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Wisconsin faces a ‘tangled series’ of abortion laws dating back to 1849 as it heads into a possible post-Roe future | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Phoebe Petrovic / Wisconsin Watch
June 5, 2022
About 50 abortion rights supporters stood on the bridge over the WisconsinRiver into Sauk City on a sunny Saturday morning in mid-May.
They held signs reading “CHOICE” and “PROTECT ROE v. WADE” and cheered when passing cars honked in support.
Jennie Klecker brought three generations of her family out on the bridge for the demonstration: her mother and her daughter and niece, in the sixth and ninth grades.
“I’m here for them,” she says, gesturing to the girls. “They shouldn’t be forced to be mothers. These are human rights.”
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A local group, Indivisible Sauk Prairie, organized the bridge demonstration. Across the state and country that Saturday, thousands gathered to protest in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that is expected to overturn the 49-year-old precedent guaranteeing a constitutional right to an abortion.
A recent Marquette University Law School poll found 69% of people nationwide oppose overturning the landmark decision. A Marquette poll from last year found 61% of Wisconsin residents support the right to an abortion “in all or most cases.”
While the Supreme Court’s final decision seems nearly certain to reverse federal protections for abortion rights, its impact on Wisconsin is far from clear. Observers agree that the state will see a legal battle over whether Wisconsin reverts back to a law from 1849 — a near-total ban on abortion passed 71 years before women had the right to vote.
That law makes it a Class H felony for anyone other than the mother to “intentionally (destroy) the life of an unborn child.” The maximum penalty is six years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The law provides an apparent exception for medically necessary abortions — referred to by an antiquated term “therapeutic abortion” — to “save the life of the mother.”
But what would constitute a legally allowable abortion? That is a daunting question for physicians across Wisconsin — not just those who specialize in providing abortion care — as they could soon face criminal prosecution for providing what they believe is life-saving care.
“That uncertainty alone is going to likely severely limit, if not completely cut off, all abortion access in Wisconsin,” says Dr. Abigail Cutler, an obstetrician and gynecologist who practices in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Hospital Association did not respond to email and phone messages asking how overturning Roewould affect patients’ ability to get medically necessary abortions at hospitals.
In an interview, Attorney General Josh Kaul says the 173-year-old abortion ban may be unenforceable under a legal doctrine which holds that a long-unenforced law essentially becomes invalid. Kaul has vowed not to enforce that “draconian” law if Roe falls.
Wisconsin has multiple abortion laws passed after the 1973 Roe decision, including several passed under former Republican Gov. Scott Walker. One could make an argument, Kaul says, that these statutes — which are currently enforced, as opposed to the 19th century ban — could imply that the right to an abortion remains intact in Wisconsin.
“We are in a process right now of evaluating what the different legal options are in the state,” Kaul says. “But who files those or what the exact arguments raised are, I can’t say.”
Wisconsin’s abortion laws are already considered restrictive.
Over the previous decade, under Walker, Wisconsin’s GOP majority in the Legislature passed a series of restrictions that turned the state’s landscape from “leans hostile” to “hostile” to abortion rights, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which researches sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Today, Wisconsin has only four clinics providing elective abortion procedures: two in Milwaukee, one in Madison and one in Sheboygan. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin operates three of the four clinics, and Affiliated Medical Services operates one of the Milwaukee locations.
Over the past 45 years, the number of Wisconsin abortions has declined significantly. In 1976, the state Department of Health Services reported 14,243 induced abortions, rising to a high of 21,754 in 1980. By 2020, that number had dropped to 6,430.
University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE) says Wisconsin already restricts many aspects of abortion, including banning government-funded insurance coverage, limiting availability through family planning programs, requiring mandatory counseling, ultrasounds and waiting periods for medication and surgical abortions and gestational limits, among other restrictions.
For example, Wisconsin law only allows licensed physicians to perform abortions, even though other medical professionals including nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants can and do provide safe abortions in other states.
In Wisconsin, doctors must provide counseling and obtain spoken consent, both in person, at least 24 hours before administering care. In practice, that can put patients beyond the 20-week gestational limit.
“None of these restrictions are evidence-based,” says CORE director Jenny Higgins. “There’s no medical reason for any of these restrictions.”
In 1970, just three years prior to Roe v. Wade, a panel of federal judges in the Eastern District of Wisconsin decided a case called Babbitz v. McCann. A physician sought an injunction against the Milwaukee County District Attorney E. Michael McCann, arguing that the abortion statute was unconstitutional.
The court agreed, holding that under the Ninth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a woman has “the basic right … to decide whether she should carry or reject an embryo which has not yet quickened” or started to move.
According to UW associate law professor Miriam Seifter, the judges found a right to privacy based on precedents dating back to the late 19th century. But the impact of that decision is complicated, Seifter says. As a federal district court decision, it’s “not formally binding.” Instead, it serves as “persuasive authority” — and may seem less persuasive depending on the Supreme Court’s eventual ruling in Dobbs.
In other words, although the judges in 1970 found a federal constitutional right to abortion in Wisconsin, courts today are not required to follow that ruling.
There’s a “tangled series of abortion-related laws in Wisconsin,” Seifter added. “Most likely some court will need to figure out whether those statutes are enforceable or compatible (and) how to read them together.”
And any challenge filed in state court would likely end up before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, currently controlled by a 4-3 conservative majority. Justice Brian Hagedorn, sometimes deemed a swing voter, was endorsed by two Wisconsin anti-abortion groups.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s Republican legislative leadership remains mum on any post-Roe plans.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg — as well as ardent abortion opponent Sen. André Jacque, R-De Pere — did not respond to Wisconsin Watch’s emailed questions about their plans. Vos’ staff shared a prepared statement that read, in part, “I’ve always been proudly pro-life. If this is the final ruling, it will empower states to make their own decisions.”
Wisconsin Democrats have tried and failed to shore up abortion rights, and at this point, any attempts to pass new legislation would be largely symbolic.
Two prominent anti-abortion groups in Wisconsin celebrated the possible end to Roe, but they have separate visions for the future.
Wisconsin Right to Life, a non-religious organization, supports exceptions that allow for medically necessary abortions, legislative director Gracie Skogman says. However, the group opposes an exception for rape or incest — which also is not in the 1849 law.
“Our position has always been to support women who are in their utmost need, and when we think about the heartbreaking situation of rape, that is the utmost violence against women,” she says. “But an abortion only continues that cycle of violence.”
Pro-Life Wisconsin, a Christian-based organization, opposes abortion in every case, even when it is not “‘politically correct,’” per their website. Legislative Director Matt Sande says the group considers any legal or medical exception a “loophole” and favors doctors providing “equal care” to the pregnant person and fetus — even if it is nonviable.
He argues that removing a medical exception will not prevent people from obtaining life-saving treatment for ectopic pregnancies — which involves removing a non-viable embryo from the fallopian tubes — because “legally such operations are not considered abortions.”
Pro-Life Wisconsin also opposes contraception, but Sande says the group has no plans to push for a legislative ban on contraception.
In the interim, while court battlelines form, access to abortions will certainly diminish.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will pause providing abortions “until there’s clarification from the court of competent jurisdiction, declaring that (1849) law is not enforceable,” says Mike Murray, vice president of governmental relations for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, the largest provider of elective abortion care.
Were physicians to continue providing abortions in any of the four clinics — or in any other setting — enforcement of laws prohibiting abortion would lie with prosecutors.
So long as Kaul remains in office, the Wisconsin Department of Justice will not investigate abortions, he says. But the Democrat is facing re-election in November. Two of his Republican challengers, Fond du Lac County District Attorney Eric Toney and former lawmaker Adam Jarchow, have both tweeted support for a decision overturning Roe. Toney also criticized Kaul’s refusal to enforce the old law.
Local prosecutors in Dane, Milwaukee and Sheboygan counties — which currently have abortion clinics — could choose to pursue charges against providers if abortions continued.
None of these district attorneys — Democrats Ismael Ozanne and John Chisholm and Republican Joel Urmanski — returned multiple emails and phone calls asking if they would prosecute physicians providing abortions if Roe is overturned. However, in 2020, Chisholm signed an open letter announcing he would not prosecute anti-abortion laws.
The future of abortion rights in Wisconsin, then, likely lies at the ballot box, in statewide and local elections for governor, attorney general, Supreme Court, state Legislature and district attorney.
“It’s scary,” says Jennie Klecker, out on the Sauk City bridge. Klecker’s life was saved by removing an ectopic pregnancy that occurred between the births of two of her children. “And some of these laws…” she says, her voice drowned out as honks from passing cars sound off in support of abortion rights.
“I’m here for their future. I’m here for my future and (the future of) women in general.”
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.


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01_25_22_Assembly_48.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
June 3, 2022

source: news-milwaukeenns

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

author: Dwayne Burtin


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evers_inauguration_137.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
June 3, 2022


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Roe vs. Wade March, Madison | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
June 3, 2022


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5 things to know and do this week in Milwaukee: June 6 to June 10￼ | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
June 6, 2022
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 submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
This the first of three Monday listening sessions and conversations around Kendrick Lamar’s album “Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers.” The sessions will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, June 6; June 13; and June 20 at Mystic Phoenix Creative Studio, located at 5305 W. Capitol Drive. The event is free to attend.
2. Neighborhood Plant Exchange at Sherman Perk: Monday, June 6
Sherman Perk Coffee Shop will host a neighborhood plant exchange from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, June 6 at 4924 W. Roosevelt Drive.
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Read: The story of Sherman Perk: How a salvaged bit of the city’s past became a community gathering spot
The Milwaukee Public Library hosts this conversation with musician Steve Burks focused on the resilience of Black Americans as expressed through classic songs from various genres. The virtual conversation begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8. RSVP here.
VIA CDC, the neighborhood group formerly known as Layton Boulevard West Neighbors, is hosting an ice cream social and community resource fair. Come enjoy free ice cream, games, local resources and meet VIA’s staff from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 9 at 1755 S. 32nd St.
Read: ‘We need to make sure we are empowering our neighbors’: JoAnna Bautch, VIA’s new executive director, shares vision for organization
The Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition’s Youth Empowerment Summer Program is geared toward Muslim kids. The program teaches participants to learn strategies to advocate for themselves. Youths, ages 12 to 16, will be able to share their stories, make new friends, build communication skills, answer hot topics related to Islam and leave the program with self-confidence. The program begins on June 21, but registration is due by June 17. Register here.
For more information call 414-727-4900 or email Rawand Yazaw ryazaw@mmwconline.org

author: Sam Woods


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Dwayne Burtin
June 5, 2022


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Post From Community: First Stage’s Summer Theater Academy — classes begin Monday, June 13, 2022 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Cindy Moran
June 6, 2022
Milwaukee, WI – June 1, 2022 – First Stage Theater Academy, the nation’s leading high-impact theater training program for young people, is offering its Summer Academy programs in-person this summer with classes beginning Monday, June 13, 2022. One of Milwaukee’s longest-running summer theater training programs, First Stage’s Summer Academy will celebrate its 30 year of offering theater classes to Milwaukee area youth.
Classes will run June 13 – August 5, 2022 at the newly-renovated Milwaukee Youth Art Center and will follow First Stage’s curriculum in Acting, Musical Theater, Improvisation and more, fostering life skills through stage skills. The classes will be led by First Stage Academy staff as well as by professional theater artists including Milwaukee dancer/choreographer Christopher Gilbert (Director of STEP KIDS), actor Brandite Reed (Co-Director of THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM) and Chris Flieller (UW-Oshkosh Theatre Department/former Artistic Director for In Tandem Theatre), among many others.
Classes are available for students entering grades K4 – 12 this fall. One week or multi-week sessions are available at Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. Classes for students entering grades K4 – 5 will also be held at Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts in Brookfield July 5 – 15, 2022.
New this summer, from July 25 – August 5, 2022 classes will be held at UW – Parkside in Kenosha, offering weeklong classes for students entering grades 5 – 12, spending each day rotating through classes in Musical Theater, Acting, Clowning and Shakespeare, building a foundation of theatrical performance skills through a variety of lessons led by theater professionals.
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Summer Academy classes for young people on the autism spectrum – part of First Stage’s Next Steps program – will be held August 8 – 12, 2022 at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.
JT Backes, will begin his first summer as Theater Academy director. JT is a Milwaukee theater artist, longtime teaching artist and Theater Academy alum. “Acquiring life skills through stage skills at the early age of 7 through the Theater Academy has helped shape me into the person I am today. It’s interesting to look back to when I first started to where I am now. I am now in a position that once inspired me during the Summer Academy and now, with the help of an incredible staff, we can inspire others through theater.
We are super excited to get back to what we do best in the Academy, full-day rotation classes with artists who are extremely passionate about the work they teach. Students in grades 3 – 4 get to experience musical theater, creative drama, scene study and voice and movement. Students in grades 5 – 12 go through a full day of Musical Theater, Improvisation, Shakespeare and Acting Theory. We have been waiting for this moment for over two years and finally are able to get back to those classes this summer! Now, alongside all those rotational classes, I am psyched for our K4 – 1 grade friends and the adventures they will go on in our a.m. and p.m. classes of Story Drama. In those classes that is where the magic of theater begins, really harnessing the actor tools of body, voice and imagination. We have so many incredible opportunities for your young person and a top-notch staff that can’t wait to get started. We look forward to seeing you this summer!”
Locations: Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 West Walnut Street, Milwaukee, WI  53212; Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 3270 Mitchell Park Drive, Brookfield, WI  53045 (July 5 – 15, 2022 only) and UW – Parkside, 900 Wood Road, Kenosha, WI 53144 (July 25 – August 5, 2022 only)
Cost: $150 – $635 depending upon the length of classes. Payment plans are available. Families that enroll in multiple classes for one student or enroll siblings will receive $10 off per class. Financial assistance is also available. Many classes are already full, so advance registration is recommended.
Website: To view the list of summer classes and to register, please visit: firststage.org/theater-academy/summer-academy/
Course Catalog: To view the full Theater Academy Course Catalog, please visit: firststage.org/theater-academy/register-for-classes/
COVID Protocols: In accordance with the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center guidelines and the CDC recommended guidelines, masks are now optional within all Academy classes. As First Stage Summer Academy moves ahead, it will be equally supportive and respectful of those who are ready to remove masks, and those who prefer to continue to wear them. First Stage Theater Academy will continue to follow the CDC recommendations and adjust when necessary. First Stage COVID safety protocols and updates can be viewed here: firststage.org/plan-your-visit/safety-security/ – performances
For additional questions, please call: (414) 267-2970.
To learn more about First Stage’s 2022/23 season, please visit firststage.org or call (414) 267-2961.
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About First Stage Theater Academy
First Stage Theater Academy is the nation’s largest high-impact theater training program for young people. The region’s finest professional theater artists share their expertise, skills and passion for their art with over 2,000 young people this summer. Students will develop skills in musical theater, scene study, Shakespeare, improvisation and much more, while simultaneously building life skills, such as confidence, focus and teamwork. Young people are encouraged to take risks and conquer their fears, and First Stage is proud to be building the next generation of artists and leaders.
About First Stage
First Stage is one of the nation’s leading theaters for young people and families. First Stage touches hearts, engages minds and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences through professional theater productions that inspire, enlighten and entertain. Its Theater Academy, the nation’s largest high-impact theater training program for young people, fosters life skills through stage skills and serves nearly 2,000 students each year. As Wisconsin’s leader in arts-integrated education in schools, First Stage’s dynamic Theater in Education programs promote literacy, character building and experiential learning throughout the curriculum, serving over 20,000 students each year. First Stage was selected to participate in the Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2012) and was the recipient of the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Eureka Award, recognizing creativity and innovation in business, education and the arts for its Next Steps program for students on the autism spectrum (2013, 2015). First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education, Milwaukee Arts Partners and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). www.firststage.org.

author: Cindy Moran


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June 1, 2022

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Post From Community: Fishing in the Valley | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
david snell
June 6, 2022
(For adults and teens) Take this beginner’s fishing course and use your new skills in the Menomonee River. Learn the fundamentals for fishing, gain some practice in the valley, and try your luck at making a catch! Get ready for awesome fun in the sun.
$6.00 – $8.00. See website.
Website: https://30781a.blackbaudhosting.com/30781a/Fishing-in-the-Valley-25Jun2022
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For questions about this program, please contact Augie Rodenbeck at arodenbeck@urbanecologycenter.org.
Registration is required for this event.

author: david snell


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279535479_10160219997168698_994765644416213885_n.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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Post From Community: Healthy Habits at Menomonee Valley – Popsicle Making For Families | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
david snell
June 6, 2022
(For families) Beat the heat with this healthy and refreshing popsicle-making workshop at the Menomonee Valley Urban Ecology Center! We will enjoy some fruit and herb inspired popsicles, share tasty recipes, and blend together a mix that can be taken and frozen at home! Space is limited, registration is required.
$6.00 – $8.0. See website.
Website:  https://30781a.blackbaudhosting.com/30781a/Healthy-Habits-at-Menomonee-Valley—Popsicle-Making-for-Families
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For questions about this program, please contact Augie Rodenbeck at arodenbeck@urbanecologycenter.org.
Registration is required for this event.


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279654097_10160219984098698_6156409723061150344_n.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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June 1, 2022


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Post From Community: Shakespeare In The Park: Twelfth Night or What SHE Will | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Susan Scot Fry
June 6, 2022
Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, is a story of twins separated by shipwreck and the ensuing shenanigans, foibles, intrigues, and ultimately, the universal truth about love.
Join Optimist Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park for a free abridged performance.

June 18th through August 7th at 10 outdoor locations around the greater Milwaukee area.
Parks are BIG!!  In order to locate us in the park and stay updated on the latest event details visit https://www.optimisttheatre.org/sitp-2022.html.
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show. Sunscreen, bug spray and bottled water are a good idea. No umbrellas. Space is limited.
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author: Susan Scot Fry


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SITP-logo-color-with-frame1-3-2-1-1-2-1.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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June 5, 2022


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Post From Community: Song Circle – Summer Solstice Edition | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
david snell
June 6, 2022
(For everyone) Join us for a community song circle around the firelight in Riverside Park! We’ll observe the official start of Summer – with songs that celebrate the renewed life of the Earth. Broaden your connection to urban nature and each other through music and community. This event will be led by Sarah and Claire Moore of the Pink House Studio and is entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather and feel free to bring a water bottle or a warm thermos drink!
$9 to $14. See website.
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Website: https://30781a.blackbaudhosting.com/30781a/Song-Circle—Summer-Solstice-Edition
For questions about this program, please contact Registrar, Augie Rodenbeck, at arodenbeck@urbanecologycenter.org or call 414-626-8518.
Registration is required for this event


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June 1, 2022


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Tarsha Wiggins, the ‘Trap Therapist,’ is hosting public sessions for kids that combine music and mental health | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
June 7, 2022
As kids and families streamed into the Sherman Phoenix one evening in May, there was a DJ waiting there to greet them.
The thumping music, open-aired atmosphere and good vibes were just a preview for the main event: “Trap Therapy,” a session that pairs urban music with mental health messages.
Tarsha Wiggins, founder of Speak Wellness Behavioral Health and Consulting and a licensed clinical social worker, has been leading Trap Therapy sessions since last year. The goal is to make participants feel more comfortable talking about mental health.
This was the first Trap Therapy session for kids that was open to the public, she said. In adapting her lessons from the adult therapy sessions, Wiggins said the tweaks were minor.
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“The lessons don’t necessarily change,” said Wiggins, who also partners with the Office of Violence Prevention.
“It’s about the same content, but making sure that it’s broken down in a way where children can understand it. We’re still talking about the power of our thoughts. We’re still talking about what trauma is and what that looks like and how we work through it—we’re just using different examples and analogies for kids.”
In the session, Wiggins covered topics like identity, positivity and trauma among youth. Wiggins said a strong sense of identity and self could help people through tough times.
She spoke candidly about the prevalence of trauma, especially in the “hardest ZIP codes” where many of the attendees came from. She spoke about trauma within family and friendships, but also the trauma experience by communities because of violence, poverty and stigma.
She taught attendees how to reframe negative thoughts and insecurities. She emphasized the importance of speaking up and addressing issues rather than internalizing them and finding trustworthy people to share feelings with.
With each of these lessons came a song and a bit of a challenge for Wiggins. Trying to reach a younger crowd meant finding newer songs to which participants would have an emotional connection.
Choosing the right music can make or break the whole experience. For De’Anthony Butler, a 16-year-old student from Nathan Hale High School, the music was effective in getting his guard down.
“I expected some of these songs, but they were cheating,” De’Anthony said. “They were using the up-down-left-right for some of these cheat codes. I wasn’t even supposed to be singing, for real.”
Wiggins ends each lesson with a matching song. Shawn Butler, a 16-year-old student at Nathan Hale High School and De’Anthony’s brother, said the transitions between sessions were a good way to convey the lessons through lyrics.
“I liked the way she incorporated the songs with her lessons,” Shawn said.
A few of the lessons hit home for audience members like De’Anthony.
“I felt the words she was saying in my heart,” De’Anthony said. “I thought, ‘This really makes sense to me.’”
Wiggins said some of the session’s content was also for parents in the audience.
Semma McCrary was at the session with her 10-year-old daughter, Chloe. The combination of music and therapy was a major draw.
“In our community, we relate everything to music, so I thought it was a great way for Chloe to get exposed to more therapy,” McCrary said.
During the pandemic, McCrary paid close attention to mental health issues among kids. She wanted to make sure Chloe, an only child, didn’t feel the effects of isolation.
So they started walking every day as much as they could, and getting out more. They even started playing  Pokémon Go, a phone game that lets players catch digital creatures in real-life areas, to pass the time. She also began practicing visualization techniques with Chloe.
In the Trap Therapy session, McCrary said it was good to hear Wiggins break down tough concepts and bring it to the kids’ level.
“I think her clinical skills are pretty amazing for this group,” McCrary said. “It breaks their trauma and lets them know that they have someone they can talk to on a more cultural level.”
Wiggins said it’s important to reach as many people as possible with these messages because issues of mental health are often hidden in plain sight.
“It’s closer than you think,” Wiggins said. “I think that sometimes we perceive it as: ‘Oh, that’s the someone else.’ But the reality is this is affecting your bestie, your friends, your neighbor, your coworker.”
Wiggins said that once we realize how widely mental health impacts us, we’ll be able to make real change and help others — and ourselves — more effectively.
“When we approach mental illness from the perspective that this is affecting someone that I love, someone I value and I cherish, you approach it with a different level of energy and respect and empathy,” Wiggins said. “If we all just approached it with that, the world will be so much better for it.”
Wiggins said she hoped to host one session a month for youths but was still figuring out details. For the latest updates, email her at wiggins.speakwellness@gmail.com.

author: Matt Martinez


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Dwayne Burtin
June 6, 2022


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How to make your voice heard when you don’t have a representative on the Common Council￼ | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
June 8, 2022
With former Alderman Cavalier Johnson becoming mayor and former Alderman Nik Kovac taking a new position as the city’s budget director, both the 2nd and 3rd Districts are without leadership on the Common Council.
This leaves a chunk of the city, including the East Side, Riverwest, parts of downtown, Thurston Woods and Havenwoods, unrepresented for now by an elected official.
We spoke with City Clerk Jim Owczarski about what residents can do to be heard and what’s being done to fill the positions.
According to Owczarski, how residents reach out to the city on specific district matters depends on the issue.
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If it is a services issue, he said, Amanda Cervantes, who served as an aide to Kovac, continues to be available to help people in this regard for the 3 District. You can call  414-286-2221.
Second District residents should call 414-286-2221 and the call will be referred to the appropriate person or department.
Residents can click on the city’s website for guidance on services.
Owczarski also encouraged residents to write to the Common Council if they have concerns about legislation.
“We do read it when people write in, and it does go on record,” he said.
Here is where you can find other council members and their contact info.
In addition, Owczarski said the city sends out e-notifications. Residents can sign up to keep up with whatever they need to know about what’s going on in the city and their neighborhoods at city.milwaukee.gov-enotify.
The city will hold special elections for the 2nd and 3rd Districts on Aug. 9. The fall election, on Nov. 8, will determine who ultimately fills the seats.

author: PrincessSafiya Byers


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Dwayne Burtin
June 6, 2022


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Dwayne Burtin
June 6, 2022


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Post From Community: Browns Crew to host community watch party for unlreased music video “100 Mexicanos” | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mireya Mercado
June 8, 2022
Browns Crew will host an exclusive viewing party for their new music video “100 Mexicanos” releasing on Friday, June 10th. Browns Crew will share their vision for the video which was filmed last year at Mexican Fiesta. Mexican Fiesta is an integral part of our Mexican community in Wisconsin. Their hope for this project is to give the community a sense of pride in seeing themselves and their culture represented in this video. As a special thank you to their fans they have partnered with Paleteria Yayo to give free paletas to all in attendance.
“100 Mexicanos” exclusive viewing party hosted by Browns Crew (Event Page)
: Browns Crew: “El Sebas” and “Cristo Paz”
Thursday, June 9th at 7:00 PM
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Walkers Lounge, 626 S 5th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Browns Crew is a Latin Hip Hop duo composed of El Sebas and Cristo Paz, two emcees whose music is influenced by their culture and experience as Mexican Americans. They share their visions and experiences in English and Spanish, often delve into heavy topics, and infuse Caribbean sounds into their recordings and live performances.
Learn more: http://brownscrew.com and @browns_crew on all platforms

author: Mireya Mercado


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June 7, 2022


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Post From Community: Success at Seeds of Health Schools is a given… not a question | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Seeds of Health schools
June 8, 2022
For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact:
Marcia Spector, Executive Director – Seeds of Health, Inc.
414-390-0841
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www.seedsofhealth.org
Success at Seeds of Health Schools is a Given… Not a Question
Seeds of Health, Inc. (SOH) Schools have been unique stars in Milwaukee’s education scene since 1987 when they opened their first school – Grandview High School. Today, SOH is the only K4-12 charter school district in the State of Wisconsin. SOH serves approximately 1300 students in its five schools – Grandview High School, two Tenor High School campuses, Veritas High School, and Seeds of Health Elementary (SOHE). SOH schools are known for providing Milwaukee’s urban youth with challenging academics and preparing them to be successful, productive members of society. The bottom line, SOH students are taught to believe that they can and will be successful in later life.  And students do succeed, as demonstrated by the numerous SOH student scholarships offered each year. In 2022 Veritas had $8.9 million in scholarships and Tenor $1.4 million.
Success Starts with a Solid Mission Statement
A solid mission serves as the guiding force for all SOH schools. According to Executive Director Marcia Spector, “The mission of our schools is to meet the unique needs of urban children through small schools in a caring, personal environment. We offer students the opportunity to succeed – academically and socially – through rigorous programs catered to meet individual student needs. We serve a range of students, from at risk to academically advanced and we prepare them to take advantage of meaningful career choices or higher education opportunities.”
Each of the five SOH schools is guided by a strong, unique mission specific to its students. The programs cater to a broad range of student needs – from the at risk to the college-bound. For the youngest students, Seeds of Health Elementary (SOHE) K4 – 8th grade works in partnership with families and the community to prepare students with foundational knowledge, skills, and character that will support success in secondary and post-secondary education and adult life. For many students, SOHE is only the start of their SOH educational journey. In 2022, of the 46 SOHE 8th graders, 34 plan to transition to a SOH high school next year.
At Tenor High School, the mission is “to provide students with an opportunity to complete four years of high school in three years.  Successful students then receive one free year of college education at Milwaukee Area Technical College during their senior year.”  Students can participate in traditional high school clubs and sports and are mentored every step of the way during their first three years at Tenor so that they’re ready for MATC classes in their fourth year. At MATC, students still receive guidance and mentorship as they adjust to the MATC curriculum and prepare for post-secondary education or careers. At the end of their four years, Tenor students can graduate with a high school diploma, certificate, or technical diploma from MATC leading to post-graduate employment, or a full year’s worth of college credits giving them a head start for further post-secondary studies. Regardless of the path taken, Tenor students are a step ahead and ready for their next stage.
Class of 2022 Tenor High School Scholarship Winners
The Dennis and Deborah Conta Scholarship is one example of the many scholarships available to Tenor High School students. The fund, established in 2020 by Tenor High School co-founder Dennis Conta, provides financial support for students continuing their education at MATC in pursuit of an associate degree. Students receiving these funds are selected based on financial need and academic merit. Funds may be used for any educational expenses.  This year, Tenor High School Class of 2022 students Natalie Canola, Diego Garcia Gonzalez, Evelyn Martinez, and Nancy Sanchez received the award.
Natalie Canola is the second oldest of nine siblings and credits her drive to succeed to her family – her parents have placed a strong emphasis on working hard to go to college and work towards a career. Natalie has taken courses in the Healthcare Pathway at MATC and will finish with a certificate in Healthcare Customer Service. She’s also been working toward her certification in phlebotomy and this fall will return to MATC and begin working on an associate degree in anesthesia technology.
Diego Garcia Gonzalez is the oldest of three siblings and the first in his family to attend college. Diego has distinguished himself by virtue of excellent grades, determination to succeed, and outstanding character. He also serves his community by volunteering at his former middle school and his church. Diego spent his senior year hard at work with a class load of college-level classes at MATC. He plans to pursue an MATC associate degree in banking and financial services and eventually transfer to a 4-year college to complete a business degree.
Evelyn Martinez credits her successes to lessons taught by her parents and their focus on academics and effective time use. Evelyn applied those lessons to her high school and MATC classes. She’s been admitted to several 4-year colleges but plans to return to MATC next year to pursue an associate of science degree at MATC and then transfer to a 4-year college.
Nancy Sanchez is the Tenor High School Class of 2022 Valedictorian. Her outstanding work ethic built the foundation for her transition to the challenging MATC courses such as Anatomy & Physiology, English 1 & 2, Lifespan Psychology, and Introduction to Sociology. Nancy plans to return to MATC next year for an Associate of Arts Teacher Education Pre-major and can later choose from nine Wisconsin collaborating colleges and finish her bachelor’s degree in education.
Class of 2022 Veritas High School Scholarship Winners
Students at Veritas High School “are prepared for post-secondary education and career success through an academically challenging curriculum that builds essential competencies for productive participation in the 21st-century global community.”  Veritas students can choose from an impressive list of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, clubs, and sports – giving them a well-rounded education that prepares them well for post-secondary experiences.
Featured Veritas Scholarship winners include the school’s three valedictorians Alexiz Gonzalez, Vanessa Sanchez Mora, and Ximena Sanchez.
Alexiz Gonzalez embodies the essence of a Veritas student-focused, respectful, and full of joy. He gives back to his peers with homework support and participation in the “Young Men’s Empowerment” Club. He will attend MSOE in the fall where he earned their highest merit scholarships for his academic achievements.
Vanessa Sanchez Mora has shown tremendous determination throughout her high school years in her academics and personal life. Vanessa balances clubs (GSA, student council, photography), demanding course work, and a part-time job at Walmart. She also helps with her family business, and shadows clinicians at Marquette University to feed her passion for physical therapy. Vanessa has committed to UWM next year and has secured funding through multiple academic scholarships.
Ximena Sanchez has committed to UW-Madison for next year and through academic scholarships and additional aid will be attending for free! Ximena also represents Veritas students through participating in the student council. She balances clubs (GSA, student council, photography), demanding course work, and a part-time job at Wal-Mart. Ximena loves spending time with her family when she is working hard on maintaining her 4.0 GPA.
And finally, Grandview High School, “helps young adults become academically, emotionally, and socially prepared for productive participation in the 21st century.” Grandview is perfect for students who have difficulty in a traditional high school setting or are at risk of not completing high school. Grandview students benefit from tutoring, career classes, assistance to teen parents, and credit recovery.  Students gain confidence and faith in their abilities and are motivated to succeed by caring teachers and staff.
The Secret of Success at Seeds of Health Schools
It’s clear that each unique SOH school is living out its mission to help its students become the best they can be. Three SOH school programs, Seeds of Health Elementary, Tenor High School, and Veritas High School, have met the criteria for high-performing schools, and each year, thousands of scholarship dollars are given to SOH graduates. Students at all three high schools boast success stories in post-secondary education and careers. Grandview students are participating in innovative programs like Independence First, where students can work as health aides after completing a 12-week program. SOHE continues to send large numbers of students to SOH high schools. The bottom line, students and families love SOH schools… and as a result, they work hard to live up to the high expectations.
High expectations and a family atmosphere. Simply stated, SOH students are successful because they feel a sense of belonging to the SOH Family. Each school works hard to create a caring, personal environment with an atmosphere of trust between staff, students, and families. Students are given a rigorous curriculum but feel comfortable with the challenges because their environment feels safe and engaging. Students receive individualized attention in small classes from dedicated teachers. Throughout their entire educational experience, students know they are cared for by the teachers and that the teachers want them to succeed. In fact, teachers don’t just want students to succeed, they expect they will. Success is non-negotiable, and students know it.
The drive and passion of SOH staff members motivate students even more because students know their teachers are passionate about what they’re teaching.  With this positive environment everyone wins and best of all, students not only feel like they can lead successful adult lives… they go on to do just that, and then repeat the cycle by enrolling their own children at SOHE to start the amazing process all over again. That’s the sign of a great school.
Seeds of Health, Inc. is now accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year. Please refer to the Seeds of Health website for more information.
About Seeds of Health, Inc.
Founded in 1983, Seeds of Health, Inc. is the only K4-12 charter school agency in the state of Wisconsin serving approximately 1,300 students in four high schools and a K4-8 elementary program. In addition, Seeds of Health, Inc. has the WIC – Women, Infants, and Children Program. The five individual and unique education programs serve a broad range of student needs – from at-risk to college-bound. Seeds of Health is Milwaukee’s innovative “homegrown” answer to imaginative, collaborative, and cutting-edge education options, with the vision to positively impact the growth and development of urban children. For more information, please visit www.seedsofhealth.org.
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author: Seeds of Health schools


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SOH-Logo.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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Post From Community: Radio Milwaukee announces on-air talent for upcoming Urban Alternative channel HYFIN | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sarah Mac Lahr
June 8, 2022
Radio Milwaukee’s new Urban Alternative HYFIN (WYMS-88.9FM HD2) shared the names of the on-air talent that will be a part of the media channel. Element Everest-Blanks, one of the original on-air voices of 88.9FM, and Anthony Foster will each host on-air shows on HYFIN, alongside HYFIN Program Director Tarik Moody, the station announced Tuesday.
Urban Alternative is an innovative, locally customized public radio format connecting to young, diverse audiences through the full spectrum of Black music. Radio Milwaukee’s HYFIN, backed by a $450,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is launching on Juneteenth this year.
From June 19 to July 3, HYFIN will be unhosted except for Moody’s shift, allowing listeners to enjoy the depth and intentionality of the music programming of HYFIN. Beginning July 4, the weekday programming schedule on HYFIN will be as follows:
6 a.m. to 12 p.m. – “The Morning Mix,” Milwaukee’s most music morning show with no talk and all tunes
12 to 3 p.m. – Anthony Foster
3 to 9 p.m. – Element Everest-Blanks
9 p.m. to 12 a.m. – Tarik Moody, simulcast on 88.9FM HD1 and HD2
12 a.m. to 3 a.m. – Unhosted, simulcast on 88.9FM HD1 and HD2
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HYFIN will be unhosted on the weekends and will be simulcast on 88.9FM HD1 seven days a week from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
“Anthony and Element both greatly exemplify the spirit and mission of HYFIN,” said Moody. “Their passion and commitment to the community make them the perfect voices for our channel.”
Everest-Blanks was part of 88.9FM’s original on-air cohort of DJs when the station launched in 2007. She returned to the station as a part-time on-air host in September 2021 and will continue to host her Saturday 12 to 3 p.m. on-air shifts on 88.9FM. In addition to her role on-air with HYFIN, Everest-Blanks will also be HYFIN’s brand ambassador working to create on-air and online content and build relationships within the community.
“The idea that we could launch a channel like HYFIN is beyond anything we could have ever dreamed back in 2007,” shared Element. “The music on HYFIN will feel like family to our listeners. They grew up hearing these voices and we will also be introducing them to artists that they would never hear on any other station.”
Foster is also currently on-air on 88.9FM on Saturdays from 6 to 9 a.m. and will continue to host that shift in addition to his HYFIN on-air responsibilities. Chris Alexander, currently on-air on 88.9FM on Sundays from 12 to 3 p.m., will offer programming support for HYFIN.
In addition to the three on-air roles, Radio Milwaukee has also hired Darron “DJ” Brüwer as HYFIN’s Community Engagement Coordinator. Brüwer comes to Radio Milwaukee as an entrepreneur most recently owning his own social media firm, F2 Social.
Additional imaging that will be heard on HYFIN was provided by the voices of Alesia Miller, Lauren Feaster and Kia Rap Princess.
“We are creating HYFIN for all of Milwaukee, but specifically Black women, who are underserved by media and culture in our city,” shared Moody. “It was important to me to make sure that this audience heard themselves on HYFIN immediately in our imaging.”
HYFIN can be found on Instagram (@hyfin.mke), TikTok (@hyfin.mke), Facebook (@hyfinmke), and Twitter (@hyfinmke); or online at hyfin.org.
Media can download hi-res headshots of HYFIN staff at https://bit.ly/HYFINStaff. Photos of HYFIN staff were taken at America’s Black Holocaust Museum and Sherman Phoenix. These locations were chosen by HYFIN staff members as important pillars of culture in Milwaukee.
For more information or interview requests with on-air talent, please contact Sarah Lahr at sarahm@radiomilwaukee.org or 414-892-4190.
Radio Milwaukee (WYMS-FM 88.9) has been a positive force for Milwaukee on air, online and in the community since its 2007 launch. Through its creative programming and content, non-commercial Radio Milwaukee utilizes a multimedia platform for creating a better, more inclusive and engaged community. 88.9FM broadcasts and streams a unique blend of musical styles, including at least one song by a Milwaukee artist each hour, and short Uniquely Milwaukee stories that foster engagement and positive change. The award-winning organization receives the great majority of its financial support from its 6,000 contributing members, more than 150 underwriters and 25 foundations. The organization runs a 24/7 all-Milwaukee music channel at 414Music.fm online. Learn more about Radio Milwaukee and stream the station at RadioMilwaukee.org or via the 88Nine mobile app.
Beginning June 19, 2022, Radio Milwaukee will launch Urban Alternative channel HYFIN, with the support of a $450,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. HYFIN will broadcast on-air at 88.9FM HD2, online at hyfin.org and via the 88Nine and HYFIN mobile apps. HYFIN will be simulcast on 88.9FM HD1 from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. every day.

author: Sarah Mac Lahr


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Dwayne Burtin
June 8, 2022


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Post From Community: ThriveOn King building construction to commence | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jeremy Podolski
June 8, 2022
The ThriveOn Collaboration announces today is the official start of construction on its ThriveOn King building, located at the former Gimbels-Schuster’s building at 2153 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The Collaboration is a joint venture between Royal Capital, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and the Medical College of Wisconsin aiming to make Milwaukee a more equitable, healthy and thriving community for all.
“We are thrilled to start construction for ThriveOn King,” said Kevin Newell, founder and CEO of Royal Capital and co-chair of ThriveOn Collaboration. “From inception, this project has been a collective effort with the community, and we are excited to bring that collaborative vision to life in this next stage.”
With the increase in construction and other labor-intensive activities that will bring ThriveOn King to life, the development and construction team is taking a proactive approach to maximize local hiring of unemployed and underemployed individuals. Intentionality to hiring and investing in Black and Brown local talent, adding to and training the workforce is a part of this project’s strong commitment to equity. The project is committed to achieving the City of Milwaukee requirements for workforce, which includes 40 percent Residents Preference Program and 25 percent Small Business Enterprise Participation.
Some of the first construction activities will include internal asbestos abatement, demolition of the loading dock and removal of the metal panels on the east and north sides of the building.
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The completed ThriveOn King building will feature spaces focused to support its five priority areas of housing, early childhood education, health and wellness, social cohesion, and economic opportunity. Through significant neighborhood engagement and consistent meaningful input, first floor opportunities that are forthcoming include an early childhood education center in partnership with Malaika Early Learning Center, makerspace, meeting space, a food hall, and gathering spaces for special events. Office space, residential space and partners around workforce development, non-clinical healthcare partners including recently announced Versiti, and more will occupy the remaining space on the first floor and other floors. In addition, MCW programs will occupy two floors and GMF will occupy another.
For the residential units, there will be 89 mixed-income apartments, with 27 of the 89 units set aside for independent senior living. Amenities include community and media rooms, fitness center, and underground parking for residents.
Milwaukee-based JCP Construction and CG Schmidt have been selected as the contractors for the ThriveOn King project. JCP, a family-owned company, was established in 2008 by brothers Clifton, James and Jalin Phelps. With a central office on King Drive and a commitment to employing a workforce that reflects the community they serve; the company is an important part of Milwaukee’s diverse business ecosystem. JCP has contributed to some of the most recognizable projects in Wisconsin, including the Fiserv Forum, the Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport remodel, and the Northwestern Mutual tower and commons.
To celebrate the construction commencement milestone, and continue to thank the community, a community engagement event is planned during the summer.
The ThriveOn King project has an anticipated completion date of November 2023.
More about the ThriveOn Collaboration can be found at thriveoncollaboration.org.
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 changemakers 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, recentering communities and remaking systems to transform our region into a Milwaukee for all.
With a history dating back to 1893, the Medical College of Wisconsin is dedicated to leadership and excellence in education, patient care, research and community engagement. More than 1,400 students are enrolled in MCW’s medical school and graduate school programs in Milwaukee, Green Bay and Central Wisconsin. MCW’s School of Pharmacy opened in 2017. A major national research center, MCW is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. In the last ten years, faculty received more than $1.5 billion in external support for research, teaching, training and related purposes. This total includes highly competitive research and training awards from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Annually, MCW faculty direct or collaborate on more than 3,100 research studies, including clinical trials. Additionally, more than 1,600 physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 2.8 million patients annually.
At Royal Capital, having the opportunity to serve its communities in such an intimate and catalytic manner, is a privilege that it carries with high appreciation. From housing, retail, philanthropy, and community services, the people of Royal Capital are grateful for the opportunity to provide quality experiences that stretch beyond bricks and mortar. With a disciplined strategy and intentional execution, its efforts have led to the development of quality sustainable communities, while achieving the double bottom line for its investors and partners. The employees of Royal Capital are proud to be considered leaders in urban development, and we maintain our excitement to build, create, and be afforded the opportunity to “color outside the box.”

author: Jeremy Podolski


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Post From Community: Alverno College Receives IIE American Passport Project Grant | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kelly Cole
June 9, 2022
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 has been selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive an IIE American Passport Project grant that will enable up to 25 Alverno students to obtain a U.S. passport and support their study abroad journeys. In the second year of the program, IIE awarded 40 institutions for this opportunity, which will help 1,000 Pell-eligible, U.S. students.
It has long been part of IIE’s mission to increase participation and diversity in study abroad, so that all students can gain the academic and career benefits of international experience. The IIE American Passport Project grant is intended to promote diversity, inclusion, access and equity in study abroad and to support the IIE Network, IIE’s global membership network, in efforts to encourage students who would otherwise not participate in an international experience as part of their college education. For students of limited means, studying abroad can require long-term planning and involve financial hurdles, like the cost of a passport, which could bar them from moving forward.
Through the IIE American Passport Project, IIE plans to have enabled 10,000 students to have passports by the end of this decade. Each year, IIE will help 1,000 college students obtain a U.S. passport by awarding funds to approximately 40 U.S. colleges and universities in the IIE Network. Each institution will identify up to 25 of their first-year, Pell-eligible students to participate.
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For the 40 institutions selected, the IIE American Passport Project provides one critical piece of the multi-faceted effort needed to reach students who are traditionally underrepresented in study abroad: a passport. The selected institutions will provide the innovative programming, engagement efforts, advising, and support for those students they have identified with the goal of sending them on a study abroad program during their college experience.
With 63% of Alverno’s undergraduate student body identifying as a person of color and 53% of undergraduate students being Pell-eligible, Alverno has great potential to help diverse students study abroad. Various programs offered throughout the year engage students in conversations about study abroad, while travel grants and one-on-one assistance applying for study abroad scholarships help ease the costs. “This is a great opportunity for our students, and we are thrilled to receive this grant and help them obtain a passport,” said Rachel Haos, assistant dean of students. “We know from experience that study abroad enriches the lives of our students, opening them up to a world of opportunities. This grant will allow us to get our students one step closer to that possibility.”
About IIE
The Institute of International Education (IIE) is a world leader in helping people and organizations leverage the power of international education to thrive in today’s interconnected world. As a not-for-profit with 17 offices and affiliates worldwide, IIE manages 200+ programs with participants from 180+ countries. Each year, tens of thousands of people participate in IIE-managed programs. IIE collaborates with a range of corporate, government and foundation partners across the globe to design and manage scholarship, study abroad, workforce training, and leadership development programs.
The IIE Network is the global membership network connecting more than 10,000 professionals from over 1,500 organizations to resources, including IIE’s extensive knowledge and decades of experience supporting student mobility and exchange, campus internationalization, and international partnerships.
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: Kelly Cole


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Havenwoods BID is bringing Automated License Plate Readers to the 9th District | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
June 9, 2022
The Havenwoods Business Improvement District has partnered with the Milwaukee Police Department, Flock Safety and Alderwoman Chantia Lewis to bring automated license plate reading cameras to the 9 District.
The groups made the announcement in early May.
According to Flock Safety, the cameras capture computer-readable images of license plates, allowing law enforcement agencies to compare plate numbers against those of stolen cars or cars driven by people suspected of being involved in criminal activities.
The 9District encompasses the area from 43 Street and Silver Spring Drive to 124 Street and County Line Road. Flock Safety is a public safety operating system that partners with neighborhoods, businesses, law enforcement and elected officials to provide technology that helps combat crime.
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“This technology would be able to give MPD a sense of where a stolen car may be,” said Lewis. “This is a fantastic example of a public-private partnership that can help improve the quality of life in our community.”
This partnership, aimed at making the community safer, has been on the table for years but was initially denied by the state due to worries about privacy, according to Lewis.
The American Civil Liberties Union released a report in March expressing concerns that Flock Safety is creating a vast national surveillance network. Flock Safety responds by directing observers to what, precisely, is being photographed.
“This technology is not recording your speed or checking your registration,” said Holly Beilin, the communications director for Flock Safety. “It has no ability to do any of that. It is genuinely used to solve crime.”
“It’s only taking photos of the back license plate,” Lewis added. “Photos are deleted after 30 days.”
A 2011 study by the Police Executive Research Forum concluded that ALPRs – automatic license plate reading cameras – used by the Mesa Police Department in Arizona enhanced the productivity of the auto theft unit, resulting in “nearly three times as many ‘hits’ for stolen vehicles and twice as many vehicle recoveries.”
The Police Executive Research Forum is an independent research organization that focuses on critical issues in policing, according to its website.
There were 10,479 vehicles stolen in 2021 in Milwaukee, a 132% increase from the 4,510 vehicle thefts in 2020, the Milwaukee Police Department has reported.


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Dwayne Burtin
June 6, 2022


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Post From Community: “I Have A Dream” Foundation – Milwaukee launches new cohort at Milwaukee Academy of Science | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Anna Story / Mueller Communications
June 9, 2022
The City of Milwaukee and I Have A Dream” Foundation – Milwaukee (IHDF-MKE) along with other committed partners are pleased to announce the launch of a new cohort of first-grade students who will be attending the Milwaukee Academy of Science (MAS), a City of Milwaukee Charter School, this fall.
“I’m proud of the role the City of Milwaukee has played in spearheading and launching “I Have A Dream” Foundation – Milwaukee,” said Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “The city has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in this program to date along with our other major partners. I commend IHDF-MKE Board Chair Margaret Henningsen, IHDF Board member Barry Mandel, MAS CEO Dr. Anthony McHenry and everyone else involved in this expansion effort.”
Developer and IHDF national board member Barry Mandel along with Margaret Henningsen, IHDF-MKE Board Chair, have launched a fund-raising campaign to raise $4 million that will fund operational costs needed to cover support services that will be provided to students and their families in the cohort beginning as first-graders and lasting through their post-secondary education.
Support services available to families will focus on key factors that include: stable housing, access to broadband Internet services, access to health and wellness services, family education, training and job placement, addressing stress management and life skills, and financial literacy. Additionally, up to $10,000 in tuition assistance will be provided to student participants for any post-secondary education they may choose. The goal is to keep the students and families together as a cohort for at least 12 years.
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An affiliate of the national “I Have A Dream” Foundation, IHDF-MKE provides students – dubbed “Dreamers” – from under-resourced communities a chance to achieve their full potential by promoting from an early age, values of higher education and career success with opportunities guaranteed through financial resources, and other services. It offers programs and activities for young people during the school day, after school, and during the summer.
“Education doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” said Kahina Cargile, executive director at IHDF-MKE. “This is a tremendous opportunity to impact the lives of students at Milwaukee Academy of Science. We’re committed to addressing barriers to learning that can exist beyond the classroom in order to make a transformational impact on our Dreamers, their families, and the broader community.”
IHDF-MKE was launched by the City of Milwaukee at Clarke Street School in 2008 along with other committed partners who share the belief that every child in Milwaukee deserves a chance for a future that includes a higher education. The Clarke Street School cohorts received programmatic funding from the Brady Corporation Foundation and Ted and Mary Kellner through their Kelben Foundation. Additionally, Brady employees provided tutoring early on in the program to the students. Since 2019, both foundations have supplied scholarships and helped with other college costs for this group of Dreamers.
The Clarke Street School program has impacted 132 students and their parents. Between 2019 and 2020, there were 45 Dreamers in the program, all of whom graduated high school on time, and 43 of which went on to pursue post-secondary education. Accomplishments within this group have included studying abroad, acceptance for competitive internships, participating in research programs, launching on-campus organizations, and receiving professional certifications. Additionally, students’ parents were supported as they returned to school, pursued higher-paying jobs, and improved their financial literacy.
One of the biggest lessons learned from the Clarke Street cohort was the broad support needed to create a pathway of success for students coming from neighborhoods plagued by high crime, poverty, unemployment, teen pregnancy and high dropout rates, Cargile said. Perhaps most importantly, family stability is the key to a student’s academic success, which is why the new cohort at MAS will provide a broad range of wrap-around support services for both the Dreamer and their family.
“This is an incredibly unique opportunity to have a multi-generational impact on the lives of students and their families, while exhibiting an innovative approach to addressing challenges regularly experienced within urban education,” said Mandel, chairman and CEO of Mandel Group, Inc. and a supporter of “I Have A Dream” Foundation on a national level.
“In launching this new cohort, a great advantage that we have is access to a number of established and successful community assets with whom we will be collaborating, including the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, and other nonprofit organizations and academic institutions,” Mandel added.
“I applaud IHDF-MKE for this innovative approach to improve so many lives,” said UW-Milwaukee Chancellor Mark Mone. “We are excited about bringing together the talents of our faculty, staff, and community partners to improve educational outcomes. We expect this collaboration to have significant generational impact.”
“As a college that offers strong wraparound support for our students, we are excited about this kindergarten-to-career model that takes an innovative support approach for entire families,” Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) President Dr. Vicki J. Martin said. “We look forward to ensuring families can connect to the opportunities at MATC that provide students with in-demand careers that pay a family-sustaining wage.”
MAS is a STEM-focused charter school authorized by the City of Milwaukee and located on Milwaukee’s Near West Side. It serves a primarily African American population, 96% of whom come from economically disadvantaged homes; 90% of the 1,350 students at the school receive free bus transportation, ensuring equal access to the school no matter where a student moves in the city, which significantly impacts the school’s impressive retention rate of 93% of students returning from year to year.
“Milwaukee Academy of Science has always been committed to providing its entire student body with a quality education, however, it’s no secret that many of our students and their families face challenges that undermine the learning process,” said Anthony McHenry, CEO of MAS. “We’re thrilled for the opportunity to provide our scholars and their families with the support and resources needed to reach their full potential.”
Importantly, the partnership will include a longitudinal study, headed by Dr. Leonard E. Egede, MD, MS, tenured professor and Director of the Center for Advancing Population Science (CAPS) at the Medical College of Wisconsin. The study will measure the impact of the combined and individual multifaceted components of this uniquely holistic approach.
“This is a great investment being made by the community and the “I Have A Dream” Foundation, both in the students themselves and their families to support in-school learning and building stable learning environments within the home,” said David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive. “As we look to build a better future for the underserved in our communities, it would be my hope that this collaborative model can pave the way for similar efforts with other schools and students in the area.”
At the “I Have A Dream” Foundation, we provide individualized social, emotional, and academic support to young people from low-income communities from kindergarten all the way through college, along with guaranteed tuition support. We believe that when given equal access to the resources they need to succeed, all children can ignite their innate potential and achieve their dreams. Learn more at milwaukee.ihdf.org.
Established in 2000, Milwaukee Academy of Science is a K4-12 public charter school serving 1,350 students from across the city of Milwaukee. Its mission is to graduate urban students prepared to compete successfully at the post-secondary level and to become a nation model for urban and STEM education. Learn more at milwaukeeacademyofscience.org.

author: Anna Story / Mueller Communications


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Dwayne Burtin
June 9, 2022


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Post From Community: Candidates confirmed for upcoming Wisconsin U.S. Senate and governor debates, NBC News’ Chuck Todd announced as co-moderator for U.S. Senate primary debate | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Gregg Schraufnagel / TMJ4
June 9, 2022
NBC News Political Director and Meet the Press Moderator Chuck Todd will join  TMJ4’s Charles Benson and Shannon Sims to moderate the upcoming Wisconsin U.S. Senate  primary debate at Marquette University. TMJ4 (WTMJ-TV) will produce and broadcast the  event live on Sunday, July 17at 6 p.m. in Milwaukee, on sister station WGBA in Green Bay, and on participating Gray Television stations throughout Wisconsin.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chuck Todd to Wisconsin for this important political event,” said  Charles Benson, TMJ4 chief political reporter and anchor. “His participation underlines  Wisconsin’s national importance in the upcoming elections.”
Four Democratic candidates running in the U.S. Senate primary have agreed to participate in  the debate. They include Mandela Barnes, Sarah Godlewski, Alex Lasry and Tom Nelson. All four  have met the metrics TMJ4 set up to qualify for the debate.
Four Republican candidates for governor have agreed to participate in TMJ4’s gubernatorial primary debate with Charles Benson and Shannon Sims on Sunday, July 24at 6 p.m. at Marquette University. They include Rebecca Kleefisch, Kevin Nicholson, Tim Michels and Tim Ramthun. All four have met the metrics TMJ4 set up to qualify for the debate.
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Marquette University has set up a ticket portal for voters to attend the Senate and Governor  Debates:
U.S. Senate primary debate
Gubernatorial primary debate
In addition to TMJ4 and Marquette University, Wispolitics.com, 620 WTMJ, and the Milwaukee  Business Journal are sponsoring the debates.
About TMJ4 and Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a  better-informed world. As the nation’s fourth-largest local TV broadcaster, Scripps serves  communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of 61 stations in 41  markets. The Scripps Networksreach nearly every American through the national news outlets Court  TV and Newsy and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, Laff and Court TV Mystery.  Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps runs an award-winning  investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps  National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, “Give light and  the people will find their own way.”
About Marquette University
Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee  that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges  and schools. A Marquette education offers students a virtually unlimited number of paths and  destinations and prepares them for the world by asking them to think critically about  it. Marquette’s mission is the search for truth, the discovery and sharing of knowledge, the fostering  of personal and professional excellence, the promotion of a life of faith and the development of  leadership expressed in service to others. Along the way, they ask one thing of every student:  Be The Difference.

author: Gregg Schraufnagel / TMJ4


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Chuck-Todd-Headshot.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
June 9, 2022


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5 things to know and do the weekend of June 10 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
June 10, 2022
It’s Friday 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 submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative is looking for volunteers for this month’s “Basura Bash.” The monthly cleanup exists to beautify and build community within the Clarke Square neighborhood. This month’s cleanup is from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, starting at South 21st Street and West Scott Avenue.
New Hope Youth and Family Services is hosting this celebration of “fathers, foster parents, stepfathers, guardians and anyone stepping in the role of mentor or father.” This event is free with a catered breakfast, vendors, workshops and unity across generations. Parents are encouraged to bring their children or youth they are mentoring, and non-parents are needed to walk with youth attending without a father. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 11 at 3248 W. Brown St.
For more information to attend, become a vendor, or sponsor, contact Rita Lee at
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rlee.newhope@gmail.com or 414-758-3613.
Midtown residents and interested community members are invited to this neighborhood walk with Alderman Russell Stamper, the Milwaukee Police Department and neighbors. The walk goes from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 11. Meet at 12:30 p.m. at the Tiefenthaler Park basketball courts, located at 2480 W. Cherry St.
Celebrate national Puerto Rican Day, the second Sunday every June, for a pig roast and pincho event. All proceeds will go toward funding the annual Puerto Rican Family Festival scheduled for August 7. This event takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday June 12 at 4531 W. Forest Home Ave.
Embody Yoga is offering a free yoga class every Sunday this summer, starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 12 at Johnsons Park at 1919 W. Fond Du Lac Ave. No registration required, but it is advised to bring your own mat or blanket to practice on. Class will be cancelled if it is raining or below 60 degrees.


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Dwayne Burtin
June 9, 2022


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Record-high pace of drug overdose deaths continues to afflict Milwaukee County | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
June 10, 2022
As Milwaukee County sees a rise in fentanyl fatalities, cocaine has emerged as a factor in more drug overdose deaths, five years’ worth of data reveals.
The majority of these deaths occurred in the City of Milwaukee.
The data was presented by the Milwaukee County Overdose Public Health and Safety Team, or OD-PHAST, to members of City-County Heroin, Opioid and Cocaine Task Force during its meeting Tuesday.
“Eighty percent of deaths last year involved fentanyl alone or in combination,” said Sara Schreiber, a member of the county overdose team and the forensic technical director of toxicology for the Medical Examiner’s Office. That total has risen steadily over the past four years, based on the Medical Examiner data the team reviewed.
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The OD-PHAST project is funded by a grant from the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance through the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program. The goal of the team is to reduce overdoses in Milwaukee County.
Schreiber said the number of drug overdose deaths that involved fentanyl increased by 170% over that five-year period, while deaths involving heroin decreased 61%.
Cocaine continues to be a factor in more deaths annually. Last year, cocaine was involved in half of the county’s drug overdose deaths, she said. So far this year, cocaine alone or in combination was involved in 60% of deaths.  Cocaine was involved in 1,026 deaths from 2017 to 2021.
Fentanyl, alone or in combination, was a factor in 1,526 deaths over that time period. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to100 times stronger than morphine and is often added to other drugs to increase potency, which also increases the risk of overdose.
In many fatal overdose cases, individuals have multiple drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, in their system. Schreiber said the Medical Examiner’s Office is taking a closer look at whether fatal overdoses are occurring when individuals use cocaine that is laced with fentanyl or whether the individual used them separately. The challenge, she said, is that once the drugs are ingested they begin to dissolve in the body. Testing of evidence at fatal overdose scenes is being conducted to learn more, she said.
The majority of all drug deaths from 2017 to 2021 was classified as accidental overdoses (94%), and most of the victims (93%) were residents of Milwaukee County. In total numbers, most of the individuals were white, but Native Americans had the highest death rate at 136 per 100,000 residents.
The rate of deaths per 100,000 for whites (58.5) and Blacks (55.9) were similar, although Scheiber added that Black people had a higher rate of deaths per resident in 2021 than their white counterparts.
Constance Kostelac, a member of OD-PHAST and director of the Division of Data Surveillance and Informatics at the Medical College of Wisconsin, said during the meeting that there are two full-time social workers housed at the Medical Examiner’s Office to provide outreach to families of drug overdose victims.
“They help people with grief, can connect to treatment or provide other resources,” she said. “They do next of kin interviews as well.”
The task force meeting, the first since January, comes at a time when the pace of drug overdose deaths in Milwaukee County is once again at a record level. From Jan. 1 to June 5, there were 210 confirmed drug overdose deaths, with 92 cases pending, according to data provided by Karen Domagalski, operations manager for the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Assuming all of those cases are confirmed as overdose deaths, a total of 302 easily surpasses last year’s total of 255 during that same period. And the pace doesn’t appear to be slowing. During Memorial Day weekend, the Medical Examiner’s Office investigated 11 probable drug overdose deaths, including six that occurred over a 24-hour period.
Sixty-nine percent of individuals among the confirmed victims this year were men. Half the confirmed victims this year were white; 37% were Black; and 9% were Hispanic. The remaining victims were Native American (4), East Indian (1), Asian (1) or multi-race (3).
The 53206, 53208, 53212, 53214 and 53218 ZIP code areas each lost more than 10 residents to overdoses. The 53215 ZIP code area on the South Side lost the most residents (14) while the city’s hotspot last year, 53204, lost eight residents.
Rafael Mercado, a task force member who works the front lines of the city’s battle against the opioid epidemic on the South Side as the leader of Team HAVOC, pleaded for increased access to treatment during the meeting.
“We try to help people, but we can’t get them in,” he said.
Team HAVOC is a grassroots organization that works to prevent drug addiction and violence. Some of its activities include needle cleanups and Narcan training. Narcan is used in emergencies to stop overdoses.
The problems begin before drug use leads to overdoses.
Mercado explained that a number of steps are needed to receive treatment for substance abuse, each of which presents a barrier to individuals who need urgent help.
“You go through detox, which has a waiting list. Then you get put on a waiting list for treatment. Then if in-patient treatment is needed, you get placed on another waiting list, which could be up to six months,” he said.
According to Alderman Michael Murphy, who represents the 10 District and chairs the task force, the first payment to Milwaukee County from a master opioid settlement is expected to occur in late July. The state was awarded $400 million in settlements from three separate opioid distributors last year. The settlement came after Wisconsin and other states filed a federal lawsuit against opioid manufacturers accused of fueling the epidemic.
Seventy-one million dollars will be distributed to Milwaukee County, with around $22 million of that total earmarked for the City of Milwaukee. The funds will be used to support treatment, education and for other resources in the battle against opioids.
You can find a comprehensive list of substance abuse treatment services by clicking here.

author: Edgar Mendez


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Dwayne Burtin
June 9, 2022


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5 things to know and do this week in Milwaukee: June 13 to June 17 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
June 13, 2022
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 submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Milwaukee County Transit System is proposing changes to bus route numbers 18, 19, 35, 54, 60, 80 and the Purple Line starting this fall. Now is the time to learn about the changes and voice support or opposition before the changes go through. The virtual listening session runs from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 13. Register to attend here.
Looking for a new read? Local poet, filmmaker, writer and educator Mikey Cody Apollo and librarians from the Milwaukee Public Library are here to help from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14. Register for the virtual talk here. More information here.
Residents of Norwood, a neighborhood located just north of St. Joe’s hospital, are invited to meet their neighbors at this meeting organized by the Norwood Neighborhood Group. The in-person meeting takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 14 at the corner of North Norwood Place and West Phillip Place. More information here.
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4. “Voices of Milwaukee Bronzeville” Book Talk: Wednesday, June 15
“Voices of Milwaukee Bronzeville” by Dr. Sandra E. Jones documents the lived experiences of residents of 1930s and 1940s Bronzeville, a neighborhood rendered physically unrecognizable by the construction of Interstate 43. Read along and discuss the book through this event put on by the America’s Black Holocaust Museum Book Club. The virtual talk starts at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15. More information and registration here.
Alderwoman Milele Coggs is hosting a virtual workshop for those looking to secure contracting opportunities on new lead abatement and housing programs through the city. The virtual workshop lasts from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 16. More information here. Register here.
BONUS: Being and Thriving: Exploring Spaces for People of Color: Monday, June 13
Panelists share how they are fostering creativity, entrepreneurship and more in this event hosted by Social X. Afterward, explore the museum’s newest exhibits “Our Time Together” by Derrick Adams and “‘Always New’ the posters of Jules Chéret.” This free event runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 13 at the Milwaukee Art Museum, located at 700 N. Art Museum Drive. More information here.


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Dwayne Burtin
June 12, 2022


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Post From Community: City of Milwaukee Health Department issues heat health advisory | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
City of Milwaukee Health Department
June 13, 2022
The City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) and Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) in conjunction with the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Heat Heath Advisory for Tuesday, June 14 and Wednesday, June 15 in Southeastern Wisconsin. The NWS forecast indicates the Heat Index values of 100 to 105 degrees are expected across the area on Tuesday afternoon and again on Wednesday afternoon.
To prevent heat-related illness or death, the Milwaukee Health Department advises citizens to take the following precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
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The MHD will be enhancing surveillance for heat-related illness in the coming days, and working with Milwaukee Metropolitan Extreme Weather Task Force partners to address vulnerable population needs during this period. Those in need of emergency services during heat advisories, watches, or warnings should call Impact 211 for assistance.
Individuals in need of public space to cool off can visit any of the locations on the Milwaukee Health Department website.

author: City of Milwaukee Health Department


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MHD_Verticalversion_RGB | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
June 13, 2022

author: Dwayne Burtin


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Post From Community: Judge Mosley to receive 2022 Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jeff Jones
June 14, 2022
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, Wisconsin – Racial and criminal justice reformer Judge Derek Mosley has been selected to receive the 2022 Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award. The award was established in 2014 by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the family of Robert H. Friebert.
“The selection committee was very moved by the ways in which Judge Mosley works within the criminal justice system to center the needs of the community members he serves, and his innovation in creating law enforcement programs that focus on affirming the dignity, safety and human potential of all who are impacted by this system,” said JCRC Chair Brian Schupper. “Judge Mosley serves as an exemplary model for public servant leadership with his extensive community engagement to help people better understand unconscious bias, and to offer tools to make our neighborhoods, schools and workplaces more inclusive.”
To recognize his work and the legacy of Robert H. Friebert, the JCRC will honor Mosley at its annual meeting on Thursday, June 16, 11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at The Box MKE. RSVPs are being accepted through June 10 at MilwaukeeJewish.org/JCRCevents. Past award recipients include Anita Johnson, James H. Hall, Danae Davis, Reggie Jackson, Fran Kaplan, Arno Michaelis and Pardeep Singh Kaleka.
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The award draws from Deuteronomy 16:18: “Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof—Justice, justice you shall pursue.” It was created in memory of prominent Milwaukee attorney and activist, Robert H. Friebert. He was driven to pursue social justice through the law and public service, and he believed deeply that everyone deserves equal social, economic and political rights.
About the Jewish Community Relations Council
Founded in 1938, the Jewish Community Relations Council, the public affairs arm of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, advocates for the rights and values of Jews individually and collectively, here and abroad. The Council implements a coordinated program of education, action, and advocacy for the Jewish community. For more than 100 years, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation has been dedicated to building a strong community. It distributed $20 million last year to Jewish and non-Jewish organizations locally and around the world, and manages philanthropy through an over $200 million foundation.
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author: Jeff Jones


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Judge-Derek-Mosley.jpeg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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June 13, 2022


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New Safe & Sound executive director seeks to empower residents to solve problems | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
June 14, 2022
Safety looks different to different people, explains Bridget Whitaker, new executive director of Safe & Sound.
“For some, it’s knowing your kids can go across the street and play at the park, and for others, the issue is a nuisance house that throws after-hours parties,” she said.
Whitaker, who served as program director and senior director of operations and administration at Safe & Sound before being named executive director in April, says the way to address these and other issues such as reckless driving, is to work together.
“Creating a collective impact is the basis for us to turn the corner in what we’re seeing,” she said.
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Whitaker, 43, assumed the helm at Safe & Sound after Joe’Mar Hooper, who became executive director in 2020, resigned this year to take a new position in Arizona. Before Hooper, Safe & Sound was led for six years by Katie Sanders.
The nonprofit organization serves 10 different priority areas across the city, engaging residents, businesses, community organizations and law enforcement to address safety concerns in those neighborhoods. The organization hosts events such as neighborhood cleanups, crime and safety meetings that include law enforcement, youth advocacy and the convening of the 27th Street West Drug Free Coalition.
According to the Safe & Sound annual report for 2020, the last one available, organization representatives spent 5,397 hours connecting directly with residents in 2020, engaged more than 3,000 youths and abated over 1,100 nuisance incidents.
Despite the group’s efforts and those of many others in the city, crime, including shootings and murders, have increased in recent years. Whitaker says she realizes she faces a tall task in helping to make the city safer.
“It’s no easy feat,” she said. “I want to amplify the voice of residents, especially young people, to address what they feel is important and that’s how we can change things.”
A lifelong Milwaukee native, Whitaker was raised by her mother and became a teen mom.  Despite the challenges of beginning motherhood at an early age, she said she wasn’t going to let her life circumstances dictate her opportunities.
She graduated from Marquette University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management, then earned a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Phoenix, a Juris Doctorate from Concord Law School and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from Alverno College.
Before joining Safe & Sound, she served as the director of human resources for St. Charles Youth and Family Services, and she was the social action chair of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Milwaukee Chapter. Whitaker is the author of three books, including “A Sunday Kind of Love,” and, most recently, “I Hope This Blesses Somebody.” She also is the co-founder of BlankSpaceMKE, the artist-collaborative behind the Milwaukee Black Restaurant Week.
Symphony Swan-Zawadi, co-founder of BlankSpaceMKE, said Whitaker’s wealth of experience in human resources will serve her well in her new role.
“She understands the people side and the business side, and she is able to build bridges between them, and I think that’s important,” she said.
Swan-Zawadi is executive director of Arts @ Large, an organization that works toward equitable access to education that include the arts. She said Whitaker’s dedication to the city and its residents is an added benefit.
“She loves this city and is excellent at being able to pour into people so they feel seen, validated and respected,” she said.
Sodi Nichols, vice president of national strategic markets for U.S. Bank and chair of Safe & Sound Board of Directors, agrees.
“She’s always been an advocate for the community and has helped to share their voice and bridge that gap between police and community through events that actually bring people together,” Nichols said. “She now has the space to even go further with her vision.”
Whitaker says a major goal at Safe & Sound is to improve relationships between older and younger people. She said that youths are unfairly blamed for many of the problems in the city when they’re really a main part of the solution.
“We need to make space to hear what they need to feel safe,” she said. “We need to talk to each other and not at each other and have conversations about what’s working and what’s not working.”
She also wants to help foster an environment where youths and law enforcement trust and work with each other.
“It’s a two-way street, and it starts with seeing each other as people,” she said. “Things don’t change overnight, but when we work together we all benefit.”


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52082555423_b2d0506689_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
June 13, 2022