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Green Bay Packers, Kenny Clark, will lead Walk for Children May 18 at Next Door | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Next Door
May 12, 2019
Green Bay Packers Defensive Tackle, Kenny Clark, will be in Milwaukee Saturday, May 18, 2019 as the Walk Leader for Next Door’s largest community event of the year – the Walk for Children.
Clark will lead the crowd on a one-mile, parade-style Walk followed by a block party featuring stage entertainment with Clark, prizes, family-friendly activities and lunch. The proceeds from the Walk for Children benefit Next Door’s critical early childhood education programming for Milwaukee children living in poverty.
This 2019 Walk for Children comes during a momentous year for Next Door – the agency’s 50Anniversary!
Next Door will also celebrate the Walk’s Presenting Sponsor – the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. The company has served in this role since the Walk for Children began in 1989. This year, Harley-Davidson surpassed the $1 million mark in employee support for the Walk.
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Event registration begins at 9 a.m. at Next Door’s main campus at 2545 N. 29 Street. The Walk kicks off at 10 a.m. Guests can register the day of the event, however, Next Door encourages everyone to sign up in advance at www.nextdoormke.org.
This year’s block party attractions include:
For more information, contact Max Seigle at Next Door at (414) 999-2585 or at mseigle@nextdoormke.org.

author: Next Door


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5 things to know this week in Milwaukee: May 13 to May 18 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 13, 2019
Tricklebee Café is hosting a Healthy Choices workshop every Thursday during May. (File photo by Naomi Waxman)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put 5 things in the subject line by noon Friday.
1. ACTS Housing investment announcement: Monday, May 13
For the past several years, ACTS Housing has been on a fundraising campaign that has raised $2.1 million. ACTS Housing works with families struggling with financial or language barriers and plans to invest $1.3 million in loans toward families. At 4:30 p.m. Monday, community leaders, philanthropists and business leaders will meet to celebrate and discuss the investment at the housing office, 2414 W. Vliet St.
2. Downtown Bridge closed until 2020: All week
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Last week, the Michigan Street Vertical Lift Bridge over the Milwaukee River was closed for rehabilitation. The project will upgrade the structure, add traffic barrier railings, a new bike path and more. Construction will be completed in spring of 2020 and, in the meantime, traffic will be rerouted to E. Wisconsin Avenue and N. Water Street.
3. Vegan burger workshop: Thursday, May 16
Tricklebee Café, 4424 W. North Ave, will teach participants how to make homemade vegan burgers as part of its Healthy Choices Workshop. Trasus Wright will lead the class, which begins at 5 p.m. Thursday. The event is free, and all are welcome to a pay-what-you-can community dinner afterward.
4. MATC spring commencement: Friday, May 17
About 1,400 students will graduate during Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Spring Commencement Ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday at the UWM Panther Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. Joe Delgadillo, a retired businessman and MATC alumnus, will present the keynote address and receive MATC’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.
5. Ex Fabula: Season 10 Final Story Slam ALL STARS: Saturday, May 18
Ex Fabula’s 10th season is coming to end with its final StorySlam. This year’s theme is “Forgiveness.” All season long, audience members have voted for their favorite storytellers who will now compete for the Season 10 audience favorite. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 Vel R. Phillips Ave. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $12 and $15 at the door.

source: news-milwaukeenns

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

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 13, 2019

author: Adam Carr


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 12, 2019


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Business Resource Fair set for Tuesday | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Cavalier Johnson
May 13, 2019
Make plans to attend the Choice Neighborhood Business Resource Fair on Tuesday, May 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Victory Manor, 5556 N. 68 St.
This event is FREE!
Be a part of the renaissance! The Westlawn Gardens Choice Neighborhood is an area of growing opportunity for businesses of all sizes. Learn about resources for businesses in or interested in locating to the area (see area map attached):
4:00 – 7:00 pm: Visit booths staffed by representatives from Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corp., City of Milwaukee, Havenwoods Economic Development Corp., BizStarts, KIVA Micro-Loans, U.S. Small Business Association, CIBC Bank, African American Chamber of Commerce of WI, HUD National Section 3 Registry, Housing Authority and more.
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Workshops
4:15 – 5:15 pm: Work for Yourself @ 50+ Workshop: Are you age 50 and older? Whether you are looking to move into full-time entrepreneurship or just wanting to supplement your income with a side business, join us to learn how to get started.
5:30 – 6:30 pm: Take it to the Next Level: Join us to learn about the resources available to jump-start or grow your existing business in the Westlawn Gardens Choice Neighborhood.
Please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-resource-fair-westlawn-gardens-choice-neighborhood-tickets-61232282405 to sign up for the fair!

author: Ald. Cavalier Johnson


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CLOSEmsdf and Turner Hall collaborate on Jane’s Walk highlighting institutions of mass incarceration in Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
CLOSEmsdf
May 13, 2019
Join #CLOSEmsdf (https://closemsdf.org/) coalition members involved in the statewide campaign to close down the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility on a walking tour of Westown – the downtown area west of the Milwaukee river and East of I-43.
Come and learn just how our tax dollars are spent! Over the course of our walk, we will discuss the good, bad, and the ugly institutions which line this area of our city. You’ll learn the real history behind this part of Milwaukee from local historians and city planners, including Reggie Jackson, Ann Heidkamp, Mary Devitt, and more! The walk is free, but we do encourage you to grab a bite to eat afterwards and stay at Turner Hall for Ex Fabula‘s StorySlam, Forgiveness” which begins at 7:30pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/2286995924848782/.
THE BUILDINGS OF OUR WESTOWN WALK:
– We’ll start at Turner Hall Ballroom, where we will take a moment to remember those who have come before us in the fight for humanity, provide a brief history of the Turners and discuss Vel Phillips as we depart.
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– Then, we’ll continue past the Fiserv Forum, Panther Arena and Milwaukee Theater on to MATC.
– Next, we’ll move to the Municipal Courthouse, Channels 10/36 (PBS), & Police Headquarters, moving west along State Street.
– We’ll cross State Street to hear about the services at St Benedict the Moor and the St Anthony Project.
– On 10th street, we will stop at James Wilborn Park to discuss both MSDF and the County Jail.
– We will move south on 10th street following the Courthouse and continue East on Wells St to the Milwaukee Public Museum.
– The final leg of the walk will take us past the WI State Office Building and then under the Wisconsin Center, back to Turner Hall Ballroom.
After the walk, grab a quick bite to eat at any of the establishments near Old World Third St. and head back to Turner Hall for an amazing StorySlam with Ex Fabula – doors open at 6:30pm with the event starting at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://pabsttheater.org/event/exfabula2019/
This roughly 1-mile walk through Westown will take city streets/sidewalks and is an accessible route. We will walk in light rain, but cancel the walk if there is heavy down pouring.”
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Find more walks, bikes, and paddles at janeswalkmke.org/calendar.
Find out how to lead your OWN at janeswalkmke.org/walk-ideas.

author: CLOSEmsdf


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League of United Latin American Citizens convention expected to draw upward of 20,000 to Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 14, 2019
This will be Milwaukee’s second time hosting the LULAC National Convention since 2006. (Photo provided by LULAC)
In a year when issues such as immigration and a proposed wall at the Mexican border have become major political issues, the nation’s oldest and largest Hispanic organization will hold its convention in Milwaukee in July.
Hot-button issues will definitely be on the agenda at the convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, and several Democratic presidential candidates have been invited to speak.
Here’s a primer on the organization and the convention:
What is LULAC?
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The League of United Latin American Citizens began 90 years ago. Through nationwide councils, LULAC advocates for Hispanic Americans in areas including the economy, education, housing, politics, civil rights and more.
“LULAC has been a mainstay in our community forever,” said Jorge Franco, the CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin.
Why was it founded?
LULAC, which was founded on Feb. 17, 1929, began after World War I in Corpus Christi, Texas. Hispanic veterans, in addition to other civil groups, wanted to put an end to ethnic discrimination against Latinos. The groups combined forces to create LULAC, and from there it became a nationwide organization. These days, LULAC has a national headquarters in Washington D.C., multiple councils per state and a full-time staff. It has about 132,000 members throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
LULAC, the nation’s oldest and largest Hispanic organization, will be celebrating its 90th year. (Photo provided by LULAC)
When is the convention?
This year, the convention will take place July 10 – July 13 at the Wisconsin Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave., and will celebrate LULAC’s 90 anniversary. The last time a national LULAC convention took place in Milwaukee was 2006.
Sindy Benavides, the CEO of LULAC, said Milwaukee presented its bid for the 2019 convention three years ago and was chosen because of its “welcoming environment.”
What can people expect?
The convention will be broken down in several major events. There will be speakers, youth events, an exposition and more pertaining to a range of topics such as healthcare, education and immigration.
The list of invited speakers includes: Former U.S. President George W. Bush; Manuel Lopez Obrador, president of Mexico; Mayor Tom Barrett, and Democrats Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Julían Castro, Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Benavides said the convention will include a “town hall” meeting, an officers’ election, and several banquet events, including one for young adults. On the last day, everyone is invited to tailgate at the Brewers’ game against the San Francisco Giants.
Also included will be health services, a career and job fair and a sports clinic.
“We want to make sure our communities are exposed to different activities,” Benavides said.
Everyone is invited to visit the exposition and join the convention, but certain events will require a ticket, Benavides said.
Lindsey McKee, the meetings and conventions communications manager for VISIT Milwaukee, said that during the convention dates, Milwaukee will also be celebrating Bastille Days. LULAC visitors are welcome to join the celebration or explore Milwaukee’s neighborhoods including Clarke’s Square and Walker’s Point, the city’s prime Latino neighborhoods.
What impact will convention have on Milwaukee?
“Milwaukee can expect tremendous economic impact and brand image,” Franco said.
With an expected 15,000 to 20,000 visitors, the economic impact of the convention could be more than $2.5 million, McKee said.
“Many members make this their family vacation,” Benavides said.
The convention also will allow the nation to hear diverse voices, others say.
“LULAC holding their national convention in Milwaukee will provide a platform to lift up the needs of immigrant and Latinx communities in Wisconsin,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera.
How is Milwaukee preparing?
While LULAC councils will handle the convention and exposition, VISIT Milwaukee plans to welcome airport arrivals with banners, window clings and electronic signage both in the airport and elsewhere in Milwaukee. Visitors will also be welcomed at the convention centers and hotels. McKee said that VISIT Milwaukee volunteers will be on hand to offer assistance and recommendations on how to best enjoy Milwaukee.
How are local businesses, organization and communities prepping?
Laura Vazquez, the marketing administrator for the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, said that Wisconsin held its statewide LULAC convention on Saturday, May 11, at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. During the convention, state elections for board members were held and new councils will be introduced.
Vazquez said councils and the newly elected board will decide which groups will take the lead for the nationwide convention. She added that the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation will be helping out either with the convention or with Milwaukee Night.
More information can be found here.


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NNS reporter Analise Pruni discusses marijuana legislation on WGLB-AM 1560’s ‘Morning Mix’ | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
May 14, 2019
NNS reporter Analise Pruni joined WGLB-AM 1560’s “Morning Mix” to discuss marijuana policy and its implications for Milwaukee residents. Despite strong opposition from the Republican-controlled legislature, some policymakers are proposing local initiatives to address the racial disparities involved with marijuana-related arrests.
[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');</script><![endif]

author: Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 14, 2019
“Track 1” from Untitled – 05-10-19. Track 1.


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NNS Video: Youths take the stage by storm | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mark Doremus
May 14, 2019
Express Yourself Milwaukee, or EXYOMKE for short, uses arts education to heal, repair and inspire Milwaukee youths who’ve experienced trauma in their daily lives. That mission was reflected in this year’s show theme, “Kintsugi,” the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by filling cracks with gold or other precious metals. The end result celebrates the object’s history by restoring it without disguising the damage.
The event featured youths from Artworks for Milwaukee, Hopkins Lloyd Community School, Lad Lake, Lancaster School/Turnaround Arts, Mary McLeod Bethune Boys and Girls Club, the Norris Academy, Rashid House, Running Rebels, Westside Academy Children’s Outing Association and Wraparound Milwaukee, with representation from the Milwaukee County Accountability Program, the Milwaukee County Juvenile Detention Center and the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center School.

author: Mark Doremus


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Hank Aaron State Trail celebrates 20 years | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sue Vliet
May 15, 2019
City leaders and residents gathered earlier this month to celebrate the 20 anniversary of the Hank Aaron State Trail as well as the reopening of its west end.
During the ceremony, the Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail unveiled two of five sculptures in the “People of the Road” monument. Designed by artist Richard Taylor, the monument honors the men and women who worked for Milwaukee Road. The public art project will be visible to thousands daily at the corner of W. Canal Street and W. Milwaukee Road. Supporters have already contributed more than half of the funds to complete the monument. The Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail seeks additional support to install the remaining sculptures this year.

author: Sue Vliet


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‘It’s long overdue’: Bronzeville business owners welcome streetcar extension | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
May 15, 2019
Lilo Allen, one of the Bronzeville Collective MKE’s founders and owner of the handmade jewelry business Papyrus & Charms, hopes a streetcar extension into Bronzeville will bring new visitors into the area. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
When building a streetcar in Milwaukee was first being debated, Lilo Allen had concerns about what the cost would mean to the city and its taxpayers.
But now that the first section of The Hop has been built and is operating downtown, she wants to see a proposed extension into Bronzeville happen.
“We don’t have much city support that highlights a black community for a positive thing. So having the streetcar come through here is literally a visual highlight of all the progress that’s being made,” said Allen, one of the founders of Bronzeville Collective MKE and owner of Papyrus & Charms. The collective, and Allen’s handmade goods business within it, opened at 339 W. North Ave. in December.
Allen believes the proposed streetcar extension from downtown, north along King Drive to North Avenue, would bring more customers to Bronzeville businesses. It would provide easy access for tourists and visitors from other parts of the city to experience Bronzeville’s arts and culture. And, in addition to giving residents an easy way to travel downtown, the streetcar would slow auto traffic, creating safer, more pedestrian-friendly corridors.
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The Hop, which opened in November, runs on a loop through downtown and the Historic Third Ward between the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, 433 W. St. Paul Ave., and Burns Commons, at East Ogden and North Prospect avenues.
Earlier this month, Mayor Tom Barrett announced plans to extend The Hop to Wisconsin Avenue by next summer, while adding two additional legs into Bronzeville and Walker’s Point.
Feedback from residents and businesses gathered as part of a transit study, indicated strong support for the Bronzeville extension, said Deshea Agee, executive director of the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District No. 8.
It will help create an equitable economic development environment, he said. “And if we can connect the boundaries of our neighborhoods from the South Side to the North Side and downtown that will be good for bringing Milwaukee together.”
Ossie Kendrix, president of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, said he is optimistic the streetcar will attract residents who see opportunities to secure employment in the new entertainment district in and around the Fiserv Forum.
Natasha Jules, a co-owner of Jewels Caribbean restaurant, located just south of the intersection of North Avenue and King Drive, is enthusiastic about the streetcar coming to Bronzeville. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
Natasha Jules, a co-owner of her family’s restaurant, Jewels Caribbean, 2230 N. King Drive, would like to see the extension continue beyond Bronzeville to Capitol Drive so Messmer High School students and residents could benefit.
“It’s long overdue and I’m looking forward to it,” Jules said.
The downtown streetcar loop is not yet fully functional, noted James Phelps, president of JCP Construction, 1849 N. King Drive. “It only becomes an asset to the city once it starts extending into the surrounding neighborhoods, where it becomes a viable form of transportation, moving people around the neighborhoods,” he said.
Not everyone is happy with plans to expand The Hop.
In a May 6 statement, Ald. Bob Donovan and Ald. Mark A. Borkowski took Barrett to task, saying “the Mayor wants to expand a system that is not complete, that he cannot prove anyone rides, and that no one but him seems to want to pay for. Not one expansion, not two, but three. What madness is this?”
Ald. Nikiya Dodd said in a news release that Milwaukee should focus on fixing its roads. “To prioritize the expansion of the streetcar, rather than sticking to the task at hand and focusing our resources on the infrastructure repair backlog, sends a clear message that our residents’ voices are not being heard. “
And Ald. José G. Pérez said Latino neighborhoods must be included. “The City needs to commit to the planning and engineering work to bring the line into the Latino community,” he said in a news release. “‘Wait until next time’ is not a good enough answer.”

author: Andrea Waxman


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 14, 2019


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Bublr Bike Share Expansion Open Houses // Expansión de Bublr Bike Share Eventos abiertos | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Bublr Bikes
May 16, 2019
The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) will host two public open house meetings for residents to learn more about the City’s Bublr Bike Share expansion project. In an effort to better engage the public, Milwaukee DPW will be holding a meeting on the north side and a meeting on the south side. The materials and information will be similar at both meetings. Meetings will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2019, and Tuesday, June 4, 2019. The City is expanding Bublr Bike Share by 26 stations and approximately 250 bicycles. Attendees will have the opportunity to review the potential expansions sites and participate in interactive activities to suggest preferred station locations.
Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Media coverage is welcome and encouraged.
WHAT: Bublr Bike Share Expansion
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Open House #1
WHEN: Wednesday, May 22, 2019
4:00 – 7:00 PM
Open house format with brief presentations at 4:15 PM & 5:30 PM
WHERE: Mitchell Street Library – Community Room
906 Historic Mitchell Street
WHAT: Bublr Bike Share Expansion
Open House #2
WHEN: Tuesday, June 4, 2019
4:00 – 7:00 PM
Open house format with brief presentations at 4:15 PM & 5:30 PM
WHERE: Martin Luther King Library – Community Room
310 W. Locust St.
El Departamento de Obras Públicas de la Ciudad de Milwaukee (DPW) realizará dos reuniones abiertas para que los residentes obtengan más información sobre el proyecto de expansión de bicicletas Bublr Bike Share de la ciudad. En un esfuerzo por comunicarse mejor con el público, el DPTW de Milwaukee realizará una reunión en el norte de la ciudad y una en el sur de la ciudad. Ambas reuniones tendrán el mismo material e información. Las reuniones se llevarán a cabo el miércoles 22 de mayo de 2019 y el martes 4 de junio de 2019. La Ciudad expandirá el programa de bicicletas Bublr Bike Share 26 estaciones y aproximadamente 250 bicicletas. Los asistentes tendrán la oportunidad de revisar las posibles localidades de expansión y participar en actividades interactivas para sugerir localidades de estaciones preferidas.
Consulte el folleto adjunto para obtener más información.
Se espera y anima la cobertura de los medios de comunicación.
QUÉ: Expansión del programa de bicicletas Bublr Bike Share
Reunión abierta #1
CUÁNDO: Miércoles 22 de mayo de 2019
4:00 – 7:00 PM
Formato de reunión abierta con breves presentaciones a las 4:15 PM y a las 5:30 PM
DÓNDE: Mitchell Street Library – Salón comunitario
906 Historic Mitchell Street
QUÉ: Expansión del programa de bicicletas Bublr Bike Share
Reunión abierta #2
CUÁNDO: Martes 4 de junio de 2019
4:00 – 7:00 PM
Formato de reunión abierta con breves presentaciones a las 4:15 PM y a las 5:30 PM
DÓNDE: Martin Luther King Library – Community Room
310 W. Locust Street

author: Bublr Bikes


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 16, 2019


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Bike_Share_Expansion_Open_Houses_ESP copy | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 16, 2019


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 16, 2019
Bike_Share_Expansion_Open_Houses_ESP-copy


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Evicted exhibit to begin national tour in Milwaukee’s Near West Side | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Near West Side Partners, Inc
May 16, 2019
Beginning on Friday, June 21, the Evicted exhibition will debut at the Mobile Design Box in the Near West Side, the first stop on a national tour. The exhibit is free to the public and will be on display through September 30.
Previously on display in Washington D.C. at the National Building Museum, Evicted is an immersive exhibition that introduces visitors to the intimate, painful process of low-income renter eviction. Inspired by Matthew Desmond’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book about eviction in Milwaukee, the experience presents data developed by Desmond’s Eviction Lab and features original photography and audio examining reasons for and the fallout from eviction.
“We are looking forward to welcoming the Evicted exhibition to the Near West Side,” said Keith Stanley, Near West Side Partners Executive Director. “This exhibit provides an opportunity for us to bring awareness to an issue that impacts families throughout our Milwaukee community.”
“Evicted introduces an underreported topic by increasing awareness of tenant issues” said Sarah Leavitt, Ph.D., National Building Museum curator. “Housing is at the center of so much; in order to focus on education, health or other issues, stable housing is necessary.”
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The Near West Side and Milwaukee communities are invited to celebrate the exhibit’s grand opening on Friday, June 21 from 5 – 9 p.m. at the Mobile Design Box, located at 753 North 27 Street. Near West Side Partners thanks the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, the Zilber Family Foundation and anonymous donors for their generous support of this exhibition, as well as Wiegand Enterprises for the exhibit space.
In conjunction with Evicted, UWM’s School of Architecture & Urban Planning will also present Finding Home – Architectural Solutions to America’s Homeless Crisis, an exploration of homelessness in America from an architectural perspective and offering creative methods for temporary solutions.

author: Near West Side Partners, Inc


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‘It’s a no-win situation’: High-speed MPD chases continue to trigger concerns | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
May 16, 2019
The Milwaukee Police Department pursuit policy will be discussed during the May 16 Fire and Police Commission meeting. (Photo by Mark Doremus)
If you were on social media over the weekend, you probably saw the video.
A stolen Ford Escape tumbling end-over-end on North 45th and West Center Street after rear-ending a taxi and striking a pole — with police in hot pursuit.
The incident was just one in a string of headline-grabbing police chases that ended violently this spring — three of them fatal, with one involving a Milwaukee County sheriff.
Many of the crashes, including the one on Center, had unintended victims, whether it was through injury or having their property damaged. And as the chaotic scenes play out across the city, some residents fear becoming victims of high-speed chases and wonder whether they are the best way to stem crime.
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“Pursuits do more harm than good, and innocent people are getting hurt,” said Arnold Peabody, a Milwaukee resident who wants the chases to stop.
Others worry about the impact it would have if police stopped the pursuits.
“You don’t want innocent people in harm’s way, but at the same time if people know you can’t pursue them, then it could turn into the Wild Wild West real quick,” said Seth LaPalm, who lives on Milwaukee’s South Side.
This home on the corner of North 13th Street and West Capitol Drive in now vacant after a vehicle being chased by Milwaukee police crashed into it, starting a fire. The driver of the fleeing vehicle died in the crash. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
The Milwaukee Police Department reiterated this week that it will not be making changes to its pursuit policy, citing nine weekend pursuits that resulted in 11 arrests and netted illegal drugs and three guns.
“The Milwaukee Police Department is committed to reducing reckless driving and making the city a safe place to live, work and raise a family,” a statement released by the MPD said.
Gretchen Schuldt, executive director of the Wisconsin Justice Initiative, said there is no proof that the department’s pursuit policy is increasing safety.
“The Milwaukee Police Department needs to make sure it is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of officers and civilians, including innocent third parties, who might be injured in police chases. So far we don’t have evidence of that,” Schuldt wrote in an email to NNS.
The MPD pursuit policy is expected to be a heated topic of discussion during the May 16 Fire and Police Commission meeting.
Aside from the high-profile nature of recent police pursuits, chases in general have been increasing in Milwaukee, according to a report released in April by the Fire and Police Commission. The report showed that police chases increased from 369 to 940 from 2017 to 2018, with more than one-fourth of those chases resulting in accidents.
The increased numbers coincide with a 2015 stiffening of the pursuit policy that allowed pursuits to occur in incidents involving reckless driving or drug dealing. Sixty-seven percent of police chases last year began because of reckless driving,  according to the 2018 City of Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission Vehicle Pursuit Report.
The number of vehicle pursuits had dipped to just 50 in 2012, two years after MPD limited its pursuit policy to incidents that only involved a violent felony after several police chase deaths occurred. The change in policy resulted in an atmosphere where criminals assumed that police wouldn’t give chase, some observers said.
Ald. Bob Donovan, who supported stiffening the chase policy in 2015, remains steadfast that the solution is not to end pursuits. During a recent radio interview with WTMJ, he said people forget how bad things got when police stopped chasing.
“The mobile drug cars, the reckless driving, the running red lights, the speeding,” said Donovan, recalling the atmosphere in Milwaukee during that time period.
Local leaders also are concerned about the pursuits, which are part of the reason why a new youth-led anti-carjacking and reckless driving campaign from the city, in partnership with Ignite Media, Running Rebels and Unite MKE, is being launched next week, said Reggie Moore, executive director of the Office of Violence Prevention.
In addition, the City-County Carjacking and Reckless Driving Task Force is set to meet for the first time on Friday, May 17 at City Hall.
Among the topics likely to be discussed during that meeting and the Fire and Police Commission meeting is whether there are new police pursuit technologies that could help improve safety.
“It’s a no-win situation for the police and the community,” said Phillip Harris, who lives near the home on West Capitol Drive that burst into flames and was heavily damaged last month after a police chase resulted in the death of a man who fled officers.
“No one wants crime and no one wants innocent people to get hurt or to lose their property,” he said.

author: Edgar Mendez


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 15, 2019


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NCFL Grand National Tournament returns to Milwaukee Memorial Day weekend | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
National Catholic Forensic League
May 16, 2019
Milwaukee will be at the center of the action as thousands of the nation’s most talented teenage public speakers arrive to compete in the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament May 25 and 26.
This year, the annual competition is being hosted by the Milwaukee Catholic Forensic League with competition and tournament events at Marquette University, Milwaukee Area Technical College, the Miller High Life Theater, and several hotels in Downtown Milwaukee. Over 4,000 participants from across the country will be in attendance.
Qualifying high school students compete in three forms of debate as well as oratorical and performance events such as dramatic performance, extemporaneous speaking, and oral interpretation. Competition begins on Saturday, May 25, 2019, with final rounds Sunday, May 26, 2019.
The motto of the National Catholic Forensic League is “Leadership through Speech”. To that end, students and coaches will be working on their annual service project benefiting Milwaukee’s PATHFINDERS, an organization bringing hope and healing to youth in crisis.
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author: National Catholic Forensic League


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NNS Spotlight: Teen center in Sherman Park is where ‘technology meets expression’ | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Bridget Fogarty
May 16, 2019
“We want to give them the setting to be as creative as they can,” program manager Donte’ Daughtry says of the Teen Tech Center at the Mary Ryan Club, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd. (Photo by Bridget Fogarty)
Editor’s note: This story is part of an occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.
There’s a new place for teens who love technology in Milwaukee.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee recently opened its doors to a Teen Tech Center at the Mary Ryan Club, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd., and youths are starting to take advantage of the space and its state-of-the-art resources.
“It’s kind of where technology meets expression,” said Donte’ Daughtry, who serves as program manager. “We want to give them the setting to be as creative as they can.”
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Daughtry, who grew up going to the Mary Ryan Club since he was 6, said the tech center is a great addition to the other resources the Boys & Girls Clubs already provides Milwaukee youths.
A year ago, the Sherman Park club received a grant from Best Buy and The Clubhouse Network. Since 2012, Best Buy has partnered with the worldwide Clubhouse Network to create tech centers to youths in underserved communities and to help to address the nation’s opportunity gap.
The Sherman Park location is the first center in Wisconsin.
The tech center, the first in Wisconsin, features a recording studio and was made possible by a grant from Best Buy and The Clubhouse Network. (Photo by Bridget Fogarty)
The center’s room features 13 computers, four iMacs, a green screen, a wireless printer, a recording studio with a window to let students watch their peers and other resources to ensure students have access to a variety of technological platforms.
On a recent afternoon, 17-year-old Marcus Robinson sat at one computer as other students worked on their homework or experimented with various computer programs.
“I like hanging out with other teens here,” said Robinson, who has been going to the Mary Ryan Club for years. “This is keeping me from going home and being bored.”
Kathy Thornton-Bias, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, said bringing experiential learning to youths in Sherman Park is a “great example” of the impact of her organization.
“We have a chance to change children’s lives every single day,” Thornton-Bias said.
She said although there are distractions competing for a kid’s attention in today’s digital world, the tech room’s state-of-the-art equipment and community space fosters productive creativity.
Daughtry said the youths he works with are more eager to create content in the collaborative atmosphere than consume media at home.
“You’re able to allow them to be themselves within something,” Daughtry said, “which I think is the beauty of all this.”

author: Bridget Fogarty


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Adam Carr
May 15, 2019


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West African Art + Culture spend a week at Capitol West Academy | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
SaintA
May 16, 2019
West African Art + Culture at CWA
It’s a special week at Capitol West Academy as we prepare to host the group Ranky Tanky on Friday morning with shows at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. for staff and students. Ranky Tanky is a Charleston-based quintet that performs timeless music of Gullah culture.
Artist in Residency
Also this week, a number of students are participating in an art project with Fancis Affotey who will help students conceptualize, design and paint a series of canvasses inspired by themes from the Gullah musical group Ranky Tanky. Themes include the preserving culture through music and art and overcoming extreme obstacles. Students will present their canvases as a single mural Friday during the Ranky Tanky program.
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Ranky Tanky is in the area this week for a full performance at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts. Tickets are available. CWA thanks the Wilson Center for making this week of art and culture possible for our students!

author: SaintA


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5 things to do this weekend: May 17 to May 19 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 17, 2019
One of Milwaukee’s many activities offered this weekend is Trap & Paint night at Vibez Creative Arts Space, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave. (Photo provided by Vibez Creative Arts)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some events that can enrich your weekend. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put 5 things in the subject line by noon Thursday
1. Making Movies at the Latino Arts Auditorium: Friday, May 17
Making Movies, a band known for its Afro-Latino rhythms and psychedelic rock’n’roll, will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at the Latino Arts Auditorium, 1028 S. 9 St. The band plans to release an album this month, which features its single “No Te Calles.”
2. League of Women Voters’ roundtable discussion on lead: Saturday, May 18
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The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County is addressing Milwaukee’s lead issues through a series of roundtable discussions. The league’s goal is to help combat the number of lead-poisoning cases, which greatly affect children. This event begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Summit Place, 6737 W. Washington St., West Allis, in the Glass Patio Room. Those interested can register here.
3. Waistbeads, Whine Dance and Wellness Expo: Saturday, May 18
Pretty, Plus Size & Powerful is focusing on motherhood during its monthly exposition. The event starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Milwaukee Math and Science Academy, 110 W. Burleigh St., and will offer resources on sisterhood and support systems. Ticket prices range and can be purchased here.
4. Trap & Paint: Saturday, May 18
Vibez Creative Arts Space, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., is hosting another Trap & Paint night with Jackson. This night’s theme is “World Wide Edition,” and guests can enjoy trap music and drinks while painting. Tickets cost $35 and include painting materials, instructions and your first drink.
5. “No Menthol Sunday”: Sunday, May 19
“No Menthol Sunday” is a national day of observance. The Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network, along with city and faith leaders, health advocates and others, will use the day to spread information on how menthol tobacco use affects communities of color. Churches throughout the community will be distributing information through packets and sermons.


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Four graduates you should know and will likely work for one day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
May 17, 2019
Hard work eventually pays off.
Just ask these four soon-to-be graduates.
They told us how they persevered, what’s next in their lives and what advice they have for the students who will follow them and parents.
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Spoiler alert: Prepare to be inspired.
Isaac Wells, Ronald Reagan High School
Wells, 17, is one of only 161 high school seniors nationwide to be recognized for excellence in education as a Presidential Scholar, a U.S. government program that has honored excellence in education since 1964. He will receive his diploma on May 21.
Wells was born into poverty to a loving mother with a serious mental illness. He remembers being homeless, walking the streets with his mother when he was a toddler. He and his twin brother, Aaron, were put into foster care at 4 years old. Four years in what Isaac described as a stable, suburban foster home gave him the opportunity to escape “the hood mentality,” a mindset that believes tomorrow may never come. Instead, “I plan for the future,” he said.
The brothers returned to their mother for a short time but her condition necessitated going back into protective care in a Northwest Side group home. Despite having to travel three hours roundtrip to and from school on public transit, they have excelled academically and will be going to college at the end of the summer.
Isaac is interested in physics and engineering. He worked for aviation-related companies at Mitchell International Airport as a summer intern.  He will pursue engineering at the University of Wisconsin in Madison in August.
His advice to students is to stay open to opportunities to communicate with people and to new things. He said opening up to his school counselor about his interest in airplanes led to internships that taught him computer science.
For parents, Isaac advises not to push high schoolers into defined paths. Help them learn what opportunities there are and then allow them to follow their own interests, he said.
Jose Esparza, seen here in front of the United States Capitol in summer 2017, will begin an internship at the Wipfli accounting firm following his graduation from UWM. (Photo provided by Jose Esparza)
Jose Esparza, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Ezparza, 22, will be the first in his family to graduate from college May 19, after five years at UWM. He started with the intention of majoring in architecture but found it was not for him and switched to accounting.
Esparza came with his parents and younger brother to Milwaukee from the Mexican state of Zacatecas at age 5. He grew up on the South Side and still lives in the Polonia neighborhood with his family. A graduate of Veritas High School, he said his parents thought school was important, but they didn’t pressure him to attend college.
An internship at Wipfli, a Milwaukee-based top accounting firm, is the next step for Esparza.
His advice to younger students? Don’t freak out when things don’t go as expected. Just keep going forward with a positive attitude.
He said parents need to understand that college students “are being bombarded” and if their children aren’t spending as much time at home, it’s because they have more responsibility and are busy.
Jasmine Robinson, Milwaukee Area Technical College
Robinson, 24, has wanted to open her own daycare center since high school. On Friday, May 17, she’ll be one step closer to her goal, when she graduates from MATC with an associate degree in early childhood education.
Robinson, who is graduating with a 3.5 cumulative GPA, said her biggest challenge during college was attending evening classes. As the mother of a 3-year-old, Robinson had to balance schoolwork with her son.
Robinson plans to continue school and obtain a degree in social work. Her advice to students is to “keep going no matter what.” Students will face a lot of obstacles, but they need to keep trying, she said.
She added that parents need to be spiritually, financially and emotionally supportive to their children as they journey through their college career.
Djdade Denson, Marquette University
Denson, 23, grew up in the 53206 ZIP code, which has one of the highest incarceration rates in the state and contains some of the city’s most troubled neighborhoods.
As a boy, he attended University School, and he’ll graduate from Marquette University with a degree in environmental engineering.
Djdade Denson hopes to give back to the community he grew up in. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
“Engineers are people who basically build the future for everyone around them,” he said.
He noted that there aren’t a lot of engineers in 53206, and he wants to change that. Through his degree, Denson hopes to plan and create a better future for his community through initiatives such as youth mentorship.
Denson said some of the challenges he faced included navigating how the school system works. Strong friendships, study partners, relationships with his teachers and networking opportunities helped guide him through school.
“Whether you feel like you deserve to be here or not, you are here, so use the best of your opportunities,” is his advice to students pursuing college degrees.
He encourages parents to be involved with their children, to know what they’re studying and to send care packages.


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Adam Carr
May 16, 2019


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Adam Carr
May 16, 2019


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47865112401_b3e63b0ab5_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 16, 2019


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5 things to know this week in Milwaukee: May 20 to May 25 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 20, 2019
Alice’s Garden is hosting a plant sale on Monday, May 20. (File photo by Sue Vliet)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put 5 things in the subject line by noon Friday.
1. Project Clean & Green pickup: Monday, May 20 through May 27
Milwaukee residents who live in Zone 3, which is made up of Aldermanic Districts 1 and 7 and sections of Aldermanic Districts 2 and 6, are reminded that May 20 through May 27 is their Clean & Green week. The Department of Public Works will pick up unwanted bulky items such as furniture, mattresses, grass and tree clippings, tires and other household items. The pickup is free and will take place on your regular garbage collection day. For questions, call (414) 286-CITY (2489).
2. Garden plant sale: Monday, May 20
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Alice’s Garden, 2136 N. 21 St., is hosting a garden plant sale starting at 5 p.m. Herb and vegetable plants and organic plant material will be available to purchase.
3. Pinto con Tinto: Tuesday, May 21
Latino Arts is hosting a Pinto con Tinto on the rooftop of 88Nine Radio Milwaukee, 220 E. Pittsburgh Ave. Participants are invited to get creative as they color and paint Milwaukee-themed “Loteria” cards, which depict cultural icons of Milwaukee. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased on mivoz.com.
4. Meetings on Bublr bike share expansion: Wednesday, May 22
The Department of Public Works plans to expand the city’s Bublr bike share program with 26 stations and 250 bicycles. Several meetings will be held to discuss potential locations. The first meeting will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 at the Mitchell Street Library, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St. Spanish interpretation will be provided.
5. Heal the Hood MKE block party: Saturday, May 25
This year marks the eighth annual Heal the Hood block party at North 10 Street and West Atkinson Street. The party starts at noon and will feature music by B-Free and Homer Blow as well as shows by the Milwaukee Flyers tumbling team. There also will be vendors, free food, face painting and more.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 19, 2019


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NNS on Lake Effect: High-speed MPD chases continue to trigger concerns | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
May 20, 2019
The Milwaukee Police Department pursuit policy will be discussed during the May 16 Fire and Police Commission meeting. (Photo by Mark Doremus)
NNS reporter Edgar Mendez, goes on the air with Lake Effect’s Mitch Teich to discuss the impact of Milwaukee police vehicle pursuits. Police chases have increased from 369 to 940 from 2017 to 2018, the result of a change in the department’s chase policy.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 20, 2019
“0520a”.


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NNS Spotlight: ‘We set them up for success’: How one youth workforce program is transforming lives | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 21, 2019
Middle school participants work on an art activity led by teen leaders Maya Randolph and Ceejay Johnson. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
Editor’s note: This story is part of an occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.
When JaQuawn Seals was 16 years old, his life was following a trajectory that would probably have resulted in jail time or his death. As a gang member, Seals wasn’t making good decisions, but he eventually made a choice that changed everything.
Through Employ Milwaukee, Seals learned about Neu-Life, an organization that aims to “empower children and youth with skills and strategies to make better life choices.” He applied and began working at Neu-Life as a teen leader, where one of his first projects was Beasty Barrels, a small business that custom-painted rain barrels. Nine years later, Seals continues to work at Neu-Life as a site coordinator.
“Coming to Neu-Life saved my life,” he said. “It made me feel that I could come here and make better choices.”
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In April, Neu-Life officially launched its Youth Workforce Innovation Center at 2014 W. North Ave. The space, which doubles as the organization’s headquarters, was recently renovated and includes classrooms, offices and storage rooms.
Learning to lead
Maya Randolph, 18, attends Messmer High School and for the past three years she’s been coming to Neu-Life. She is a part of the Farmfork team and a teen leader for the middle school participants. As part of her job, she leads the middle schoolers through various activities such as art.
When she first came to Neu-Life, Randolph felt nervous. On her first day, she arrived before anyone else. When she met the rest of the teens, Randolph recalled how excited and friendly everyone was.
JaQuawn Seals, who has been with Neu-Life for nine years, says the organization gave him the skills to become a leader. “Coming to Neu-Life saved my life,” he says. “It made me feel that I could come here and make better choices.” (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
“It made me more of an extrovert,” Randolph said. “I used to be a very shy person and I wasn’t comfortable talking to other people.”
Neu-Life pays its teen employees $8 an hour and during a typical week, they work 10 to 15 hours. Its middle schoolers receive a monthly stipend. The work experience helps the students develop life skills and pursue different interests.
Jody Rhodes, the executive director, said the students are given choices on the projects they can work on. The youths rank their choices based on their interests.
“Their voice is important,” said Rhodes. “We want them to choose something of interest that keeps them engaged.”
Ceejay Johnson, 18, a Hamilton High School senior, began coming to Neu-Life shortly before her freshman year. During that first year a lot of the activities focused on the garden, she said, but since then, her focus has shifted more to art.
As an amateur photographer, Johnson has become the Neu-Life documentarian. After she graduates, she plans to lead a photography class for middle schoolers. As part of her job before she becomes a main staffer, Johnson works as a teen leader for the middle schoolers. She’s taken the skills she’s acquired through Neu-Life and passed them on.
As a leader, she’s helped the middle schoolers learn how to communicate. Initially, they didn’t want to speak to each other, she said.
“My voice got power,” she said. “I used to think I didn’t want to do this stuff, but I like being a positive role model for the little kids.”
Rhodes said Neu-Life stresses “soft skills” such as communication and public speaking. Rhodes said 55 percent of the staff is made up of former youths who went through the program.
“We set them up for success,” she said, adding that Neu-Life helps youths navigate through life even after they leave.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 20, 2019


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Alverno College, Ascension Wisconsin Announce Letter of Intent for Strategic Alliance | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alverno College
May 22, 2019
Alverno College and Ascension Wisconsin have signed a letter of intent to establish a strategic alliance to improve the health of the state’s residents, Alverno President Dr. Andrea Lee and Bernie Sherry, Ministry Market Executive for Ascension Wisconsin, announced Tuesday.
This relationship will amplify the existing clinical relationship between the two Catholic institutions and seeks to further develop a skilled, mission-driven workforce to help meet the needs of the state’s rapidly evolving healthcare environment. It also will further advance the initiatives of Alverno and Ascension Wisconsin, grounded in their shared Catholic and Franciscan values, to strategically drive improved health outcomes for the state’s residents.
Alverno will expand its existing academic degree, certificate and credential programs in healthcare and develop new programs. This includes degrees and continuing education opportunities for employees at Ascension Wisconsin’s 24 hospital campuses and more than 100 clinics statewide. Ascension Wisconsin will provide expanded access for Alverno students to the clinical education experiences necessary in their preparation as healthcare professionals. This includes clinical placements and career placement opportunities within Ascension Wisconsin’s statewide integrated system of care.
“This is a logical and desirable alliance for Alverno College,” Sister Andrea said. “Providing accessible, high-quality and affordable healthcare to residents of the city, region and state, especially for those with limited access to care, is a highly recognized characteristic of Alverno healthcare professionals and of Ascension Wisconsin associates.”
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“As an anchor in communities from Racine to Eagle River, Ascension Wisconsin is focused on providing compassionate, personalized care to all people, especially those living in poverty and who are most vulnerable,” Sherry said. “This alliance will build on our shared commitment to strengthen educational opportunities for the next generation of nurses, with a focus on increasing diversity in the workforce.”
As part of the Alverno-Ascension Wisconsin strategic alliance, leaders of the two institutions have signed a letter of intent and are engaged in serious discussions to combine Alverno’s JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing and Health Professions and the 118-year-old Columbia College of Nursing (CCON), part of Ascension Wisconsin, located in Glendale, Wis., subject to receipt of all necessary approvals. Once finalized, CCON’s coeducational programs will be administratively housed in Alverno’s School of Adult Learning and New Initiatives, with curricular oversight by the JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing and Health Professions.
“We are eager to collaborate with our CCON nursing colleagues and are especially interested in the possibility of expanding our footprint with a north side presence,” said Patricia Varga, Ph.D., dean of Alverno’s JoAnn McGrath School of Nursing and Health Professions.
“We share a passion for excellent nurse preparation,” explained Heather Vartanian, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, president and dean of Columbia College of Nursing. “Collaborating around our shared mission in healthcare education will only enhance our capacity to contribute positively to the evolution of healthcare delivery in the region.”
“Healthcare is changing rapidly, so rapidly that demand for skilled healthcare providers cannot keep pace with the need, a clear indicator of the power of alliances such as this and others across the region,” Sister Andrea said. “Ascension Wisconsin and Alverno educators will have significant roles in advancing important conversations on healthcare delivery in the future. We are excited to continue the conversation and to move quickly to action.”
Given that the Alverno and Ascension Wisconsin’s strategic alliance will not be exclusive, both Alverno and Ascension Wisconsin will continue their current and emerging business relationships with other institutions and healthcare systems.
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About Alverno College
Founded in 1887, Alverno College is a four-year, Catholic liberal arts college sponsored by the School Sisters of St. Francis. Student learning and personal and professional development are the central focus of everyone in the Alverno College community. The college also offers graduate programs, including doctorates in Nursing and Education, and growth in graduate enrollment is a primary strategic goal. In fall 2019, Alverno College enrolled about 1,700 students in its undergraduate programs for women and its graduate, two-year and degree completion programs for women and men.
The college was ranked among the top four Midwest Regional Universities in the 2019 U.S. News & World Report “Strong Commitment to Teaching” category and highest in Wisconsin for the eighth consecutive year. In addition, Alverno consistently ranks among the top regional universities in the Midwest in the “Most Innovative Schools” category and is Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution.
About Ascension Wisconsin
Ascension Wisconsin (ascension.org/wisconsin) operates 24 hospital campuses, more than 100 related healthcare facilities and employs more than 1,300 primary and specialty care clinicians from Racine to Eagle River. Serving Wisconsin since 1848, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. As such, Ascension Wisconsin provided more than $292 million in community benefit, including care of persons living in poverty in Fiscal Year 2018. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension operates 2,600 sites of care – including 151 hospitals and more than 50 senior living facilities – in 21 states and the District of Columbia.

author: Alverno College


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Alverno aerial 1500.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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May 21, 2019

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‘Death of service in Milwaukee’? Milwaukee County Transit System weighs cutting more routes | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 22, 2019
The Milwaukee County Transit System is looking for other funding sources to avoid reducing or eliminating bus service. (Photo courtesy of MCTS)
Editor’s note: This story is updated to clarify the amount of the transportation funding increase for the budget and to correct the first name of the Milwaukee County Transit System’s managing director.
The Milwaukee County Transit System is considering reducing bus service by 10 percent in 2020 to deal with a $6.4 million budget deficit.
To balance the budget this year, the transit system has already reduced travel and training expenses, cut advertising, eliminated administrative positions and canceled requests for new positions.
The transit system operates largely with state funding, with some federal and local aid. Because the state controls the amount of money that flows into transit, there’s not much that can be done on a local level, Dan Boehm, the MCTS managing director, said.
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The County Board of Supervisors will examine all county budgets, and a decision will be made on any cuts in service by fall.
MCTS will examine each bus route to determine where changes can be made, Boehm said.
In the past, County Executive Chris Abele proposed increasing the wheel tax, since most of the fees help fund MCTS. Boehm said raising the wheel tax is about the only option the county has left.
Nick DeMarsh, a member of the Milwaukee Transit Riders Union, said the union plans to connect with county leaders and push for an increase of the vehicle registration fee.
The Milwaukee Transit Riders Union wants to see bus service improve not reduced. (Photo provided by Milwaukee Transit Riders Union)
DeMarsh said bus riders have been through a lot, with fare increases, cut lines and reduced service.
“The possibility of cutting service means the death of service in Milwaukee,” DeMarsh said.
The union hoped that a new governor would give transit operations a chance to improve.
Gov. Tony Evers’ proposed budget includes a transportation funding increase. If it went through, MCTS would receive an additional $1.6 million for 2020.
DeMarsh said he hopes that county leaders start recognizing the importance of transit in Milwaukee. It helps people get to their jobs and is essential to reducing emissions, he said.
If any changes are made, DeMarsh said the union would like to see an improved transit system not a reduced one. The union would like a more efficient system where buses come more frequently as well as  service lanes dedicated to buses.


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Dwayne Burtin
May 22, 2019

author: Dwayne Burtin


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Dwayne Burtin
May 22, 2019


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NNS Spotlight: Reggie Reed wanted to help the community. His solution was an employment agency. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 23, 2019
“A lot of the world has served itself, and I wanted to create something that serves others,” Reggie Reed says of Mindful Staffing Solutions. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
Editor’s note: This story updates to correct the spelling of Branden Fitzhugh’s first name.
Editor’s note: This story is part of an occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.
Most people would shy away from walking across a roof, but for Branden Fitzhugh, it’s all part of a day’s work.
Since October 2018, Fitzhugh has been working for Arch Electric, which specializes in solar panel installation.
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“I could be on the edge of the roof and know I’m not going to fall,” said Fitzhugh, whose job requires him to carry solar panels.
Fitzhugh joined Arch Electric through Mindful Staffing Solutions, an employment agency located at 3227 N. 31st St. Before Mindful, Fitzhugh had been working in home improvement and insulation. He heard about the agency through a friend.
In August 2018, Fitzhugh began taking classes for construction, which he completed in October.
At Mindful, classes last 10 weeks and start at 7:30 a.m. with an hour of physical endurance. The trainees then spend the rest of the day learning the skills they’ll need to succeed in their future jobs.
Reggie Reed started Mindful Staffing Solutions three years ago with the goal of connecting people to job opportunities.
“A lot of the world has served itself, and I wanted to create something that serves others,” Reed said.
Reed grew up in 53206 ZIP code, one of the areas in Milwaukee that is challenged by high incarceration, poverty and health concerns.
When he was around 10 years old, Reed realized that the behavior he was being taught wasn’t normal.
“You were always caught between doing what you need to do and what you should do,” he said.
At 19, he started working as a general laborer. Several years later, he founded his first company. And at 32 years old, he created Mindful Staffing Solutions.
At Mindful, a worker’s performance and attitude are assessed with a point system. The trainees even receive report cards.
A trainee can be dropped because of poor attendance or failed tests.
“Sometimes you got to let [them] go,” Reed said. “You can’t want something more than people want it themselves.”
Reed said he’s trying to turn the workforce into a level playing field.
Branden Fitzhugh says Mindful Staffing Solutions wants its trainees to succeed but they have to put in the work. “You got to start at the bottom and work to the top,” he says. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
Mindful trainees are placed in positions at companies or contractors that match their interests and skills. It pays them industry standards for their work, and sometimes a company will hire the person for a permanent position.
Fitzhugh, who plans to be an electrician, said he hopes to stay with Mindful forever. Through Mindful, he’s able to work at Arch Electric as well as additional jobs during the off season. Even though he already had some experience, Mindful made him a better worker, he said.
“You got to start at the bottom and work to the top,” he said.
In the future, Reed hopes to get a bigger facility and start offering more programs in fields such as manufacturing, hospitality and health. In the next 10 to 15 years, the goal is to make Mindful a full-blown tech college.
In the meantime, Reed wants people to realize that Mindful Staffing Solution’s platform, which is based on free education and an unbiased hiring process, can be replicated anywhere in America.
“That’s what this is about,” he said.

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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DSC_0006 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 22, 2019


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DSC_0019 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 22, 2019


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5 things to do this weekend: May 24 to May 26 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 24, 2019
LIT is celebrating the end of the year with a citywide meeting and a barbeque luncheon. (Photo provided by LIT)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some events that can enrich your weekend. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing!
Bonus: Heal the Hood MKE block party
This year marks the at North 10th Street and West Atkinson Street. The party  and will feature music by B-Free and Homer Blow as well as shows by the Milwaukee Flyers tumbling team. There also will be vendors, free food, face painting and more.


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LIT 5 things | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 23, 2019


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Social X MKE homecoming week 2019 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Social X MKE
May 24, 2019
Social X MKE is a young professional (YP) diversity and inclusion consulting group. We create and provide a connective platform for diverse YPs, businesses and corporations to successfully thrive in Greater Milwaukee and surrounding areas. Homecoming Week, June 17 – 23, 2019, will bring recent college graduates and young professionals together for a week of networking, professional development, health & wellness, and social impact in the city they call home.
Monday, June 17, 2019 | Minding Your Mental
Rise & Grind Cafe | 2737 N. Dr. MLK Jr Dr. | Milwaukee, WI 53212
Registration 5:30pm | Program 6:00pm
Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness in a given year and 1 in 25
will experience a serious mental illness that substantially interferes with major life activities.
Social X MKE wants to spark the conversation! Attendees will be educated on trauma,
depression, and anxiety by a panel of well rounded experts and walk away with practices to
cope with these illnesses.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 | Run the Yard 5K
Urban Ecology Center – Menomonee Valley | 3700 W Pierce St. | Milwaukee, WI 53215
Registration 5:30pm | Race 6:30pm
Social X MKE’s run crew, F.E.A.R. (Forget Everything and Run) invites you to join us for 3rd
annual run. Lace up those sneakers and get ready for a fun run on the Hank Aaron Trail. This
year we will have a Kids Dash before the 5k Run. Afterwards we celebrate with a block
party. Enjoy refreshments, music, and giveaways with your registration
Wednesday, June 19, 2019 | Wealth. Ownership. Equity
Location TBD
Registration 5:30pm | Program 6:00pm
In our communities the conversation on each topic has lacked the proper exposure for
decades. Join us as we host this interactive discussion with our panelists that are investing
in companies, promoting the creation of businesses, and pushing the importance of real
estate ownership.
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Thursday, June 20, 2019 | MKE Xpress Tour
Location TBD
Registration 5:30pm | Bus Departs at 6:00pm and returns at 10pm.
All aboard! Hop onto a tour of Milwaukee unlike any other. You will visit the city’s most
diverse neighborhoods giving riders a peek into the city’s most precious gems. At each stop
we will grab a bite or drink and hear from a special guest about the various landmarks,
neighborhoods, and surrounding venues.
Friday, June 21, 2019 | House Party
The Miramar Theatre | 2844 N. Oakland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211
Doors Open at 10pm
Every now and then, professional need a moment to get loose, escaping our corporate
9-to-5 lifestyle. House Party is an ode to the good ole college party days. Come sweat it out
on the dancefloor to music from the 90s and early 00s courtesy.
Saturday, June 22, 2019 | Fondy Farmers Market Beautification Project
Fondy Farmers Market | 2200 W. Fond Du Lac Ave. | Milwaukee, WI 53206
Registration: 8:30am | Project Starts at 9:00am – 12pm
The Fondy Food Center connects Greater Milwaukee to local, fresh food – from farm to
market to table – so that children learn better, adults live healthier, and communities
celebrate cultural food traditions. Social X MKE will be volunteering to help clean up and
beautify the market on opening day!

author: Social X MKE


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social x media 1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 24, 2019


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5 things to know in Milwaukee: May 27 to June 1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 27, 2019
Vegan soul food home photo: Participants will join Vegan Soul at Tricklebee Café to learn how to make meat substitutes as an alternative to classic soul food dishes. (Photo provided by Vegan Soul)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put 5 things in the subject line by
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VEGANSOULFOOD | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 26, 2019


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Four week summer media camp for teens | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sports Media Institute
May 28, 2019

author: Sports Media Institute


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Screenshot 2019-05-28 15.42 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 28, 2019


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SMI MEDIA Release1 Summer | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 28, 2019


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NNS Spotlight: ‘We want to be part of the conversation’: Group aims to elevate fellow Asian Pacific Americans | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
May 28, 2019
Cris Ros-Dukler (from left), Erik Kennedy, Shary Tran and Kenny Yoo celebrate at the 2019 Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee Five Star Gala on May 9, 2019, at the Pfister Hotel. (Photo by Kenny Yoo)
Editor’s note: This story is part of an occasional series that highlights groups and people worth knowing in Milwaukee. To nominate a person or a group, email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “Spotlight” in the subject line.
To mark Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May two years ago, three Milwaukeeans of Asian descent launched a Facebook page that highlighted little-known facts about Asian American heritage, history and culture.
Their goal: to elevate their community and its members by raising awareness of their presence.
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“That’s how people started hearing about the movement we were trying to create,” said May yer Thao, executive director of the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce.
Thao, whose family came to the U.S. from Laos, along with Shary Tran, director of diversity and inclusion at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, and Erik Kennedy founded the organization ElevAsian.
A play on the word “elevation,” ElevAsian evolved after Thao, Tran and Kennedy would see each other repeatedly at community events.
Erik Kennedy (left), Malika Siker (second from right) and Shary Tran (right) attend the March 7, 2019, Professional Dimensions Sacagawea Awards at the Pfister Hotel to support fellow ElevAsian member May yer Thao (second from left), one of the two awardees. (Photo provided by ElevAsian)
“We’re usually the only Asian Americans in the room,” said Tran, whose family came to America as refugees after the Vietnam War.  Korean-born Kennedy was adopted into an American family as an infant.
Though Asian Americans comprise just 4 percent of city residents, according to a July 2018 update of the U.S. Census, Tran said Wisconsin is seeing a surge in immigrants from Asia, especially from Burma.
A group like ElevAsian is needed because when people think about minority issues in the community, they don’t always consider Asian Americans as part of that story, Tran said.
The founders have worked to remind community foundations and organizations not to overlook Milwaukee’s Asian Americans when they invite people to work on community issues and projects.
Since launching the private Facebook group in 2017, which now has about 40 members, ElevAsian has organized outings to events that feature Asian Americans.
When Malika Siker, an oncologist and Medical College professor, and Kennedy were recently recognized among the Business Journal’s “40 under 40.” ElevAsian members attended the celebration to show support, Kennedy said.
Siker, who hails from Janesville, is the daughter of Indonesian and Jewish parents.
The group also organized outings to a Milwaukee Wave soccer game in support of team captain Tenzin Rampa, a Tibetan American, and the recent Milwaukee Rep production of the play, “The Chinese Lady.”
“We want to elevate individuals and support local Asian organizations, businesses and restaurants because we want to see them thrive,” said Kennedy, community relations senior coordinator at Advocate Aurora Health.
He added that ElevAsian wants to “be a resource and also be a part of the conversation and be visible. “
To connect with ElevAsian, send an email to May yer Thao at mayyer@hmongchamber.org.


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ElevAsian 5 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 27, 2019


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Photo of Kenny Yoo celebrating with friends | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 27, 2019


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Adult graduates finally get their day in the spotlight | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mark Doremus
May 29, 2019
About 225 students were honored May 22, 2019, for earning General Educational Development, or GED, certificates, High School Equivalency diplomas and Emerging Scholars diplomas during a special ceremony at Milwaukee Area Technical College’s downtown campus.
The ceremony recognized students graduating from Milwaukee Area Technical College and 24 community-based educational partners. Speakers included Kyle Hayden, MATC student services specialist and 2019 MATC adviser of the year; Vicki J. Martin, MATC president; Mohammad Dakwar, MATC provost; Regina O. Smith, MATC dean of the School of Pre-College Education; and Jacklyn Isabell, a graduate representing Literacy Services of Wisconsin.
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OPINION: The Bucks may have lost, but Milwaukee definitely won | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 29, 2019
Editor’s note: Got something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org.
Winning sports teams have a way of bringing people together.
The recent thrilling NBA playoff run by our beloved Milwaukee Bucks — our most successful in 20 years — serves as a great example. The Deer District was bustling with activity and the large crowds were reflective of the diversity that can be found in our great city — which usually may be harder to spot.
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(Photo provided by the Milwaukee Bucks)
Milwaukee is recognized nationally as America’s most segregated major city. Over the past few years, reports have shown up in Huffington Post, NPR, USA Today and CNN, to name a few, documenting the issues of segregation and racial disparity looming over our otherwise very culturally diverse city.
Milwaukee Bucks starter Malcolm Brogdon was profiled in an interview with The Guardian, where he is quoted as saying: “Before I came to Milwaukee I’d heard the city was the most segregated in the country. I’d heard it was racist. When I got here it was extremely segregated. I’ve never lived in a city this segregated. Milwaukee’s very behind in terms of being progressive. There are things that need to change rapidly.”
Can the Bucks, and other local sports teams, be a catalyst in the city’s progression? It seems as if they can.
Although they were ousted from the playoffs after losing to the Toronto Raptors in six games, the Bucks rallied together fans of all ages, races and backgrounds, and they energized the spirit of our city.
The local camaraderie didn’t go unnoticed. Some supporters shared their sentiments on social media:
If there is anything to be learned from this, it’s that if something as simple as winning at sports can cause people of different backgrounds to come together, then we probably aren’t all that far apart to begin with.
So where do we go from here?
I hope that future events in the Deer District continue to bridge audiences and draw large diverse crowds.
I also hope our local teams recognize the influence they have and take it as a challenge to create opportunities that bring people together, even when we aren’t knee deep in the playoffs.
We also have to do more ourselves. If we want the city to be better, we have to be better and not just for our local sports teams.
That being said, here’s to hoping the Brew Crew has a great postseason run this October.
Have any ideas? Share your thoughts in the comments.


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bucks-foundation-testimonial-1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 28, 2019


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NNS Spotlight: ‘I want to help people feel the way I feel’: How business is also pleasure for this entrepreneur | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 30, 2019
Joanna Brooks says her ultimate dream is to open a retreat center where people can practice yoga, meditate and eat healthy. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
The first time Joanna Brooks did hot yoga, she hated it.
Despite her initial dislike, Brooks found herself returning to the studio enough times to become a regular. Now, several years since that original class, Brooks is not only a yoga instructor but she’s a studio owner.
Brooks’ studio, Embody Yoga, is located on the third floor of Sherman Phoenix at 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave.  It was one of 27 businesses that opened this past November during the Sherman Phoenix’s grand opening.
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In 2016, the Yoga Journal and the Yoga Alliance released a report that found of the 36.7 million yoga practitioners in America, 72 percent were women and 28 percent were men. Of that, 45 percent said they practiced at a studio.
During the Sherman Phoenix construction project, Joanna Brooks spoke with the designers to express what she envisioned for the studio space. (Photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
Brooks, a Milwaukee native, began practicing yoga in middle school. As her siblings prepared for the school, the commotion would wake Brooks up and she’d turn on the TV to find something to watch.
While flipping through the channels, Brooks came across an “old white lady” doing yoga.
Intrigued, Brooks began following along. The lady, Lilias Folan, was known throughout the nation for her PBS show, “Lilias, Yoga and You.”
“I loved it,” Brooks said. “I can’t articulate why, but it felt really good.”
Eventually, Brooks traded in yoga for aerobics and running in high school and later dance as an undergraduate at Marquette University. Then, one day Brooks decided to try yoga again.
“I used to hate hot yoga,” Brooks said, who first took a Bikram yoga class where the room is kept at 105 degrees.
The first 10 to 15 minutes were OK, she said. But then she took a break and never got back up.
Over time, Brooks started going back and in 2014, she became a registered yoga instructor.
The idea to start her own practice came to Brooks during “savasana” or “corpse pose,” the final relaxation pose taken at the end of each practice.
“The idea came so clearly,” she said. “I want to help people feel the way I feel.”
As an instructor, she began teaching at other studios before starting Embody Yoga.
“I had this idea in my mind that I had to teach for several or 10 years before opening my own studio,” Brooks said.
At the beginning, Embody Yoga was simply a yoga business. Brooks taught classes on the north and south side. She held practices in churches, studios and Walnut Way. When she hosted special yoga events, she found that almost 98 percent of the participants were women of color.
Through feedback, Brooks learned that more people would do yoga if she had a studio.
“Then I was presented with the opportunity to have a studio at Sherman Phoenix,” she said.
At first, the thought seemed daunting, but Brooks didn’t let her doubt stop her.
Several months in, Brooks is glad she now has a “professional space.” The classes are fuller, she’s hired more instructors and now Embody Yoga is her full-time job.


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Dwayne Burtin
May 29, 2019


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Dwayne Burtin
May 29, 2019


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OPINION: Where are the teeth? The Fire and Police Commission has no business serving as the MPD’s watchdog | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Paul Mozina
May 30, 2019
The Wisconsin State Statutes §62.50(1m), City of Milwaukee Charter Ordinances Chapter 314, and the Fire and Police Commission’s own rules and website all declare that the FPC is responsible for all aspects of the operations of the police and fire departments.
The reality is that at some point, whether by design, lack of resources, or lack of backbone, the FPC stopped monitoring the operations of the Milwaukee Police Department.
This was called out in the 2006  “Promoting Police Accountability in Milwaukee: Strengthening the Fire and Police Commission” report presented by the Police Assessment Resource Center (PARC), in the 2017 DOJ Collaborative Reform Initiative Findings and Recommendations and again in the ACLU “Stop and Frisk” Settlement Agreement and Court Order.  You would think that, as a defendant under court orders to make significant changes in the way they monitor the MPD’s operations, that the FPC Board of Commissioners would have finally “gotten the memo.”
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(File photo by Edgar Mendez)
Unfortunately, most of the FPC’s commissioners are in a state of denial regarding their obligations to monitor the operations of the MPD.  This was painfully evident during the hearing of FPC File no. FPC19193 regarding changes to SOP 120: Operating While Intoxicated, and SOP 660: Vehicle Pursuits at their May 16th regular meeting.  I spoke during the public comments section of the meeting specifically challenging the use of drug recognition experts in SOP 120 by the MPD.  Not only was the MPD trying to legitimize the use of pseudo-science in evaluating the impairment of vehicle operators, they were also trying to slip the use of DRE’s into the schools and into the context of any other criminal offense that includes the state of intoxication of the accused person as an element of the crime.
Commissioner Everett Cocroft also had doubts about the use of DREs and in the middle of the discussion, with many unanswered questions on the table, Commissioner Steven DeVougas interrupted the proceedings and made the stunning assertion that the FPC is NOT responsible for monitoring the operations of the Police Department:
Commissioner DeVougas took his point of clarification all the way to the bank, cut off the discussion and made a motion to approve the changes to SOP 120, which was promptly adopted by 4 of the 6 current commissioners (Commissioner Cocroft abstained and Commissioner Angela McKenzie was excused).
Commissioner Cocroft summed it up pretty well:
“It’s not in the policy and you’re already doing it, so you’re just adding what you’re already doing to the policy.  We had no idea what a DRE was before y’all brought it here. You’ve pretty much been operating with these DREs without the knowledge of the Fire and Police Commission.  If we struck it down, y’all could keep doing the same thing.”
This is the heart of the systemic problems we have with the Milwaukee Police Department: The FPC is NOT monitoring their operations.  The MPD can do whatever it wants to so long as it does not attempt to bring it to the FPC for approval as a standard operating procedure.  And, in cases like SOP 120, they can simply claim that they have been using drug recognition experts for many years. Nothing to see here folks, move along.  Apparently the FPC’s research staff did not investigate the MPD’s assertions regarding the legitimacy of DREs. They did not investigate the lawsuits brought by the ACLU that are currently pending in Vermont and Georgia, challenging the use of DREs by law enforcement.  The MPD did not need to present one shred of evidence to support its use of DREs beyond the fact that it’s been using them for years and its testimony is accepted in court.
Whether or not the FPC should have authorized the use of drug recognition experts by the MPD is debatable.  What is not debatable is the way the FPC is shirking its duty to monitor the operations of the MPD. Commissioner DeVougas asserted that there is a “Chinese Wall” between FPC polices and MPD operations.  In effect, he admitted that the MPD has carte blanche to do whatever it wants to so long as it does not attempt to get the FPC to sanction it in a standard operating procedure.
Yes, the FPC is badly broken!

author: Paul Mozina


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MPD | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 29, 2019


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5 things to do this weekend: May 31 to June 2 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 31, 2019
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some events that can enrich your weekend. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put 5 things in the subject line by noon Thursday.
Guns down miltown home photo: Guns Down Miltown seeks to reduce gun violence in Milwaukee. (Photo provided by Guns Down Miltown)
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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 30, 2019


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‘I think God saved me for a reason’: How one 14-year-old cancer survivor plans to inspire others Saturday | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
May 31, 2019
Natalia Beans, 14, is determined to inspire others. “I think God saved me for a reason: to show others not be afraid of cancer,” she says. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Natalia Beans, 14, achieved one of her lifetime goals of becoming a world champion salsa dancer earlier this year after winning team and individual awards during the 2019 World Salsa Summit in Miami. There, she beat out competition from Mexico, Puerto Rico and Canada. But those competitors pale in comparison to the foe she overcame earlier in life.
“When I was 21 months old I was diagnosed with leukemia,” said Beans, now in her 12th year of remission from the disease.
Now, Beans is preparing for her next big dance, and although this one isn’t part of a competition, she said it’s just as important.
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On Saturday, she’ll perform during the opening ceremony of Celebrando Nuestras Familias MKE, an annual health and wellness fair sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The fair, now in its 12th year, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Martini Lutheran School, 1520 S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive.
Her mother, Jenniffer Sarda, recalled the pain of seeing her daughter struggle with a feeding tube and undergoing chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
“Being in the hospital for days while she got blood transfusions, and she was even in ICU and going through other treatments. It was hard, but it made us appreciate life and your health a lot more,” Sarda said.
Beans hopes to inspire other cancer survivors or those battling the disease with her performance.
“I want them to know that if I can get through it than they can, too,” Beans said.
Jesus Barbosa, health systems manager for the American Cancer Society, said the disease is the second-leading cause of death among Latinos. Barriers such as language, discrimination and lack of insurance can keep Latinos from seeking health care.
Attendees visit a resource table during the 2018 Celebrando Nuestras Familias event. (Photo courtesy of American Cancer Society)
Yet getting cancer diagnosed early can drastically improve a patient’s chances of survival, Barbosa said.
Representatives of several health care organizations, including Aurora Health Care, Sixteenth Street Clinic and the Southside Health Center, will be at the fair to help attendees learn how to navigate services and to promote self-care, he said.
The Rev. Alfonso Prada, who volunteered to host the event at St. Martini, said he’s heard too many stories about people who’ve ignored pains in their bodies and refused to seek care because they were immigrants.
“We want to convince the community that their health is important and that they need to get checked out,” Prada said.
In addition to more than 30 exhibitors, the event will also feature cultural performances, activities for children and a moment of reflection for those who survived or are battling cancer as well as those who have died from the disease.
As for Beans, she said she is grateful to have the opportunity to inspire others.
“I think God saved me for a reason: to show others not be afraid of cancer,” she said.


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Dwayne Burtin
May 30, 2019


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Dwayne Burtin
May 30, 2019


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Brew City Match to launch first round of small business competition | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
LISC Milwaukee
June 1, 2019
Brew City Match, an initiative focused on catalyzing small business growth in neighborhoods surrounding downtown Milwaukee, will begin accepting applications June 10 for small business loans and technical support.
A new website along with additional information about the program will be showcased during a press event June 3 at 1920 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Deadline for the first round of applications is July 10.
JPMorgan Chase awarded $3.5 million to the Brew City Match collaborative last fall as part of its Partnerships for Raising Opportunity in Neighborhoods (PRO Neighborhoods) competition, which helps fuel economic development in underserved communities.
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Brew City Match recognizes that small businesses will be a key ingredient to sparking growth in Milwaukee’s neighborhoods and is being led by the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) in partnership with the City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development, Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Savings & Loan, MEDC, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), in addition to MKE United, a Greater Milwaukee Committee initiative.
“Brew City Match has given LISC and our partners an opportunity to reimagine the collaboration required to develop a recipe for a fully functioning economic development ecosystem,” said Donsia Strong Hill, LISC Milwaukee’s Executive Director.  “Brew City Match has spent time creating streamlined processes that make applying for business support and capital needed for commercial real estate projects easier to match small business owners with the resources they need.”
The program is being launched within the Historic King Drive, North Avenue & Fond du Lac, and Cesar Chavez Drive corridors, providing a mix of loans, grants, and business support to assist small business owners start or expand their businesses.
“Small businesses are going to play an integral role in the revitalization of Milwaukee’s historic commercial corridors,” said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.  “The generous investment from JP Morgan Chase will be leveraged with other private and public sources to help ensure that small businesses in our city are receiving the resources, assistance and financing they need to thrive.”
“There is a vital link between neighborhood conditions and economic opportunity,” said Charlie Corrigan, vice president, philanthropy for JPMorgan Chase. “We’re excited to kick off the Brew City Match competition and see these important Milwaukee neighborhoods take steps toward renewed vibrancy and revitalization.”
“LISC’s leadership and the strength of the Brew City Match partnership is a vital piece of the commercial corridor revitalization of the neighborhoods surrounding the downtown which includes many MKE United Neighborhoods,” stated Julia Taylor, President of the GMC. “Brew City Match helps realize a key goal of MKE United, specifically related to making Milwaukee a destination for diverse and authentic offerings that are representative of our city and building vibrancy in our commercial corridors.”
“The Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce’s statewide work in providing access to capital has created a sound impact in underserved communities all over Wisconsin,” stated May yer Thao, Executive Director.  “With Brew City Match we will be able to provide and leverage a projected $1.35+ million in capital to support businesses for whom capital is otherwise unavailable through traditional lending institutions. We are excited to fund Milwaukee’s next generation of entrepreneurs and small business owners within the Brew City Match footprint.”
“It should not be a secret ingredient rather a key ingredient and with Brew City Match a levening ingredient — business education and one on one business technical assistance,” said WWBIC Executive Director, Wendy Baumann.  “We know businesses have greater success and grow faster with this support.  WWBIC will be providing this through Brew City Match.”
About LISC: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is the recognized leader in neighborhood development. Since 1980, LISC has marshaled over 10 billion dollars from investors, lenders and donors to foster the revitalization of more than urban neighborhoods and rural communities. Since 1995, LISC Milwaukee has invested $143 million in the central city by mobilizing resources for neighborhood revitalization and investing these funds through grants, loans and technical assistance to neighborhood-based community development efforts. More information is available at www.lisc.org or www.lisc.org/milwaukee.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.7 trillion and operations worldwide. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing, and asset management. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of customers in the United States and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan and Chase brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

author: LISC Milwaukee


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5 things to know in Milwaukee: June 3 to June 8 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
June 3, 2019
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some events we think you shouldn’t miss. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put 5 things in the subject line by
Learn about the “Six Triple Eight,” an African American women’s Army Corps that deployed to Europe to clear the postal system’s backlog. The film highlights their work. The screening will start at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, followed by a panel discussion. (Photo provided by U.S. Department of Defense)
“Home to Stay,”  a “one-stop shop” event that brings a broad spectrum of  will take place from at Job Center Central, 4201 N. 27th St. The free event will offer employment opportunities, housing services, information on healthcare, insurance and driver’s license recovery, advice on expungement, child support services, GED/HSED and literacy services and training programs.
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6888 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
June 2, 2019


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Home Instead Senior Care Job Fair Thursday, June 20th 9am to 3pm | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Laurie Karrels
June 3, 2019
As a CAREGiver
But the real payoff comes from the satisfaction of knowing you made one family’s life a little happier and less stressful today. We are hiring for part and full time positions!
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author: Laurie Karrels


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HISC_LOGO_Purple_511_Vert.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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June 3, 2019