19, 27, 28, and 29. You can find our full calendar with all of our Mental Health and Wellness workshops at this link. Contact Rita at rliesiefsky@communityadvocates.net if you would like to schedule a workshop for your organization.

Let's Stay in Touch
We're aiming to share prevention-related information and activities and help our partners connect easily. Like us at facebook.com/MCSAPMilwaukee and sign up for our prevention-related newsletters.
The MCSAP Newsletter is brought to you by the Community Advocates Public Policy InstituteFor more information about each of our prevention programs, click here.

MCSAP | prevention@communityadvocates.net | ppi.communityadvocates.net

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