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How Home to Stay gives those who have been incarcerated support to restart their lives | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Devin Blake
April 2, 2024
President Joe Biden has officially proclaimed April 2024 as Second Chance Month, calling on Congress to invest billions in mental health and substance use services, job training and affordable housing to support people who are leaving incarceration.
While people here and nationwide wait on federal action, Home to Stay makes these same resources far more accessible in Milwaukee every month.
Home to Stay is a resource event that connects those who have been incarcerated with housing, employment, health insurance and banking.
Home to Stay takes place on the first Wednesday of every month from noon to 2 p.m. at Partners in Hope, 324 W. North Ave. Partners in Hope is a division of The Community Warehouse, a faith-based organization that works with returning citizens.
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The next Home to Stay event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3.
A complete list of providers and agencies can be found at the Home to Stay website, but here are some service providers from the event in March.
Devin Blake is the criminal justice reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. His position is funded by the Public Welfare Foundation, which plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.


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Ron Smith
April 1, 2024

source: news-milwaukeenns

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

author: Ron Smith


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Here’s where you can find free and affordable summer programs and camps around Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
April 3, 2024
Now that spring is here, it’s already time to start planning your child’s summer.
From sports to nature, there are a variety of free and affordable summer camps and programs available throughout the city to help keep your kids busy.
Here’s a roundup:
The Urban Ecology Center is now taking registrations for more than 100 summer programs at the organization’s locations in Menomonee Valley;  3700 W. Pierce St.; and Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Place.
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Programs usually last one week but vary depending on the camp. They are offered to youths from preschool to 12th grade. Cost and dates vary, but most run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Scholarships are available to campers.
You can find more information here.
The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee offers affordable summer camps and programs to youths at five locations around the city. The Y offers weeklong traditional camps as well as specialty and sports camps. Prices vary depending on the camp. Scholarships and discounts are available.
You can find more information here.
Milwaukee Recreation offers programs throughout the city. The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Safe Places and Child Care Camps take place all summer around Milwaukee for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Nearly all camps are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., but times may vary. Milwaukee Recreation also offers summer playgrounds as free, safe places for youth to go during the summer to enjoy enrichment, play activities, and free meals.
Look here for more information.
Danceworks Inc. has affordable summer camps and dance classes for children ages 3 and up.
Payment plans can be arranged by contacting Danceworks Business Administration Director Anastasia Alto.  Final payments on payment plans are due at least one week prior to the camp’s start date.
Look here for more information.
The Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast has open registration for its two-day summer overnight camp. Prices vary depending on when you apply.
Find more information here.
The PEAK Initiative has summer camps, including overnight camp, day camp and community (pop-in) camp options. PEAK offers programming for kids ages 4 through 18.
Find more information here.
COA Youth & Family Centers offers summer youth programs Monday through Friday at the COA Goldin Center, 2320 W Burleigh St, and at COA’s Riverwest Center, 909 E Garfield Ave. In addition, COA’s Camp Helen Brachman offers scholarships. To register, call COA at (414) 263-8383 and ask for the registrar for the Goldin Center, the Riverwest Center or COA’s Camp Helen Brachman.
Find more information here.
Neighborhood House of Milwaukee has a Teens on the Move summer program for students from ages 13 to 18. Although Neighborhood House of Milwaukee accepts children of all ages, this specific program is for teens.
For more information contact Briana McQuay at bmcquay@nh-milw.org or 414-933-6161 x134
Teens Grow Greens currently has internships available for teens with work authorization. Young people can apply for two separate programs. One is garden and food related and the other focuses on place-based education in Milwaukee communities. Look here for more information.
The governor’s Youth Voice Commission is looking for young people from the ages of 14 to 28 who have had experience within the juvenile justice system and/or are interested in making their voices heard to join the commission.
Find more information here.
The Wisconsin Anti Violence Effort (WAVE) has openings for its summer internship program for young people ages 14 to 24.
Find more information here.
The Milwaukee Christian Center’s Growing Connections Program offers programming for youth 14 and up at Kosciuszko Community Center, 2201 S. 7th St.
For more information or to enroll call 414.645.8441
Did we miss anything? If you know of other free or affordable summer programs for children, please email us (put “summer” in the subject line) or add a comment below

author: PrincessSafiya Byers


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Ron Smith
April 2, 2024


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$100,000 grant will allow Milwaukee nonprofit to serve more sexually exploited women | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
April 4, 2024
Women who come to Inner Beauty Center, a South Side nonprofit that supports sexually exploited women, have a variety of urgent needs, said Deanne Lawson, its founder and executive director.
“They’ll get clothing, a meal, personal care items, bus tickets. It really varies,” Lawson said. “We give them those sorts of gifts and emotional support, so they’re ready to take that next step to get help.”
Those services could expand soon thanks to a $100,000 grant from the City of Milwaukee. The funds, Lawson said, will help the center increase staffing, expand services and potentially relocate.
“We can have showers and maybe a washer and dryer,” she said. “Eventually we’d like to provide legal services or even housing.”
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The drop-in center, located at 1300 S. Layton Blvd., provides a place for women, who are often victims of human trafficking or other types of abuse, to feel human again, Lawson said.
Lawson and others also conduct street outreach, providing dignity bags filled with self-care items, information on substance abuse programs, other services and bag lunches.
Last year, they made contacts with over 900 women, Lawson said.
Travis Hope, neighborhood organizer in District 2 for Safe & Sound, remembers one of them.  He was part of a team that was doing street outreach on Greenfield Avenue when a woman ran toward them screaming.
“She was a street worker and some guy had just beat her up,” Hope said.
They called Lawson.
“Deanne came and spent time talking to her, gave her lunch and waited with her until she was safe,” Hope said.
Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa, who represents the Clarke Square neighborhood where Inner Beauty Center is located, said the organization’s work has been crucial.
“They’re a great nonprofit helping to get women and girls out of the sex trade,” she said.
Zamarripa, who helped Lawson secure the funds with support from Common Council President Jose Perez, said the city has major issues with sex trafficking on the near South Side and the North Side.
Last year, there were 35 human trafficking offenses reported by the Milwaukee Police Department, nearly all of which occurred on the North or South sides, though the city’s crime reporting portal doesn’t include data for sex crimes such as prostitution.
“It’s heartbreaking but with limited resources we have only been able to do so much, which is why it’s great to support organizations like the Inner Beauty Center and help them multiply their efforts,” Zamarripa said.
While thankful for the influx of funds, Lawson said combating sexual exploitation of women is an uphill fight.
“The situation is really bad right now for the women,” she said.
“The combinations of drugs being used are always changing and becoming more and more dangerous, and people are really struggling,” said Lawson, adding that many of the women she helps are addicted to fentanyl and Xylazine, known on the streets as “Tranq.”
According to data provided by Karen Domagalski, operations manager for the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office, 130 individuals died in 2023 from a combination of fentanyl and Xylazine. Thirty-nine were women.
Lawson said one thing that has improved is community awareness around the challenges the women her organization serves face.
“I think more people understand that the women don’t want to be in the situation they’re in,” Lawson said.
Araceli Arevalo, Neighborhood Safety Coordinator in District 2 for Safe & Sound, credits Lawson and her team with creating a shift in attitudes toward the women.
“They come to community meetings and help to humanize the issue,” Arevalo said. “These are people in very tragic situations who need help.”
With additional support from the city, Lawson hopes to provide even more help now.
“There’s so much work to do,” she said. “We know that many of the women want to turn around their lives but need help and we want to be there for them.”
These organizations serve victims of human and sexual trafficking
Inner Beauty Center,1300 S. Layton Blvd., (414) 687-2248
Benedict Center for Women, 1849 N. MLK Drive #101, (414) 347-1774
Sister’s Program North: (414) 585-9994
Sister’s Program South: (414) 346-4406
Street Outreach: (414) 793-5883
UMOS, 2701 S. Chase Ave., 24-hour Crisis Line: (414) 389-6510
Grateful Girls, 2600 W. Lisbon Ave., (414) 240-2804, info@gratefulgirls.org

author: Edgar Mendez


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Ron Smith
April 3, 2024


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5 things to know and do the weekend of April 5 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Chesnie Wardell
April 5, 2024
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news byclicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Remember loved ones lost to opioid overdose and other opioid victims from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 5 during a vigil for anyone 18 and older. The event will be held at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center, 930 W. Historic Mitchell Street. There will be food, guest speakers and more. More information here.
VIA Community Development Corporation will host a celebration for those who took the time to vote. It will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 5 at 3524 W. National Ave. More information here.
Every Friday, Mi Casa Su Cafe invites you to come listen to live music performed by bands, DJs and vocalists. The next R&B Friday will be from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, April 5 at 1835 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.  Food and drink specials will be available for purchase. More information here.
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Oak Leaf Familia is a bicycle club for Latinx individuals and immigrants. The club will hold its first ride from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 6. Participants are to meet outside of the Urban Ecology Center Menomonee Valley on West Pierce and South 37th streets. More information here.
The Table invites you to bring items that you find during your home spring cleaning and trade them with others. You can bring clothes, toys and more. This “Treasure Trade” will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 at 5305 W. Capitol Drive. Make sure you bring a bag to store your new purchases. More information here.

author: Chesnie Wardell


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Ron Smith
April 4, 2024


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5 things to know and do the week of April 8 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Chesnie Wardell
April 8, 2024
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Changing the Game Men’s Cohort brings men together monthly to receive coaching on entrepreneurship, leadership, investments and mental health. The next session will focus on homeownership and will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 8 at 6737 N. Teutonia Ave. More information here.
From 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, children and adults are welcome to stop by the Milwaukee Public Library Center Street Branch, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave., to receive free health services, including medication reviews, goal setting, blood pressure screenings and more. Nurse practitioners from Aurora Health Care will be available for consultations. Children must be accompanied by an adult.  More information here.
Play on a team with friends for a chance to win prizes during a trivia night hosted by the Lost Valley Cider Co. and Shenanigans Trivia Co. The event will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10 at 438 W. Florida St. More information here.
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Potawatomi Casino Hotel recruiters will be at the Maximus community resource and job fair from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 11 at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Walker’s Square Education Center, 816 W. National Ave., Suite 400.  Click here to register.   More information here.
Celebrate National Pet Day from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 at Zócalo Food Park, 636 S. Sixth St. There will be pet vendors, live music, pet portraits and more for you and your pet to enjoy. More information here.


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Ron Smith
April 8, 2024


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How Milwaukee’s top election official has worked to restore trust after a 2020 misstep | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alexander Shur / Votebeat, Wisconsin Watch
April 8, 2024
Before a single vote is counted at Milwaukee’s central counting facility, Step 1 is for an election official to check every ballot tabulator to make sure the number of absentee ballots processed so far is zero. Hours later, and after several thousand ballots have been scanned, comes the climax: a late-night delivery of the voting results at the county’s election office.
In between is a meticulous process to make sure thumb drives carrying vote totals in Wisconsin’s largest absentee ballot processing facility end up where they’re supposed to, aren’t tampered with and remain tracked through a full chain-of-custody process.
All 26 steps are covered by a checklist that Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director Claire Woodall developed after the same process went awry four years ago, landing her in the crosshairs of some who falsely accused her of rigging the 2020 election.
Woodall devised the checklist in consultation with a Republican who was wary of the city’s lack of an official policy for extracting absentee ballot election results and sending them to the county. It was one of a handful of changes Woodall has implemented recently in reaction to criticism of her office’s handling of the 2020 election, when real and perceived missteps fed into false allegations.
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The new policies, Woodall said, are about balancing two priorities:
“We’re appeasing those folks,” she said of the critics and skeptics. “But we’re also protecting ourselves by giving as much transparency as humanly possible.”
Woodall spoke to Votebeat during Tuesday’s primary election from her City Hall office, where she and other Milwaukee Election Commission staff spent most of the day troubleshooting minor issues, from political activists electioneering too close to a polling site to voting machines briefly jamming. Meanwhile, city residents cast just over 85,500 votes, including over 26,000 absentee ballots, at 181 polling sites.
The 2020 presidential contest was Woodall’s first general election as Milwaukee’s top election official, and it still hovers over her work.
That year, after officials finished tabulating absentee ballots at the city’s central counting facility in the wee hours after Election Day, Woodall left with a police escort to deliver the flash drives containing the vote totals to the Milwaukee County elections office. But she forgot one of the 12 flash drives at central count, a mistake some conservatives seized on as a flagrant oversight.
Some went further and alleged that Woodall and other election officials tampered with the results, noting that the 3 a.m. slip-up happened right around the time Milwaukee officials updated the results with votes from 169,000 absentee ballots, which broke heavily for Joe Biden.
There’s no evidence of any such tampering, and a recount confirmed the initial election results, but Woodall said her error prompted a Republican election worker, Sheila Stapleton, to suggest creating a new chain-of-custody policy to increase trust with the public.
The suggestion came just before the November 2022 midterm election, around the time the Milwaukee election office was caught in the middle of another scandal, Woodall said.
As city officials prepared to administer the election that year, then-Milwaukee Election Commission Deputy Director Kimberly Zapata told Woodall that she had requested three military absentee ballots under fake names to be sent to the home of a Republican state Assembly member. Zapata was quickly fired, but the news sullied the office’s reputation and shook up Milwaukee’s election operation.
On short notice, Woodall had to take over for Zapata to manage the central count for that election and, in the aftermath of the firing, noticed an air of skepticism among the workers she was supposed to train.
“That weekend, I was just in a mode of like, wow, we have abandoned all trust now after this has been the news story this week.” she said. “And so really just trying to be extra patient and listen to all of their concerns.”
Stapleton’s concern, the issue she raised with Woodall in 2022, was that there weren’t official policies to make sure the USB drives inserted into tabulators had zero counted ballots before they started recording vote counts, or to ensure the secure transfer of city absentee voting results to the county level.
Without those policies, Stapleton said, “How do we even know what’s going on once the data is taken off the machines?”
Woodall and Stapleton then developed a version of what has now become a 26-point checklist. The goal was to show that the USB drives carrying the city’s absentee ballot election results were visible to the public and untampered with as they moved from the city to the county, she said.
With the new checklist, Stapleton said, “I’m a lot more confident in the process of just knowing that the flash drives have been properly formatted, properly downloaded and properly maintained.”
Per the checklist, after a member of the Milwaukee Board of Absentee Canvassers ensures tabulators show no processed ballots at the start of the day, the election official leading the central count operation — in public view — clears and reformats the flash drives that’ll store the election results from each machine.
Later in the process, after completed absentee ballots are fed into the tabulator, the official goes from machine to machine, inserting the USB sticks in the tabulators to export the results. After every machine’s results are exported, the official places the flash drive in a clear, tamper-proof bag in public view.
On Tuesday, several election observers along with a Republican and Democratic city election commissioner observed Milwaukee Election Commission Deputy Director Paulina Gutierrez exporting the election results from central count’s eight tabulators. The two partisan commissioners then accompanied Gutierrez to deliver the USB drives to the county.
The city-to-county handoff is a feature of Wisconsin’s decentralized elections, with about 1,850 clerks administering elections at the municipal level and then each providing the results to the state’s 72 county clerks, who are required to post unofficial results to their websites.
The new Milwaukee procedures “support the integrity of the process, to show voters that it is the proper chain of custody so that there’s no perception of inaccuracies occurring,” said Douglas Haag, the Republican commissioner who observed the handoff between the city and county on Tuesday.
Before the new process, election observer Jefferson Davis said he had “major concerns” about the chain of custody in Milwaukee. Davis, a former Menomonee Falls village president, is a conservative election activist who has entertained and promoted conspiracy theories.
Since then, Davis said, Milwaukee election officials have “done more than they need to, to assure us that this is being done right.”
Davis spent hours at the central count facility Tuesday, sitting in front of election workers processing absentee ballots and walking around to watch workers tabulate votes. He checked where the tabulators and their access points were, figured out the floor plan of central count, observed how many election workers were at each table, and watched to ensure the correct ballots were going to the right workers.
“We’re not suggesting anything. We just want to be part of that process, which they’re always very good about,” he said. “You can’t find better people than Claire, Paulina.”
But others remained skeptical.
Just before 8 p.m., as absentee ballot counting was wrapping up, election officials at central count were notified that they just received the Postal Service’s final delivery of the night: 150 absentee ballots. Workers were notified there would be a slight delay in finishing up work.
After officials tabulated those ballots, Gutierrez and the partisan election commissioners watching her work left central count at about 9:45 p.m. and arrived at the county courthouse about 15 minutes later to deliver the city’s unofficial absentee ballot results.
The results, posted soon after, were enough to swing the previously reported margin on a city referendum the other way, leading to the passage of a measure to spend $252 million on Milwaukee Public Schools.
Shortly after, conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell posted on social media, in an apparently sarcastic reference to the city’s overnight 2020 upload of absentee ballots, “No way: Late night votes in Milwaukee have won an election for liberals. That sort of thing NEVER happens here!”
“I don’t know why anyone thinks voting is real anymore,” another social media user responded.
Election officials and experts have repeatedly explained that updating election results with absentee ballot totals can often cause shifts like this because of the difference in voting patterns between Republicans and Democrats. But even with the new processes and close public scrutiny, their message is often contradicted by people who raise baseless suspicion.
Other measures grew from Woodall’s effort to address various election concerns since 2020.
In late 2021, Peter Bernegger, an election conspiracy theorist who has been convicted of fraud, filed a public records lawsuit against her alleging that she was part of a “sect” of Milwaukee election officials who, with the help of an unnamed man from Illinois, printed pre-filled ballots for Biden in a “hidden room.”
That room he was referencing was a conference room in the Milwaukee Election Commission’s City Hall office filled with printers, telephones, monitors, and some extra unused absentee ballots.
Although Bernegger’s claims were baseless, Woodall added a keycard lock to the room this year so the commission could track who had access to it. The room previously had key access, and only authorized staff got keys, but it was harder to tell who entered the room, Woodall said.
With the new lock, she said, “We are able to say, look, here’s the audit record of everyone who entered that room: What is the accusation?”
Using a private grant, Woodall also purchased about 20 more cameras to monitor the central count facility.
The purchase wasn’t a direct response to any specific accusations, Woodall said, but rather a proactive measure that will allow city officials to provide video records in case something goes awry — or if somebody makes false allegations that officials want to refute.
Despite Woodall’s efforts, the election office continues to face scrutiny, sometimes for its own mistakes.
Just after Zapata, the former Milwaukee deputy election official, was convicted for absentee ballot fraud and misconduct in office in March, reports emerged that almost 220 Milwaukee residents received absentee ballots for the incorrect ward.
“Horrible week for that to happen,” Woodall said.
The Election Commission alerted the residents, issued them new ballots, and developed plans to make sure only one of the ballots they were issued would be counted, Woodall said.
Woodall said there are still bound to be some mistakes because of human error and technological faults, but she said the goal is to make sure voting is 100% accurate.
“I think all we can do is continue to be totally transparent, both in our successes and our failures … regarding all aspects of election administration.” she said. “I mean, we didn’t hide the wrong ballots. We didn’t try to conceal it. We immediately went public, wanting to alert voters, to double check our work.”
Alexander Shur is a reporter for Votebeat based in Wisconsin. Contact Alexander at ashur@votebeat.org. Votebeat is a nonprofit news organization reporting on voting access and election administration across the U.S. Sign up for our free newsletters here.
This article first appeared on Wisconsin Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.


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Ron Smith
April 8, 2024


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South Side walking group leads way to better health for Latino residents | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Trisha Young
April 9, 2024
On Milwaukee’s South Side, Lideres por la Salud is helping Latino Milwaukeeans walk toward a healthier future.
Lideres por la Salud, which means leaders of health in English, is a health-focused walking group that meets weekly for walks and discussions on topics related to nutrition and lifestyle.
The group hopes to promote health and wellness in the Latino community through education and by advocating for access to nutritious food and safe physical activities like stretching, walking and riding bikes.
According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, approximately two-thirds of Hispanic/Latino adults in Wisconsin are overweight or obese.
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These statistics highlight the urgent need for health-based initiatives like Lideres por la Salud, said Patricia Luevano, organizer of the walking group.
Luevano is also a community organizer at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers and an advocate for health, especially when it comes to her fellow Latino Milwaukeeans.
“The health of our community is getting worse, and we are trying to change that,” Luevano said.
She believes that unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles are contributing to overall poorer health outcomes, like obesity, hypertension and diabetes for Latinos.
Fueled by a desire for answers, Luevano started the Lideres walking club 10 years ago and has been walking since.
She said the group takes a holistic approach to health by stressing the importance of healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle.
The group even takes trips to the grocery store to educate and encourage healthy grocery shopping among its members.
“Our job is to mobilize the community by leading as examples,” Luevano said
Milwaukee County Supervisor Juan Miguel Martinez, who represents the 12th District, is a strong supporter of Lideres por la Salud.  He believes the group not only advocates for Latino health, but also is making parks, like Mitchell Park, safer and more attractive for others to use.
“They’re doing something in the neighborhood (Clarke Square) that no one else is doing,” Martinez said about the group’s ability to get people walking in public green spaces like Mitchell Park.
Maria Beltran is a member of the group and soon-to-be leader of an upcoming senior walking group sponsored by Lideres por la Salud and the United Community Center, 1028 S. 9th St.
Beltran witnessed how her mother’s mobility issues hindered her ability to play with her grandson. She said she hopes to avoid that future for herself.
“We’re here to create a strong and healthy community, and that can start just by walking,” Beltran said.
The benefits of walking are supported by research from the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, which emphasizes the role of walking in reducing the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Walking also improves mental well-being by alleviating stress and anxiety and is an accessible and effective form of exercise for individuals of all ages, according to the NIH.
Luevano invites anyone looking to improve their health and build community, to give her walking group a try.
“Come walk with us. Try it out and feel better about your health,” she said.
The group meets from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. every Saturday through April 27. It meets at the Mitchell Park Domes parking lot, 524 S. Layton Blvd., and walks 60 minutes of the Hank Aaron State Trail. All ages are welcome to join for free.
Senior walking days will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays from June 5 through July 25, at Walker Square Park, 1031 S. 9th St, in front of United Community Center, located at 1028 S. 9th St.
For more information, including walking schedules, urban candlelight hikes and health classes, check out Lideres por la Salud’s Facebook page.

author: Trisha Young


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Tannette Elie
April 4, 2024

author: Tannette Elie


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Lideres por la Salud | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 4, 2024


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A brotherhood: Milwaukee program graduates a new class of fathers | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
April 10, 2024
Martin Hershey was in a tough place when he joined Fathers Making Progress.
Hershey said he was struggling as an individual and with his family. But because of the program, he’s been able to grow as a person and as a father.
“Without this program, I would have never seen my flaws. and I wouldn’t be where I am,” he said. “My kids call to hang out with me now.”
Fathers Making Progress, or FMP, addresses the needs of fathers in Milwaukee by sharing knowledge and resources to help them become the best fathers they can be.
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Hershey, along with 20 other men, became alumni of Fathers Making Progress in early March after completing the group’s Fathers Building Fathers classes.
“I’m just happy to welcome these men into the brotherhood,” said Terron Edwards, the president and founder of FMP. “It’s a blessing to see the growth and watch these fathers own our narrative and change it.”
Fathers Building Fathers is a 12-week program, facilitated by FMP staff, which offers fathers the opportunity to learn best practices for parenting, share what works for them and join a brotherhood of fathers that supports them and pushes them to achieve their goals.
“I learned something new about myself every class,” Hershey said.
According to Tyler LeRoy, a facilitator with FMP, the class is broken down into three modules:
“We wanted to make sure they had a space to feel heard and valued,” LeRoy said. “In these classes, men were able to learn with each other and from each other.”
The class was advertised for young fathers, but fathers of all ages took the opportunity to learn and become better.
Ellis Bayliss is a father of four and has been married to his wife for 55 years. He said while he struggled to give up his Saturdays to take the class, he was happy he did.
“I learned a lot and I felt compelled to contribute to the class,” he said. “I hope I was able to share some knowledge that might help.”
Donald Laster, a father of seven, said it was beautiful to see men uplifting one another.
Because the new graduates are now part of the FMP alumni network, they will continue to have access to the support they built during the class through alumni nights and other activities FMP offers.
“I looked forward to Saturdays,” said Roscoe Riggins, another father who graduated from the program. “The information I gained made me a better father.”
Visit https://www.fathersmakingprogress.org


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Fathers Making Progress | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 6, 2024


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How to get help accessing (and replacing) FoodShare benefits | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Addie Costello / Wisconsin Watch and WPR
April 10, 2024
Need to access or replace FoodShare benefits? You can find a list of local food assistance office locations and phone numbers on Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services website.
Feeding Wisconsin’s FoodShare helpline (1-877-366-3635) can help you navigate the application process.
Below are additional resources around Wisconsin.
Southeast Wisconsin: Hunger Task Force (phone: 414-777-0483, online: hungertaskforce.org) can assist in filing replacement forms at three locations across Milwaukee. It also provides kiosks with phones, printers and computers for SNAP recipients at no cost.
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If you are elderly or disabled, Hunger Task Force can mail you a replacement form and upload it for you after you photograph the signed form.
Staff can also direct FoodShare recipients to nearby pantries.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin (phone: 414-931-7400, online: feedingamericawi.org) also provides FoodShare application assistance, mobile pantries and other food assistance programs.
This article first appeared on Wisconsin Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.


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2021-07-13Wisconsin.Watch_Food.PantryIW_8 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 9, 2024


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Wisconsin will replace FoodShare aid when outages spoil food, but filing requests isn’t easy | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Addie Costello / Wisconsin Watch and WPR
April 10, 2024
Food doesn’t last long in Leisa Winston’s home, where she takes care of nine grandchildren.
“Every day after school, it’s somebody (saying), ‘Granny, I’m hungry. Granny, you got something sweet?’” Winston said.
The Milwaukee retiree relies on food assistance to stock her kitchen with some of her grandkids’ favorites.
But feeding everyone got tougher in January when a winter storm swept across Wisconsin. It knocked out her power for roughly 24 hours, leaving about $200 worth of food and milk in her fridge and freezer to spoil.
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The family survived the next two weeks on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, hot dogs and bologna, Winston said. She told the kids: “It might not be a steak dinner, but your little tummies are full.”
She couldn’t afford fresh milk or meat until she got additional funds through FoodShare, Wisconsin’s food aid program for low-income people.
The federal government funds FoodShare through its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. It allows states to replace funds for households that lose food to misfortunes like refrigerator malfunctions, power outages or flooding.
But many aid recipients don’t know that’s an option, local food assistance experts say.
Those who are aware face what advocates call unnecessary hurdles. They include requirements in Wisconsin and most states that recipients hand-sign a verification of loss form. That means people like Winston who lack access to a home printer must pay for transportation to an office that has one.
That may help explain why only 6% of the estimated 127,500 SNAP households the state health department identified as potentially affected by Wisconsin’s January outages applied for replacement benefits, according to state data obtained by WPR and Wisconsin Watch.
Nearly 26,000 FoodShare households in Wisconsin received $3.1 million in replacement benefits between December 2022 and November 2023. That’s far less than the up to $34 million in food that FoodShare households potentially lost from January’s storm alone, according to a state estimate.
Such barriers may grow more consequential as climate change drives more extreme weather in Wisconsin and other states. The number of weather-related power outages nationwide increased by more than 75% during 2011-2021 compared to the previous decade.
Wisconsin is gradually moving to simplify FoodShare replacement requests. It plans to join at least nine other states in allowing applicants to electronically sign replacement aid forms.
But although Oklahoma updated its process in a matter of days, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, which rolled out digital signature options for other forms a decade ago, doesn’t plan to accept online signatures for FoodShare replacement until October — after the state’s typical tornado season.
The delay means FoodShare recipients may still face reimbursement challenges this summer if severe storms knock out power.
Over the past decade, six of Wisconsin’s seven federally declared natural disasters happened between June and September.
Winston had used FoodShare for less than a year before the January storm. She didn’t learn about replacement benefits until her friend saw a news report about how Hunger Task Force was helping affected residents.
Upon calling the anti-hunger nonprofit, Winston learned she could request funds to buy fresh milk and meat before her usual monthly benefits were set to reload — a “blessing,” she said.
“I never knew all these resources are here to help people. There’s really, really a need,” Winston said.
Determined to keep her family fed, she said she spent her last two dollars taking the bus to a Hunger Task Force office to sign the form by hand.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, at the time, temporarily accepted signatures over the phone, but outside groups like Hunger Task Force are not authorized to accept phone signatures.
FoodShare recipients who call the state health department after major outages often experience long hold times, a Hunger Task Force spokesperson said. Residents typically have little time to waste in seeking to replenish their food supplies. The window to request replacement funds is 10 days after the event that triggered the misfortune, unless the state requests an extension from the federal government.
That’s what happened in January, giving Wisconsin residents about a month to document their food loss after the storm.
Winston filed her replacement benefit form as soon as she could, and she waited about two weeks for replacement benefits to show up on the QUEST card, which she uses to purchase food.
Feeding America, a national food bank network with multiple Wisconsin offices, recommends printing, signing and then uploading the form as the fastest way to get benefits under the current system.
Had Winston lived in one of at least nine other states, she could have completed a simple online form without worrying about phone hold times or bus fares, according to a WPR and Wisconsin Watch analysis of the request process in 50 states. Seven additional states regularly accept someone’s voice over the phone as a signature.
In most cases, Wisconsin offers neither.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services says states need federal approval to change signature requirements.
The United States Department of Agriculture oversees SNAP.  In 2016, it sent a memo to regional SNAP directors to clarify that, for initial applications and recertifications, “any electronic means of conducting the SNAP certification process may be suitable for electronic signatures,” including over the telephone. It said “state agencies may not fully realize the methods available” to improve efficiency.
That memo, however, did not give guidance on replacement benefit forms.
A spokesperson for the Midwest Regional Office of the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service said states still need a federal waiver to roll out digital signatures on replacement benefit forms.
But Oklahoma and Tennessee’s SNAP agencies told Wisconsin Watch and WPR they did not need federal permission to make their changes.
Following a major ice storm in October 2020, Oklahoma Human Services added online signature options for replacement benefits within 10 days — allowing applicants to submit required forms over their phones, a spokesperson said.
SNAP agencies in California, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Tennessee also confirmed they accept electronic signatures for reimbursement forms.
Wisconsin’s health department applied last September for a waiver, which USDA approved two months later.
“The current method of electronically signing for applications and renewals has been effectively used by all agencies in Wisconsin for over 10 years,” the agency wrote in its request. “All workers are thoroughly familiar with and comfortable using this method of collecting signatures.”
That includes within the initial FoodShare application process, where applicants can submit digital signatures to the state’s website or app or sign over the phone. The health department will use similar digital signature options for the replacement benefit form.
Despite having expanded signature options for other forms, the state’s target date for implementing new digital signature options for replacement forms isn’t until October 2024.
“DHS understands that providing telephonic or electronic signatures is more convenient for members, which is why we continue to pursue these options while making sure that we meet federal requirements,” spokesperson Jennifer Miller told WPR and Wisconsin Watch in an email.  “Doing this requires changes to documents, systems, and processes.”
The delay gives the health department and local SNAP agencies time to transition without disrupting recipients’ benefits, Miller added.
Signature changes shouldn’t make the request process any less secure, said Melissa Cundari, the Midwest regional SNAP director. Every state regularly reports replacement benefit figures to the USDA, allowing the agency to act if it notices any anomalies.
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Even with a more accessible process, many Wisconsin residents won’t know they can ask for replacement aid.
SNAP agencies nationwide struggle to draw attention to the option, Cundari said.
While local SNAP offices have information about replacement benefits on posters or pamphlets, clients are less likely to visit offices today, Cundari said.
The information gap affects more than just replacement benefits. Local agencies often struggle to get the word out about other SNAP program forms and requirements, Cundari said, adding that she’s seen few solutions to the problem.
After major outages, Wisconsin’s health department emails community partners about the reimbursements and posts information on its updates page, Miller said.
The reimbursement form asks recipients how and when their food was destroyed and how much it was worth. It asks for proof of the loss, such as a letter from a utility confirming the outage.
But the state already has enough information about each FoodShare household to know who likely needs assistance after major outages, Hunger Task Force CEO Sherrie Tussler said.
“They should just use (their databases) to approve and support people who are in trouble rather than putting them through some kind of unnatural gauntlet of paperwork,” Tussler added.
States can get USDA approval to automatically reimburse recipients in some situations. It requires proof that more than 50% of a defined area, like a county, city or zip code, lost power for at least four hours.
Normally, states issue automatic replacements only during declared disasters, but that isn’t a requirement.
At least 19 states have issued mass replacement benefits 47 times in the last five years, a WPR and Wisconsin Watch analysis found.
Wisconsin hasn’t issued mass replacement benefits in at least 15 years, but only one disaster during that period potentially caused food loss, Miller said: a January 2020 storm that ravaged lakeshore communities in Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee counties.
But the state has issued Disaster SNAP benefits to help those affected by significant events, Miller said. Under Disaster SNAP, FoodShare recipients can receive supplemental benefits.
Midwest SNAP agencies have not traditionally focused much on disaster preparation compared to agencies in more disaster-prone states, particularly in the South, Cundari said.
Southern states “just have this philosophy of very much like not if we have a disaster, but when, and our Midwest states are not there yet,” Cundari said.
That has begun to change in the aftermath of the derecho that walloped much of the Midwest in 2020. Food aid officials know severe weather is becoming more frequent in the region, and they are strategizing ahead of future disasters. Learning from policies in southern states can help, Cundari added.
“With climate change, these storms are becoming as detrimental to households as the hurricanes that you’ll see in Florida.”
This story comes from a partnership of Wisconsin Watch and WPR. Addie Costello is WPR’s Mike Simonson Memorial Investigative Reporting Fellow embedded in the newsroom of Wisconsin Watch.
This article first appeared on Wisconsin Watch and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.


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FoodShare_Advocate | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 9, 2024


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5 things to know and do the weekend of April 12 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Chesnie Wardell
April 11, 2024
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
The Epsilon Tau chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. will hold a step show from  9 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 12 during its Midwestern Regional Convention at the Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. The performance will be followed by an after party and special guest performance from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Click here to purchase $20 tickets.  More information here.
Black Maternal Health Week raises awareness about the health of Black mothers and the high rates of maternal mortality they face. Culture X Design, Ubuntu Research & Evaluation and other Milwaukee organizations will host a film that highlights the birthing experiences of Black mothers. An open conversation will follow. Doors open at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 12 at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum, 2620 W. Center St. Click here to register.
Join the Menomonee Valley Partners Inc. and Walker’s Point Association in painting jersey barriers from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at 335 S. Sixth St. This volunteer event aims to brighten up the gateway between two of Milwaukee’s unique neighborhoods. Make sure you dress appropriately for painting and the weather. Click here to register.  More information here.
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Every Sunday, Coffee Makes You Black hosts an Afro beats and R&B brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2803 N. Teutonia Ave. The brunch includes food and drink specials. The next one is Sunday, April 14. More information here.
The 16th annual Milwaukee Film Festival invites children and adults to view films on a variety of topics, including culture, sports and more. The film festival will run until Thursday, April 25. Click here to view the lineup and to purchase tickets.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s investigative reporters want your input on what local news topics matter to you. Young people from the ages of 18 to 25 are invited to take part in a community conversation from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at the Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave. Food will be provided. More information here.


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16th-stret | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 11, 2024


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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 11, 2024


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ACTSO | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 11, 2024


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FELLOW | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 11, 2024


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FOCUSGROUP-1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 11, 2024


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FOCUSGROUP | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 11, 2024


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HOUSINGFAIR | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 11, 2024


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LAPTOP | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ron Smith
April 11, 2024


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Milwaukee program prepares first cohort of women for successful reentry | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
April 11, 2024
Diamond Riley plans to pursue a new goal in life once she’s released from the Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center.
“I want to work with justice-involved youth and young adults and help them overcome the challenges I had,” Riley said. “I found my passion.”
She now has the skills to help her achieve her goal thanks to a workshop that prepares people for successful reentry after incarceration.
In March, Riley, 22, completed Building a Path to Success, a six-week workshop of the My Way Out Program offered to individuals at the Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center, formerly known as the House of Correction.
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Riley, who has a 3-year-old daughter, is one of 12 to graduate as part of the first female cohort of Building a Path To Success, which was first offered to men at the center.
My Way Out provides a variety of reentry services aimed at helping justice-impacted individuals thrive, according to executive director Ruben Ganoa. Ganoa knows their challenges well, having served time in prison and struggling upon release.
“We want to humanize reentry and give people the tools they need to be successful,” he said.
The classes helped the group learn how to build credit, manage budgets, be a renter, prepare for job interviews and craft resumés, among other tools.
“These are skills that will help them be stable and be successful upon release, which is really important because they are often the main source of income for their family,” Ganoa said.
The group also received information technology training from the Milky Way Tech Hub, a partner in the program.
Nadiyah Johnson, founder and CEO of the Milky Way Tech Hub, said her organization’s mission is to bridge the tech gap through diversity.
“Working with justice-involved individuals made sense for us,” she said.  “I’m here because this was my dream and now I’m helping  (the women) achieve theirs.”
Johnson said the women were able to use the technology they learned to develop 12-month plans they can use upon release, and will also receive a free laptop.
Leah Boonnam, 31, a widow and mother of three, said the training helped her refocus on her goal of starting a business.
“I want to help people plan special events, like quinces and weddings,” said Boonnam, who was pursuing a master’s degree in business administration before her life got off track.
She’s now ready to turn that around.
“I’m not going to let my legal mistakes determine my future.”
Rachel Wright, 34, said she loves cars and cooking. The plan she developed through My Way Out was to open a Jamaican restaurant with an attached auto shop. When she’s released in November, she hopes to make her business goal a reality.
“This experience gave us insight on what was possible,” Wright said. “We have a future, we have goals, and now we have more confidence that we can achieve them.”
Tahnee Aguirre, a financial security educator for UW-Madison Extension, which provided the rent education and financial literacy classes, said the women already had the tenacity and intelligence to be successful. Now they have a vision.
“Now that they see it and know what they need to do to make it happen, they have a better chance to achieve their goals,” Aguirre said. “Their opportunities are endless.”
Their hopes received a boost during their recent graduation ceremony, as Chantell Jewell, superintendent of the Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center, announced that the women would be the first program participants to be eligible to receive three months in free housing vouchers upon release.
Jewell told the group that she was a teen mother and that people counted her out, just like how some had counted them out.
“Know your worth and the value of what you bring,” she said. “It’s not how you start but how you finish.”
Although she doesn’t have a release date yet, Melinda Torres, 49, said when she does get out, all she wants to do is live a simple life and take care of her children.
Torres said the workshops were one of few bright spots during her incarceration and that she is thankful that support from My Way Out will continue after her release.
In addition to free laptops, participants will create a personalized reentry plan and receive ongoing services through My Way Out.
Torres believes that support will help her reclaim her life.
“There’s no turning back to the old ways for me,” she said. “I just want to be happy and raise my kids.”


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My Way Out | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 6, 2024


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5 things to know and do the week of April 15 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Chesnie Wardell
April 14, 2024
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Join Muskego Way Forward in cleaning up the Muskego Way neighborhood from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15 at the corner of South Muskego Avenue and West Becher Street. More information here.
Men and teen boys are invited to attend a monthly discussion at Gee’s Clippers Barber and Beauty Salon on the issues that men face in society. The next session is sponsored by the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative. It will take place from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15 at 2200 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. There will be food, raffles and resources.  More information here.
The Milwaukee Police Department District 7 will hold a crime and safety meeting from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15 at 8901 W. Capitol Drive. North Side residents will have the opportunity to ask officers questions and hear neighborhood updates.  More information here.
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Wisconsin Women in Conservation invites women to learn more about urban agriculture from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16 at 325 W. Walnut St. You will learn different conservation practices to sustain your garden or land. Refreshments will be provided. Click here to register. More information here.
Danigsha Alicea, a realtor from Flamboyant Real Estate Group, will lead a home buying workshop at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17 at South Division High School, 1515 W. Lapham Blvd., inside the Parent Center, Room 111. This event is free and open to the public. More information here.
Join Athena Communications and the Milwaukee Repertory Theater for Black Professionals & Divine 9 Night for “Nina Simone: Four Women” on Wednesday, April 17 at the Milwaukee Rep’s Quadracci Powerhouse, 108 E. Wells St. Social hour starts at 6 p.m. with a networking reception, complimentary appetizers and drinks. The performance starts at 7 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets for $30, using the code NINE. More information here.


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53647088095_c7c5f5173c_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 12, 2024


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Harambee residents develop community-led plan to improve quality of life | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Meredith Melland
April 15, 2024
Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood is living up to its name — which means “all pull together” in Swahili — by putting residents’ voices at the heart of a new Quality of Life plan.
More than 250 Harambee residents have come together to shape the plan, reflecting the neighborhood’s spirit of collaboration.
Local Initiatives Support Corp., or LISC Milwaukee, launched the Harambee Quality of Life initiative in 2021 and hired Riverworks Development Corp., 526 E. Concordia Ave., which serves Harambee and Riverwest, to serve as the project’s lead agency.
Harambee has boundaries of Capitol Drive to North Avenue (from north to south) and Interstate 43 to Holton Street (from west to east), according to the Harambee Quality of Life plan.
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Participating residents have developed shared goals to improve the neighborhood over the next five years in the priority areas of resident governance; community safety; housing; economic and community development; and neighborhood communication.
“Residents thought this was a priority, they thought it was important to have a voice in this,”said Sakuri Fears, senior program officer at LISC Milwaukee, as she presented the plan at a meeting in late February at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 128 W. Burleigh St.
LISC Milwaukee, in partnership with Wells Fargo, has invested $200,000 in the initiative.
The plan’s priority areas include strategies and support to achieve each goal, along with measures of success.
For example, to ensure “residents have ample opportunities to own or rent an affordable and safe home in Harambee,” the plan outlines strategies to increase homeownership for its low and moderate income residents and to educate residents on tenants’ rights.
After defining what a “safe, connected neighborhood” looks like, neighborhood residents can create safe spaces in underutilized areas of Harambee and organize positive, peace-focused events.
“I thought it was absolutely excellent,” said Shirley Warren, of Halyard Park, after the plan’s presentation.
She especially appreciated the plan’s focus on communication, building partnerships and strengthening relationships with public officials.
“I was saying that I was hoping they share that with other groups because my neighborhood would certainly benefit from knowing and ‘cause it’s all laid out so well,” Warren said.
The full plan is outlined in a 36-page booklet that will be made available online.
LISC, with leadership support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, has supported over 70 Quality of Life plans through its New Communities Program, or NCP, since the late 1990s, according to Fears.
To ensure the Harambee plan was driven by residents, Riverworks formed a steering committee co-led by Darryl Johnson, Riverworks’ executive director, and Travis Landry, regional vice president of WestCare Wisconsin.
“We can get all the resources coming into this neighborhood, but if we don’t get a piece of those resources and make decisions on those resources, then basically, we have given up our neighborhood to somebody else,” Johnson said at the presentation meeting.
Committee members learned about the history of Harambee — the demographics, housing, business and arts — and conducted one-on-one interviews with residents for input.
Because the project team started work in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee and consultants conducted five out of six community visioning sessions virtually. A core group of more than 30 residents attended all six sessions.
The steering committee also hosted events, such as an early action project at the Malaika Early Learning Center, 125 W. Auer Ave., to ask staff and families about what they envisioned for Harambee’s future.
“This community session included an artist who drew each idea on a vision board, so we could see the transformation of our community take place right before our very eyes,” said Maureen Gunn, community engagement specialist at St. Marcus Lutheran Church and School and a member of the steering committee.
Harambee neighbors can sign up to join work groups that are focused on different priorities.
Anyone interested in learning more or joining a group can reach out to Ruth Weill, Riverworks’ community engagement coordinator, at ruthw@riverworksmke.org or at 414-882-7421.
Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.

author: Meredith Melland


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53630733580_b5aef5cbf7_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 15, 2024


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Harambee Quality of Life | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 15, 2024


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53630733590_a439dca8f0_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 15, 2024


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Here are programs that connect isolated Milwaukee seniors | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Trisha Young
April 16, 2024
For Kim Stephans, participating in Milwaukee County’s Dine Out program is more than just getting a free meal – it’s a lifeline to social connection and a sense of belonging.
“Places like this will bring you back to life,” said Stephans.
The program has become a vital part of Stephans’ life, along with the Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, which serves as a vital connection to the community for him and other seniors in Milwaukee.
“This gives us something to do and gives us needed companionship,” he said.
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These kinds of services and programs are essential as more seniors in Milwaukee County live alone.
Over half (51%) of seniors in Milwaukee County live alone, according to data gathered by the Milwaukee County Commission on Aging.
The National Institute on Aging defines a senior or older adult as anyone 65 or older. However, definitions of who is considered an older adult in the United States vary, depending on the circumstances.
More seniors in Milwaukee County live alone than in any other county in Wisconsin, according to Health Compass Milwaukee, which provides comprehensive, health-related data about Milwaukee County residents and communities.
That same study also found that seniors in Milwaukee County feel less alone by participating in community events and programs.
“It can be hard for seniors navigating life after losing a spouse or living alone,” said Gaylyn Reske, senior dining program coordinator for the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services’ Department on Aging.
Here’s a list of free or low-cost services and programs that are available to older adults in the Milwaukee area. Transportation to the workshops and programs listed below is available through the Milwaukee County Older Adults Transportation Service, or OATS. More information here.
Sharpen your mind and memory with holistic activities focused on physical fitness, emotional well-being, mental stimulation and more. Sessions are from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays until April 18 and on May 2 at Franklin City Hall, 9229 W. Loomis Road, Franklin. To register, call 414-425-9101. More information here.
This workshop aims to empower adults dealing with persistent pain. Sessions will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays from April 24 through May 29 at the West Allis West Milwaukee Recreation Center, 2450 S. 68th St., West Allis. To register, call 414-302-8612. More information here.
Workshop sessions will be held every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. from June 11 through July 16 at the West Allis Senior Center, 7001 W. National Ave., West Allis. To register, call 414-302-8700. More information here.
Savvy Caregiver is a workshop for family caregivers of a person with dementia. Sessions will be held virtually from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesdays from June 4 through July 9. Register by May 21 by emailing Candice.Legros@milwaukeecountywi.gov or by calling 414-289-5792. More information here.
This seven-week program is designed for adults ages 60 and older who are prone to falling or have balance concerns.  Find various times and locations here.
Walk with Ease meets from 10 a.m to 11 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 20 at the Wilson Park Senior Center, 2601 W. Howard Ave. To register, call 414-282-5566. More information here
Find more classes and programs, including senior center locations, at the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging’s website here.
From computer access to yoga to free meals, OASIS, located at 2414 W. Mitchell St., provides diverse programs and activities tailored to adults ages 50 and over. More information here.
Milwaukee Turners hosts free yoga for seniors from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursdays at Turner Hall, 1034 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave.  Registration is not required and donations are encouraged. For more information, check out Milwaukee Turners Facebook page here.
Check out the Milwaukee County DHHS Aging & Disabilities Services Facebook page to stay up to date on events and programs for seniors in the Milwaukee area.
Milwaukee County partners with four minority-owned restaurants for its Dine Out program.  All Dine Out meals are free with a $3 suggested donation. No one, regardless of income, is turned away.
Participating restaurants are:
Rise & Grind Cafe, 2737 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, serves breakfast to seniors on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Orenda Cafe, 3514 W. National Ave., serves breakfast to seniors on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen, 6207 W. National Ave., serves senior lunch on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1p.m.
Daddy’s Soul Food and Grille, 754 N. 27th St., serves senior meals on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Check out more senior dining programming at various senior centers here.


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Senior Resources | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 12, 2024


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Post From Community: Earth Week: Milwaukee Riverkeeper’s 29th Annual Spring River Clean Up | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
david snell
April 16, 2024
Editor’s note: Post From Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here
Sat. April 20th.  9am – 12pm
All three branches: Menomonee Valley, Riverside Park, Washington Park
Join us as we participate in Milwaukee Riverkeeper’s 29th Annual Spring River Cleanup to kick off our Earth week! Help us clean the river way, park, and neighborhood. Please register for the event at the Milwaukee Riverkeeper’s webpage!
Price: FREE
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Contact person and phone number:
Davita Flowers-Shanklin
Email: dflowersshanklin@urbanecologycenter.org
Phone Number: (414)-964-8505 Ext. 110
Register today at https://milwaukeeriverkeeper.org/restore/spring-cleanup

author: david snell


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Post From Community: Rocket Community Fund launches Neighbor to Neighbor Program in Milwaukee to connect residents to housing resources | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dan Herda
April 16, 2024
Editor’s note: Post From Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here
MILWAUKEE, APRIL 01, 2024 – The Rocket Community Fund, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and INPOWER today announced the launch of Neighbor to Neighbor, the Rocket Community Fund’s flagship community engagement program, which will give Milwaukee residents access to neighborhood and city-wide resources aimed at preventing displacement.
Over a four-month door-to-door and online survey campaign, Neighbor to Neighbor partners will connect with 8,000 Milwaukee households in high-risk areas for property tax foreclosures and evictions. Canvassers will function as trusted guides, connecting low-income residents with vital resources focused on tax foreclosure prevention, utility assistance, home repair support, eviction defense and other services to achieve greater stability and improve their quality of life.
“Stable housing is the foundation for success in every part of our lives,” said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director, Rocket Community Fund. “Too many Milwaukee residents experience housing challenges despite existing resources. Neighbor to Neighbor literally meets residents where they are at, simultaneously connecting families to those services and identifying gaps to inform future partnerships and investments.”
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A critical area of focus in Milwaukee will be eviction support. In 2022 alone, Milwaukee saw 13,635 evictions filed – an average of nearly 270 households per week. To combat this issue, Neighbor to Neighbor will focus on neighborhoods with the highest rates of eviction filings and tax foreclosures, including the following ZIP codes:
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County will support Neighbor to Neighbor through its connections to local safety net resources and will provide fiscal oversight.
“United Way is proud to partner with Rocket Community Fund and INPOWER for the Neighbor to Neighbor project,” said Gerald Coon, director of key initiatives. “United Way believes in bringing comprehensive approaches to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. This collective partnership means we can share innovations and scale impact to improve housing security in Milwaukee.”
INPOWER will oversee the recruitment and management of community mobilizers, manage program data, and provide targeted messaging for the Milwaukee neighborhoods in the canvassing footprint.
“INPOWER is thrilled to empower Milwaukee’s communities with the tools and information they need around critical housing issues,” said Aziz Abdullah, co-founder of INPOWER. “We are equally delighted by the opportunity to create employment opportunities for over 20 individuals residing in these very neighborhoods. They are central to this project, making a significant contribution and collaborating with us to build a more robust and interconnected Milwaukee, one neighbor at a time.”
The launch of Neighbor to Neighbor builds on Rocket Community Fund’s existing philanthropic efforts in Milwaukee. In 2023, the Rocket Community Fund invested $460,000 in partnership with the RON Coalition to commission a parcel survey to understand the overall state of Milwaukee’s housing conditions. This survey provided valuable data that informed the development of Neighbor to Neighbor. Additionally, the Rocket Community Fund invested $300,000 in the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County’s Safe and Stable Homes initiative, bringing the organization’s total philanthropic commitment in Milwaukee to more than $1 million.
At its core, Neighbor to Neighbor is a door-to-door canvassing effort that connects residents to critical housing resources to prevent displacement and improve housing quality. Information collected through Neighbor to Neighbor also provides critical data to inform future investments and partnerships.
The program was first launched in Detroit, where it focused on property tax foreclosure. Between 2015 and 2019, the number of occupied homes entering the Wayne County tax auction decreased by 94% as a result of Neighbor to Neighbor outreach and associated programs. The initiative expanded to Cleveland in 2021 with a focus on housing and digital inclusion, and then to Atlanta in 2023, where it focused on legacy resident retention.
The Rocket Community Fund aims to simplify complex and inequitable systems to ensure that every American has access to stable, healthy housing. It also invests in people and practices that provide meaningful opportunities for education and employment.
Through its For-More-Than-Profit model, the Rocket Community Fund recognizes that business and community are inextricably linked, and it purposefully harnesses team member talent, technology, policy advocacy and philanthropic resources to invest in comprehensive community development in Detroit and across the country.
Alongside financial investments, the Rocket Community Fund has organized Rocket Companies, Bedrock and other affiliated team members to provide more than one million volunteer hours nationwide, including more than 720,000 in Detroit.
For more information, visit www.RocketCommunityFund.org.
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in our local community. Learn more at: http://www.unitedwayGMWC.org
INPOWER is a Milwaukee-based social impact and good cause marketing agency located in the Harambee neighborhood. They champion collaboration, working closely with partners to develop integrated solutions for social challenges like housing security, healthcare access, and economic development. INPOWER is dedicated to empowering individuals to chart their own paths and fostering a thriving community.

author: Dan Herda


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Incarcerated people tell us what they want to see in a new head of Wisconsin’s prison system | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Devin Blake
April 17, 2024
The search for someone to lead the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, or DOC, is in progress.
In a press release, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced the retirement of Kevin Carr, who served as secretary of the DOC for roughly five years.
Evers applauded Carr’s accomplishments, including expansion of educational opportunities for people who are incarcerated as well as increased access to medication assisted treatment, a treatment often used for opioid use disorder.
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But some people who are currently incarcerated are not so quick to praise Carr.
Prisoners throughout Wisconsin shared, with NNS concerns about the conditions they are living in, including not having adequate access to medical and mental health care and not enough opportunities for rehabilitation.
They also shared what qualities they think a new secretary should have.
A common theme among their concerns is the need for the new secretary to have a basic respect for their dignity and humanity.
Beth Hardtke, director of communications for the DOC, said in an email that the DOC
“welcomes all Wisconsinites weighing in on the department’s policies, including persons in our care and justice-involved individuals.”
She said the DOC is working to update its policies and assess various conditions in prisons.
For example, the DOC is incrementally increasing activities for those incarcerated under a policy of “modified movement,”a practice between a lockdown and normal operations, where some programming and movement of prisoners continue to take place but with some restrictions, Hardtke said.
The DOC also is working to increase programming for prisoners in restrictive housing, where prisoners are kept apart from the general population of prisoners for a period of time, Hardtke said.
Here are thoughts about a new DOC secretary from people who are currently incarcerated in a DOC facility.
“The new director should be focusing on making programs available to people to reduce the prison population, giving us incentives to have good behavior while incarcerated, to encourage us that change is worth it. You can be tough on crime, but a prison cell does not give a person treatment … ,” said Nicgorski.
“As far as priorities that the new DOC director should look at, there should be a look at the programing and schooling for individuals incarcerated, especially for guys who have been in prison for a long time, and it can be hard to get into programs or higher learning due to their release date,” said Diaz.
“I will start with what no one wants, and absolutely no one needs, a politician,” Green said. “We need solutions that are not just fodder for partisan arguments. We need bipartisan support for the new director if change is to be the end result. What is needed is an intellectual capable of diplomacy. Not just a diplomacy between political lines, but a leader who is wise enough to utilize all available resources.”
“We want someone proactive, instead of passively reactive. Someone who will work with inmates that desire change as much as anyone.”
“I know that many of those imprisoned would want someone who demands transparency and accountability of the staff and operations of the prisons,” Lanaghan said. “A very tangible matter for Wisconsin prisoners is the reality of nearly zero accountability of DOC staff and administration for their actions.”
“He or she needs to prioritize reconnecting/maintaining connections between incarcerated peoples and their families and loved ones. The DOC has made it extremely difficult for people on the outside to come and visit their incarcerated loved ones,” Thomas said.
“Before, loved ones could come up on a whim to visit their loved ones in prison. (They were already approved through the background checks.)”
“The pandemic gave DOC administrative officials the excuse to put more of a strain on visitors by requiring that they schedule visits (in limited time slots) days or weeks ahead.”
“I think drug offense crimes should have more programs, so the institutions are not filled to the brim,” Ketchum said. “We have inmates being assaulted, officers being assaulted, people dying at the hands of others throughout the Wisconsin prison system. People with petty crimes are being forced to live like animals, then become them. The new director’s priorities should revolve around those issues.”
“Substance use disorder treatment should be provided to the incarcerated citizen not based upon his or her prison sentence, but instead based upon his or her date of admission. … Presently, an inmate’s start date can be pushed back or not assigned merely because a new admission’s sentence structure is shorter than the person who has been waiting for years to be provided treatment while incarcerated,” Alexander said.
“I think the new priorities of the secretary should be aimed at the training of staff,” said Mitchell.
Devin Blake is the criminal justice reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. His position is funded by the Public Welfare Foundation, which plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.

author: Devin Blake


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Kevin Carr Retirement | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 16, 2024


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DOC/Inmate Voices | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 16, 2024


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5 things to know and do the weekend of April 19 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Chesnie Wardell
April 19, 2024
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
Drea McAlister will present “She Writes in Secret,” a spoken word showcase at Alverno College’s Pitman Theatre, 3431 S. 39th St. The work is from a collection of poems that highlights McAlister’s life experiences. The performance begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 19. Admission is free for Alverno students. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5 for the general public and $2 for middle and high school students.  More information here.
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center will host a family culture night from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19 at 930 W. Historic Mitchell St. It will include a meal, conversation and a youth activity. More information here.
The Amani neighborhood will have its third annual Earth Day cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 20 at the Dominican Center, 2470 W. Locust St. Community members can engage with one another while cleaning. Supplies will be provided. Click here to register, if you are interested in volunteering.  More information here.
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April is National Minority Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of the health challenges faced by people from different minority communities. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin will host an interactive minority health fair from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 at 5370 W. Fond du Lac Ave. The day’s events will include a panel discussion, health resources, raffles and more. Click here to register. More information here.
Daync Academy and Milwaukee Salsa invite you to participate in a Latin social night that will be filled with salsa, bachata, cumbia and merengue music. You will receive intro dance lessons while enjoying food and drinks. This event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 21 at 158 S. Barclay St. Click here to purchase $10 tickets.  More information here.


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Amani Earth Day Cleanup | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 18, 2024


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How to celebrate Earth Day around Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Meredith Melland
April 19, 2024
To celebrate Earth Day, Milwaukee neighborhood groups will be picking up litter and debris at cleanup events around the city.
Earth Day is an annual celebration that raises awareness about the importance of protecting the planet’s natural resources for future generations.
Looking to lend a helping hand for Earth Day (April 22) and Earth Week (April 22-26) and beyond? Check out this list of neighborhood cleanups happening around Milwaukee.
Join Washington Heights’ spring cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 20. Sign in at the Washington Heights Community Garden, 2111 N. 49th St., to receive gloves, bags, tools and block assignments. More information here.
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Southside Organizing Center, or SOC, is hosting multiple cleanups for Earth Day, starting with two events from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20 at Sixth and Rogers streets and 18th and Grant streets. The center is also hosting a cleanup with Your Move MKE from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 22 at 11th and Historic Mitchell streets and a cleanup on Saturday, May 4, starting at SOC’s office at 1300 S. Layton Blvd., Second Floor. More information here.
Gather at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 20 at Sherman Phoenix Marketplace, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., to help beautify the neighborhood. Register in advance here. More information here.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, Riverworks Development Corp. is hosting a Big Clean MKE cleanup, starting at 526 E. Concordia Ave. Snacks will be provided. More information here.
The Merrill Park Neighborhood Hilltoppers Community will hold a cleanup from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 near 37th Street and Park Hill Avenue. For more information, contact Valerie Langston at vlangston2330@gmail.com.
The Uptown Crossing Cleanup will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. It will focus on North Avenue between 60th Street and Sherman Boulevard. Participants can pick up tools at Vennture Brew Co., 5519 W. North Ave., or Tricklebee Cafe, 4424 W. North Ave. Earn a free coffee or beer by returning a full bag of trash to Vennture Brew, or you can bring it to Tricklebee Cafe to receive a free meal. More information here.
Help the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, plant trees and shrubs at Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. Volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and dress for the weather. More information here.
Join Muskego Way Forward and Social Development Commission District 5 for a neighborhood cleanup from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Monday, April 22 at Panaderia el Sol de Mexico, 1708 S. Muskego Ave. Supplies and snacks will be provided. More information here.
Muskego Way and Mitchell School will also host a cleanup at Mitchell School, 1728 S. 23rd St., from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. Find more information on ongoing cleanups on Muskego Way Forward’s Facebook page.
On Earth Day, Amani United and Dominican Center will hold rolling cleanups throughout the day so community members can join as they become available. The cleanups will start at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, April 22 at Mission of Christ Lutheran Church, 912 W. Center St. To volunteer from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., meet at Dominican Center, 2470 W. Locust St. For more information, contact Christal West at 414-215-8643.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, April 22, Pretty Girls Are Educated will host a Big Clean MKE site at Hi Mount Community School, 4921 W. Garfield Ave. More information here.
Multiple districts of the Social Development Commission, or SDC, are hosting cleanups on Earth Day and later this spring.
The SDC District 1 Cleanup will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 22 at SDC Northwest, 9155 N. 76th St. Register here.
SDC District 3 will host a cleanup from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 22 at SDC North, 1730 W. North Ave. Register here.
SDC District 4 will clean up the Clinton Rose Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 3045 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Register here.
SDC District 6 will have a cleanup from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 at 300 W. Rosedale Ave. Register here.
WestCare Wisconsin’s Big Clean MKE cleanup will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 22, starting at Pete’s Fruit Market, 2323 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served. For more information, contact Travis Landry, travis.landry@westcare.com or 414-239-9359.  More information here.
From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, April 22, Eras Senior Network will have a cleanup at the Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. To sign up, contact Freda Wright at 414-488-6927 or freda.wright@eras.org.
Join Rooted & Rising’s neighborhood cleanup from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, April 22 at Westside Academy, 1945 N. 31st St. More information here.
Groups can register to receive free cleaning materials, such as buckets and trash bags, from Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful during the Great Milwaukee Cleanup, which runs through Oct. 31. To find more cleanups near you, view the Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful events calendar.
Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.


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Spring cleaning | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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5 things to know and do the week of April 22 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Chesnie Wardell
April 21, 2024
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance.
In memory of city worker Greg “Ziggy” Zyszkiewicz, a citywide cleanup will be held on Monday, April 22. Organizations will come together to clean up neighborhoods across Milwaukee’s North and South sides. All tools and supplies will be provided. More information here.
Black entrepreneurs are invited to attend a group therapy session from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23 at the Sherman Phoenix Marketplace, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Gain resources and tips to help your mental well-being. Click here to register. More information here.
Teens can come to the Milwaukee Public Library Zablocki Branch to discuss their favorite book or a current book that they are reading. The book discussion will take place from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23 at 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave. More information here.
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The Greater Milwaukee Urban League will hold an employment preparation workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 at 435 W. North Ave.  The workshop is intended to help individuals who are struggling to secure a job. Topics will include interviewing techniques, workplace scenarios and more. Click here to register. More information here.
Mitchell Street Arts invites you to a community mending night, where you can learn how to sew buttons and patches onto clothing. Bring some old clothing that you would like to practice on. This class will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 at 710 W. Historic Mitchell St.  More information here.
For National Skilled Trades Day, (May 1), Ezekiel Hope, a Milwaukee nonprofit organization, hopes to raise awareness about the dire need for workers in the skilled trades – an industry that pays family sustaining wages but is severely underrepresented by Black and Brown communities. Ezekiel will hold its inaugural awards breakfast, dubbed, “Training for the Future: Tools of the Trades,” at 8 a.m. on Wednesday May 1 at the Trade Hotel, 420 W. Juneau Ave.  Click here to purchase tickets. More information here.


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Big Clean MKE | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
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Photos: Residents spruce up Amani in honor of Earth Day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jonathan Perez
April 22, 2024
The Amani neighborhood held its third annual Earth Day cleanup on Saturday, April 20 at the Dominican Center, 2470 W. Locust St.
Community members got to engage with one another while cleaning.
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author: Jonathan Perez


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Young Enterprising Society hopes to empower young people with new podcast | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
April 22, 2024
Khalif El-Amin is on a mission to empower young people in Milwaukee to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
To carry this out,  El-Amin, cofounder of the Young Enterprising Society, or YES, has launched a new podcast, “Leef with the Legends,” featuring interviews with local and national legends from the worlds of sports, entertainment and business.
YES is a group that helps young entrepreneurs launch and grow businesses. It also runs a program for high school students that centers on science, technology, engineering, art and math.
El-Amin said the goal was for his live podcast to be more than just an event.
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“It’s a mission to motivate, inspire and mentor,” he said. “We want to bridge the gap between pro basketball players and people who are still on the journey.”
For a special episode, El-Amin hosted a live podcast with former Harlem Globetrotter Charles “Choo” Smith at Radio Milwaukee.
He invited some of Milwaukee’s top high school basketball teams, including Nicolet High School’s boys and girls basketball teams and Milwaukee Academy of Science’s girls basketball team, to participate in the discussion.
During the interview, Smith shared personal struggles and triumphs with the students.
He told students, “I’ve failed a ton of times and I’ve made a lot of mistakes but I kept going. And I surrounded myself with the right people that gave me the information I needed, not that I wanted.”
He talked to them about the realities of wanting to be a pro ballplayer.
“There have only ever been 5,000 NBA players in the league’s 77-year history,” Smith said. “Those statistics mean that none of you may make it.
When Que El-Amin, Khalif El-Amin’s brother and cofounder of the Young Enterprising Society, found out Smith would be in town to receive an award, he saw it as a perfect opportunity to have Smith as a guest on the podcast.
Smith, like Que El-Amin, works in real estate and shares the same passion about sports as Khalif El-Amin. All three are also passionate about youth and mentorship, so they leveraged this opportunity to collaborate on a live podcast
“We wanted to present other ways to be successful (outside of basketball),” Que El-Amin said. “And we are always looking for the opportunity to change the perception of places, like Milwaukee, that are deemed bad.”
Students and their coaches were able to ask questions during the podcast. Throughout the conversation, Smith discussed perseverance, mental health issues and what it looks like to consider career opportunities outside of basketball.
Listen to the full episode here


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Young Enterprising Society | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Tannette Elie
April 12, 2024