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18 winter activities for you and your loved ones | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
December 8, 2021
We’ve made it easy for you to make new memories this winter with our list of family friendly events. (NNS file photo by Kelly Meyerhofer)
Leer en español: una versión traducida de este artículo está disponible debajo de la versión en inglés.
‘Tis the season to spend time with loved ones.
This year, we’ve tried to make it easy for you to find activities suited for the whole family during this winter season.
Did we miss a family friendly event? Post it in the comments below or send an email to amartinez-ortiz@milwaukeenns.org with ‘Family Friendly Winter Events’ in the subject line.
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Long-term events
Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market
Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market is back from now until April 9. This year, the market will take place at Gather in the Deer District located at 333 W. Juneau Ave., Suite B, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. The market features 30 local vendors who sell a variety of goods from herbal products to baked goods to produce and more. There will not be a market on Saturday, Dec. 25 or Saturday, Jan. 1.
Milwaukee County Zoo “Wild Lights”
Milwaukee County Zoo is partnering with We Energies to present its “Wild Lights” show from now until Friday, Dec. 31. The show is located at the Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Bluemound Rd., and features sparkling lights and animal themed displays. Tickets are available to purchase online.
Mitchell Park Domes Holiday Show
The Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., will be displaying its holiday show from now until Sunday, Jan. 2. The show will be on display during The Domes’ regular hours and is included with general admission.
“Magic of Lights” at American Family Insurance
Drive through American Family Fields, 1 Brewers Way, and enjoy “Magic of Lights.” The show will be on display from now until Sunday, Jan. 2. Click here for tickets.
December
“Black Nativity” at Marcus Performing Arts Center: Thursday, Dec. 9 to Sunday, Dec. 12
Black Arts MKE presents Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity.” The show will be performed at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St., starting Thursday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 12. Dimonte Henning directs this year’s show, which features a fresh take on a beloved classic.
Winter Wonder Woods: Friday, Dec. 10 and Friday, Dec. 17; Saturday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 18
Wander through Milwaukee Recreation’s Winter Wonder Woods at Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Education Center, 1130 N. 60 St. The excursions will take place from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 and 17 and Saturday, Dec. 11 and 18. Entry costs $4 per person.
Explore Hopkins Hollow: Saturday, Dec. 11
Nearby Nature Milwaukee is inviting people to explore Hopkins Hollow, 4410 N. Hopkins St., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 11. The event is part of the organization’s Lincoln Creek Conversation series.
Drum circle with Mark Soriano: Saturday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Jan. 8
Mark Soriano will be leading a workshop on African drums at Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5 St., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Jan. 8. The class is open to all ages and registration is not required. The drums will be provided.
Winter solstice candlelight walk: Saturday, Dec. 11 and Tuesday, Dec. 21
Urban Ecology Center is celebrating the winter solstice with candlelight walks at Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Place. The kid-friendly version will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. The adult version will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21. Click here for tickets.
Music Under the Stars: Abraxes Rockin’ Holiday: Saturday, Dec. 11
Arts @ Large is continuing its Music Under the Stars concert series with Abraxes Rockin’ Holiday. The show will take place at Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5 St., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Tickets cost $7 and can be purchased at the door. Proof of vaccination or a negative test result are required.
Kick’n It with Father Christmas: Sunday, Dec. 12
Nature’s Tasty Treats is hosting “Kick’n It with Father Christmas” at Tricklebee Café, 4424 W. North Ave., starting at noon on Sunday, Dec. 12. Tickets cost $15 per person and attendees are asked to select a time slot upon purchase. The event includes cookie decorating, ornament making, a hot chocolate station, holiday music and more.
Paint and cocoa at Urban Ecology Center: Thursday, Dec. 16
Urban Ecology Center is inviting people to create a winter wonder scene while enjoying cocoa. The event will take place at the Washington Park location, 1859 N. 40 St., from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16. Registration is required. This event is best for teenagers and adults.
Make pinecone gnomes with Arts @ Large: Saturday, Dec. 18
Carmen Aponte will be demonstrating how to make gnomes out of pinecones during this Arts @ Large workshop. The event will take place at Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5 St., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 18. It is free to attend.
The Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra concert: Saturday, Dec. 18
The Black Diaspora Symphony Orchestra is hosting its inaugural concert at St. Michael’s Church, 1445 N. 24 St., from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18. The concert, “An Evening of Lullabies and Dirges,” will be a memorial concert for the children who were killed this year in Milwaukee and Waukesha, for individuals who have died from drug overdoses, for health care workers dealing with the deaths of patients and for anyone who has lost a loved one.
Heal the Hood: Ujamaa: Wednesday, Dec. 29
Fit4YouMKE and Heal the Hood MKE are celebrating Kwanzaa at the Wisconsin African American Women’s Center, 3020 W. Vliet St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29. There will be vendors, African drumming and dances, spoken word and more. The theme is Ujamaa and “Cooperative Economics: From the Household to the Community.”
January
Danceworks School Day Off Workshops: Monday, Jan. 3 and Monday, Jan. 17
Danceworks is hosting workshops for children in 5K through fifth grade on days off from school. The theme is around the world and each workshop features music, dance and traditions from a different country. The classes take place at the studios, 1661 N. Water St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 3 and Monday, Jan. 17. Click here to sign up.
Live music at Sherman Perk Coffee: Friday, Jan. 7
Kirsten Grace and Joseph Michael will be performing at Sherman Perk Coffee Shop, 4924 W. Roosevelt Dr., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 7. Stop by the coffee shop to enjoy some tunes, coffee and treats.
HOME: Storytime with Lynden Sculpture Garden: Wednesday, Jan. 19
Lynden Sculpture Garden does virtual and bilingual story times as part of its HOME series. “The Day You Begin” by Jacqueline Woodson will be read in Spanish and English at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19. Story time is for children 4 to 8.
Es la temporada para pasar tiempo con sus seres queridos.
Este año, hemos intentado facilitarle la búsqueda de actividades adecuadas para toda la familia durante esta temporada de invierno.
¿Nos perdimos un evento familiar? Publíquelo en los comentarios a continuación o envíe un correo electrónico a amartinez-ortiz@milwaukeenns.org con ‘Eventos de invierno para familias’ en la línea de asunto.
Mercado de agricultores de invierno de Milwaukee
Milwaukee Winter Farmers Market está de regreso desde ahora hasta el 9 de abril. Este año, el mercado se llevará a cabo en Gather en el distrito de los ciervos ubicado en 333 W. Juneau Ave., Suite B, de 8 am a 11:30 am los sábados. El mercado cuenta con 30 vendedores locales que venden una variedad de productos, desde productos a base de hierbas hasta productos horneados para producir y más. No habrá mercado el sábado 25 de diciembre ni el sábado 1 de enero.
Zoológico del condado de Milwaukee “Wild Lights”
El zoológico del condado de Milwaukee se ha asociado con We Energies para presentar su espectáculo “Wild Lights” desde ahora hasta el viernes 31 de diciembre. El espectáculo está ubicado en el zoológico del condado de Milwaukee, 10001 W. Bluemound Rd., Y presenta luces brillantes y exhibiciones con temas de animales. Los boletos están disponibles para comprar en línea.
Espectáculo navideño de Mitchell Park Domes
Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd., exhibirá su espectáculo navideño desde ahora hasta el domingo 2 de enero. El espectáculo estará en exhibición durante el horario regular de The Domes y está incluido con la entrada general.
“La magia de las luces” en American Family Insurance
Conduce por American Family Fields, 1 Brewers Way y disfruta de la “Magia de las luces”. El espectáculo estará en exhibición desde ahora hasta el domingo 2 de enero. Haga clic aquí para obtener boletos.
“Black Nativity” en Marcus Performing Arts Center
Black Arts MKE presenta “Black Nativity” de Langston Hughes. El espectáculo se llevará a cabo en el Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St., a partir del jueves 9 de diciembre hasta el domingo 12 de diciembre. Dimonte Henning dirige el espectáculo de este año, que presenta una nueva versión de un clásico amado.
Winter Wonder Woods
Pasee por Winter Wonder Woods de Milwaukee Recreation en Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Education Center, 1130 N. 60 th St. Las excursiones se llevarán a cabo de 5 pm a 8:30 pm el viernes 10 y 17 de diciembre y el sábado 11 y 18 de diciembre La entrada cuesta $ 4 por persona.
Explorar Hopkins Hollow
Naturaleza cercana Milwaukee está invitando a la gente a explorar Hopkins Hollow, 4410 N. Hopkins St., desde las 10 am hasta el mediodía del sábado 11 de diciembre. El evento es parte de la serie Lincoln Creek Conversation de la organización.
Círculo de tambores con Mark Soriano
Mark Soriano dirigirá un taller sobre tambores africanos en Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5 th St., de 10 am al mediodía el sábado 11 de diciembre y el sábado 8 de enero. La clase está abierta a todas las edades y registro. No es requerido. Se proporcionarán los tambores.
Caminata a la luz de las velas del solsticio de invierno
Urban Ecology Center está celebrando el solsticio de invierno con caminatas a la luz de las velas en Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Place. La versión para niños se llevará a cabo de 4 pm a 9 pm el sábado 11 de diciembre. La versión para adultos tendrá lugar de 4 pm a 9 pm el martes 21 de diciembre. Haga clic aquí para obtener boletos.
Music Under the Stars: Abraxes Rockin ‘Holiday
Arts @ Large continúa su serie de conciertos Music Under the Stars con Abraxes Rockin ‘Holiday. El espectáculo se llevará a cabo en Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5th St., de 7 pm a 9 pm el sábado 11 de diciembre. Los boletos cuestan $ 7 y se pueden comprar en la puerta. Se requiere comprobante de vacunación o un resultado negativo de la prueba.
Kick’n It with Papá Noel
Nature’s Tasty Treats está presentando “Kick’n It with Father Christmas” en Tricklebee Café, 4424 W. North Ave., a partir del mediodía del domingo 12 de diciembre. Los boletos cuestan $ 15 por persona y se les pide a los asistentes que seleccionen un horario en compra. El evento incluye decoración de galletas, fabricación de adornos, una estación de chocolate caliente, música navideña y más.
Pintura y cacao en Urban Ecology Center
Urban Ecology Center invita a la gente a crear una maravillosa escena invernal mientras disfruta del cacao. El evento se llevará a cabo en la ubicación de Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St., de 5:30 pm a 7:30 pm el jueves 16 de diciembre. Se requiere inscripción. Este evento es ideal para adolescentes y adultos.
Haz gnomos de piña con Arts @ Large
Carmen Aponte estará demostrando cómo hacer gnomos con piñas durante este taller de Arts @ Large. El evento se llevará a cabo en Arts @ Large, 1100 S. 5th St., de 10 am al mediodía el sábado 18 de diciembre. La asistencia es gratuita.
Concierto de la Orquesta Sinfónica de la Diáspora Negra
La Orquesta Sinfónica de la Diáspora Negra está presentando su concierto inaugural en la Iglesia de San Miguel, 1445 N. 24th St., de 7 pm a 8:30 pm el sábado 18 de diciembre. El concierto, “An Evening of Lullabies and Dirges, ”Será un concierto conmemorativo para los niños que fueron asesinados este año en Milwaukee y Waukesha, para las personas que murieron por sobredosis de drogas, para los trabajadores de la salud que se ocupan de la muerte de pacientes y para cualquier persona que haya perdido a un ser querido.
Heal the Hood: Ujamaa
Fit4YouMKE y Heal the Hood MKE están celebrando Kwanzaa en el Centro de Mujeres Afroamericanas de Wisconsin, 3020 W. Vliet St., de 5 pm a 9 pm el miércoles 29 de diciembre. Habrá vendedores, bailes y tambores africanos, palabra hablada y más. El tema es Ujamaa y “Economía cooperativa: del hogar a la comunidad.”
Talleres de Danceworks School Day Off
Danceworks está organizando talleres para niños de 5K a quinto grado en los días libres de la escuela. El tema es alrededor del mundo y cada taller presenta música, bailes y tradiciones de un país diferente. Las clases se llevan a cabo en los estudios, 1661 N. Water St., de 9 am a 4 pm el lunes 3 de enero y el lunes 17 de enero. Haga clic aquí para registrarse.
Música en vivo en Sherman Perk Coffee
Kirsten Grace y Joseph Michael se presentarán en Sherman Perk Coffee Shop, 4924 W. Roosevelt Dr., de 7 pm a 9 pm el viernes 7 de enero. Pase por la cafetería para disfrutar de algunas melodías, café y delicias.
INICIO: Hora de cuentos con Lynden Sculpture Garden
Lynden Sculpture Garden ofrece cuentos virtuales y bilingües como parte de su serie HOME. “The Day You Begin” de Jacqueline Woodson se leerá en español e inglés a las 10:30 am el miércoles 19 de enero. La hora del cuento es para niños de 4 a 8 años.

created: December 8, 2021


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 7, 2021

source: news-milwaukeenns

created: December 7, 2021

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Dwayne Burtin


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How the financially troubled Milwaukee County Parks system can bounce back | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
December 8, 2021
Milwaukee County Parks, which allocated more than $700,000 to restore the Washington Park Bandshell (pictured here) in 2016, still has $500 million in deferred maintenance projects to complete. (File photo by Adam Carr)
It’s no secret the Milwaukee County Parks is in financial trouble.
And unless there are major changes, things are expected to get much worse. The situation is so dire that Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said the costs of county salaries and fringe benefits could force the elimination of property tax levies as a funding option for the parks system by 2027.
Losing those levies, which provide 43 percent of the budget for the parks system, could force officials to dismantle the system, according to a recent report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, a nonpartisan policy research organization.
But there are options that could help change that grim outlook, lessons gained from peer park systems around the country, said Rob Henken, one of the authors of the report and president of the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
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One of them is to create or expand partnerships with other organizations and share costs.
For example, he said, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, or MMSD, already partners with the parks on flood control and other water preservation activities on park lands. “There might be a better opportunity to maintain its clean water and flood water approach that also results in MMSD paying for some of the maintenance,” Henken said.
Other potential partners mentioned in the report include nonprofit groups and school recreation departments.
“We do partnerships all the time with the public and private sector,” including Milwaukee Recreation and several other districts, said Guy Smith, executive director of Milwaukee County Parks, in an interview with NNS.
The power of partnerships
Working with others, Smith said, provides access to new funds and the ability to combine services, something other county departments have also done more of in recent years. He said his department has worked with other groups since the pandemic began to provide personal protective equipment, bicycles, food and other resources during events at more than a dozen parks.
The report also recommends transferring maintenance and other responsibilities for neighborhood parks to municipalities and segregating revenue-generating amenities, such as golf courses, boat rides and the Boerner Botanical Gardens, so they pay for themselves.
The challenge with that option is that many of the park’s amenities, including the Mitchell Park Domes, don’t generate a profit.
The Domes “is a very valuable amenity, but it’s not paying for itself,” Smith acknowledged. “We have to look at what’s possible and what’s not, and what’s the potential for tax credits and other funding models.”
What wouldn’t be ideal, according to Henken, is for attractions such as The Domes to raise their prices to the point that they become inaccessible to the broader community. He added that not every single revenue-generating entity needs to pay for itself.
“Collectively they have to make money,” he said. “Golf courses can potentially help support attractions like The Domes.”
Bill Lynch, chairman of the Mitchell Park Domes Task Force, said the plan his group supported in 2019 would have made The Domes and other proposed amenities at the park self-sustainable.
“The plans for Mitchell Park have the potential to support 300 jobs if fully implemented,” Lynch said.
Another option laid out in the report is to segregate The Domes and other regional attractions such as the Boerner Botanical Gardens into distinct organizational units and finance them separately.
Other options, according to the report, include creating a park district to collect funds and accompanying that with a fiscal control board to set ceilings on spending. In addition, the state could consider authorizing a new property or sales tax or a dedicated property or sales tax that is shared with municipalities.
Local officials have pressed state lawmakers for years to eliminate the mechanism that prevents Milwaukee, at both the city and county levels, from levying income and sales taxes.
“There’s been a significant effort that has continued with county, city and state officials on that front,” Smith said. “With that being said, it’s still going to be a tough lift.”
He said one thing working in the park system’s favor is that more people, after weathering the pandemic, see the value that parks provide, and they don’t want those treasures to be lost.
It’s a point not lost on Henken.
“I don’t think there’s any question that if the goal of policymakers is to maintain a first-class public park system with great public access, having some form of dedicated funding is needed so that the parks are no longer forced to compete with all other government functions for property tax money,” he said.
Smith, who said his department is reviewing the report while also collecting feedback from community stakeholders, remains upbeat about the future of Milwaukee County Parks.
“We’re looking at things that we can do to not just survive, but to thrive,” he said.

author: Edgar Mendez


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Post from Community: America’s Black Holocaust Museum receives a $10 million commitment | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
America's Black Holocaust Museum
December 8, 2021
(File photo by Sue Vliet)
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
America’s Black Holocaust Museum (ABHM) is the recipient of a $10 million commitment made by an anonymous donor through the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. This transformational commitment is in support of ABHM’s recent announcement to reopen on February 25, 2022, and a strategic plan by NMBL Strategies that provides a roadmap to growth and sustainability for generations to come.
“At a time of hyperpolarization, we are in dire need of safe spaces and opportunities created to bring us together to explore difficult issues, to learn, and to celebrate our history,” said Dr. Robert (Bert) Davis, president and CEO of America’s Black Holocaust Museum. “The reemergence of the museum is critical at this time for Bronzeville, Milwaukee and nationally, and I am honored and humbled to continue the work and the legacy of our founder, Dr. James Cameron, as a result of this generous commitment.”
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An official announcement and check presentation was made on Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 10 am at the museum, 401 W. North Avenue in Milwaukee.
The commitment will be carried out in two phases – an initial grant of $5 million, and a future commitment of an additional $5 million.
Phase one’s main objective is to open and expand the museum for public use. Funds will support expanding and enhancing the exhibits in the building, including all necessary additions
and upgrades as well as the grand re-opening. The commitment will also support critical operations such as the addition of key staff and community programming. The expansion will include the acquisition of an adjacent building at 324 W. North Avenue for academic programming.
Phase two will support long-term goals of sustainability and development of the museum to ensure the mission and vision can be carried out in perpetuity.
“With this new investment, America’s Black Holocaust Museum is poised for growth as an unparalleled destination for knowledge and connection – a jewel in our city that enhances the
surrounding neighborhoods and serves as a beacon for racial justice everywhere,” said Ellen
Gilligan, president and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. “The generational work of ABHM aligns with the Foundation’s vision of a Milwaukee for all, and on behalf of our anonymous donor, we hope this commitment inspires others to support and sustain the museum in its vital mission.”
The museum, as a physical space and virtual museum, is crucial as an anchor institution in the heart of Milwaukee historic neighborhood of Bronzeville – and as a place of learning, healing and reconciliation.
About America’s Black Holocaust Museum
For 20 years, ABHM served as a cultural cornerstone and educational institution welcoming local, national and international visitors of all backgrounds to the city of Milwaukee. Its physical return to Bronzeville celebrates the neighborhood’s history and encourages efforts to develop the Bronzeville Cultural and Entertainment District.
ABHM is dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Cameron, one of few known survivors of a lynching in American history. He founded ABHM to explore under-told stories of the African American experience and the harmful legacy of slavery as well to promote racial repair, reconciliation and healing. After closing its doors in 2008, the museum continued its education of others by launching a virtual museum in 2012 (www.abhmuseum.org). The museum is now on the verge of reopening as a physical space on the very footprint of its predecessor at the corner of Vel R. Phillips and North avenues.
About the Greater Milwaukee Foundation
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is Wisconsin’s largest community foundation and was among the first established in the world. For more than a century, the Foundation has been at the heart of the civic community, helping donors achieve the greatest philanthropic impact, elevating the work of change makers across neighborhoods, and bringing people and organizations together to help our region thrive. Racial equity is the Foundation’s North Star, guiding its investments and strategies for social and economic change. Leveraging generations of community knowledge, cross-sector partnerships and more than $1 billion in financial assets, the Foundation is committed to reimagining philanthropy, re-centering communities and remaking systems to transform our region into a Milwaukee for all. greatermilwaukeefoundation.org | @GrMKEFdn | facebook.com/GreaterMilwaukeeFoundation

author: America's Black Holocaust Museum


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 8, 2021


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Post from Community: Milwaukee County launching long awaited text-to-911 service | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee County
December 8, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Leer en español: Publicación de la comunidad: el condado de Milwaukee lanza el esperado servicio de texto al 911
Milwaukee County is joining a growing number of areas across the country in launching a Text-to-911 service that allows County residents to text 911 for help in case of an emergency. The new service allows Milwaukee County residents near County cell phone towers to text 911 emergency service if they are unable to make a voice call.
“This is a fantastic day for Milwaukee County as we launch an important emergency service that we’ve wanted to bring to the community for quite some time. This service increases the equitability of our public safety resources by leveling the field of accessibility for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deaf-blind individuals to access 911 services at any time,” said County Executive David Crowley. “In addition, text-to-911 provides another tool to increase public safety for individuals in situations where they cannot call due to poor reception or in situations where it is too dangerous to make a call. When it comes to 911 emergency services, residents should call if they can and text if they can’t.”
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To text 911, residents should enter the numbers “911” into the “To” field and compose a short, simply worded text message in the text message field, just like a normal text message, using no abbreviations or jargon. The first brief message should describe the location of emergency and the type of help needed. After sending the first message, users should be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 911 call taker. Dispatches do not have the ability to get picture or video through the text message service at this time, however the department anticipates next generation 911 technology arriving soon will enable 911 call centers to receive photos and video in the future
“Calling 911 remains the quickest and most efficient method to share information about an emergency, but the texting technology allows another option for individuals to contact emergency services in the event they cannot call,” said Office of Emergency Management Director Cassandra Libal. “Our number one goal is keeping residents healthy and safe, so we’re excited to provide another tool to meet the needs of County residents.”
The text-to-911 program is a technology-based service that uses cell tower information to determine where a text is being sent from. This means when using text-to-911 cell phones will connect to the closest cell tower and the cell tower location is sent to 911. Because the Text-To-911 program is a county service, messages to 911 sent through a non-county cell phone tower will bounce back and not be submitted to 911 emergency services.
Learn more about Milwaukee County Text-To-911 program online.

author: Milwaukee County


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NNS Spotlight: Nonprofit paves the way for diversity in the construction, manufacturing trades | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
December 9, 2021
Tiffany Tillis was working as a server and bartender, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she turned to WRTP BIG STEP. Now she’s a bricklayer apprentice. (Photo provided Tiffany Tillis)
For 10 years, Tiffany Tillis worked as a server and bartender. As a single mother of three, she took it day by day, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and she was laid off, Tillis knew it was time for a change.
Tillis, 28, has always loved history and masonry facades and was interested in the historical preservation side of masonry.
She’s now in her first year as a bricklayer apprentice with Berglund Construction, a general contractor company known for its restoration work. While she’s learning the skills of her trade on the job, it was WRTP BIG STEP that prepared her for her career.
“In my experience, lots of things I learned before I ever stepped foot on a commercial job site was in the basement of WRTP BIG STEP,” Tillis said. “All of the training, all of the certifications that I received prior to stepping foot on a commercial site have really helped me out.”
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WRTP BIG STEP, 3841 W. Wisconsin Ave., stands for Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership and Building Industry Group Skilled Trade Employment Program. For 30 years, the nonprofit organization has connected employees and employers in the manufacturing and construction industries.
“WRTP BIG STEP is a true workforce intermediary,” Lindsay Blumer, the president and chief executive officer, said. “We work with employers to understand needs and talent pipeline issues, and we adjust and customize our training to meet the workforce development needs. We’re the spark in between workers and employers.”
The overarching goal of the organization is to facilitate career pathways that lead to family-sustaining jobs, she said. Part of its mission includes helping traditionally disenfranchised populations, such as women and people of color.
WRTP BIG STEP wants to change the narrative of the trades through diversity, says Lindsay Blumer, its president and chief executive officer. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
Through the nonprofit’s career services programming, individuals can receive tutoring, pre-apprenticeship training certification and exposure to different careers.
Tillis, for example, was able to get first aid and CPR certification, her commercial driver’s license permit and hands-on experience.
“My first skill saw that I’ve ever run was in the WRTP workshop,” she said. “It really allowed me to gain some sort of confidence to be out there on my own.”
WRTP BIG STEP serves as the go-between between an individual and the industry, she said.
Bringing diversity to the trades
Dwayne Sampson, 21, is a sheet metal apprentice with Langer Roofing & Sheet Metal. Through WRTP BIG STEP, Sampson learned how to manage his finances and prepare for retirement. Now, he’s looking to purchase a home and eventually start his own architectural sheet metal business.
Sampson first heard of WRTP BIG STEP when the organization visited his high school, Milwaukee Academy of Science, 2000 W. Kilbourn Ave. The organization supported him when he began his career in HVAC and later when he transitioned to sheet metal.
“It’s different every day,” Dwayne Sampson, a sheet metal apprentice, says. “I’m able to turn nothing into something.” (Photo provided by Dwayne Sampson)
While he enjoys his career, Sampson noted that his field lacks minority workers.
Part of WRTP BIG STEP’s work addresses diversity in construction and manufacturing. This means figuring out the barriers to entry for women and traditionally disenfranchised populations, Blumer said.
“The systems and the historical infrastructure of construction and manufacturing have not been immune to some of the systemic ways in which people of color and women have been left out,” Blumer said.
In October, the organization was awarded the Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations grant by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau as part of its work with the disruptHER Consortium. The organization also receives funding from the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Workforce Development.
“We’re in it to make sure our communities are diverse and they’re healthy, and that people can have wealth attainment so they can send their kids to school and have health insurance and have retirement,” she said. “That only makes our communities stronger.”
For more information
Click here to connect with WRTP BIG STEP.

created: December 9, 2021

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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5 things to know and do the weekend of Dec. 10 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
December 10, 2021
Take part in this weekend’s Hmong New Year celebration at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. (File photo by Sue Vliet)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know.
If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. COA Goldin Winter Wonderland: Friday, Dec. 10
Join COA Youth & Family Centers for family friendly activities, crafts, gifts and more. The event takes place from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 at 2320 W. Burleigh St. Registration is required to receive a gift. You can register here.
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2. Free COVID-19 vaccinations: Friday, Dec. 10
Children’s Community Health Plan and Health Connections are offering free first, second or booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine to community members 5 years old or older. All eligible individuals will be vaccinated regardless of ID, documentation or insurance status. Friday’s clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pete’s Fruit Market on the South Side, l400 S. Union St. There will be another clinic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 13 at Monterrey Market, 3920 S. 27th St. Individuals older than 12 years old will receive a $50 gift card to Pete’s Fruit Market or Monterrey Market. Individuals younger than 12 years old will receive a $10 gift card.
3. “Music Under the Stars “: Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec.11
Abraxes and Donna Woodall perform as part of Arts @ Large’s ongoing “Music Under the Stars” concert series. The Friday show will be fully acoustic while the Saturday show returns to Abraxes “rockin’ roots.” The acoustic and “rockin’” shows take place Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11, respectively, at Arts @ Large, located at 1100 S. 5th St. Tickets are $7, cash bar. The shows take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
4. Open guitar lessons at Newline Cafe: Saturday, Dec. 11
All experience levels are welcome to free open guitar lessons at Newline Cafe. The lessons will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 11 at Newline Cafe, located at 3618 W. Pierce St. Guitars will be provided but participants can bring their own.
5. Hmong New Year at the Wisconsin State Fair: Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12
Celebrate Hmong New Year this weekend with a Miss Hmong Wisconsin competition, Hmong dance competitions, Hmong singing competition and live concert performances. Day programs run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12, while the night program runs from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Day program tickets are $5 and night program tickets are $18. All events take place at the Wisconsin Exhibition Center at State Fair Park, located at 8200 W. Greenfield Ave. in West Allis.
BONUS: Blood drive at City of Light Church: Saturday, Dec. 11
City of Light Church is partnering with Versiti Blood Center to host a blood drive from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 6725 W. Burleigh St. Appointments are encouraged and can be made here.
In case you missed it: 18 winter activities for you and your loved ones

created: December 10, 2021

author: Sam Woods


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 9, 2021


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‘Latino Wisconsin’ takes home the Chicago/Midwest Regional Emmy for best documentary | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
December 10, 2021
“Latino Wisconsin” won the outstanding documentary award at the 63rd Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards. (Photo provided by Ralph Pabst)
Georgia and Ralph Pabst have had a busy year.
They moved to a different state, aired their documentary on PBS Wisconsin, brainstormed ideas for their next project.
Oh, and they’ve won an Emmy.
The couple’s documentary, “Latino Wisconsin,” won the award for “outstanding achievement for documentary programs- topical”  at the 63rd Chicago/Midwest Regional Emmy Awards, which took place on Sunday, Dec. 5.
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The show was livestreamed, so the couple, who moved from Milwaukee to Chicago earlier this year, watched the broadcast in their living room. Upon hearing they won, Georgia broke into tears.
“I thought: Well, we have a 1 in 3 chance of winning, and the fact that we won after all the years we spent on it and not knowing if anybody would watch it or care about it, all the emotions came rolling up, and it was really, really thrilling,” she said.
Georgia and Ralph Pabst plan to make another documentary, but for now, they’re celebrating their win. (Photo provided by Ralph Pabst)
The documentary highlights the important roles Latinos play in the state from the farm and rural communities to art and activism to education and the future.
The story was specific to Wisconsin, Ralph said, so winning the Emmy shows that the story has value and significance beyond the state.
“We just hope that more people will be curious to see it,” Georgia said. “That’s the whole goal: that people watch and hopefully learn something they didn’t know before about the importance of the Latino community.”
The Pabsts aren’t sure what their next documentary will cover, but they plan to focus on a simpler topic. This first one was ambitious, Ralph said. In the meantime, Georgia plans to work on a book that will include additional interviews from the documentary.
Their advice to budding documentarians? Choose a topic that is focused. And finish what you start.
“If you do something simple the first time around, rather then a monster like this one was, then it’s a little easier to get through it,” Ralph said.
For more information
The documentary is available to watch for free on the film’s website.
In case you missed it: Documentary tells the story of ‘Latino Wisconsin.’


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Milwaukee Recreation offers free or low-cost ways to stay active this winter | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
December 10, 2021
Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Educational Center provides rental equipment at low costs. (NNS file photo by Kelly Meyerhofer)
Leer en español: una versión traducida de este artículo está disponible debajo de la versión en inglés.
Trying to stay active during the wintertime but don’t care for the cold? Then check out these programs offered by Milwaukee Recreation.
This department of Milwaukee Public Schools offers recreational opportunities at locations around the city, including free yoga classes, outdoor education activities, equipment rentals and a walking club.
To register, go online at milwaukeerecreation.net or call 414-475-8811. For a complete list of programs, including youth sports and senior programs, read the Winter Guide. You must register online or over the phone for your programs at least one week before a class begins.
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The mail-in registration deadline is Dec. 30. Mail can be sent to Milwaukee Recreation, P.O. Box 461, Milwaukee, WI 53201-2181.
Some options in the Winter Guide will have a registration fee or cost money. Here are some free and low-cost options:
Yoga and more
Milwaukee Recreation is offering yoga classes at Beulah Brinton Community Center, 2555 S. Bay St., and Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Educational Center, 1130 N. 60 St.
Classes will take place at Beulah Brinton on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. from Jan. 28 to March 18. Classes will be on Wednesdays at Hawthorn Glen from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. from Jan. 19 to March 9.
A New Year’s Day Yoga Fest will be held on Jan. 1 beginning at 9 a.m. Three different classes will help people find the yoga style that works best for them. The first class runs from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., followed by Gentle Yoga from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and family yoga from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Open gyms
Milwaukee Recreation also offers free time during its Twilight Hours at seven locations on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The locations are:
Andrew Douglas Middle School, 3620 N. 18th St. – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ages 10 to 15
Bay View High School, 2751 S. Lenox St.– Friday and Saturday – 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Ages 10 to 15
The following schools are open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday for ages 12 to 18.
A walk in the park
Milwaukee Recreation offers the MilWALKee Walking Club that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week. Participants will meet at different locations, then walk for about three miles and return to the spot where they started.
Winter Wonderwoods, a walk through Hawthorn Glen with holiday lights and displays, will be held on Dec. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 17 and Dec. 18 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Parents should pre-register their families at milwaukeerecreation.net or call 414-475-8811. The walk costs $4 per person.
Equipment, including toboggans and skis, can also be rented from Hawthorn Glen on weekends through January and February.
Toboggans can be rented for $3 an hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays from Jan. 1 to Feb. 26.
Skis can be rented for $5 for residents and $8 for non-residents from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays from Jan. 2 to Feb. 27.
A cross-county skiing class will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 15 and Jan. 22. The cost for the class is $15 for residents and $20 for non-residents.
¿Trata de mantenerse activo durante el invierno pero no se importa el frío? Entonces echa un vistazo a estos programas ofrecidos por Milwaukee Recreation.
Este departamento de las Escuelas Públicas de Milwaukee ofrece oportunidades recreativas en lugares de la ciudad, que incluyen clases de yoga gratuitas, actividades educativas al aire libre, alquiler de equipos y un club de caminatas.
Para registrarse, visite milwaukeerecreation.net o llame al 414-475-8811. Para obtener una lista completa de programas, incluidos deportes para jóvenes y programas para personas mayores, lea la Guía de invierno (Para ayuda en español: 414-475-8180). Debe registrarse en línea o por teléfono para sus programas al menos una semana antes de que comience una clase.
La fecha límite para registrarse por correo es el 30 de diciembre. El correo se puede enviar a Milwaukee Recreation, PO Box 461, Milwaukee, WI 53201-2181.
Algunas opciones de la Guía de invierno tendrán una tarifa de inscripción o costarán dinero. A continuación, se muestran algunas opciones gratuitas y de bajo costo:
Milwaukee Recreation ofrece clases de yoga en Beulah Brinton Community Center , 2555 S. Bay St., y Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Educational Center , 1130 N. 60th St.
Las clases se llevarán a cabo en Beulah Brinton los viernes de 10:30 am a 11:30 am del 28 de enero al 18 de marzo. Las clases serán los miércoles en Hawthorn Glen de 5:30 pm a 6:15 pm del 19 de enero al 9 de marzo.
El 1 de enero se llevará a cabo un Festival de Yoga de Año Nuevo a partir de las 9 am. Tres clases diferentes ayudarán a las personas a encontrar el estilo de yoga que mejor les funcione. La primera clase es de 9 am a 9:45 am, Seguida de Gentle Yoga de 10 am a 10:45 am. Y yoga familiar de 11 am a 11:45 am.
Milwaukee Recreation también ofrece tiempo libre durante sus Horas Crepusculares en siete ubicaciones los lunes, miércoles, viernes y sábados. Las ubicaciones son:
– Lunes, miércoles y viernes – 8:00 pm. Edades de 10 a 15 años.
Viernes y sábados – 5:30 pm a 8:30 pm Edades de 10 a 15 años.
Las siguientes escuelas están abiertas de 6 pm a 9 pm los lunes y miércoles y de 6 pm a 10 pm los sábados para las edades de 12 a 18.
Milwaukee Recreation ofrece el MilWALKee Walking Club que se reúne los martes y jueves de cada semana. Los participantes se reunirán en diferentes lugares, luego caminarán aproximadamente tres millas y regresarán al lugar donde comenzaron.
Winter Wonderwoods, una caminata por Hawthorn Glen con luces y exhibiciones navideñas, se llevará a cabo el 10 de diciembre, 11 de diciembre, 17 de diciembre y 18 de diciembre de 5 a 8:30 pm Los padres deben preinscribir a sus familias en milwaukeerecreation. net o llame al 414-475-8811. La caminata cuesta $4 por persona.
También se pueden alquilar equipos, incluidos toboganes y esquís, en Hawthorn Glen los fines de semana hasta enero y febrero.
Los toboganes se pueden alquilar por $3 la hora de 11 am a 3 pm los sábados del 1 de enero al 26 de febrero.
Los esquís se pueden alquilar por $5 para residentes y $8 para no residentes de 11 am a 4 pm los domingos del 2 de enero al 27 de febrero.
Se ofrecerá una clase de esquí de fondo desde las 10 am hasta el mediodía el 15 y el 22 de enero. El costo de la clase es de $15 para residentes y $20 para no residentes.

author: Matt Martinez


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snowshoe | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 9, 2021


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5 things to know and do this week in Milwaukee: Dec. 13 to Dec. 17 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
December 13, 2021
Nicole Acosta (left) takes us behind the scenes of her internationally acclaimed ‘HOOPS’ project on Tuesday. (Photo provided by Nicole Acosta)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Metcalfe Park Neighborhood Celebration: Monday, Dec. 13
If you live in the Metcalfe Park neighborhood, you’re invited to an end-of-year community celebration with Metcalfe Park Community Bridges. Attendees will receive free food, cooking supplies, diapers, deodorant, blankets, coats, blood pressure checks and information about local resources such as the Jewish Community Pantry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Legal Aid Society and the YMCA. The event will run from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13 at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society, 2620 W Center St. Registration is required and can be done by emailing Melody McCurtis at mmccurtis@metcalfepark.org.
2. Screening of “Blossom,” the story of 414loral: Tuesday, Dec. 14
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Carvd N Stone is hosting a screening of the documentary “Blossom,” the story of 414loral, a Black Milwaukee business thriving during the pandemic. The screening has sold out, but the talk back will be streamed live on Facebook beginning at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14. Click here.
3. The EXperience: ‘HOOPS’: Tuesday. Dec. 14
HOOPS, a project by local artist and photographer Nicole Acosta exploring hoop earrings’ role as symbols of complex, layered and beautiful identities for Black and brown communities, has made an international splash. At this event, Acosta takes you behind the scenes of the project and participants share stories of what hoop earrings mean to them. The event, hosted by Ex Fabula, runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14 at Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen, located at 320 E. Clybourn St. Tickets are available here.
4. Envision 13th Street Together Community Meeting: Thursday, Dec. 16
The City of Milwaukee will be presenting a draft of its plan for development in the area surrounding South 13th Street and West Oklahoma Avenue. You can review an executive summary of the plan here. The community meeting takes place online from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16. Register to attend here.
5. Winter Indoor Block Party Benefiting MKE Black: Wednesday, Dec. 15
Join Indeed Brewing for an indoor block party. A portion of all sales from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15 will go to MKE Black. Indeed Brewing is located at 530 S. 2nd St.

created: December 13, 2021


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 12, 2021

created: December 12, 2021


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Post from Community: State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski shares message on 2021 property taxes | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Office of the State Treasurer
December 13, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski today is reminding Wisconsinites that property tax season is here and to be sure to pay their property taxes on time to avoid unwanted interest and penalties. City, village, and town treasurers are in the process of mailing out property tax bills that should arrive by mid-December.
“When homeowners pay their property taxes, the money goes toward supporting their local communities and essential services such as education, public safety, sanitation, and mental health,” said State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski. “By making the first installment or paying in full by January 31st, homeowners can avoid interest and penalties, prevent foreclosure, and make a key investment in the community they call home.”
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Homeowners should be sure to check that they are receiving the lottery credit when reviewing their property tax bills. The lottery credit is available to individuals who are paying property tax on their primary residence.
By paying the full amount of the first installment by January 31, taxpayers ensure they don’t lose the option to pay in installments and avoid penalties and fees. If unable to pay the first installment, taxpayers should pay as much as they can to reduce added interest to late payments. Taxpayers who expect they might have difficulty paying their property tax bill should be sure to reach out to their local treasurer for guidance.
Additionally, the state is preparing for the launch of the Wisconsin Help for Homeowners (WHH) Program in early 2022. The program intends to provide nearly $93 million to eligible homeowners for critical mortgage and property tax assistance. The program will be administered by the Division of Energy, Housing, and Community Resources (DEHCR), in partnership with the Wisconsin Community Action Program (WISCAP), member agencies, the Office of the State Treasurer and Take Root Wisconsin. To receive information when the program becomes available, please visit homeownerhelp.wi.gov and complete the form linked at the bottom of the page.
For other questions regarding your property tax bill, reach out to your local treasurer or review this page for frequently asked questions. Contact information for your county treasurer can be found here.

author: Wisconsin Office of the State Treasurer


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 13, 2021


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9 ways you can help others this holiday season | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
December 14, 2021
The Salvation Army collects toys and provides them to families in need for the holidays. (Photo provided by Salvation Army)
As the holidays near, organizations in our community are once again accepting donations to provide gifts for those in need.
(Have we missed anything? If so, please note in the comments or email pbyers@milwaukeenns.org.)
1. United Ways’ Holiday Giving Tree program provides gifts to those who may otherwise go without. It is still accepting donations. United Way also is looking for volunteers throughout the holidays and beyond.
2. Repairers of the Breach serves Milwaukee’s homeless population and attempts to provide gifts for its guests and their families for the holidays. For more information, you can call 414-342-9323 or email centermanager@repairers.org.
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3. County Supervisor Sequanna Taylor, Dream Team United and the Peoples Revolution have collaborated to host a winter gear and toy drive from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 1218 W. North Ave. They also are accepting donations at Gentle Hands, 6815 W. Capitol Drive, and 80 Recording Studios, 1831 W. Forest Homes Ave. You can also donate by Cash App: $FarinaBrooks. For more information, you can contact Farina Brooks at 414-839-9481; Sequanna Taylor at 414-229-8844; email DreamteamMKE@gmail.com; or contact Cheri Faqua at Cheri@themiddlegroundMKE.org.
4. Capuchin Community Services is holding a Christmas Toy drive for children under the age of 10. Everything from games, dolls, small electronics, and much more are needed. For more information, call 414-933-1300, ext. 1151, or email capholidaydrives@thecapuchins.org.
5. The Salvation Army manages several programs that offer help throughout the holidays and beyond. It also is working with others on the Milwaukee and Waukesha County Toy for Tots campaign. For monetary donations, you can send a check to 2401 S. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53207. Make checks payable to Toys for Tots. For more information, call 414-464-2940.
6. Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is collecting monetary donations to buy meals for families. You can find more information here.
7. The Hope House, a food and shelter facility for Milwaukee’s homeless population, is looking for volunteers for holiday gift and food drives this year as well as donations. Call 414-645-2122 for more information.
8. Hunger Task Force is hosting a “Turkey Ticker Challenge.” For a $15 donation, a family in need can get a turkey. Go here for more info about the Turkey Ticker and other ways to donate.
9. The American Red Cross has numerous online ways to give gifts, greetings and donations for the holidays. Go hereto find out what works best for you.

created: December 14, 2021

author: PrincessSafiya Byers


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Post from Community: African American men invited to get real about their health | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Leslie McAbee
December 14, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Many studies reveal that men typically avoid going to the doctor. One study put the number as high as 60-percent. They would rather do anything, even clean the bathroom or mow the lawn, than go to the doctor. When it comes to mental health, the situation is worse. Men are less likely than women to seek mental health help for depression, substance addiction or stressful life events, including anxiety and trauma.
The Milwaukee team for the University of Wisconsin-Madison All of Us Research Program at the Center for Community Engagement and Health Partnerships has created a series of Men’s Health Nights in collaboration with Unity Gospel House of Prayer, Raising the Bar non-profit and the Community Action Aging Resource Network (CAARN).
The first Men’s Health Night happened organically, from a conversation at the barbershop. Now, the men who first gathered to learn and talk about their physical and mental health continue to want more. In answer, a dozen Black professionals met on December 7, 2021 to discuss a plan of action. Together they developed the 3rd installment, Men’s Health Night III: Real Talk, which will bring these professionals of the mind, body, and spirit in conversation with men who want to know why and how they should care for their physical and mental health.
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Men’s Health Night III: Real Talk will take place on Friday, December 17 at 6pm. To register for this hybrid event, please follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/MensHealthNight3.

author: Leslie McAbee


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Mens-Health-Night.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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December 10, 2021

author: Name *


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Post from Community: Alverno College will hold its 164th commencement on December 18 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alverno College
December 14, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Alverno College will hold its 164th commencement on December 18 as 124 bachelor’s and associate students, 117 master’s candidates and eight doctoral candidates walk across the Pitman Theatre stage to receive their degrees. The graduate ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. and the undergraduate ceremony will take place at 2:00 p.m.
This commencement will include the first graduates of Alverno’s Master of Music Therapy and Doctor of Education programs.
Commencement activities for undergraduates will begin on Friday, December 17 with a Baccalaureate Mass at 4:00 p.m. in the Alverno College chapel, followed by a reception for degree candidates and their families. The undergraduate commencement introduction will be given by Courtney Hackstein, who will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Arts in Practice and English. The undergraduate invocation will be given by Meredith Jackson, who will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Educational Studies. The student address, “The Complimentary Arts of Kindness and Determination,” will be given by Jayna Fischer, who will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Business & Management. The graduate commencement invocation will be given by Austin Floyd, who will receive a Doctorate in Education, and the graduate Benediction will be given by Clarissa Lawrence, who will receive a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Fischer lives in Jackson, Wis., Floyd is from Sumpter, S. Car., Hackstein lives in Greendale, Jackson is from Oak Creek, and Lawrence is a Milwaukee resident.
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About Alverno College
Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno College promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Undergraduate programs for women are offered in more than 60 areas of study, and graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology, school psychology, music therapy, music and liturgy, and business are open to women and men.
A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report. For two years, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education named Alverno the country’s most inspiring college.
Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college.

author: Alverno College


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graduation-1200px.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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December 14, 2021


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Post from Community: MATC to host first in-person GED/HSED graduation since 2019 at Downtown Milwaukee Campus Dec. 16 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Area Technical College
December 14, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Milwaukee Area Technical College will host its first in-person GED/HSED graduation on campus since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The event will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at Cooley Auditorium in the Main Building at MATC’s Downtown Campus, 1015 N. 6th St.
More than 250 students will be honored for earning General Educational Development (GED) certificates or High School Equivalency Diplomas (HSED). The ceremony recognizes students who graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College and seven  community-based educational partners – Adult Learning Center, Dominican Center, Journey House, Literacy Services of Wisconsin, Social Development Commission (SDC), UMOS Inc. and  YWCA Southeast Wisconsin.
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Speakers include Dr. Aronica V. Williams, a family practice physician and chief medical officer at Milwaukee Health Services Inc. (MHSI);  Dr. Vicki J. Martin, MATC president; Dr. Sadique Isahaku, MATC dean of the general education pathway; and Drewnette Hines and Araceliz Ocana, both graduating from MATC. Dr. Martin will officially confer the degrees.

The event is ticketed and COVID-19 precautions such as masks and social distancing will be required.

Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 25,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 170 academic programs; and transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

author: Milwaukee Area Technical College


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GED-HSED-Graduation-2-MATC.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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December 14, 2021


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Post from Community: Penfield Montessori Academy receives 4-year charter renewal through UW-Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Penfield Children’s Center
December 14, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Penfield Montessori Academy, a public charter school, received its charter renewal through UW-Milwaukee.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue serving our community and look forward to graduating our first 8th grade class in the spring of 2025,” said Dr. Mora Anderson, Head of School at Penfield Montessori. “We are proud of our inclusive Montessori curriculum and honored to bring quality education to children of all abilities.”
Penfield Montessori Academy is a free public Montessori charter school in Milwaukee that serves children starting at K3. Penfield Montessori has a multi-age classroom environment with a diverse student population that represents families from all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds throughout Milwaukee. Approximately 26% of the children have a disability or developmental delay, and Penfield Montessori prides itself on providing physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as social-emotional, and wellness programs in-house. Penfield Montessori’s curriculum promotes an individualized education that supports all children, including those with special needs, and focuses on hands-on and sensory-based learning.
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Spencer, a current student, enrolled in K3 when the school opened in 2016. Spencer’s mom, Cori, spoke about the uniqueness of Penfield Montessori and said what she liked most was the blend of Montessori education, the diverse population served, the inclusiveness of children of all abilities, and the passionate staff. She commented, “It’s great that he has grown up in an educational environment where you not only learn about the things that make us different, but also learn about how we are the same. That first-hand experience brings awareness and helps children develop empathy and kindness.”
If you are interested in enrolling your child at Penfield Montessori Academy, please visit penfieldmontessori.org/enrollment.

author: Penfield Children’s Center


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Vertical.PNG | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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December 14, 2021


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Community Collaborative Commission off to a slow start in work with MPD | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
December 15, 2021
The Community Collaborative Commission is working with the Milwaukee Police Department on a plan to develop standards for community-oriented policing. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Since it held its first official meeting in June of 2019, progress has been slow for the Community Collaborative Commission, or CCC.
The commission was created after the leak of an incomplete report by the U.S. Department of Justice that criticized the Milwaukee Police Department’s engagement with the community and the civil unrest that followed the fatal shooting of Sylville Smith by a Milwaukee police officer in Sherman Park.
The commission’s main task has been to work with the Milwaukee Police Department on a plan to develop standards for community-oriented policing and to improve law enforcement practices in Milwaukee.
Completion of that plan has been the highlight of 2021, said Stephen Jansen, the commission’s co-chairman.
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“We were able to work with the police department to revise the standard operating procedure for community-oriented policing for the City of Milwaukee,” Jansen said. “That document was something that was very important as a first step and actual written way of moving forward with police reform.”
Nicholas DeSiato, chief of staff for the Milwaukee Police Department, said the plan sets standards that will help improve community relations and public safety by promoting collaborations with police and others and creating positive interactions with the community
“When people collaborate with the police more, there’s more efficacy, and people trust the police,” DeSiato said.
The plan calls for more interactions with the public throughout a shift; that officers notify a supervisor regarding problems in a neighborhood that may require a more in-depth problem-oriented policing approach; and for the department to establish relationships with resident groups, advocacy and community-based organizations and private businesses.
Other objectives that are meant to accompany that plan, approved nearly 10 months ago, have come along more slowly.
But the goal remains to support it with a communitywide safety plan, said Fred Royal, co-chairman of the CCC’s policy committee. That plan will include commitments by the MPD to hold listening sessions in the community, create memorandums of understanding with community groups and to take other steps to improve police/community relations, Royal added.
He said the listening sessions will help inform the safety plan by allowing residents to provide input on  their concerns and also recommendations on how police and residents can work together to solve them.
“All voices have to be heard so that law enforcement and the community are in support of this citywide safety plan,” Royal said.  “I think that it can occur.”
Coinciding with that effort, the CCC has also drafted a modified “use of force” policy it wants the police department to adopt, Royal said.
“That plan more clearly defines the limits of when you can use force,” Royal said.
Instituting that policy, he said, could help the police department improve community relations while avoiding costly lawsuits.
DeSiato said the department has made progress on that front over the past year.  He said new de-escalation protocols, among other changes, have already been added to the department’s use-of-force policy.
Still, said Jansen, it’s important to have a legal template and training to structure how officers conduct themselves when engaging with residents, especially Black and brown communities.
“There’s a feeling of a PD that’s overbearing in the community and there’s no criminal activity or illegality that’s taking place,” Jansen said. “We need more fairness when it comes to policing.”
In July 2020, the leadership of the CCC accused the MPD of not working in good faith with them. Police, who were ordered by the Fire and Police Commission to help the CCC to develop a community-oriented policing plan, produced a first draft.  At the time, Royal called it a rush job and said it was “riddled with shortcomings that are contrary to the definition of true community-oriented policing.”
The relationship with the police has gotten more positive since then, although Royal is still critical of the pace at which plans are being carried out.
DeSiato acknowledged the delays, some caused by the changes in leadership after ex-Chief Alfonso Morales was ousted by the Fire and Police Commission. But he  said it’s been a positive to work with the CCC. He said the process has allowed CCC members and others to provide feedback and be part of a decision-making process that hasn’t typically included the community.
“We understand that there is more credibility when there is involvement by all sectors,” DeSiato said. “There are people that historically don’t trust the police and those that think the police do everything right, but the reality is more towards the middle of the spectrum.”
The CCC has also been hindered by challenges making quorum, which caused it to cancel several meetings in 2021. To address that situation, leaders have removed  the executive directors from Voces De La Frontera, Hmong American Women’s Association, the Milwaukee Islamic Dawah Center and the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center from the commission.
According to a draft of a resolution amending membership of the CCC, those groups stated that they did not intend to continue as part of the commission and were inactive. At one point, the commission had 16 members, although only 12 are currently listed on the city website.
Moving forward into next year, Jansen said he wants to see more accountability from MPD. He said he believes that the changes his group has proposed will create that.
“There will be new policies and new rules and more things documented that the police will be required to live up to,” he said.
He also said he wants the department to comply with the ACLU Stop and Frisk settlement. The Milwaukee Common Council approved a $3.4 million settlement in 2018 and mandated sweeping reforms of the department’s stop-and-frisk practices.
The latest report from the Crime and Justice Institute, which has been tracking the city’s compliance with that settlement, found that while there has been progress related to training and oversight, among other things, many of the stop-and-frisks and use-of- force incidents in Milwaukee were not justified with documentation.
DeSiato said his department has hired new staff to support reporting requirements. In addition, he said, new Police Chief Jeffrey Norman has made compliance with that settlement one of his top priorities.
Jansen said he, too, wants to see better results.
“What we have is a systematic failure of the MPD to follow through on its commitment,” he said. “I think this is all coming to a head.”

created: December 15, 2021


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 14, 2021


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What you need to know about the opening of voucher and public housing waiting lists | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
December 15, 2021
All voucher and public housing waiting lists will open Dec. 15. (File photo by Brittany Carloni)
Leer en español: una versión traducida de este artículo está disponible debajo de la versión en inglés.
The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, or HACM, is opening all voucher and public housing waiting lists starting Wednesday, Dec. 15.
These lists open every few years as space becomes available in the city’s public housing projects. The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee will accept online pre-applications from those interested in applying for Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8 rent assistance), Project-Based Vouchers, Public Housing Designated for Seniors and Disabled or Public Housing for Families.
Participants in HACM’s subsidized housing programs typically pay 30 percent of their income for rent, and through funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HACM pays the difference.
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What you need to know about the waitlist
Eligible applicants must be adult Wisconsin residents with total household incomes no more than those indicated below.
Those who pre-apply will be contacted via email to fill out the official online application. After they do that, they’ll be called in order of when they applied once space becomes available for them. Officials say it is important to note that this waitlist is different from that of the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list. The Section 8 program offers rent subsidies to people living in privately owned housing and the housing projects are owned by the city. The Section 8 list is not open for applications now.
We talked with Amy Hall, the communication coordinator for HACM, to answer questions about the process.
How long should people wait to hear from you after filling out the online pre-application before they reach out?
HACM is calling people back as space becomes available. The list was opened because it was getting low, but people can be on the list for around two years before getting a call.
You’re applying to apply. Once space becomes available, they reach out to you, and you then go through the actual application process.
Is there a best time of day to call?
A staff member will call you. They communicate with renters at times that work best for them.
How long is the application process?
Once the required information is returned, the application process is quick. However, there is no way to determine how long someone will be on the waitlist.
What housing developments are on the list?
Every list has different properties, which you can find here.
How can people make this process easier for themselves?
Provide the following and understand that you will receive an email to fill out the full application — and then a call when and if space becomes available.
Does meeting the eligibility guidelines make someone immediately available for funds?
No. You can be eligible. However, if you do not verify eligibility through proper sources, you may not receive assistance.
Can you apply to a particular project, or is it just an application to be in the program?
This is just an application to be in the program.
Is there anything else people should know?
Pre-applications are being accepted at waitlist.hacm.org. This type of assistance subsidizes the cost of housing at the specific housing developments listed above.
La Autoridad de Vivienda de la Ciudad de Milwaukee, o HACM, abrirá todas las listas de espera de vales y viviendas públicas a partir del miércoles 15 de diciembre.
Estas listas se abren cada pocos años a medida que hay espacio disponible en los proyectos de vivienda pública de la ciudad. La Autoridad de Vivienda de la Ciudad de Milwaukee aceptará solicitudes previas en línea de aquellos interesados en solicitar vales de elección de vivienda (asistencia de alquiler de la Sección 8), vales basados en proyectos, viviendas públicas designadas para personas mayores y discapacitadas o viviendas públicas para familias.
Los participantes en los programas de vivienda subsidiada de HACM generalmente pagan el 30 por ciento de sus ingresos en concepto de alquiler y, a través de fondos del Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de EE. UU., HACM paga la diferencia.
Los solicitantes elegibles deben ser residentes adultos de Wisconsin con ingresos familiares totales no superiores a los indicados a continuación.
Aquellos que realicen una solicitud previa serán contactados por correo electrónico para completar la solicitud oficial en línea. Después de hacer eso, se les llamará por orden de solicitud una vez que haya espacio disponible para ellos. Los funcionarios dicen que es importante tener en cuenta que esta lista de espera es diferente a la lista de espera del Vales de elección de vivienda (Sección 8). El programa de la Sección 8 ofrece subsidios de alquiler a las personas que viven en viviendas de propiedad privada y los proyectos de viviendas son propiedad de la ciudad. La lista de la Sección 8 no está abierta para aplicaciones ahora.
Hablamos con Amy Hall, la coordinadora de comunicación de HACM, para responder preguntas sobre el proceso.
HACM está llamando a la gente a que regrese a medida que haya espacio disponible. La lista se abrió porque se estaba quedando baja, pero las personas pueden estar en la lista durante unos dos años antes de recibir una llamada.
Está postulando para postularse. Una vez que haya espacio disponible, se comunicarán con usted y luego pasará por el proceso de solicitud real.
Un miembro del personal lo llamará. Se comunican con los inquilinos en los momentos que mejor les funcionan.
Una vez que se devuelve la información requerida, el proceso de solicitud es rápido. Sin embargo, no hay forma de determinar cuánto tiempo estará alguien en la lista de espera.
Cada lista tiene propiedades diferentes, que puede encontrar aquí.
Proporcione lo siguiente y comprenda que recibirá un correo electrónico para completar la solicitud completa, y luego una llamada cuando haya espacio disponible.
No. Puede ser elegible. Sin embargo, si no verifica la elegibilidad a través de las fuentes adecuadas, es posible que no reciba asistencia.
Esta es solo una aplicación para estar en el programa.
Se aceptan solicitudes previas en waitlist.hac.org. Este tipo de asistencia subsidia el costo de la vivienda en los desarrollos de viviendas específicos enumerados anteriormente.


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MATC broadens access for Milwaukee students amid historical inequities, dropping enrollment | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mario Koran / Wisconsin Watch and WPR
December 16, 2021
Jasmin Treske had planned to go to college after graduating from South Milwaukee High School. She picked out classes at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and attended orientation, but the looming financial commitment spooked her. So she decided to take a year off. And in that year, Treske got pregnant.
“Going to school just became that much harder. Now somebody else was in the equation,” she said.
One day, without a plan, she stopped by the Oak Creek Campus of Milwaukee Area Technical College and started scouring the rack of informational brochures. That’s where a staff member spotted her and asked if she needed help. She did. Her parents hadn’t been to college; she had to navigate a new world of higher education without a template.
Soon Treske was meeting with an admissions counselor and student success coordinator. “They helped me answer questions I didn’t know to ask,” she said.
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Not long after, Treske began taking classes in finance. A part-time job as a bank teller became full-time, and she started volunteering, teaching financial classes to young people. Treske met a mentor, and her professional network quickly expanded.
Today, Treske is the program and events manager for the MKE Tech Hub Coalition, a nonprofit that aims to grow and diversify Milwaukee’s tech community. She’s an active supporter of MATC. Treske, who is Latina, helps connect other young people of color to tech careers.
‘Determined to be part of the solution’
Across the country, community colleges are looked at as a ladder to opportunities for people like Treske, educating students, launching careers and fueling local economies.
In Milwaukee, that mission is increasingly vital, particularly for its residents of color. A 2020 UW-Milwaukee report ranks it at or near the bottom of major cities when it comes to many key measures of Black community well-being, including rates of homeownership and employment. The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is only expected to deepen inequities.
MATC has in recent years launched a dizzying array of programs and initiatives to open the door to adult learners, including free tuition to qualifying students, debt forgiveness and dual-credit programs for high school students which it says have cut costs and accelerated a college education for more than 4,000 students. More than three-quarters of participants in the free tuition and debt forgiveness programs are students of color, MATC said.
Despite successes, former students and those who have worked with them say barriers persist for adult learners transitioning to college. Fewer MATC students complete their programs than at peer institutions across the United States, according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. About 16% of MATC students finish their programs within 150% of normal completion time, compared to a median of 31% among peer institutions.
Nevertheless, MATC remains a lifeline for students like Treske, boosting economic opportunity for Milwaukee and its residents.
“I really am a true believer that education really lifts people out of poverty, improves their lives and improves the community that we all share. And we’re determined to be part of that solution,” MATC president Vicki Martin said.
As the largest and most diverse campus within the Wisconsin Technical College System, MATC is well positioned for the effort. At four different campuses and two smaller education centers, the tech college enrolled more than 24,600 students last year — 90% of them part-time — for a full-time equivalent of roughly 8,000 students, according to the most recent data available. More than a quarter of its students are Black and 20% Latino. Statewide, Black students make up 6.5% and Latinos make up 9% of technical school enrollment.
Milwaukee: ‘Archetype’ of inequality
By some measures, the outlook for Black Milwaukeeans has only worsened in recent decades. A 2020 report by UW-Milwaukee’s Center for Economic Development described the city as “the archetype of modern-day metropolitan racial apartheid and inequality,” with the median Black household income the lowest among the nation’s 50 largest metro areas.
Martin said such statistics only underscore the importance of education as a tool for unlocking economic opportunity. MATC offers 200 programs that can help prepare students for careers in one or two years and provides a more affordable avenue for students who transfer to other schools to pursue four-year degrees.
“The kinds of jobs and careers that we offer will lead to family sustaining wages,” Martin said. “And I really believe that education is that difference maker.”
But as it has for colleges across the country, the past year and a half have tested MATC’s capacity to sustain revenues and meet students’ needs amid a pandemic — the fallout of which has yet to come into full view.
Enrollment across the technical college system dropped by 19% between 2018 and 2020. For MATC, its full-time equivalent count of students dipped from 10,023 to 8,021 over the same period. A survey of students who left school between the spring and fall of 2021 revealed most cited changes in life circumstances, funding or concerns over physical and mental health.
Martin said MATC maintained a balanced budget by reducing expenditures, cutting the number of course sections offered — but not classes or programs. The lessons learned during the pandemic, she said, will only make the institution better.
Success uneven for MATC students
There’s no shortage of success stories for MATC graduates. Wisconsin Watch reached out to current and former MATC students via Facebook and text messages through its News414 engagement collaboration. Most shared positive stories.
After dropping out of high school, Marisol Mendoza earned an associate’s paralegal degree from MATC. Based on her grades there, she was awarded scholarships to Marquette University, where she studied criminology and legal studies. Today, Mendoza’s work as a paralegal focuses on civil rights and labor law.
Tanya Fenninger said MATC helped her become a certified nursing assistant, a credential that got her a job right out of school. “I think MATC does a great job at getting you prepared for a professional career,” she said.
Others shared experiences they said left them disappointed.
Melissa Buscher had been a hairdresser for 30 years when she decided at the age of 47 to join MATC’s echocardiography program.
But she soon found out she’d need additional classes before she could apply for the program. She struggled with some of those video-based classes — and to get help when she had questions.
Buscher described the instructors as overwhelmed. “They had too many hats to wear,” she said.
One year and $9,000 later, she left the school, transferring to Bryant & Stratton College. She said the credits she earned at MATC won’t count toward the credential she’s currently pursuing.
Martin said both students and staff faced a learning curve when it came to the online instruction, with staff constantly responding to challenges as they arose. Over time, she said, instructors and students generally became more comfortable with virtual learning, and some students found they actually preferred the online approach due to its flexibility.
Programs aim to broaden access
In 2015, MATC launched the Promise Program for new high school graduates which offers up to 75 credits of free tuition for those who qualify. Three years later, it kicked off the Promise Program for adults 24 and older who have earned some college credits but don’t have degrees. And in October, MATC expanded the program to include students who had earned high school equivalency degrees.
More than 900 high school graduates and 1,100 adults have participated in the programs since their start, according to MATC — 78% of them students of color, which includes Black, Latino, Asian and biracial students.
Last year, MATC launched its ReStart program for students who earned credits at MATC and still owe money. Students who return to MATC can earn up to $1,500 in scholarships over three semesters. More than 300 students have benefited from ReStart, 86% of them students of color, MATC said.
The college has tried a variety of other approaches to help Milwaukee students get college credit, including partnering with nonprofits like Teens Grow Greens, led by program director and Milwaukee native Sylvia Wilson.
The program offers paid internships and a certified pre-apprenticeship program with the state Department of Workforce Development. Students create a professional portfolio of their work experiences, which can earn them college credit from MATC.
The goal is to move students toward registered apprenticeships, higher education and living wage jobs. The program has a 100% high school graduation rate, Wilson said.
Dual enrollment programs touted
Overall, about 2,000 students are participating in dual enrollment programs that allow them to earn MATC credit while still in high school.
One of them is M-cubed, or M3 College Connections program, a partnership between MATC, the public school system and UW-Milwaukee. Students who qualify can earn college credits from both MATC and UWM at no cost.
The program saves students about $5,000 they would have spent on tuition, or collectively an estimated $750,000, Martin said. She described such dual enrollment programs as “the wave of the future.”
John Hill, director of college and career readiness for MPS and an M-cubed program leader, said the program has grown from 32 students in 2018, its first year, to 149 students this year. Along the way, the program has offered additional areas of focus for students pursuing careers in nursing or education.
But the program’s metrics are based on MPS’ overall student population — not just those enrolled in M3. Those statistics show fewer than half who attend MATC or UW-Milwaukee stay for a second year. And those numbers were declining even before the pandemic shut down in-person classes.
M-cubed program leaders are encouraged by the overall increase in graduation rate for all Milwaukee Public School students, which rose to 69.1% in 2019 from 66.7% the year before.
But, noted Danny Goldberg, a former MPS school board member: “There’s no metrics to show whether there was a causal relationship between M-cubed and the graduation rates.”
Those who successfully complete the program can earn 21 college credits. Hill points to one student who will earn her licensed practical nurse credential even before she graduates high school.
“They’re going to have the confidence and the knowledge that ‘Yes, I belong in the college game.’ ”
This piece is part of a collaboration that includes the Institute for Nonprofit News, Borderless Magazine, BridgeDetroit, Sahan Journal and Wisconsin Watch. The project was made possible with support from INN’s Amplify News Project, whose funders include the Joyce Foundation in the Great Lakes region, and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation in Chicago. The nonprofit Wisconsin Watch (www.WisconsinWatch.org) collaborates with WPR, PBS Wisconsin, other news media and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by Wisconsin Watch do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates.

created: December 16, 2021

author: Mario Koran / Wisconsin Watch and WPR


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MATC-chart | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 15, 2021


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Nursing-MATC | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 15, 2021


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Students-in-Student-Center-MATC | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 15, 2021


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Sylvia-Wilson_01 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 15, 2021


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Vicki-Martin | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
December 15, 2021


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Post from Community: Adopt your drain and keep Milwaukee streets, sidewalks and water safe this winter | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sweet Water
December 16, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Another Milwaukee winter is here! Make shoveling and de-icing your walk or driveway easier this winter by giving ice and snow somewhere to go once it melts! Keep the storm drain nearest to your house or apartment clear to allow melted snow to drain away from your property, preventing it from becoming a dangerous icy puddle when freezing temperatures hit again. Keeping the drain clear and frozen puddles at bay also helps protect your wallet. Instead of spending more money on salt to melt that ice a second time, it will drain away with only the investment of a little time.
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Visit the interactive map at the Adopt Your Drain website (www.AdoptYourDrain.com) to find the storm drain nearest to your home. Make sure you step outside and take a look at it before we get hit with heavy snows; at some point this winter it will likely be buried under a snow pile so identifying a nearby landmark now will help you find it again later. Save yourself from the hassle of trying to find it the first time when it’s hiding under a layer of plowed, compacted snow and ice!
Make sure to routinely check your drains for ice, snow, or debris. Maintaining a clean and clear storm drain is most effective when work is done on a routine basis. Regularly checking and cleaning your storm drain will allow it to function at full capacity, creating smaller debris loads and reducing the risk of flooding, icing, and pollution.
As mentioned above, blocked drains are a safety issue, since they can lead to slippery sidewalks and roads. Also, clogged drains increase the chance for runoff pollution. Frozen or liquid water that sits on the street can pick up contaminants from cars, salt from the ground, and nutrients from pet waste and sitting leaves. Depending on where you are in the city, that water may run directly into the nearest river once it is able to go down the storm drain, so the more pollutants we can keep out of it, the better!
As you’re performing routine drain inspections in order to protect the lakes, streams, and rivers that we’ll be able to enjoy again in the warmer months, think about other ways you can help to protect these natural amenities in the spring! If you’ve noticed any flooding or pooling issues on your property, consider planning/investing in green infrastructure strategies like rain gardens and rain barrels. And don’t forget to register the storm drain that you’ve been caring for all winter long at www.AdoptYourDrain.org!
: To register and adopt your storm drain, go to www.adoptyourdrain.com/
: To record your inspections and track you and your community’s progress, go to www.respectourwaters.org/ayd-dashboard
To learn about the benefits of a rain garden and how to design them, go to www.respectourwaters.org/add-a-rain-garden-swwt
: To learn more about the other ways you can protect your watershed, go to  www.respectourwaters.org/home-swwt
: To learn more about the work that Sweet Water does, go to www.swwtwater.org/
Contact Information:
600 E Greenfield Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53204
Phone: 414-382-1766
Email: info@swwtwater.org

author: Sweet Water


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Winter-Storm-Drain-small-12.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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December 16, 2021


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Post from Community: BBB Tip: A shopper’s guide to buying products made in the USA | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Lisa Schiller, Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin
December 16, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Nearly 80% of United States shoppers would rather buy an American-made product over an imported one if given the choice, according to a Consumer Reports survey. These buyers believe that shopping “Made in America” helps conserve American manufacturing jobs, and many said they would be willing to pay extra for an American-made product.
Identifying American-made products is easier said than done. What do terms like “Made in the USA” and “Made in America” actually mean? And how can you know what products are made where?
Determining if a product was made in the USA can be even harder when shopping online. Consult the BBB Tip: Smart Shopping Online and our Online Shopping Guide for more tips and advice. You may also want to read the BBB Scam Alert about misleading social media ads, since this is a common way scammers spread false advertising.
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If you purchased an item that didn’t live up to the advertising claims made about it, don’t hesitate to report your experience to BBB Scam Tracker. Your report can help others avoid scam tactics they may not be aware of.


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BBB-Logo-for-Patch.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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Post from Community: Holiday toy safety | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Penfield Children’s Center
December 16, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
By: Rebecca Michelsen, M.Ed., MCHES, Kohl’s Building Blocks, Penfield Children’s Center
The holidays are upon us and so is the lure of new toys and gadgets. While it’s fun to buy your little ones a few new surprises, it’s important to remember that even with toys, safety comes first.
Check out these tips, brought to you by our Kohl’s Building Blocks program, for keeping your child safe:
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Check toys for lead.
Surprisingly enough, toys still sold today have been found to contain unsafe levels of lead and other harmful substances. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund has found that certain fidget spinners from a big box retailer contained “dangerously high levels of lead…” Make sure to check material labels and keep an eye out for warnings on tags.
Purchase age-appropriate toys.
Most manufacturers label toys with the intended age group of who the toy was created for. Companies are also encouraged to label toys as “choking hazards” for children under 3 years. Choking hazards include small toys or larger toys with parts that could easily detach or break. It’s also important to note that while a toy might be appropriate for an older child, if they have younger siblings, it could still pose a risk. Don Huber, Director of Product Safety for Consumer Reports advises parents to monitor playtime when smaller children are in the house. A small part can easily become lost during play and found by a curious toddler. If you’re wondering if the toy or part is too small, ask yourself this: can it fit through a toilet paper tube? If so, a child can choke on it.
Beware of magnetic toys.
According to federal toy safety guidelines, a magnet with a “flux index” or the “…measure of the force of attraction between the magnets” of more than 50 kG² mm² and is small enough to be swallowed is hazardous. In fact, if a child swallows two or more of these magnets, they can pose a serious health risk because they can come together inside the child’s intestine. Also, beware of toys with batteries, especially small button batteries as these can easily be swallowed and are poisonous.
Play it safe with toy cars and scooters.
While riding toys are often the most fun, they can also be very dangerous and account for almost half of toy-related deaths. Make sure to closely supervise children while playing with ride-on toys and also ensure they have the correct safety equipment. Helmets and knee pads can allow your child to stay safe while having fun!
In addition to these safety tips, it’s important to always be aware of toy recalls. Defects can happen to even the most solidly-built toy.
What measures have you taken to ensure your child’s toys are safe?
References:
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Toy_Report_2018.pdf?qIO1DVoYhV6lzYgcLa04K28yF28BOgdS
https://www.consumerreports.org/child-safety/toy-safety-tips-holiday-gift-buying/