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Faith, integrity, commitment drive City on a Hill’s Diane De La Santos | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
March 6, 2017
Diane De La Santos has been involved with City on a Hill since its inception and has served as executive director since 2003. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
Editor’s note: This article is one of an occasional series profiling the 15 finalists for the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDIs). Diane De La Santos is a finalist for theNorthern Trust Navigator Award, which recognizes an individual for leadership and collaboration.
When Diane De La Santos was first asked to assume the top position at the faith-based nonprofit City on a Hill, she declined.
“No way. I am not what you’re looking for,” she told the board. De La Santos thought she was the wrong gender, the wrong color and the wrong age, she said. At the time, she believed an executive director who was knowledgeable about engineering or real estate would be a better choice.
A few years later, when the organization was struggling, it offered her the position again. This time, according to De La Santos, she “had a conversation with God. He said, ‘I’ll go with you,’” she reported, and she accepted the job.
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After serving on the board for two years, De La Santos became executive director of City on a Hill in 2003. Initially, she was a “loaned executive” from Aurora Health Care, but she left her position as vice president of public affairs a year later. Known for her strong religious faith, personal integrity and passion for service, De La Santos has led City on a Hill in transforming the surrounding Avenues West neighborhood and the lives of many residents. She has also inspired countless other individuals and organizations doing related work.
“Once I got (to City on a Hill), I saw that this (work) was consistent with a calling I had since I was a young girl,” De La Santos said. Her dedication to helping others and striving for improved relations between diverse peoples showed when she volunteered as a tutor and house painter in distressed neighborhoods in Detroit and Lansing as a young teen. It also was evident when she majored in ethnic and intergroup relations as an undergraduate at Michigan State University and in her first full-time job at La Casa de Esperanza in Waukesha, working with Hispanic people, she said.
De La Santos chats with a client at City on a Hill’s monthly free health outreach event, which offers access to a food bank and a hot meal. (Photo courtesy of City on a Hill)
Although De La Santos had a long and successful career as a corporate executive, she is not a stranger to adversity. As a young woman she lived in poverty and struggled to raise two children on her own, she explained. Later, after she started working at City on a Hill, she sought to further her understanding of the people she served by giving up a comfortable life in a suburban condominium and moving to City on a Hill at Kilbourn and 23 Street. During seven years as a resident on the former hospital campus, she “took walks, talked to neighbors, and felt the oppression” they were experiencing.
“She is a woman of deep faith and conviction and one of the things she taught me is that if you have faith, it can help you stay the course during challenging times,” said Mark Huber, Aurora’s vice president of social responsibility, who worked with De La Santos for two decades.
Impressed by her ability to collaborate with partners to achieve mutual goals and find “win-win” solutions to community problems, Huber sees De La Santos’ trust in others and open communication as keys to her effectiveness.
“She is the most ethical person I’ve ever met,” Huber said. “She taught me through her words and her actions to treat every person equally.”
De La Santos has designed and implemented training programs that build understanding and empathy for people living in poverty and that strive to reduce racial inequities. Participants go through poverty simulations in which they struggle to find food, shelter and clothing for themselves and their families while surrounded by wealth. The goal is to identify practical steps to address poverty issues.
Working with teams of mostly white volunteers and professionals who come from all over the U.S., De La Santos recognized the need to develop a racial reconciliation training program that gives people practical strategies for confronting their own racism to ensure that they “do no harm.”
Keith Stanley, executive director of Near West Side Partners, and a board member of City on a Hill, has known De La Santos for more than a decade. He called her a “major asset to the city” and praised her commitment to her work. “She lives and breathes her faith and passion in this community. It’s exciting to see her capacity to love and care for … the near West Side and for the city.”
De La Santos has brought major improvements to the community, including the recent renovation and expansion of a free health care clinic, establishment of youth programs focusing on academic and life skills, and construction of high-quality low-income housing at City on a Hill. In addition, associates and community members who have benefitted from her work point to the concern and care De La Santos puts into each of her relationships.
De La Santos helped Karla Hart get into an apartment at City on a Hill when she was out of options and facing homelessness four years ago. Then, De La Santos found furniture and other household necessities for her because she had nothing, Hart said.
“(De La Santos) is always trying to see where she can help somebody,” Hart said.  “She’ll listen to you if you have a problem. She’ll take out time to talk to you. If she can’t help you, she’ll try to find somebody that can help you, with whatever your situation is. And she’ll definitely pray for you,” Hart added.
Marquette University freshman Nigel Williams met De La Santos a decade ago when she and several staff members brought his family a box of food for Thanksgiving. Then a neighborhood resident, Williams started participating in youth programs at City on a Hill and it became his second home, he said.
De La Santos matched Williams and his sister with mentors from her staff who became fixtures in their lives. Williams said the meals, sleepovers, camping trips and church outings “were always something I wanted to be a part of. I’m 19 and I still want to go,” added Williams, whose work and school obligations mostly prevent that now.
“The work she does is a blessing to not only me but to a lot of individuals,” Williams said. “She’s always there and she’s always thinking about the community.”
Walter Harvey, senior pastor at Parklawn Assembly of God, noted, “There is a crisis of vision and leadership in our city. In the midst of a neighborhood that is saturated with dope dealers, Diane is a hope dealer.”

author: Andrea Waxman


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 2, 2017

source: news-milwaukeenns

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

author: Adam Carr


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Meeting Milwaukee’s ‘Great Migrants’ and Their Southern Roots | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
admin
March 6, 2017
WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio

author: admin


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Milwaukee Public Library enters into historic partnership with MPS to give 65,000 students digital library cards | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Public Library
March 6, 2017
Atkinson Library (Photo by Adam Carr)
During his annual State of the City address this morning, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett announced that the Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) and Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) have entered into an historic partnership to provide complete, free digital access to all the library’s online resources to every student in the district.
LibraryNow, as the program is called, gives every MPS student from 1st -12th grade access to online tutoring help, book and music downloads, magazines, games, research databases and more, simply through using their MPS student ID number. LibraryNow gives students access to the full array of online resources offered by MPL wherever they are – in school, at home, on tablets, phones, laptops or desktop computers. LibraryNow also allows students to log on and use computers at all library branch locations.
“We are focused on strengthening the connection between library resources and our city residents through a myriad of ways,” said Milwaukee Public Library Director Paula Kiely. “By expanding educational and entertainment programming, offering a Fine Forgiveness campaign, and increasing hours at a number of neighborhood branch locations, we have been able to bring more residents into the library to read, learn and connect – to each other and our resources. LibraryNow will expand learning opportunities for MPS students through help with schoolwork and skill development, ultimately providing lifelong benefits.”
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Students can access LibraryNow through the MPS student portal or by visiting LibraryNow.org. The program was developed by Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee Public Schools, and Mayor Tom Barrett’s office in concert with a 2016 White House initiative called “ConnectED,” which strives to bring community leaders together around a shared educational goal of improving education outcomes for children around the nation through increased use of digital resources.
Students are encouraged to visit their local neighborhood branch of Milwaukee Public Library to upgrade to a full access card which allows them to check out materials. For students who have had their previous cards blocked due to fines or fees, library staff will be available to restore access.
“Public libraries are one of our city’s greatest treasures,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “That is why we have made significant investment in our neighborhood branches. The library is a place that enhances early literacy, assists with school work, provides job training, and much more. LibraryNow brings so much of the value of our system right to students wherever they are, and will have a lasting impact on our students.”
For more information about LibraryNOW, visit www.librarynow.org

author: Milwaukee Public Library


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 6, 2017


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Shifting the ‘Moonlight’ view of black boys | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Raina J. Johnson
March 6, 2017
(Photo by Glenda R. Mitchell)
Raina J. Johnson is a freelance writer in Milwaukee. As the mother of a black son, she writes about the importance of seeing black boys for who they really are.
Five years ago the face of Trayvon Martin was plastered all over the news. His eyes — youthful, bright and wide with many stories yet to be told — his head was slightly covered by a grey sweatshirt that his killer, George Zimmerman, thought was threatening. Trayvon wasn’t celebrated in the news. Trayvon was put on trial for his own murder. Was he really from the neighborhood? Did he pick a fight with Zimmerman? What were the things he carried as he walked? The story of Trayvon’s life and death birthed the Black Lives Matter movement as we know it today.
On the very same night as the five-year anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s murder, the film ‘Moonlight’ won an Academy Award for best picture. The film’s poster shows a beautiful black boy — Alex R. Hibbert, youthful, bright, wide eyes with a story inside. He is celebrated.
The film has an all-black cast, and is visually appealing. It walks the viewer through three critical chapters in the life of Chiron. Hibbert plays a young Chiron, called “Little” as a child growing up in Miami, Florida working to discover who is and who he can become.
The stories of Trayvon and Chiron have struck me and stayed with me in different ways, especially because I’m the mother of a sweet black boy — with youthful, bright eyes, and many stories yet to unfold.
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In the first chapter of Chiron’s story, the audience is introduced to Juan, a drug dealer who meets Chiron. During one of their impromptu meetings, Juan tells Chiron, “At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you’re going to be. Can’t let nobody make that decision for you.”
When I heard that I thought about Trayvon. I thought about how he was vilified in the media and how we were shown images of him — a black child — made to look scary and threatening. I thought about my own son, growing up in Milwaukee, where even the good trees, on good soil don’t always bear much fruit. Like Trayvon and Chiron (Tamir, Jay and Dontre) he is just getting started with finding his way.
I thought about all the celebrations that as a community we miss because we have a “moonlight view” of black boys (and black girls); that is, seeing them in a light that eventually fades. We’re not seeing them for who they truly are.
I thought about the lack of empathy for black and brown children. Black and brown kids don’t get a free pass because they might be “troubled” or “young and stupid” or “made a mistake” or because they are bullied. We saw this in Moonlight. Chiron served time in juvenile jail because he retaliated against his bully, but no one looked deeper into the fact that he didn’t have a mother at home because she was on drugs. No one gave him a pass because he had to take care of himself and find his way own way home after school. He didn’t get a pass because he had to heat up water on the stove to take a bath with dish soap. The lack of understanding afforded to black and brown kids isn’t only in Moonlight; we see it in everyday life too. Tamir Rice, Jordan Davis and Mike Brown didn’t get to be kids, but Ethan Couch, and Dylann Roof do?
I’m hopeful that the lessons we’ve seen in Moonlight and the lessons we’ve carried from the murder of Trayvon Martin and others help shift our view of black boys in America – and especially in Milwaukee, where the soil is particularly tough.

author: Raina J. Johnson


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Alverno College offers rare opportunity to hear a Holocaust survivor speak | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kelly Fay
March 7, 2017
(Photo courtesy of Alverno College)
In an increasingly rare opportunity to hear the first-hand accounts of Holocaust survivors, Alverno College will hold its 16 annual Holocaust Remembrance Service, the largest non-Jewish gathering of this type in the Midwest. The service remembers the six million Jews who perished, and honors those who resisted and survived. This year’s speaker is Holocaust survivor Eric Blaustein, who was imprisoned at Buchenwald. The service will take place on Wednesday, April 5, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Pitman Theatre, and will include a talk back. The event is free and open to the public.
Blaustein was born in Germany in 1926. When he was 12 years old, German officers arrested thousands of Jews, including Blaustein’s father, and sent them to concentration camps. The date was November 9, 1938, a night that would become known as Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass. Blaustein managed to avoid Nazi authorities until December 1944, but at 17 he was sent to Buchenwald. In the Camp, he assumed the identity of a dead Italian prisoner and was able to survive until American forces arrived. His talk at Alverno will fall 72 years and a day after Buchenwald was liberated.
For those who are unable to attend the service, a live stream will be available at http://www.alverno.edu/holocaustremembrance/.
About Alverno College
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Alverno College, a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college for women, exists to promote the personal and professional development of its students. The college has earned accolades and respect internationally for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, and has consulted with three U.S. presidential administrations on accountability and outcomes in higher education. For the last seven years, Alverno College has been ranked one of the top five schools in the Midwest doing “the best job of educating undergrads” by U.S. News & World Report. Educators from throughout the world visit Alverno to learn about its proven, student-centered teaching methods.
Alverno offers more than 60 major areas of study, including graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology and business that are open to women and men. For more information about Alverno, visit www.alverno.edu or call 414-382-6100.

author: Kelly Fay


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
March 7, 2017

author: Name *


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Alverno College receives $199,600 college completion grant from Great Lakes | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kelly Fay
March 7, 2017
(Photo courtesy of Alverno College)
By the time college students have completed three-quarters of their academic program, it might seem like their path to graduation is set. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. As students near graduation, their academic programs are at their most rigorous, and increasing textbook and supply costs, class scheduling conflicts or maxing out of federal financial aid availability can create unexpected challenges to degree completion. Alverno students who face challenges in their final semesters are often low-income students and students of color who are juggling jobs and significant family responsibilities with their educations, leaving them with a razor-thin margin of error.
For these students, even a small crisis or financial setback can put them at risk of falling behind, dropping courses, taking leaves of absence or withdrawing from academic programs. The personal and community impact of non-completion can be profound. Without the earning power a degree or credential provides, students often struggle with meeting their financial obligations, including repaying student loans that they may have incurred. This issue is magnified in high-demand fields where positions remain unfilled, preventing employers from growing and communities from prospering.
To help propel more at-risk students to graduation, Alverno College has been awarded a $199,600 College Completion Grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation. Alverno is one of 14 two- and four-year colleges in five states that were awarded College Completion Grants.
Alverno will use the grant to launch a new program to support nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are vulnerable during their final semesters. Nursing was chosen because it is the largest major at Alverno, and because Milwaukee faces a looming shortage of nurses, especially nurses of color. As the most diverse four-year college or university in the state, Alverno nurses often choose to practice in medically underserved communities, helping to address an urgent need in Wisconsin. The program will begin in the fall and work with approximately 40 eligible students per year. Participants will be given small grants and nursing-focused pro-active advising in order to address small problems before they derail progress, ensuring that students are connected to the appropriate campus support services as well as external services.
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“We’re optimistic that this grant will allow us to bridge the gap for students who are close to graduation,” said Peg Rauschenberger, MSN, RN, interim dean of the JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing at Alverno College. “Alverno is dedicated to graduating the highest quality nurses, and ideally this will help get more nurses working in the communities that need them the most.”
“We are impressed that Alverno College and our other grant recipients critically analyzed their institutional data and then proposed comprehensive plans to help struggling students cross the finish line and begin careers in high-demand fields,” said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. “Given our philanthropic focus on advancing completion, we’re interested to see how these plans can positively impact graduation rates for low-income students, first-generation students and students of color.”
About Great Lakes: Dedicated to making college education a reality since 1967.
Knowing that education has the power to change lives for the better, Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates was established as a nonprofit group focused on a single objective: helping students nationwide prepare for and succeed in postsecondary education and student loan repayment. As a leading student loan guarantor and servicer, Great Lakes has been selected by the U.S. Department of Education to provide assistance and repayment planning to more than 8 million borrowers—as well as assistance to colleges and lenders nationwide. The group’s earnings support one of the largest and most respected education philanthropy programs in the country. Since 2006, Great Lakes has committed over $172 million in grant funding to promote higher education access and completion for students of color, low-income students, and first-generation students. For additional information, visit home.mygreatlakes.org.
About Alverno College
Alverno College, a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college for women, exists to promote the personal and professional development of its students. The college has earned accolades and respect internationally for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, and has consulted with three U.S. presidential administrations on accountability and outcomes in higher education. For the last seven years, Alverno College has been ranked one of the top five schools in the Midwest doing “the best job of educating undergrads” by U.S. News & World Report. Educators from throughout the world visit Alverno to learn about its proven, student-centered teaching methods.
Alverno offers more than 60 major areas of study, including graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology and business that are open to women and men. For more information about Alverno, visit www.alverno.edu or call 414-382-6100.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
March 6, 2017


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Community leaders join St. Thomas More High School board of directors | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
St. Thomas More High School
March 7, 2017
St. Thomas More High School is proud to announce two new additions to its board of directors: Mr. Norman Barrientos, owner of Barrientos Design & Consulting, and Rev. Philip J. Schumaker, pastor and administrator of Bay View’s Immaculate Conception and St. Augustine of Hippo Parishes.
“Norman and Fr. Philip are both highly respected members of the Milwaukee community,” St. Thomas More board chair Larry Lenz said. “Their many professional accomplishments and strong commitment to volunteerism will provide St. Thomas More and its students with valuable leadership and perspective as we continue to strengthen and diversify our educational offerings.”
Inspired by his parents’ commitment to social justice and volunteerism, Norman Barrientos uses his talents and leadership skills to give back to the Milwaukee community. Barrientos has served on the board of directors for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Froedtert Hospital, the City of Milwaukee’s Arts Board, and Mount Mary University. During his 34-year career in architectural design, Barrientos has worked with many Milwaukee-area schools, including La Causa Community School, Notre Dame Schools of Milwaukee, United Community Center, Marquette University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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“I hope to be a part of the transformation process for students at St. Thomas More,” Barrientos said. “A lot of development happens throughout these years, and it is important to help guide and support students during this time of spiritual, mental and emotional development.”
Reverend Philip J. Schumaker serves as administrator and pastor at Bay View’s Immaculate Conception and St. Augustine of Hippo Parishes and was previously associate pastor at St. John Vianney Parish in Brookfield. While serving on Milwaukee’s south side, Fr. Philip quickly learned about St. Thomas More’s history and reputation from his parishioners and was drawn to the school’s commitment to high-quality Catholic education.
“With history dating back nearly 150 years, St. Thomas More is an essential part of Milwaukee’s south side, especially for the Bay View community,” Fr. Philip said. “I’m excited to get more involved at St. Thomas More, helping students explore their faith during these formative years in their lives.”
About St. Thomas More High School
Located in Milwaukee’s historic Bay View neighborhood, St. Thomas More High School educates over 500 young men and women in grades nine through 12. Guided by nearly 150 years of experience and tradition as a Catholic college preparatory high school, St. Thomas More strives to nurture the whole student: intellectually, spiritually, and personally. Emphasizing project-based learning in all aspects of education, St. Thomas More challenges students academically while instilling values of personal responsibility, compassion, and conscientious citizenship.
For more information about St. Thomas More High School, please visit www.tmore.org.

author: St. Thomas More High School


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Critics fear MPS uniform policy will fail to achieve its goals | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jabril Faraj
March 7, 2017
Freda Fowlkes-Bell, a longtime teacher at Washington High School, speaks in support of the uniform policy at a public hearing. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
Critics of a new MPS policy requiring students to wear uniforms beginning next fall say it will not accomplish its goals to contribute to a positive school environment by minimizing bullying and lowering costs for low-income families.
“Bullying isn’t caused by what outfits people wear. Bullies target people because they want to make themselves feel good,” said Ava Antonie, 11, a student at Burdick Elementary School who previously attended private school and wore a uniform until 2nd grade. “Outfits won’t change anything — bullies will just find new ways to bully people.”
The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Board of Directors passed a districtwide uniform policy Feb. 23. The move was hotly contested at a board meeting where parents, students and a former teacher testified against the proposed change.
Larry Hoffman, an education activist and member of Schools & Communities United, said uniforms will only “cover over” the problem. “Whether there’s going to be uniforms in a school or not, you have to talk about differences among people and how we deal with differences among people,” he said.
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Three MPS principals testified in favor of the policy.
The policy, which is not mandatory, reverses current policy, said board member Carol Voss during testimony at the recent meeting. Previously, a school governance council could implement a dress code or uniform requirement, but only because of “a specific educational, health, or safety purpose.” A change at a particular school could only happen in the case of “broad-based support” from students, teachers and parents. Any modification, or rescinding, of an existing uniform policy required a petition signed by 20 percent of the school community.
Ava Gessner, a student at Golda Meir, speaks against the uniform policy during a recent board meeting. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
Fifty-one of the district’s more than 150 schools already have a dress code or require uniforms.
Beginning in fall 2017, every school in the district must comply with the policy unless 66 percent of the school community opposes it. The school must then send a written letter to the Regional Superintendent stating the reasons for its decision. Matthew Boswell, head of the MPS Department of Student Services, said if a school achieved the required two-thirds agreement to opt out the request would be honored.
Parents also have the ability to opt out by signing and filing an exemption form with the school’s principal.
School Board President Mark Sain said the move was made in an attempt to meet the needs of MPS families. He added that he hoped it would help create a better atmosphere for learning and noted that the pros outweigh the cons.
“The uniform policy is not a silver bullet,” Sain said. “I don’t look at this as being a one-stop-shop of stopping bullying … But I think, in some schools, it’s going to help.”
A survey conducted between Nov. 2 and Dec. 2 of last year received 11,762 responses from parents. Of the respondents, 41 percent were in favor of uniforms, 38 percent were opposed and 15 percent had no preference. About 77,000 students were enrolled in 2016-17.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, between the 1999-2000 and 2013-14 school years, the percentage of public schools reporting they required that students wear uniforms increased from 12 to 20. Data from the 2013-14 school year, the most recent available, showed city schools were more than four times as likely to require uniforms — which are considered a “safety and security” measure — as schools in rural districts. Only 2.5 percent of schools where more than 80 percent of students were white required uniforms, compared to 43.8 percent of schools that are less than half white.
Both opponents and those in favor of uniforms questioned why the policy is not mandatory. Two students who spoke on different sides of the issue at the board meeting expressed concern that giving individual families the ability to opt out would create a clear division within schools between those who are exempt and those who are not.
“I don’t think it’s effective if it’s not something that everybody’s doing,” said Patricia Hoben, head of schools at Carmen Schools of Science and Technology, a high-performing MPS charter network that requires uniforms at each one of its three campuses. “If somebody signs up for a school and that school’s opted in for uniforms, then I think that school’s expectation should be that everybody will wear uniforms and that that school will do everything possible to make it possible for every family to participate.”
MPS will allocate $1.3 million to schools to help mitigate the cost of uniforms. Many of those who testified said that amount, about $17 per student, would not significantly help struggling families. Eighty percent of MPS students are considered economically disadvantaged.

author: Jabril Faraj


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Asian restaurants form cluster in South Side’s Silver City | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Camille Paul
March 8, 2017
Thomg Ksoun, “T.K.,” opened her restaurant, Vientiane, in 2001. (Photo by Camille Paul)
Thomg Ksoun, known as T. K., came to the U.S. when she was 27, from Vientiane, Laos and knew she wanted to own a restaurant.
“I love to cook. I like cooking pad thai and lard nah the most, but I like cooking Thai, Vietnamese and Laos food,” she said.
When she was still living in Laos, a friend offered her a place to stay in Milwaukee and gave her help getting started in the U.S. In 1998, Ksoun began cooking out of a rented kitchen and selling her food at a wholesale market. In 2001 she expanded her kitchen and opened her own restaurant, Vientiane, in the South Side neighborhood of Silver City.
“I didn’t think it was very hard for me to open a restaurant,” said Ksoun. “I am a hard worker and I had the help of my family and friends.”
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Three other Asian restaurants and an Asian grocery store are located within a block of each other in Silver City: Thai Bar B Que, Bamboo, Thai Lotus and the Asian International Market. Silver City is predominantly Hispanic. Four percent of residents are Asian-American, most from Laos and Thailand.
Thai Bar B Que, opened in 2006, serves Northern and Southern Thai dishes. (Photo by Camille Paul)
During February, the four restaurants participated in “Phobruary,” an annual event offering pho for $5 per bowl. The soup normally costs $9 to $12 per bowl.
Thai Lotus owner Raphael Sivongsa came to Milwaukee in 1989 as a refugee from Laos. For more than 10 years, Sivongsa and his family have been in the restaurant business selling Thai, Chinese and Lao food.
“My wife loves to cook,” said Sivongsa. “It’s just something we enjoy doing together.”
Wisconsin’s Hmong population is the third largest in the country, following Minnesota and California. The largest Hmong communities in the state are found in Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Wausau, Appleton and Green Bay, according to a University of Wisconsin-Extension report, “Hmong in Wisconsin.”
George Chai, owner of Thai Bar B Que, came to the United States in 1984 from Thailand. Chai lived and worked in Chicago for a Hong Kong restaurant importer for international restaurants. He moved from Chicago in 1998 to open a grocery store in Milwaukee, the Asian International Market, and has lived in the city for the past 18 years.
“I moved here because the cost of living is low and it’s a good place to start something. It’s a lot cheaper than in Chicago.”
Chai sold the grocery store in 2007 to try something new and opened Thai Bar B Que in 2006. Thai Bar B Que serves dishes originating from the Northern and Southern regions of Thailand.
“Some people have never experienced Thai culture or people and we want to show that there is a difference [between Asian cultures],” he said.
Chai added that he hopes to see people from Cambodia, Korea and other South Asian countries form a community in Milwaukee.
“It doesn’t have to be like Chinatown,” Chai said, “but there should be a Southeast Asian community.”

author: Camille Paul


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 7, 2017


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Cultures, diversity are showcased at St. Ann Center | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care
March 8, 2017
History and heritage were highlighted throughout the month of February at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. The center, which provides health and educational day services to children, the elderly and adults with special needs, celebrates the value of people of all ages and abilities. This diversity was the focus of special programs at both the center’s Bucyrus Campus, 2450 W. North Ave., and the Stein Campus, 2801 E. Morgan Ave.
The culture and style of Africa were showcased at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus as part of a month-long celebration of Black history. African drums summoned adult clients, day care children, volunteers and staff to the intergenerational park on Friday, Feb. 3. (Read more: https://stanncenter.org/fashionable-celebration-of-culture/ .)
Children and adult clients at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus celebrated Black History Month through music at a spirited singalong and dance party held in the Intergenerational Park on Friday, Feb. 17. “Music is a vital part of the fabric of our African American culture,” said Wanda Gray, Intergenerational Activities Coordinator. “It has been used to get us through trials, to express our emotions and to enliven our spirituality.” (Read more: https://stanncenter.org/st-ann-celebrates-black-history-in-song/.)
The culture of many nations was showcased at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care-Stein Campus during International Day, Friday, Feb. 24. The program saluted the varied heritages of the children and adults who spend the day together in this unique intergenerational setting. (Read more: https://stanncenter.org/st-ann-center-stirs-up-a-world-of-fun-during-international-day/ .)
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Kohl’s donates $375,000 to COA Youth & Family Centers | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kohl’s
March 8, 2017
Madelyne Evans, a teacher at COA Goldin Center’s new Burke Early Education Center, helps children make art with crayons. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) announced a donation of $375,000 over three years to COA Youth & Family Centers (COA) to further the organization’s mission of addressing the critical issues of poverty, education and safety by providing youth the tools and opportunities to reach their full potential. The funding will expand COA’s youth development programs including the creation of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programming, which is expected to impact more than 6,500 Milwaukee children over the next three years.
“Kohl’s is proud to partner with COA Youth & Family Centers, an organization doing vital work to create a positive, lasting impact on the youth and families in our community,” said Jen Johnson, Kohl’s vice president of communications. “We both share a commitment to children’s health and education, and Kohl’s is honored to be in a position to support COA’s efforts to create supportive environments for Milwaukee children to learn and grow.”
The majority of Kohl’s funding will support the creation and implementation of STEM programs at COA’s three youth centers and seven Community Learning Centers within Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), offering greater access to STEM education for Milwaukee-area children.
“We are very excited to begin this partnership with Kohl’s,” said Tom Schneider, COA Youth & Family Centers’ executive director. “This funding will significantly enhance our ability to serve youth with high-quality after-school and summer programs, and with the addition of a STEM curriculum we can continue to ensure Milwaukee’s youth are given the knowledge and tools needed to succeed and thrive in today’s workforce.”
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Kohl’s funding will also support COA’s current youth development efforts, including after-school and summer programs and expansion to full-day programming on MPS off-days. While COA serves youth from across the city, the majority of those served live in the low-income Amani, Riverwest and Harambee neighborhoods.
The donation is made possible through Kohl’s philanthropic program, Kohl’s Cares®, which sells children’s books and soft toys and donates 100 percent of the net profit to benefit children’s initiatives. For more information on COA Youth & Family Centers, visit www.coa-yfc.org.
About Kohl’s
Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a leading omnichannel retailer with more than 1,100 stores in 49 states. With a commitment to inspiring and empowering families to lead fulfilled lives, Kohl’s offers amazing  national and exclusive brands, incredible savings and an easy shopping experience in our stores, online at Kohls.com and on Kohl’s mobile app.  Throughout its history, Kohl’s has given nearly $600 million to support communities nationwide. For a list of store locations or to shop online, visit Kohls.com. For more information about Kohl’s impact in the community and how to join our winning team, visit Corporate.Kohls.com.
About COA Youth & Family Centers
Since 1906, COA Youth & Family Centers has helped Milwaukee children, teens, and families reach their greatest potential through a continuum of educational, recreational, and social work programs offered via its three urban community centers, at seven schools, two parks, and rural camp facility.
COA serves 10,000 children and families at 12 locations throughout Milwaukee through early child development, youth development, and community development programs – always with family at the center.  For more information on COA and its programs, visit www.coa-yfc.org or COA’s Facebook or Twitter. (Facebook: www.facebook.com/coayfc   Twitter: @coayfc)

author: Kohl’s


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 8, 2017


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On the Block: Hero of hot dogs | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Camille Paul
March 8, 2017
David Robertson, also known as the Milwaukee Superman, has been selling hot dogs for 12 years on the corner of 9 and Wells streets outside the Milwaukee Municipal Court. Robertson moved to Milwaukee from Chicago in 2005. He dresses up in the Superman costume because it makes people smile.


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United Health Foundation and Medical College of Wisconsin to launch coordinated care program for new and expectant mothers | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Medical College of Wisconsin
March 8, 2017
Dustin Hinton, president and CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Wisconsin, Becky Schroeder, co-founder, Moms Mental Health Initiative, Dr. Christina Wichman, associate professor, Medical College of Wisconsin, Dr. Donna Davidoff, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, State Sen. Alberta Darling, 8th Senate District, and Dr. John Raymond, president and CEO, Medical College of Wisconsin.
United Health Foundation and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) will create a program to improve women’s health and birth outcomes, and reduce health disparities.
The Periscope (PERInatal Specialty COnsult Psychiatry Extension) Project aims to provide real-time care coordination, behavioral health services and support for new and expectant mothers across southeast Wisconsin. Primary-care providers will have access to care- coordination services including:
The project is funded by a $1.2 million grant by United Health Foundation, and is part of the foundation’s city-based approach to provide resources to organizations that connect communities to care, support whole-person health and build healthier communities.
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“The Periscope Project addresses the lack of perinatal psychiatric care providers by increasing the reach and efficiency of these specialized health providers,” said Dr. Christina Wichman, associate professor of Psychiatry, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at MCW. “Together, we are building the capacity of primary-care providers to effectively manage and coordinate care for their perinatal patients with psychiatric and behavioral health conditions.”
“We are partnering with the Medical College of Wisconsin to help ensure that primary care providers have the tools they need to enhance new and expectant mothers’ health and well- being,” said Dr. Donna Davidoff, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin. “The Periscope Project will help more mothers and babies live healthier lives and improve access to coordinated, comprehensive care.”
The Periscope Project is led by a multi-disciplinary team including a perinatal psychiatrist and program staff from the MCW’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, and a researcher and health economist from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing. Secondary partnerships include Milwaukee Health Care Partnership and its member health systems, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
“These partnerships are critical to the project’s success,” said Jennifer Doering, associate professor and executive committee chair, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing. “This multi-institution and multi-discipline approach is rooted with a deep commitment to advancing and integrating cost-effective best practices for the care and treatment of perinatal women in Milwaukee, with a targeted approach to reaching the most vulnerable patients.”
According to the 2016 America’s Health Rankings Health of Women and Children Report, more than 14 percent of women ages 18 to 44 in Wisconsin use alcohol during pregnancy, signaling a need for increased substance-abuse consultation and access to care during these critical months. The Periscope Project will ensure new and expectant mothers have access to these services, in addition to specialty perinatal psychiatric care.
The United Health Foundation grant will be awarded over three years, with an additional $200,000 from the State of Wisconsin through the Title V Maternal Health Block Grant.
About the Medical College of Wisconsin
Founded in 1893, The Medical College of Wisconsin is dedicated to leadership and excellence in education, patient care, research and community engagement. More than 1,200 students are enrolled in MCW’s medical school and graduate school programs in Milwaukee, 56 medical students enrolled at MCW-Green Bay, and 26 students matriculated to MCW-Central Wisconsin in 2016. MCW’s School of Pharmacy will open in 2017 or 2018 with an initial class size of 60 students. A major national research center, MCW is the largest research institution in the Milwaukee metro area and second largest in Wisconsin. In FY2015, faculty received more than $158 million 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 3,200 research studies, including clinical trials. Additionally, more than 1,500 physicians provide care in virtually every specialty of medicine for more than 525,000 patients annually.
About United Health Foundation
Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well- being of local communities. United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, United Health Foundation has committed nearly $315 million to programs and communities around the world. We invite you to learn more at www.unitedhealthgroup.com/SocialResponsibility or follow Facebook.com/UHGGives.

author: Medical College of Wisconsin


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Augustine Prep sets June 26 opening date; first day of school will be August 16 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Weston Banker
March 9, 2017
(Photo courtesy of Augustine Prep)
St. Augustine Preparatory Academy (“Augustine Prep”) announced today that it will officially open on June 26, 2017 and school will start on August 16, 2017. With the major interior work, such as foundation, framing, plumbing and electrical, near completion, the construction team is turning its focus to cosmetic work such as paint, flooring and cabinetry. Both construction and enrollment are on schedule as planned and school leadership is looking forward to officially opening its doors within a few short months.
Located at 2607 S 5th St., Augustine Prep is a non-denominational Christian school poised to become one of the highest performing schools in the nation.  Its 12-acre campus is home to one of the most advanced learning facilities in the state.  It includes bright, flexible learning spaces; advanced classroom technologies; state-of-the-art STEM labs; high-performance athletic and performing arts facilities; and more. Its curriculum is based on the high expectations the school has for every student, and will be taught by top educators who show students the same love and compassion each of us is shown through Christ.
“Every aspect of our school is designed to help our students succeed and prepare for college,” said Alfonso Carmona, Superintendent of Augustine Prep.  “Our learning spaces will encourage positive teacher and student interactions.  Our classrooms and labs will utilize the latest technology to help our students prepare for careers in the technical age. And our athletic, performing arts and extracurricular facilities will teach our students perseverance, grit and sportsmanship. Augustine Prep students will become part a high-performing, supportive and loving school community, where faith and scripture are infused into everything we do.”
More than 700 applications have been received for approximately 50 teaching positions at the school, drawing candidates from 39 states. “Passionate and accredited teachers from across the country are drawn to our vision,” said Carmona. “We are creating a team of educators and leaders who are not only highly-qualified, but are also deeply driven to help our students to become persons of high character.”
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Augustine Prep is now enrolling 500 students in grades K4, K5, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 9.  It will eventually enroll 2,500 children of all grade levels by the 2020-2021 school year.  To learn how you can enroll your students, please visit augprep.org or call (414) 837-3350. To see the entire 2017-2018 Augustine Prep academic calendar, please visit: https://www.augprep.org/about/school-calendar/.
About Augustine Prep
St. Augustine Preparatory Academy (Augustine Prep) is a non-denominational Christian school coming to Milwaukee’s south side at 2607 South 5th Street. The school will launch in summer 2017 with K-4, K-5, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 9th grades. Centered on the four pillars of faith, family, academics and athletics,   Augustine Prep will be a student-centered environment where young learners take ownership of their education not only in academics, but also physical health, creativity, and faith. For more information, visit augprep.org or call (414) 837-3350.

author: Weston Banker


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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March 9, 2017


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Commons provides healthy food oasis in Lindsay Heights | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
March 9, 2017
Lindsay Heights resident Antonio Patterson, 41, said he visits the Juice Kitchen at least three times a week. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Editor’s note: This article is one of an occasional series profiling the 15 finalists for the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDIs). The Innovations and Wellness Commons is a finalist for the State Farm Building Blocks Award, whichrecognizes a real estate project that advances the community.
On days he is off work, Lindsay Heights resident Antonio Patterson, 41, stops at the Juice Kitchen to grab a drink, sometimes even three times.
“This is what we’ve been needing around here,” said Patterson, pointing to the Juice Kitchen.
Owned by Maanaan Sabir and his wife JoAnne, the Juice Kitchen is a locally sourced juicing company housed within the Innovations and Wellness Commons, 1615 W. North Ave. Many of the mixed vegetable and fruit concoctions were created to help patrons improve specific aspects of their wellness, including drinks promoting muscle gain, increased energy or body cleansing, and even fighting cancer.
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The store’s location in the heart of the Lindsay Heights neighborhood, where healthy food options are outnumbered by fast food joints and corner stores that peddle snacks, is an anomaly, said Sabir.
The business is one of several located at the Commons that promote healthier lifestyles and food in Lindsay Heights, according to Fran Dawson, acting executive director of Walnut Way Conservation Corp. The Commons, a project of Walnut Way, is now in its second phase. The first phase was completed in late 2015 and featured the rehabilitation of a historic building into a multi-use commercial space that also houses Outpost Foods, Fondy Food Center and a 5,000-foot commercial kitchen operated by the Milwaukee Center For Independence (MCFI), which provides housing and employment assistance to individuals and families with special needs.
Kiel Simmons, 31, is in his fifth week of training at Milwaukee Center for Independences commercial kitchen. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Operating out of the Commons was a natural fit for MCFI, according to Heidi Chada, vice president of employment and commercial services. The 53205 ZIP code area where the Commons is located has one of the highest rates in the city for unemployment and recidivism, and most childhood health statistics there are bleak, said Chada. For her, that meant it was an area in need of the fresh and healthy meals MCFI serves, and also where the organization could develop and implement Level Up, its eight-week culinary training program.
“With transportation being a major barrier, we knew that it was important that we be in close proximity to the individuals who will be trained and to kids who will benefit from the meals,” Chada said.
Level Up participants are funneled into the program through partnerships with other organizations, including Project Return Milwaukee, a faith-based re-entry program for men and women. Kiel Simmons, 31, was referred through Project Return, and is in his fifth week of training at MCFI.
“I love it because I’m helping to provide nutritional meals to kids that might not eat another meal the whole day,” Simmons said.
He described cooking as a passion that he intends to turn into a career with the help of the training he’s receiving at MCFI. The lessons include hot and cold food preparation, using kitchen equipment, food safety, portion control and nutrition facts, as well as classroom lessons that teach soft skills such as how to speak with potential employers and communicate with co-workers, said Darryl Anderson, executive chef and director of food quality at MCFI.
About 4,500 meals a day are cooked in the commercial kitchen at the Commons and distributed around the city, including to schools and day care centers, several of which are in Lindsay Heights, Anderson added. On the menu this day were barbecued chicken, green beans and cornbread.
MCFI has created the equivalent of 11 full-time positions as a result of opening the commercial kitchen in the Commons, said Chada, who added that the organization also runs a summer meal program.
Dawson, a longtime Lindsay Heights resident, said creating a healthy food hub and jobs was essential to realizing the goals of the Quality of Life Plan for Lindsay Heights, which was developed through resident input. Increased access to healthy foods was one of the plan’s main objectives.
The Innovations and Wellness Commons, located at 1615 W. North Ave., opened in October 2015. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
“The Commons has been a catalyst in the neighborhood and we will continue to encourage the creation and growth of health-conscious businesses in this area,” Dawson said.
In general, there was a need for commercial vitality along North Avenue and in Lindsay Heights, where about half of commercial properties are vacant, said Juli Kaufmann, president of Fix Development. Fix Development has been working with Walnut Way and other organizations to develop the Commons, which cost $2.9 million for the first phase. Phase II will include construction of a new building adjacent to the current building, which will house physical, educational and economic development programming.
“We believe the project will contribute to the overall wellness in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood and continue to shift the developmental focus in the community on empowering, wellness-focused investments,” Kaufmann said.
But offering healthier food options and health programming in a community that has long lacked it is only half the battle, noted Walnut Way Board President LaVonda Graham, who’s lived in Lindsay Heights for more than 40 years.
“When you introduce something to a community that has not had it in the past you have to prepare (people). You cannot just expect it to be there and them to patronize it,” said Graham. Though the Juice Kitchen appears to be thriving, the satellite location for Outpost, which offered natural and organic groceries, struggled. Outpost still utilizes the site as an Event and Learning Center, providing programming for residents and produce for other Commons tenants, but no longer runs a retail store there.
On the top floor of the Commons sits the Fondy Food Center, an organization that works to connect Milwaukee residents to local, fresh food, and support local farmers, according to Jennifer Casey, executive director. One of Fondy’s initiatives is the Milwaukee Farmers Market Connection, which is funded by the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program. The project’s goal is to increase access to farmers’ markets in low-income communities.
Part of that effort included teaching farmers at the Fondy Farmers Market how to leverage state and federal food benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and FoodShare. As a result, the market has seen increased business in recent years, Casey said.
According to Casey, farmers sold $67,000 via SNAP and FoodShare in 2016, which meant residents were buying more fruits and vegetables. “That’s public health in action, she said.
It’s the type of improvement Patterson said he’s been waiting decades for. Increased access to healthy foods is one of the best things that can happen in a neighborhood, he said.
“Eating healthy will prolong your life. There’s no substitute for that.”

author: Edgar Mendez


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32460888744_70d303df59_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 8, 2017


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Milwaukee Public Schools hosts informational job fair | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Public Schools
March 9, 2017
(Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Public Schools)
Milwaukee Public Schools is looking for talented teachers, paraprofessionals and support staff for the 2017-18 school year. Individuals interested in applying can learn more about Milwaukee Public Schools and individual schools in the district at an Informational Job Fair on March 11 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Milwaukee High School of the Arts, 2300 W. Highland Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233.
Prospective employees will be able to learn more about the district and the many advantages of working in MPS. Representatives from various MPS schools will be on hand at the job fair to discuss school programs, philosophy and academic focus. Attendees should bring copies of their resumes.
WHO: Milwaukee Public Schools Informational Job Fair
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WHAT: An opportunity for teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff to learn about MPS and openings for the 2017-18 school year
WHEN: March 11, 2017 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
WHERE: Milwaukee High School of the Arts, 2300 W. Highland Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53233
Milwaukee Public Schools is the largest school district in Wisconsin. It offers a competitive salary, benefits package and opportunities for professional development and growth.

author: Milwaukee Public Schools


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 9, 2017


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‘Force of nature’ Blia Cha retires from ACTS Housing | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alexandria Bursiek
March 10, 2017
Blia Cha celebrates her retirement at a party thrown by ACTS Housing. (Photo by Alexandria Bursiek)
When she began her career in real estate, Blia Cha had no experience in housing, no computer skills and knew very little English. Twenty-three years later, she has helped almost 800 residents — many of them refugees from Southeast Asia — become homeowners in central city Milwaukee through her work at ACTS Housing. Cha, newly retired, is a refugee from Laos who immigrated to the United States in the early 1970s and moved to Milwaukee in 1980.
In 1993, Cha was working part time and going to school to get her GED. Someone at her church told her that he had purchased a home for $1 through a city program with the help of John Worm, who then worked at Milwaukee’s Department of City Development. At the time Cha was interested in being a landlord, so she called Worm to see about purchasing a house. After Worm explained that Cha was not eligible for the program because she was already a homeowner, she invited some of her relatives to view a $1 residence in Cold Spring Park.
When Worm began working at ACTS Housing, which he co-founded, he hired Cha because of her outreach skills and ability to communicate with members of the Hmong community.
Blia Cha (left) speaks to an audience at her retirement party while Michael Gosman looks on. (Photo by Alexandria Bursiek)
Milwaukee resident Benton Thao purchased a home in Midtown with Cha’s help. “Blia is really good; it is pretty easy to call her and pretty easy to communicate,” he said.
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Cha said that that helping individuals buy a home energizes her. She added that for refugees, who often have few possessions, owning a home helps them feel like they belong in the United States.
“If it weren’t for Blia there wouldn’t be an ACTS Housing,” said Rebecca Stoner, director of development at ACTS. “It started with Blia selling homes to her family and her friends and the people that were close to her and then it slowly grew.”
Michael Gosman, executive director of ACTS, said that Cha cannot be replaced.
“Blia is a force of nature. She is one of the most committed people I have ever met,” said Gosman. “She treated every family that came into the ACTS office not like they were a client but like they were actually a member of her family. Having someone who leads with that sort of example in the organization was definitely a blessing.”
Mary Leach-Sumlin, director of real estate sales at ACTS, noted that Cha worked hard to get the best deals for clients on homes and renovations. “She advocated for her families,” said Leach-Sumlin.
Cha said she decided to retire after being diagnosed with health problems. She wants to take time to take care of herself and travel to Thailand and Laos to visit her family. She’d also like to visit Alaska and Australia because she would like to see the achievements of Hmong refugees who settled in these places and helped their communities.
“Blia is not the kind of woman to sit still,” said Stoner. “She will find plenty of things to do and they will probably be equally as impressive as everything she has done at ACTS.”
At her recent retirement party, Cha was given a gift to remind her of all those whom she helped buy homes in Milwaukee—a diamond necklace in the shape of a house key.

author: Alexandria Bursiek


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Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club in Sherman Park celebrates reopening | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Lisa Ehlke
March 10, 2017
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee hosted community leaders and the public for the reopening of the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club in Sherman Park located at 3000 N. Sherman Blvd on Wednesday, March 8. The building has been closed to the public for significant renovations since the end of August 2016, when it completed summer Club programming. The county closed the building for safety while they invested $2.3 million to put a new HVAC system in the 25-year-old building and Boys & Girls Clubs seized the opportunity to upgrade all the spaces that their members utilize every day. The Club began welcoming back staff, Club members and other community members starting February 20.
Every room in the 57,000 square-foot building was touched by the major renovations, which required 418 gallons of paint, 3,590 square-feet of carpet, 13,460 square feet of colorful rubber flooring, more than 200 pieces of new furniture and more than 1,200 new light bulbs. The Club contains several spaces designed specifically for the different age groups it serves, with programming tailored to their development, including 5-6 year olds (“mini-pals”), 7-8 year olds (“pals”), 9-12 year olds (pre-teens, or “cadets”), and 13-18 year olds (“teens”). These renovations have been made possible through the generous financial and in-kind contributions of Milwaukee County, Lowe’s Companies, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Northwestern Mutual, The Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Grainger and VJS Construction.
In addition, HGA Architects is designing a new teen center within the Club that will better serve the neighborhood’s teen population. When completed, the new space will include a music studio, computers, a quiet study spot and areas for socializing and collaboration.
“We are thrilled to be re-opening our doors at the Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Clubs in Sherman Park after extensive remodeling,” said Vincent Lyles, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. “For decades this Club has been a home away from home for local children and teens. Now it’s a more vibrant and comfortable space that continues to offer safety, free meals, homework help and life-changing programs for children and teens.” Other community leaders and attendees who spoke at the event included Teig Whaley-Smith, director of the Milwaukee County Department of Administrative Services; Milwaukee Ald. Khalif Rainey; and Tamarra Lee, mother of three students who attend the Mary Ryan Club. A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed to officially reopen the newly renovated Club.
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In addition to this event, an open house will be held on Saturday, April 15 from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. so community members can see the inside of the Club and parents can explore the idea of registering their kids for a Club membership. Because of the many partnerships that the Club has, the Milwaukee Police Department’s Easter egg hunt will also be taking place that day.
The Mary Ryan Boys & Girls Club not only serves Club members during critical times, it has been a long-standing pillar in the Sherman Park neighborhood, partnering with and hosting many community organizations, programs and events such as Milwaukee Police Department programs (including youth job fair and hosting community meetings following “unrest” in Sherman Park), Hunger Task Force quarterly food distribution to families in need, Milwaukee Public Schools Online Graduation Program, Boy Scouts programing, Safe & Sound Vehicle Theft Deterrent Program, Sherman Park Community Garden Program, United Way Events, and more.
For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee and how to get involved, visit www.boysgirlsclubs.org.

author: Lisa Ehlke


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New Click2Work email list will connect residents to job opportunities | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Milele A. Coggs
March 10, 2017
Milwaukee residents who are interested in staying up-to-date on job openings throughout the city, career fairs and vocational training opportunities can now sign up to receive regular email and text updates from the city.
Council members Milele A. Coggs, Ashanti Hamilton, Russell W. Stamper, II, Khalif J. Rainey, Chantia Lewis and Cavalier Johnson announced the launch of the Click2Work email list, which will utilize the city’s E-Notify system to connect residents with work opportunities at private businesses citywide. Interest in receiving updates about such opportunities has grown by leaps and bounds, and Click2Work will offer one central source of information for interested Milwaukeeans.
The effort furthers the council members’ call to action at the culmination of Black History Month, where they encouraged residents to participate in Milwaukee’s renaissance by taking advantage of employment opportunities or sharing information with those who may use it.
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These council members hear regularly from residents throughout the city who are ready and excited to learn about new job opportunities, seek vocational training and attend career fairs. Click2Work creates a hub for that kind of information that is convenient and simple to use, and anyone who is interested is urged to sign up now.
Users can register for the Click2Work E-Notify list at milwaukee.gov/enotify. There, new users can sign up for an E-Notify account, and those with an existing account can subscribe to the Click2Work list under the “Information Updates” category.
Employers who are interested in sharing information about work opportunities through the Click2Work system can email details to devcoord@milwaukee.gov.

author: Ald. Milele A. Coggs


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Social Development Commission addresses potential labor shortage as construction season begins | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Social Development Commission
March 10, 2017
The construction site for the new Bucks arena. (Photo by Adam Carr)
As spring approaches, developers in Milwaukee’s construction industry prepare for a busy season. However, many contractors can’t find skilled laborers to do the work. It’s a potential problem. Without a steady labor pool, local projects could run behind schedule or stall.
The Social Development Commission (SDC), located on Milwaukee’s north side, is being recognized in the industry for creating a unique program that addresses the labor shortage and helps Milwaukee County’s poorest residents find work.
“We hear that developers are challenged by an aging workforce,” says George Hinton, CEO of the Social Development Commission. “As skilled workers leave the construction industry, we provide a younger pool of workers to help keep local projects moving. Our ultimate goal is to meet employer needs and help people move out of poverty.”
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Absolute Advantage is SDC’s free, accredited, nine-week class that trains unemployed or underemployed people for the construction industry. Graduates earn nationally recognized certification through the National Center for Construction and Research (NCCER).
Absolute Advantage students get hands-on training and study a variety of topics from OSHA construction safety skills to Basic Rigging and Construction Drawing to Employability Skills.
Recent graduates have been hired by Lincoln Contractors Supply, Action Heating & Cooling, Anderson Landscaping and Manpower.
Information Sessions will be held at the Social Development Commission located 1730 W. North Avenue on Tuesday, April 4 at 11:30 AM and Wednesday, April 5 at 5:30 PM. Attendance is mandatory.
Individuals can now register online for the mandatory information sessions on the SDC website – cr-sdc.org http://www.cr-sdc.org/SDC/Programs/Career-Services/Absolute-Advantage.htm .
For more than 50 years, the Social Development Commission has operated as the Community Action Agency for Milwaukee County. SDC serves as a planner, coordinator, and provider of human service programs for low-income individuals and families residing in Milwaukee County. The agency is an intergovernmental commission and is governed by a board of 18 citizens from Milwaukee County, each of whom hold the title of “Commissioner.” For more information on SDC’s programs and services, visit cr-sdc.org. Connect with us on Facebook www.Facebook.com/SDCMilwaukee and Twitter www.twitter.com/CRSDC.

author: Social Development Commission


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 10, 2017

author: Adam Carr


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St. Thomas More HS announces new $10 million scholarship fund | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kevin Russell, St. Thomas More High School
March 10, 2017
(Photo courtesy of St. Thomas More High School)
St. Thomas More High School announces the creation of the Leonard Gigowski Scholarship Fund, which will bring over $10 million in new funding to St. Thomas More in the decades to come. This scholarship fund will award between $500,000 and $600,000 annually in perpetuity, benefiting over 150 students each year beginning with the 2017-18 school year.
Created through the Leonard Gigowski Catholic Education Foundation, the Gigowski Scholarship Fund will provide support to current and incoming St. Thomas More students who demonstrate:
“The cost of tuition is a significant burden for many families,” St. Thomas More principal Nicholas Kelly said. “Many Milwaukee families who wish to send their children to St. Thomas More cannot simply because they do not have the financial resources. Strongly influenced by his own high school experience, Leonard wanted to ‘pay it forward’ for the next generation of St. Thomas More students, helping more families afford a high-quality Catholic education.”
Starting for the 2017-18 school year, St. Thomas More will award five one-half-tuition scholarships to incoming freshmen through the Gigowski Scholarship Fund. The remaining funding will provide one-third-tuition scholarships to St. Thomas More students at all grade levels.
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Leonard Gigowski graduated from St. Francis Minor Seminary – a predecessor school to St. Thomas More – in 1943.  After graduating, Leonard spent several years in the US Navy, including serving in World War II.  After his time in the military, he returned to Milwaukee and enjoyed success as an entrepreneur. Leonard remained active in his alma mater and celebrated his 90th birthday with our students and faculty in April 2015. Leonard passed away in July 2015, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, devotion to his faith, and philanthropy in the community.
“As one of our most passionate supporters, Leonard believed that a well-rounded education can transform the lives of young people,” St. Thomas More president Mary McIntosh said. “This gift ensures that St. Thomas More can help promote Leonard’s vision of a transformative education for all students for many years to come.”
To apply for the Leonard Gigowski Scholarship Fund or one of St. Thomas More other tuition assistance programs, please visit www.tmore.org/tuition.
About St. Thomas More High School
Located in Milwaukee’s historic Bay View neighborhood, St. Thomas More High School educates over 500 young men and women in grades nine through 12. Guided by nearly 150 years of experience and tradition as a Catholic college preparatory high school, St. Thomas More strives to nurture the whole student: intellectually, spiritually, and personally. Emphasizing project-based learning in all aspects of education, St. Thomas More challenges students academically while instilling values of personal responsibility, compassion, and conscientious citizenship.
For more information about St. Thomas More High School, please visit www.tmore.org.
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Larry Haskin, Jeff Korpal, Jim Kitzinger, Mary McIntosh, Jim Podewils, Wayne Ramus | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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March 10, 2017


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Diverse crowd joins UBLAC march commemorating “Bloody Sunday” | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Camille Paul
March 11, 2017
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Paulara Davis’s life changed on Feb. 24, 2016, when Walworth County Sheriff’s Deputy Juan Ortiz shot and killed her brother, Christopher Davis.
Christopher Davis, 21, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Ortiz in a staged drug purchase. Ortiz fired his weapon when the driver attempted to flee the scene, killing Davis. Ortiz was not charged in the fatal shooting.
“There was a lot of sadness and anger,” said Davis. “We had a lot of unanswered questions.”
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Davis was invited by UBLAC (Uplifting Black Liberation and Community), to speak at a recent protest to commemorate the “Bloody Sunday” march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.
The 1965 march drew 600 protesters who were met by Alabama state troopers and local police at Edmund Pettus Bridge and ordered to turn around. When the marchers refused, the police shot tear gas into the crowd and beat the nonviolent protesters with billy clubs. More than 50 people were hospitalized.
Davis joined about 185 protesters on March 5, filling one side of Auer Avenue at Sherman Boulevard. Protesters were carrying handwritten signs with phrases such as “Black Lives Matter,” or “Stay Woke.”
“Everybody came out here today to participate [in the movement],” said Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontre Hamilton, who was killed in April 2014 by a police officer. “In order for us to be resilient in this movement, we have to move.”
After the shooting of Sylville Smith in Sherman Park last August, Markasa Tucker began UBLAC, a coalition led by black women and LGBTQ community members who are working with people of African heritage to provide the tools necessary to obtain black liberation, according to UBLAC’s website.
“We are looking for people to jump on board and make some serious strides in moving Milwaukee forward,” said Tucker.
Guest speakers included Hamilton, Davis, author Jamala Rogers and motivational speaker Jendora Kelley. People of diverse races attended the march and chanted as they made their way down the streets.
Davis told the crowd that UBLAC has supported her in the aftermath of Christopher’s death.
“They opened doors for us and welcomed us into this community of people,” she said. “Without this incident, we wouldn’t have spoken out in the community on the issue (of police shootings.)”
During her spoken-word performance, Kelley encouraged attendees to keep working toward finding solutions to racial inequality in Milwaukee.
“If there is more than one problem, then there is more than one solution,” said Kelley.
Grace Moone, a white Sherman Park resident, has witnessed inequality and injustice and attended the march to be part of a change.
“I know I benefit from a system that oppresses my neighbors,” said Moone. “I am deeply committed to changing that.”
Cars passing by honked their horns and made a gesture in support of the black power movement.
“We are here to remind each other that we aren’t alone in this,” said Annia Leonard, youth leader at UBLAC. “We’ve got to show that we mean what we say.”
Melissa Garves brought her children to their fourth family protest event together. Garves started attending protests on inauguration night and thinks it’s crucial for her and her family as white people to attend events such as the UBLAC march.
“I teach my children to stand up for what’s right,” Graves said. “That means standing up for those who can’t.”
The march culminated at the Body and Soul Healing Center, 3817 N. 48 St., where Rogers encouraged protesters to continue to be involved with UBLAC.
“We need to do things differently and we have to be organized,” she said. “[The government], they’ve got plenty to throw at us. We have to be more serious and sophisticated.”
Since Christopher’s death, Davis was inspired to open Souls 224, a nonprofit organization that gives back to the community through “random acts of kindness.”
“I wanted to make a stand for something and I wanted to support my community. Everybody has freedom of speech, a fair chance and rights.”


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33333225765_89c15e168b_k (1) | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 11, 2017


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Report details local government spending on out-of-school time programming for Milwaukee youth | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Public Policy Forum
March 13, 2017
Running Rebels playing basketball outside their Lindsay Heights location (Photo by Sue Vliet)
A report released today by the Public Policy Forum indicates that Milwaukee’s major governmental entities are investing considerable resources in out-of-school programming for the city’s youth, but that investments should be better tracked and coordinated.
“The Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee County, and the City of Milwaukee invest about $21 million annually in programs and services aimed at promoting youth development outside of the school day,” says Forum Researcher Sue Moeser, the report’s lead author. “Yet, given that each governmental entity has significant financial challenges, it is important to consider how those investments are being coordinated, and to contemplate whether a collaborative effort to plan and synchronize both investments and programming might improve outcomes.”
The report – entitled Show Me the Way: Making Sense of Youth Development Funding in Milwaukee – was commissioned by Beyond the Bell, a citywide initiative dedicated to coordinating capacity building among youth service providers, policymakers, and funders. Leaders of the organization were seeking to better understand youth development expenditures by Milwaukee’s largest public sector entities, a need that was heightened by last summer’s events in Sherman Park, which raised questions about the services provided to young people throughout the city.
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Show Me the Way focuses exclusively on publicly-funded programs and services aimed at Milwaukee’s youth during the times they are not in school. It examines funding across three years (2014-2016) in six programmatic areas: academic development, physical development, vocational/workforce development, arts and cultural development, social/emotional/physical health promotion, and violence prevention/safety promotion. Specifically omitted from the report are youth-related programs and services that are not intended for the general youth population or that are treatment-related, such as behavioral health care and corrections-related services.
“It is also important to note that this analysis made no effort to explore precisely how public out- of-school time youth development dollars are being spent and whether they are producing desired results,” says Moeser. “Ultimately, answering those questions will be the critical task in determining how to create an array of services that improve educational achievement, enhance social development, and provide a brighter future for all youth in the City of Milwaukee.”
In addition to laying out spending on out-of-school time youth programming across the various programmatic areas and the three public sector entities, the report concludes with three specific insights that may be useful in future efforts to build a stronger youth development agenda across all levels of government.
“Equipped with the information in this scan, it is our hope that the community will be better able to coordinate youth development programming and opportunities, and to enhance such programming by leveraging additional resources and developing mutual objectives and accountabilities,” says Moeser.
The full report can be downloaded at the Forum’s web site, www.publicpolicyforum.org.
Milwaukee-based Public Policy Forum, established in 1913 as a local government watchdog, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of government and the development of southeastern Wisconsin through objective research of public policy issues.

author: Public Policy Forum


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 14, 2017


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Stereotyping: Unraveling the Consequences | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Kelly Fay
March 13, 2017
Alverno College is hosting a forum on stereotyping, the possible consequences and strategies to reduce its negative impact. Stereotyping has long been considered a potential source of inequality for diverse social groups within our community. This forum will explore the origins of stereotypes, how they form and why they persist. Attendees will learn how to enhance their awareness of implicit preferences, as well as approaches to tackling explicit stereotyping in our society.
Panelists include:
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The Alverno Forum series seeks to join community leaders in discussing cutting-edge topics that have a daily impact on the lives of people in our community and beyond. The next discussion in this year’s series takes place on Thursday, March 16 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sister Joel Read Conference Center. The Alverno Forum series is free and open to the public. For more details, please visit our website at
About Alverno College
Alverno College, a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college for women, exists to promote the personal and professional development of its students. The college has earned accolades and respect internationally for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, and has consulted with three U.S. presidential administrations on accountability and outcomes in higher education. For the last seven years, Alverno College has been ranked one of the top five schools in the Midwest doing “the best job of educating undergrads” by U.S. News & World Report. Educators from throughout the world visit Alverno to learn about its proven, student-centered teaching methods.
Alverno offers more than 60 major areas of study, including graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology and business that are open to women and men. For more information about Alverno, visit www.alverno.edu or call 414-382-6100.


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Alverno Forum | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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March 13, 2017


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United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County hiring Data Manager | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Michelle Gutknecht
March 13, 2017
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County envisions a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives. United Way advances the common good by recruiting people and organizations who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. United Way’s global mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good. We invite you to be a part of the change – to Live United.
United Way is a recognized national brand and is the largest funder of health and human services outside of the federal government. Funds raised through UWGMWC remain local and are invested in nearly 220-plus programs at over 110 local nonprofit program partners.
POSITION OVERVIEW:
This position is responsible for ensuring that Fundraising data is accurately entered, maintained and reported.  Analyze fundraising results to allow leadership to make informed decision on fundraising strategy development.  Develops process improvements where better use of data and automation can save time, labor and improve accuracy.  Monitor and report the status of annual campaign to the Vice President of Resource Development.  Act as the campaign liaison to IT, Pledge Processing, and Finance departments.
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ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
CAMPAIGN TRACKING & DATA MANAGEMENT
CORPORATE RELATIONS OPERATING GROUP
FINANCE & OPERATIONS LIAISON
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES   No direct supervisory responsibility.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
OTHER SKILLS
TO APPLY:
For further job criteria and complete details, click on: https://www.milwaukeejobs.com/j/23809040. If you meet or exceed job requirements, please apply directly at this web address today. Please indicate salary requirements.
Equal Opportunity Employer
M/F/Disability/Vet

author: Michelle Gutknecht


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Victory Garden Initiative executive director cultivates seeds of hope, freedom | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Naomi Waxman
March 13, 2017
Gretchen Mead congratulates winners at the 2017 Fruity Nutty 5 Orchard Contest. (Photo courtesy of Victory Garden Initiative)
Editor’s note: This article is one of an occasional series profiling the 15 finalists for the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDIs). Gretchen Mead is a finalist for the Northern Trust Navigator Award, which recognizes an individual for leadership and collaboration.
Gretchen Mead’s dedication to food activism began in her front yard, with a single garden plot.
“The core niche of what I do is about home, growing your own food in your own home and giving your children the nourishment they need for their brains and bodies,” said Mead.
Since 2008, that single plot has blossomed into the Victory Garden Initiative (VGI), a thriving community of staff and volunteers committed to helping Milwaukee residents grow their own food and cook nutritious meals for their families.
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Mead was a social worker in a child and adolescent medical psychiatry unit when the profound negative impact of poor eating habits became glaringly apparent to her. Her young patients, often diagnosed with serious mental health issues, typically consumed what Mead calls “SAD,” or the standard American diet, laden with processed foods and high amounts of carbohydrates, wheat and meat products.
“No one asks them, ‘What did you have for breakfast? Do you have regular sleep cycles?” said Mead.
These questions emanate from Mead’s personal experiences with food and health. Raised on a farm in northern Illinois, the natural world was her “best teacher and playmate,” a place of solace, recreation and healing. Her mother, a farmer, filled their home with food she produced herself.
Volunteers dig deep in the Victory Garden Urban Farm, located in Harambee at 220 E. Concordia Ave. (Photo courtesy of Victory Garden Initiative)
After moving to Milwaukee as an adult, Mead noticed an unwelcome change in her body, a sluggishness that was hard to pin down.
“I realized how [poor eating] was controlling my ability to be the person I wanted to be,” Mead said. “I cleansed my diet and was able to be happy and healthy and well again.”
These revelations ignited Mead’s desire to strengthen Milwaukee communities through the power of food. Nearly 18 percent of Milwaukee County residents were designated “food insecure,” or struggling to avoid hunger, in 2014.
“If you can feed yourself you are, in a fundamental way, much more of a free person,” said VGI volunteer Dale Skaggs. He recalled his first encounter with Mead at a conference held by Growing Power in 2009, and a lesson she shared about how leadership is a dance.
“She talked about how leaders need to understand that the second person to get up and dance is just as important as the first because it validates the first, and then the third, and pretty soon you’ve got the whole community dancing.”
Since its founding, VGI has facilitated the creation of 3,000 gardens, as well as a 1.5 acre farm in the Harambee neighborhood. The program also provides educational opportunities for children and adults, encouraging residents to learn about the growing process and how best to feed themselves and their families.
Mead’s favorite VGI event is the annual Fruity Nutty 5 Orchard Contest, a competition where groups of neighbors can apply to win a community orchard. Each of the five winning neighborhoods receives up to 30 fruit- and nut-producing trees that must be planted within a four-block radius. So far, VGI has awarded 28 Fruity Nutty orchards in Milwaukee.
An effect of the contest is that “someone in the community perks up, starts knocking on doors, becomes a de facto community organizer and begins introducing him or herself to neighbors,” said Mead. “What they find is they didn’t know there were 10 other people in their community who care about food, but now these people are talking to each other and leaders emerge.”
Previously known as Concordia Gardens, the Victory Garden Urban Farm is close to Mead’s heart as well. Located at 220 E. Concordia Ave., the farm offers programming ranging from community composting and rainwater harvest workshops to food pantry partnerships, volunteer and community service opportunities, and a pay-what-you-can fruit and vegetable Community U-Pick Garden. The urban farm is also home to YEP!, VGI’s youth education program, which provides workshops and internships for young people eager to get their hands dirty.
North side resident Joscelyn King, 11, worked as a youth farm intern last summer, and according to her mother, Jacqueline King, she can’t wait to return this coming summer.
“She had her own garden box and she cultivated her own seeds, picking the weeds every week and watching it grow,” she said. “[Joscelyn] picked up some really good eating habits. She wanted to learn to cook leeks, how to use the kale from the garden. We took home a lot of cucumbers, a lot of tomatoes, a lot of baby spinach. It was a great experience overall.”
Former VGI staff member Jazz Glastra praised Mead’s commitment to community partnerships as a means of spreading the word about healthy food.
“She understands that real change cannot be achieved by one person or even one organization,” said Glastra. “Partnerships are important and Gretchen works with as many people as she can.”
VGI’s partners include the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative, Layton Boulevard West Neighbors and the 30th St. Industrial Corridor.
For all the joyful chaos of contests and raised bed-building blitzes, what fundamentally drives Mead is a desire for all people, young and old, to reap the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of eating nutritious food.
“We eat not because it’s gratifying or tastes good on your tongue, but because it’s good for your body.”

author: Naomi Waxman


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
March 12, 2017