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NNS Update: From ‘banker of the underrepresented’ to the Biden administration | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
November 17, 2021
When he’s not working, Joaquin Altoro and his daughter Melina Morales enjoy traveling together. (Photo provided by Melina Morales)
Editor’s note: This article updates a previous story published Oct. 7, 2020, to reflect Joaquin Altoro’s new role in the Biden administration.
After spending most of his professional career serving Milwaukee communities, Joaquin Altoro says he’s excited to now move to a position with the Biden administration.
He is now the administrator of the Rural Housing Service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development.
“The size of this responsibility is crazy,” Altoro said in an interview with NNS. “As a city boy, I’m overwhelmed about taking my lived experience to leadership at a national level. But it is a privilege that I am walking into with respect and confidence.”
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His new role was announced last week.
For the past two years, Altoro has been making his mark on the entire state as the executive director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, also known as WHEDA.
By providing loans and grants to first-time homebuyers, farmers and entrepreneurs, WHEDA is responsible for much of the affordable housing created in Wisconsin.
“We did a lot of work to change the behaviors and mindset behind the conversation of equity in order to address disparities in housing,” Altoro said.
Altoro, 46, served as vice president of commercial banking for Town Bank before he was appointed by Gov. Tony Evers in June 2019. WHEDA, which employs about 160 people, reported total assets of $2.8 billion for fiscal 2019, according to its website.
The USDA services 1.2 million borrowers with single-family homes, 14,000 with multifamily units and has $185 billion in asset size, Altoro said.
The WHEDA years
He carries his knowledge and understanding of Wisconsin and its underrepresented communities with him from his work with Town Bank and WHEDA.
Altoro said he first noticed the difference in wealth distribution when he worked as a loan officer in college.
“The people I was talking to weren’t people that looked like me,” said Altoro, who grew up on the North Side. “They didn’t come from where I came from.”
He decided then that the people he did not see in his job were the people he wanted to represent. He dedicated his time to learning and understanding underrepresented communities.
“I wanted to be the banker of the underrepresented but before being a banker, I had to understand the communities I wanted to serve, so I spent time with them,” Altoro said. “I’m not Black or Hmong or a member of the LGBT community, but spending time with people who are helped me learn how to better serve them.”
Altoro is an alumnus of Cardinal Stritch University and a graduate of the Associates in Commercial Real Estate, or ACRE, program at Marquette University.
Carl Quindel, a close friend and manger at the rent- to-own company Strong Blocks, said he’s seen firsthand how Altoro invests his time helping others.
“When I met Joaquin, he was still working at Town Bank,” Quindel said.” “He offered institutional support to people who may not have gotten it otherwise by acting as a bridge between minority chambers of commerce, small business and the bank.”
Altoro built strong and genuine relationships with those he served because he always did what he said he was going to do, Quindel said.
“I am an introvert, so words never really move me,” he said. “I watched Joaquin actually provide resources to people even if it wasn’t from his bank.”
“There is a difference in talking about diversity and having it running through the veins of an organization,” added Ana Simpson, the director of community and economic development for WHEDA. “Joaquin does a good job of ensuring that underrepresented communities are a primary consideration in any decisions we make.”
Altoro sits on many local and national boards, including the boards of Milwaukee Area Technical College, Wisconsin Policy Forum, the National Council of State Housing, Milwaukee’s Black Male Achievement Advisory Council, Forward Community Investments and Nativity Jesuit Middle School.
“Because his personality is so warm and friendly, people often forget that he is an expert in his field,” said Elmer Moore, a close friend and the executive director of Scale Up Milwaukee. “Joaquin has lived his life with a sense of purpose and clarity that focuses on changing the way people in Wisconsin experience life.”
Altoro said he wants people to “understand what it looks like to provide access and start exposing young people to that earlier in life.”
“As a young person I never imagined being the CEO of WHEDA,” he said, “because I didn’t even know the position existed.”

created: November 17, 2021

author: PrincessSafiya Byers


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ALTORO | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 16, 2021

source: news-milwaukeenns

created: November 16, 2021

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

author: Dwayne Burtin


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OPINION: ARPA funding should go toward community, not police | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ryeshia Farmer
November 17, 2021
(Photo by Wes Tank)
Editor’s note: Have 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
(Photo provided by Ryeshia Farmer)
Through President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act, the City of Milwaukee will receive $397 million dollars, in two installments, to aid our pandemic recovery. With this, city officials have a huge opportunity to rebuild our communities in a people-oriented way.
The city received nearly half of its funding and designated much of it to the Milwaukee Housing Trust Fund, the demolition or renovation of 150 abandoned homes and new Westlawn Gardens developments. A large sum of this installment will also go to lead abatement.
Other spending areas are refurbishing the Martin Luther King branch of the Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission, Earn & Learn Youth Employment, as well as the city’s fire department and Office of Violence Prevention.
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Only $15 million will go to departmental COVID response, despite the intent of ARPA dollars being to provide relief.
The African American Roundtable, and its LiberateMKE partners, rejoice that no ARPA funding has gone to police thus far and hope this remains the case, but we also know that more funds could have gone directly to communities.
At one point, nine members of the Common Council signed a resolution to create participatory budgeting for the city, a process that the African American Roundtable believes will bring autonomy and investment to all local communities. It is noteworthy that this is one of a number of resolutions put forth by Black alders, and all but one was not considered for funding with Milwaukee’s initial ARPA dollars.
During meetings for ARPA budget votes, Ald. Milele Coggs, who introduced participatory budgeting, repeated that many grassroots-informed initiatives were not even considered. This may be explained by the less than 1% of residents, mostly middle-aged white women, who completed the city’s survey regarding ARPA spending priorities.
The second half of Milwaukee’s ARPA dollars will come to the city in March 2022, and many eyes will be on the Common Council, seeking more community-oriented funding.
People like Richard Diaz, chair of the Coalition on Lead Emergency, said that the $31 million allotted for lead abatement is only a starting point.
“Conversations exist around expanding workforce development and building up contractors’ capacity using the second ARPA pot of money,” Diaz said.
This is the tip of the iceberg signifying why no ARPA dollars should go to police. If the $197 million already decided to be spent only scratches the surface of issues affecting Milwaukee’s communities—the very communities most negatively impacted by COVID—then the council has a greater responsibility to resolve longstanding issues using ARPA funds.
During the Finance and Personnel Committee vote on the aforementioned package of housing resolutions, the alders mentioned a total of 500 abandoned city houses, leaving 350 to address beyond this first tranche of ARPA funding.
Our city’s annual budgets show a disparity in favor of police and inconsiderate of the city’s health and public works departments. Meanwhile, residents throughout the city continue to complain about the conditions of city-developed homes, poor sanitation and the impacts that poorly paved roads and potholes have on their vehicles and finances.
Regina Taylor, a northwest side resident, said, “I am tired of walking my dog and seeing trash everywhere. I’ve called the Division of Sanitation, and they don’t do anything. I’ve had to make several calls for them to stop letting garbage cans pile up. The sanitation ‘supervisors’ should monitor their employees’ work and should hold the sanitation department accountable.”
Ald. Cavalier Johnson’s response was that Taylor should organize a community cleanup.
In a similar tone, Jackie Burrell, Westlawn Resident Council president, said, “I get calls daily about units that are built subpar,” referring to issues with cracks in walls, poor paint jobs and faulty door installations that lead to expensive cooling/heating issues and other financial hassles. Burrell added, “I want units to be built beautifully as they were promised.”
Often, residents are expected to move into units smaller than expected and without basements and other amenities that they were promised.
Diaz also said, “Government has been failing us, and this is something that government staffers and our elected officials know. The quality assurance piece will be a big piece of how we move forward right now.”
It’s imperative that Milwaukee leaders seek newer, more intentional and wider-reaching tactics to engage the public around its spending. By piloting participatory budgeting with ARPA funds, Milwaukee can relieve communities in an equitable way, gain insight into a new way to civically engage a greater number of residents each budget cycle and address decades-old issues that our grandparents complained about and that we’re still grappling with today.
Ryeshia Farmer, a former NNS reporter, currently serves as the community base building organizer at the African American Roundtable. Tapping into years of organizing experience, she uses journalistic writing, spoken word and DJ talents to creatively achieve the liberation of Black Milwaukeeans and other BIPOC persons.

author: Ryeshia Farmer


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51647830278_d1037330e1_c | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 16, 2021


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How to avoid fires and stay safe this winter | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
November 18, 2021
Carlos Velazquez-Sanchez, the fire education specialist for the Milwaukee Fire Department, recommends that every household has an escape route. (File photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
At least once a year, Carlos Velazquez-Sanchez simulates a pretend fire at his house. At the sound of the alarm, his children practice rolling out of bed and crawling to their bedroom door to test if it is hot or not. They then follow their planned escape route.
The simulation ends when everyone has successfully made it to the neighbor’s house – the Velazquez-Sanchez family’s meeting point.
Velazquez-Sanchez is the fire education specialist for the Milwaukee Fire Department. He leads education programs at schools and organizations to spread the word on fire safety.
Below are some tips and advice from Velazquez-Sanchez on how to avoid a fire and other emergencies this winter season.
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Avoid overloading outlets
“In Wisconsin, specifically Milwaukee, our houses are old,” Velazquez-Sanchez said. “Back then, when they built the houses, they didn’t have the need for 30 outlets in every room. There was one outlet if you were lucky, but these days we all need outlets.”
A lot of people use a multiplug, Velazquez-Sanchez said, and then they add extensions to the multiplug, which they often cover with a rug because it looks ugly. The house wires are often old, he said, so when people overload the outlet, it can cause electrical fires.
If there is discoloration above or below the electric outlet, that is an indication that a fire is happening, Velazquez-Sanchez said.
The Fire Department recommends that people touch the mark with the back of their hand and, if it’s warm, call 911, because it is actively burning. If the mark feels cool to the touch still call 911, Velazquez-Sanchez said, because maybe the fire went out on its own but fire travels fast and it could be active in another part of the house.
“We really recommend that people don’t overload their outlets, and to use one appliance at a time,” Velazquez-Sanchez said. “If they need more outlets, call an electrician.”
When it comes to using multiplugs, choose one with a thicker gauge, Velazquez-Sanchez said, and unplug appliances when done.
Be smart with portable heaters
Portable heaters are great, Velazquez-Sanchez said. They are an efficient way to heat parts of the house and can help keep furnace and gas costs down, he said.
“The problem is, people want to plug them into extension cords,” Velazquez-Sanchez said. “You do not want to plug a portable heater into an extension cord, it draws too much electricity.”
The Fire Department recommends plugging the heater directly into the wall and leaving 1 meter or 3 feet of space of clearance around the heater. Make sure nothing is near or touching the heater, including bed sheets, curtains, clothing, towels or anything that could catch fire, Velazquez-Sanchez said.
“When you leave the room, you want to turn them off,” he said. “There’s no sense to have anything running when you’re not there. A lot of fires that happen with portable heaters happen because people left the room.”
The same rule applies to electric blankets. Turn them off when leaving the room or when falling asleep, he said.
“With our eyes closed, we’re not able to see fire,” he said. “Fire doesn’t make a noise. What’s burning is what makes a noise and the smoke from a fire will put you in a deeper sleep.”
Every household should have a carbon monoxide detector (left) and a fire alarm. (File photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
Be careful with fall foliage
Velazquez-Sanchez advised car owners to be careful where they park their cars. Avoid parking over piles of leaves, he said.
“The catalytic converter is extremely hot,” he said, “It lights up the leaves and there goes your car – it’s on fire.”
Thanksgiving and Christmas safety
A lot of people want to deep fry their turkey for Thanksgiving, Velazquez-Sanchez said. If the turkey has any bit of water or ice on it, it will explode as soon as it hits the oil, he said.
If individuals still want to deep fry a turkey, make sure it is completely dry, Velazquez-Sanchez said, and set up the fryer away from the house.
He also recommends staying by the kitchen when preparing the rest of the meal. The No. 1 cause of fires in the United States is kitchen fires, he said.
“It baffles me because it should be the least cause of fires,” he said. “The problem is we are so complacent, and we are so careless.”
People get distracted by their phones or TVs or they leave the house, he said. Velazquez-Sanchez said there is no reason to leave the kitchen. He added that there should be a 3-foot clearance between the stove or oven and children and pets to avoid potential accidents.
Home for the holidays
It’s a beautiful time of year, with lots of candles and incense, Velazquez-Sanchez said, but a lot of fires stem from candles.
According to Velazquez-Sanchez, Milwaukee’s last fatal fire happened earlier this year in April and cost a 10-year-old boy his life. The fire was started by a candle.
“I understand with the season and the festivities people want to put candles in the windows, but now we have these beautiful candles that look real and all they need is two AAs,” Velazquez-Sanchez said. “They flicker and everything and they last forever.”
If individuals want to use real candles, they should use a candle stand with a heavy base, so it doesn’t fall over easily, Velazquez-Sanchez said, and they should blow it out when they leave the room.
Another sign of the holidays are Christmas trees. People love cutting down their own tree, Velazquez-Sanchez said, but then they don’t water it.
“The way and the speed a Christmas tree starts on fire is incredible,” Velazquez-Sanchez said. “Words don’t really express it.”
All it takes is one little spark for the tree to ignite and go up in flames, he said, so remember to water it regularly.
Create an escape plan
A lot of people don’t have an escape plan, Velazquez-Sanchez said. Fire doubles in size every 30 seconds, and the temperature can get hotter than 800 degrees, he said.
The Fire Department recommends families create a blueprint drawing of their house.
“Once you have everything laid out, then you want to choose two ways out of every room in the house,” Velazquez-Sanchez said. “After you choose the two ways, then you want to have a meeting place, whether it’s a tree or a light pole or a neighbor’s house.”
Once a household has a plan, it’s time to practice.
In case of a real fire, Velazquez-Sanchez stressed the importance of not going back inside the house for anyone or anything. The majority of people who die in fires suffer from smoke inhalation and not from the fire itself, he said.
The child who died in April had gone back inside to get his dog, Velazquez-Sanchez said, and after reentering the house, the fire had spread and prevented him from exiting the same way.
Additional advice
Velazquez-Sanchez recommends testing smoke alarms once a month and replacing the batteries at least once a year. Milwaukee residents can call (414) 286-8980 for a free 10-year lithium battery smoke alarm, he said.
He also recommends using a carbon monoxide detector. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to the common cold; people feel tired or dizzy because the carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the blood stream, Velazquez-Sanchez said.
When using a gas stove or a water heater, make sure the fire is blue. A blue flame indicates a clean burn, he said, if the whole burner is orange that is a sign of carbon monoxide.
Other habits to adapt include cleaning the chimney, not turning the car on while the garage door is closed and closing bedroom doors when asleep.
For additional fire safety tips read: Fire safety 101: The habits and resources you need to survive.

created: November 18, 2021

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 17, 2021


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48233423186_a0a5c5b9e1_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 17, 2021


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Post from Community: BBB Serving Wisconsin and We Energies warn of scammers impersonating We Energies, demanding payment | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
November 18, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
From Better Business Bureau® (BBB) Serving Wisconsin and We Energies: Scammers are taking advantage of the cold winter weather by once again impersonating We Energies representatives. The con artists threaten residents and business owners with disconnection of service, unless they pay up immediately.
How the scam works:
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The phone rings, and the person on the other line identifies themselves as a representative from We Energies. The caller tells you that you need to make payment immediately or your utilities will be shut off. The caller will demand that you pay by unusual payment methods, including prepaid debit or gift card, cryptocurrency or third-party apps like Zelle, Venmo or Paypal. This is a huge warning sign. Sometimes the impostor will threaten you or act rude, other times they may seem legitimate and sound professional. Do not be fooled. Variations of the scam include calls to restaurants during busy dinner hours – threatening immediate disconnection if immediate payment is not made. Scammers also target Spanish-speaking consumers by speaking in Spanish.
Many people report that their caller ID will even show “We Energies” as being the caller.
“Caller ID is, unfortunately, easily manipulated by fraudsters, and BBB reminds folks that caller ID cannot be trusted”, says Jim Temmer, BBB Serving Wisconsin CEO and President. “BBB, along with We Energies, is imploring the community to spread the word about this scam by sharing this information with family members, friends, neighbors, businesses and senior citizens.”
“We will never threaten you or try to scare you into making a payment,” says John Zaganczyk, We Energies Senior Vice President, Customer Service. “If you think a scammer is targeting you, hang up. It’s not rude; it’s safe.”
How to avoid a utility impersonation scam:
For more ways to avoid utility scams, see the BBB Tip: Utility Impostor Scam and visit 10 Steps to Avoid Scams. Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker. Your first-hand experience can help other consumers recognize scammers’ tactics before it’s too late. If you get a call that sounds suspicious, hang up immediately and call We Energies at 800-242-9137. If you fall for a scam, report it to your local police department. You can also report scams to BBB Scam Tracker.

author: Wisconsin Better Business Bureau


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Post from Community: Partnering on Housing is Health Initiative part of Advocate Aurora Health’s $2.5 billion community charitable care and services in 2020 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Advocate Aurora Health
November 18, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Through the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership’s Housing is Health Initiative, Aurora Sinai Medical Center provided patients access to a housing navigator who helped connect them to permanent housing. In 2020, 93 individuals were provided access to a housing navigator who helped link them to permanent housing through the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership Housing is Health Initiative, a collaboration with the Milwaukee County Housing Division.
Advocate Aurora Health contributed over $2.5 billion in charitable care and services in 2020, a 16% increase over the previous year. As the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the health system’s community health efforts shifted and transformed to meet the most urgent needs, while also remaining committed to its bedrock programs, such as charity care, education, trauma services, behavioral health services and more.
“You can’t be healthy without access to safe housing,” said Greg Stadter, MPH, Program Director at Milwaukee Health Care Partnership. “The Milwaukee Health Care Partnership’s Housing is Health Initiative helps connect patients from local hospitals to safe, permanent housing, and we’re proud to partner with Advocate Aurora Health on this important project.”
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Behavioral health services are another important component of Advocate Aurora Health’s contribution to the community. The Mental Health Emergency Center — slated to open next year in partnership with Milwaukee County, Ascension Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin and Froedtert Health — will offer 24/7 crisis mental health assessment, stabilization, treatment and transition care management for anyone who needs help. For children in the community, the Kradwell School on the campus of Aurora Psychiatric Hospital is a private, nontraditional and nonsectarian school l for children in grades 5 through 12. The Kradwell School specializes in serving students who struggle to succeed in traditional school environments with individualized attention and a 5:1 student teacher ratio. The teachers and support staff develop educational plans tailored to each student and any conditions they may have, such as dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, PSTD, OCD, reactive attachment disorder, Asperger’s syndrome and more. In 2020, $16,082.58 in scholarships was subsidized by Advocate Aurora Health and awarded to families in need of the unique educational support Kradwell School offers.
As the worst pandemic in more than a century hit our communities in early 2020, Advocate Aurora’s team members and resources pivoted to provide critical community support including education and outreach, mobile testing and partnerships with federally qualified health centers, especially as it became clear that COVID-19 disproportionately impacted communities of color. The system enhanced preventive services by increasing access to health education, personal protective equipment and community COVID-19 testing, among other initiatives. In Greater Milwaukee, Advocate Aurora Health completed 55,749 COVID-19 tests for community members and administered the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for 2,694 people.
“Advocate Aurora is not just committed to enhancing the health and wellness of those in our care, but to improving the quality of life for our communities aligned with our purpose to help people live well,” President and CEO Jim Skogsbergh said. “The diverse programs we support reflect the changing and varied needs within our neighborhoods as we work to close the health equity gap and amplify our social impact.”
In addition to a robust COVID-19 response, Advocate Aurora’s community health strategy remained focused on services and partnerships that build health equity, ensure access and improve health outcomes. Programs around mental and behavioral health, violence prevention, trauma recovery services, access to care, diabetes and hypertension, maternal health/infant mortality, obesity, substance use, food security, safety and workforce development were top priorities across the system’s footprint in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Advocate Aurora Health is one of the largest providers of community care, outreach and education in Illinois and Wisconsin. Community benefit contributions in 2020 included:
About Advocate Aurora Health
Advocate Aurora Health is one of the 12 largest not-for-profit, integrated health systems in the United States and a leading employer in the Midwest with more than 75,000 employees, including more than 22,000 nurses and the region’s largest employed medical staff and home health organization. A national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, the system serves nearly 3 million patients annually in Illinois and Wisconsin across more than 500 sites of care. Advocate Aurora is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies and is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology and pediatrics. The organization contributed over $2.5 billion in charitable care and services to its communities in 2020. We help people live well.
About Advocate Aurora Safe Care Promise
Health and safety is our highest priority. The Advocate Aurora Safe Care Promise provides additional measures to protect patients and our team members, providing peace of mind at every step of your journey with us. In person or online, we are here to ensure safe, comfortable and convenient care. As the environment evolves and seasons change, we’ll be ready with measures to ensure you’re safe.

author: Advocate Aurora Health


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5 things to know and do the weekend of Nov. 19 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
November 19, 2021
The Kujichagulia Producers Cooperative turns 1 this weekend. This weekend you can meet the creatives behind the name. (File photo provided by Kujichagulia Producers Cooperative)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know.
If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon .
1. Free Lunch Food and Clothing Donation Drive: Friday, Nov. 19
Bring your clothes and nonperishable foods to this donation drive, organized by Milwaukee-based artist NilexNile and hear guest speakers from Students of Color in Academic Life, or SOCIAL, as well as other live performances. The drive will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 at Corinth Missionary Baptist Church, 1874 N. 24th Place. Food for attendees will be available.
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2. Music for Life Blood Drive: Saturday, Nov. 20
Give blood to the sounds of Milwaukee-based artists DJ Bizzon, B~Free and Webster X at the “Music for Life Blood Drive” sponsored by Versiti. The drive lasts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 at Nō Studios, 1037 W. McKinley Ave. Register to give blood here.
3. Turkey Trot: Fun Run & Walk: Saturday, Nov. 20
Join the Urban Ecology Center for a “casual” 5k run or walk at Washington Park, starting from the Urban Ecology Center’s location within the park, 1859 N. 40th St. Bring nonperishable food items to donate. The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20. Register here.
4. Adopt-a-River Cleanup: Lincoln Creek: Saturday, Nov. 20
This end-of-the-year cleanup of the community space beside Lincoln Creek is sponsored by Nearby Nature Milwaukee, Sierra Club Great Waters Group and Northwest Side Community Development Corporation. Help keep this neighborhood green spot beautiful by volunteering your time from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 20. by the “Bee Bus” sign located at 4350 N. 35th St. RSVP here.
5. Kujichagulia Cooperative One-Year Anniversary Celebration: Saturday, Nov. 20
Meet the makers behind the Kujichagulia Producers Cooperative, a collective of entrepreneurs united under the principle of Kujichagulia or “self-determination,” at their first anniversary celebration. The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20 at the Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave. A full event schedule can be found here.
BONUS: Here’s where you can find free meals for Thanksgiving

created: November 19, 2021

author: Sam Woods


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 18, 2021


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COVID Vaccinations will be offered at Health Fair in 53206 Neighborhood | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jump At The Sun consultants
November 19, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
On Saturday, November 20, 2021 (Noon-4 p.m.) several groups will come together to host a Fall Health Fair at the Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center, 1530 W. Atkinson Ave., in the 53206 neighborhood. Organizers are providing residents (ages 5 years & up) the opportunity to receive a free COVID vaccine. Organizers will also offer the booster dose on-site, the flu shot, along with other health information, including help to secure low-cost or free health insurance for 2022.
According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the , with 39 percent of residents having received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. In general, vaccination rates on the North Side of Milwaukee lag behind other areas in the city and are lower than the city average of 50 percent. According to the DHS, communities of color have experienced higher rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths since the pandemic began, and Latinx and Black residents have lower vaccination rates, compared to whites.
Individuals who receive their first vaccine dose during the event will get a $50 gift card or receive a $25 gift card for their second dose or booster shot, while supplies last. Food and family friendly activities will also be provided during the event. The Health Fair is being presented by Jump at the Sun Consultants, Alverno College nursing students, UW-Madison medical students, Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network, Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Poverty Network, and the City of Milwaukee Health Department.
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The event is being supported by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Wisconsin DHS Minority Health Program, Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and the Milwaukee County Executive’s Office.

author: Jump At The Sun consultants


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Fall-Health-Fair-Flyer2.png | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
November 19, 2021

author: Name *


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NNS Spotlight: Arts @ Large celebrates 20 years of making education an art form | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
November 19, 2021
Students perform as part of the A@L Arts Summer Camp. At the camp, artists guide campers through art-making exploration around big idea topics that help them understand how artists respond or build community. (Photo by Sam Woods)
Anessia Johnson has been doing hair since she was in eighth grade and wants to own a salon someday.
You might expect her to be spending her time at salons to learn tricks of the trade, but Johnson, who graduated as valedictorian at The Alliance School of Milwaukee and now attends Fisk University in Tennessee, has spent much of her free time in the Arts @ Large café.
While interning with Arts @ Large, she learned how to do inventory lists and other skills necessary for running a business
“They gave me a little experience on what it’s going to be like to run a business,” she said. “But also these people have given me a place to call home. I know I’ll always have a place here.”
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Johnson is not the first person to have her life touched by Arts @ Large. The nonprofit arts education organization is celebrating its 20th anniversary of bringing arts programming and education to Milwaukee’s youths.
Teri Sullivan, co-founder and CEO emeritus of Arts @ Large, will be the first to tell you that the nonprofit has never exactly been flush with cash. This was especially true in 2001, when Sullivan and Kim Abler got a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, spread out over four years, to supplement arts programming in Milwaukee.
In some contexts, $250,000 per year may be considered a lot of money. But when you’re designing and implementing curricula in over 20 schools across the city, Sullivan and Abler had to make some sacrifices.
“Kim and I were running everything out of our cars during that initial grant and for years after,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan’s and Abler’s job was to help classroom teachers work with music and art teachers to deliver an innovative curriculums, such as, for example, making a quilt as a way to teach fractions.
This may sound simple. But their use of the arts to supplement any subject, from math to social studies to science, proved necessary.
Interns work at the Arts @ Large community center café, where they learn entrepreneurial skills. (Photo by Sam Woods)
Bob Kann, a longtime friend of Sullivan’s who was commissioned by Arts @ Large to write a book about the nonprofit, said that what Arts @ Large was doing was innovative at the time.
“In those days, teachers were operating in silos even more than now,” he said. “Math and art teachers didn’t interact.”
Since becoming its own nonprofit, Arts @ Large has organized school plays, sponsored field trips to exhibitions and overseen school beautifications projects involving painted murals and school hallways with guidance from local artists.
Arts @ Large now has a brick–and–mortar home and community center located at 1100 S. 5th St. It serves an average of 50 schools and 13,000 students, families and community members each year.
It also has a new CEO. Sean Kiebzak took over after Sullivan stepped down in July 2020 and became the permanent CEO in January.
In addition to leading the organization, Kiebzak also is Sullivan’s son. When his mother started the nonprofit, Sean was 15 and “wanted to be a rock star.”
After taking over, Kiebzak felt the pressure of needing to succeed, not just because he believed in the organization’s mission, but because he needed to prove he was qualified for the job and not just handpicked based on family connections.
“I was really nervous about how people would react,” Kiebzak said. “But after my six-month evaluation my insecurities about that have gone away.”
Like any nonprofit, the nonprofit still faces its challenges.
It needs $1 million to close out financing on the community center, for example.
But to meet that financial goal, Sullivan said the nonprofit’s focus must remain on serving Milwaukee residents.
“We do what’s right and the money will come,” she said.


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Post from Community: Ford Foundation president will feature at capstone ‘A Milwaukee for All’ | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
November 19, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is thrilled to introduce Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation, as the featured guest for the conclusion of its 2021 A Milwaukee for All community convening series.
Walker will join GMF president and CEO Ellen Gilligan Dec. 3 for an exchange of ideas focused on reimagining philanthropy for transformational impact. The discussion will challenge assumptions and provoke thinking around the necessary discomfort of change, the application of philanthropy for racial equity and the need to remake systems that have excluded communities of color from opportunity by design.
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Continuing its year-long commitment to bringing together national experts with local changemakers, the Foundation will once again pair this signature dialogue with a collection of On the Table MKE conversations that will allow guests to engage directly in the change they want to see in their community.
The virtual event will take place from 9 – 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, and is free to attend.
REGISTER FOR FREE
“All of this year, the Foundation has sought to uphold our promise to the community to deepen our impact, strengthen our connections and work together to build a better Milwaukee for all,” Gilligan said. “This incredible opportunity to hear Darren Walker’s perspective first-hand on the values of equity and philanthropy’s role in advancing social justice is certain to energize our collective work as a community. We are greater together, and this experience will help us be bolder together.”
International insight
The Ford Foundation is a $16 billion international social justice philanthropy established over 80 years ago and headquartered in New York City. Joining the foundation in 2010, Walker has led the organization as its 10 president since 2013 in its mission to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement.
Among his many achievements, Walker chaired the philanthropy committee that brought a resolution to the city of Detroit’s historic bankruptcy, and under his leadership, the Ford Foundation became the first nonprofit in U.S. history to issue a $1 billion designated social bond in U.S. capital markets for proceeds to strengthen and stabilize nonprofit organizations in the wake of COVID-19. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society and is the recipient of 16 honorary degrees and university awards, including Harvard University’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal.
Walker is author of “From Generosity to Justice: A New Gospel of Wealth,” which explores how philanthropy is the transformational tool for achieving meaningful and equitable change.
Interact with On the Table MKE
Immediately following the central dialogue, all attendees will have the opportunity to join one of six interactive On the Table MKE discussions that each take a different look at reimagining philanthropy to realize a Milwaukee for all. Topics include:
Participants will leave their sessions with ideas for individual and collective action.
Thinking strategically
This three-part special convening series is an extension of the Foundation’s strategic vision of A Milwaukee for All and presents an opportunity to work collectively toward a thriving, inclusive region. With racial equity and inclusion as its North Star, the Foundation is playing a catalytic role by bringing community and philanthropy together, particularly around early childhood education, matters of equitable economic opportunity and the collective work of the ThriveOn Collaboration.
The first two programs in the series drew hundreds of participants interested in collective action.
About the Greater Milwaukee Foundation
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation is Wisconsin’s largest community foundation and was among the first established in the world. For more than a century, the Foundation has been at the heart of the civic community, helping donors achieve the greatest philanthropic impact, elevating the work of changemakers across neighborhoods, and bringing people and organizations together to help our region thrive. Racial equity is the Foundation’s North Star, guiding its investments and strategies for social and economic change. Leveraging generations of community knowledge, cross-sector partnerships and more than $1 billion in financial assets, the Foundation is committed to reimagining philanthropy, recentering communities and remaking systems to transform our region into a Milwaukee for all.

author: Greater Milwaukee Foundation


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Register_page_header_-_AMFA_3.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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November 19, 2021


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5 things to know and do this week in Milwaukee: Nov. 22 to 26 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
November 22, 2021
Janan Najeeb (second from right) speaks this week on the current status of women in Afghanistan and how Milwaukee can help evacuees. Here she sits on a 2018 panel at UW-Milwaukee about immigration in the Trump era. (NNS file photo by Analise Pruni)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by .
1. Hope on the Move! Fall Walking Club: Monday, Nov. 22
Hosted by Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers’ “Healthy Choices” program, this free walking club explores the fall colors around the Mitchell Park Domes every Monday. Children and dogs are welcome. The walk begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 22 at the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd.
2. Afghanistan: What did We Achieve?: Tuesday, Nov. 23
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Janan Najeeb, founding member and president of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, speaks to what was achieved in the almost-20 year war in Afghanistan, what the current status of women in Afghanistan is and what can be done to aid refugees coming to Milwaukee. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of Churches and the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, this hour-long webinar begins at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23. Register here.
“Comedy75” Thanksgiving Reunion
Laugh off your Thanksgiving calories with Comedy75, a two-day slate of comedy. A full list of comedians for both nights and tickets are available here. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. on both the Thursday, Nov. 25 and Friday, Nov. 26 shows at 3020 W. Vliet St.
Food for Families Virtual Food Drive
Hosted by New Land Enterprises and the Hunger Task Force, this virtual food drive allows you to select food items to purchase for donation. The drive continues until 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 25 and items can be purchased for donation here.
Women of Steel Diaper Drive
The Women of Steel Diaper Drive, organized by the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, is collecting diapers throughout November. To donate, drop off new and unopened diapers at 633 S. Hawley Rd., Suite 110, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or email emily@milwaukeelabor.org to coordinate a pickup. Sizes 1-6 and baby wipes are needed.
BONUS: Here’s where you can find free meals for Thanksgiving and how you can help your neighbors

created: November 22, 2021


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 21, 2021

created: November 21, 2021


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Where to find meals and how to help your neighbors this Thanksgiving | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
November 22, 2021
Though some in-person Thanksgiving feasts have returned this year, the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center is hosting a drive-through community harvest festival this year. This picture is from 2019. (Photo provided by Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center)
We’ve compiled a list of turkey and dinner giveaways before Thanksgiving, meals available on Thanksgiving Day and how you can donate your money or time to support these efforts.
We want to keep this list updated. If we have missed a resource, let us know by emailing your information to info@milwaukeenns.org with “meals” in the subject line.
Food for Families Virtual Food Drive: continues until Thursday, Nov. 25
Hosted by New Land Enterprises and the Hunger Task Force, this virtual food drive allows you to select food items to purchase for donation. The drive continues until 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 25 and items can be purchased for donation here.
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Drive-through Community Harvest Feast: Tuesday, Nov. 23
As part of Native American Heritage Month, the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center will be distributing harvest feasts to-go from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at its location at 930 W. Historic Mitchell St. Choose a main meal, traditional sides, pie and cider and receive a harvest meal goodie bag that includes harvest décor, traditional medicine, and a prayer. Masks required.
Harambee community member and retiree Helen Dixon will be giving away 25 frozen turkeys and at least 25 free meals at the Victory Garden Initiative, 249 E. Concordia Ave. Meals will be available for pick-up starting at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, and distribution will continue while supplies last.
Where to find food on Thanksgiving Day
Community Feast and Winter Clothing Giveaway: free food, winter clothes and community
Receive a free Thanksgiving meal, groceries and winter items such as coats, hats, gloves and socks at the Community Thanksgiving Feast 2021, presented by County Supervisor Sequanna Taylor, Dream Team United MKE and Parklawn Assembly of God. This event will run from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 25 in a heated tent on the empty lot on North 35th Street and West Center Street.
IMPACT 2-1-1 will still be operational over the holiday weekend and will have the latest information on which food pantries are open, some of which may not be listed here. If you are looking for a food pantry, text your ZIP Code to TXT-211 [898-211].
Looking to help? Here’s how
The food pantries listed below reported that they are fully staffed for Thanksgiving day but are looking for volunteers for other days before or after the holiday.
Friedens Community Pantries is looking for volunteers to deliver groceries and pick up food from grocery stores to transport to the pantries. Sign up to volunteer here. Donations can be made here.
St. Vincent de Paul operates two kitchens, one at 931 W. Madison St. and one at 2600 N. 2nd St. Sign up to volunteer here. Donations can be made here.
Neighborhood House is accepting in-kind donations through Wednesday, Nov. 24. Officials say they are “especially in need of potatoes (canned or fresh), yams/sweet potatoes (canned or fresh), stuffing mix, bread, canned biscuits/rolls, gravy mix or canned gravy, and various household and sanitary items (toilet paper, paper towel, feminine hygiene products, etc.)”
Capuchin Community Services is accepting volunteers at both its House of Peace and St. Ben’s locations. See volunteer opportunities for House of Peace, located at 1702 W. Walnut St., here. See volunteer opportunities for St. Ben’s, located at 930 W. State St., here.


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Post from Community: “United for Waukesha Community Fund” to support families impacted from Waukesha Christmas Parade | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
November 22, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Waukesha County Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County have joined together to create the “United for Waukesha Community Fund.” This fund will support the needs of the families impacted from the tragic incident at the annual Waukesha Christmas Parade.
“At Sunday’s Christmas celebration our community experienced a tragedy,” said Shelli Marquardt, President of the Waukesha County Community Foundation, “We are saddened by what occurred. But we know that our neighbors and friends are always willing and ready to offer support any way they can. And we are grateful.”
“This is one of Waukesha’s biggest and most cherished annual events,” said Amy Lindner, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. “I attended this parade many times as a child, and I know how special it is to our community. All of us at United Way are heartbroken at what occurred, and we offer our support to the Waukesha community.”
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Waukesha County Community Foundation and United Way will be coordinating a unified effort to provide resources for these impacted families.
Anyone who wishes to show their support can do so by visiting the donation page at: www.waukeshafoundation.org/parade


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Common Council close to finalizing new aldermanic and voter ward maps | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
November 23, 2021
Aldermanic District 6, which includes Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, lost 10 percent of its population from 2010 to 2020. (File photo by Adam Carr)
Facing minimal opposition, the Milwaukee Common Council is close to establishing a new set of voter boundaries that will remain in place for the next decade.
The maps, which establish new boundaries for aldermanic districts and voter wards, are part of the redistricting process and involve adjustments so that each area is as close in population as possible.
The maps also determine for the next 10 years what representation a population has.
The changes made in the city’s map, drawn up by the Legislative Reference Bureau with input from Common Council members, are subtle: a few blocks added here, a few shaved there, for the most part.
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The redistricting process is repeated every 10 years when the new U.S. Census figures identify shifts in population. Overall the city lost residents from 2010 to 2020, dropping to 594,000 from 577,000 in 2010, with most of that loss occurring on the North Side.
Aldermanic Districts 6 and 15 lost the most residents, each losing more than 10 percent of their total population. Districts 3 and 4, on the East Side and downtown, respectively, saw slight gains in population, as did Districts 13 and 14, on the far South and Southwest Sides, respectively.
JoCasta Zamarripa, 8th District alderwoman, said the city historically has done a good job at drawing the maps, avoiding gerrymandering and other issues she said plagued the Milwaukee County redistricting process earlier this month.
The maps could be approved by the full Common Council as soon as Tuesday, Nov. 23, according to Ald. Ashanti Hamilton. Hamilton said city leaders followed several processes in drawing up maps in accordance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, including not packing minority voters into a small number of districts or spreading them into many districts.
They also attempted to avoid crossing significant streets and population differences of more than 10 percent between the largest and smallest district, he said.
Residents were given the chance to view the maps and provide feedback during a virtual town hall Friday and during a special meeting of the Judiciary and Legislation Committee on Monday. The public comment Friday night featured little opposition to the proposed maps.
Josh Zepnick, a former state legislator who ran twice unsuccessfully for a Common Council seat, was among the few who voiced concerns. He said the maps for the 14th District crossed several major streets and traditional neighborhood boundaries. He also criticized the process of letting alderpersons give input on the maps.
“You’re allowing incumbents to pick their voters,” Zepnick said.
Hamilton said the process allowed for those who represent the neighborhoods to give input.
“Something has to change in this situation so the status quo is not an option,” Hamilton said.  “If there’s a suggestion as to how not to do that then maybe we can consider your suggestion.”
Other residents were concerned that some neighborhoods, including Merrill Park and sections of the 5 Points neighborhood, would be in new districts and they could lose the relationships they built with their representatives.
“I’m committed to working alongside Hamilton to make sure that the needs of those residents are addressed,” said 6th District Ald. Milele Coggs about the changes that affect the 5 Points neighborhood.
District 6 lost a few blocks near Messmer High School from North 5th to North 8th streets to District 1, while gaining a few blocks on West Capitol Drive near North 27th Street from District 7.
“Maybe that whole area down there will have two aldermanic candidates instead of just one,” Coggs said.
The process of redrawing the municipal maps went much smoother for the city than the county. That process dragged out for two months and revealed deep division between members of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and also between Common Council members and county reps.
“Clear mistakes made to the clear detriment of Latinos in the city,” Zamarripa said. She said Milwaukee County’s District 15, specifically, was drawn in a way that diluted the Latinx voting age population.
Because the county has to complete its redistricting process before the city can approve its maps, the Common Council had a limited amount of time to approve the maps. It’s a point that was not lost during the town hall Friday.
“County took up most of the timeline, so that limited our time to review board and district maps,” Hamilton said.
Aside from the county and city maps, the state still also needs to complete its redistricting process, redrawing its congressional and legislative lines. That process has been extremely controversial and has led to lawsuits over claims of gerrymandering.

created: November 23, 2021

author: Edgar Mendez


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 22, 2021


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OPINION: Milwaukee gives thanks: 3 reasons why we’re grateful in 2021 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
November 23, 2021
First of two parts.
With another challenging year drawing to an end, it’s worth taking the time to give gratitude.
So we asked contributors to our “Community Voices” column to name a person, organization or institution for which they feel thankful.
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(Photo provided by Nicolo Onorato)
Nicolo Onorato is the public education advocate at Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association.
It is the Thanksgiving season, full of family, food and football. The joy of full houses of generations of family who traveled across the country to celebrate.
As we sit around our family table, taking in the majestic sight of the platters of food, sides, wine and drinks, pies and cakes, cheese boards and snacks, remember that it comes from a plan. A plan that has been meticulously arranged, measured and implemented on a timeframe that often is measured in weeks but accounted down to the minute.
The stress of planning for perfect holiday meals is often a thankless endeavor.
To all of the people who are planning menus, who are figuring out travel plans, seating arrangements and kids’ wish lists. To those who have been shopping for weeks to make the holiday magic happen.
Thank you.
Thank you for opening your home, for braving the numerous stores, for balancing the dietary needs and finicky eaters. Thank you for shuffling your plans and making contingencies in case someone is sick, or has to work, or is delayed, or the world shuts down again.
Thank you for all that you do.
There is much stress and high expectations of the season, and while I know that some short paragraphs will not alleviate it, I offer the hands and help of myself and the others who have for too long sat on couches and expected the magic to just happen. I am thankful that we have you and for all that you do to make our lives special every day.
Read more: OPINION: The ugly truth: Students need to see themselves in their country’s history even if it makes privileged critics uncomfortable
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(Photo provided by Rick Banks)
Rick Banks, a Milwaukee native, is a co-founder and Executive Director of MKE Black Inc.
A wise man once told me, “Know your future and you’ll know your greatness.” It’s a quote that always instills pride and propels me into my future.
As I think about all that I am grateful for, my mind goes to being thankful for all those who took actions to get me where I am today. My ancestors who survived and resisted enslavement. My grandparents who took the trek to Milwaukee in search of better opportunities. The communities that supported them. The people that worked to make their lives better.
So in my appreciation for the history of my people and community, I’m thankful that we have institutions and griots such as the Wisconsin Black Historical Society and Clayborn Benson III.
Since 1987, the Wisconsin Black Historical Society has documented and preserved the historical heritage of people of African descent in Wisconsin. Benson has a wealth of knowledge at the hyperlocal level on the history of Black people in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. History that every person should know.
History such as that of Ezekiel Gillespie who sued for the right of African-Americans to vote in Wisconsin and won. And history such as that of Lloyd Barbee, a state legislator who advocated for solutions far ahead of his time.
These are stories that need to be told more often, so that we can stay thankful for the past and look hopefully to the future.
Benson and the Wisconsin Black Historical Society have opened their doors to many community events that I am thankful for, from annual Kwanzaa events to community hearings on the need to preserve and invest in local health institutions.
With the redevelopment of the Department of Natural Resources building on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, we have a unique opportunity to add to the Black cultural district that is Bronzeville and move the Wisconsin Black Historical Society to within one block of America’s Black Holocaust Museum. These two historic institutions would accent each other well and serve as strong anchors for the area.
I pray that this comes to fruition.
As a community, and as a state, it’s important that we continue to invest in institutions such as these. Without our support, we lose out on not just the physical space and knowledge, but on the positive impact they have on our future generations.
Join me in supporting the Wisconsin Black Historical Society by becoming a member.
Read more: OPINION: Don’t dilute my work. It’s explicitly Black for a reason.
(Photo by Joe Brusky/MTEA)
Alondra Garcia is a bilingual elementary school teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools and a recipient of DACA.
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our lives and the impact others have made on our beings. 2021 has been a year of sorrow, but also a year full of blessings.
I am beyond grateful to have the honor to work alongside Voces de la Frontera, a pro-immigrant organization whose unwavering fight for immigrants’ rights is in the forefront of all it does for our community.
I identify as a DACA-mented educator and a proud daughter of immigrant essential workers who have given their all to make our family feel a part of this country. Voces de la Frontera has stood beside us for more than 20 years, and we are now closer than ever to winning a pathway to citizenship for me, my parents and other immigrant essential workers in our community.
We cannot let the pressure down until we win.
Throughout our long struggle for citizenship, Voces de la Frontera leaders have given me a safe space to simply be myself. There’s no need to hide who you are with them because they uplift your voice to become the leader we are all capable of being.
I have become the leader I am today because Voces de la Frontera believed in me. It gave me the fuel, confidence and courage to become the trailblazer I was meant to be. It gave me a voice that has inspired others to believe in themselves to find their own and for that I am always thankful to Voces de la Frontera.
May this year be the year that all 11 million immigrants in our country win what we rightfully deserve: citizenship for ALL.
If you agree, contact your Democratic members of Congress today and tell them that they need to fulfil their campaign promise and pass a path to citizenship now!
Read: more OPINION: ‘We deserve to be citizens just like everyone else’: Why Congress needs to create a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients.
We asked you what you’re thankful for. Here’s what you told us.
Milwaukee gives thanks 2020: Four shout-outs to those who stand out
OPINION: Milwaukee gives thanks: Four shout-outs to those who stand out
OPINION: Milwaukee gives thanks, part two: Four more shout-outs to those who stand out
info@milwaukeenns.org

author: Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service


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Alondraheadshot | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 22, 2021


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Rickheadshot | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 22, 2021


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Post from Community: City of Milwaukee Health Department seeks input for strategic plan | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
City of Milwaukee Health Department
November 23, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
As the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) works to develop a five-year strategic plan to advance the health of Milwaukee through an anti-racist framework, they are turning to the community to provide their valuable feedback. MHD’s commitment is to anchor this work in a comprehensive, data-driven, and participatory process; seeking the voice and insights of staff, residents, and service organizations to help understand the greatest opportunities for community health.
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“The Milwaukee Health Department works to advance the health and equity of Milwaukeeans by creating policies, delivering programs and services to Milwaukee residents, funding local health initiatives, and advocating for community health,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “We cannot do our jobs successfully without taking into consideration the valuable feedback from those who live, learn, work, play, and worship in the city of Milwaukee.”
Milwaukee community members interested in sharing their thoughts and insights can access the survey atcity.milwaukee.gov/MHDsurvey. The three-question survey will be open through December 23, 2021. The results of this data-gathering initiative will help MHD focus their resources and guide the department’s work in the future.
The Milwaukee Health Department engaged Genesis Health Consulting to facilitate the strategic planning work, providing an objective third-party viewpoint on the work. The strategic plan will be implemented in July 2022.

author: City of Milwaukee Health Department


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Post from Community: MATC to host public COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus Nov. 30 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Area Technical College
November 23, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Milwaukee Area Technical College will host a free, public COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines and boosters will be administered, as well as seasonal vaccines. The Pfizer vaccine may be administered to anyone 12 years of age and up with parental approval, but vaccines for children under 12 will not be offered.
The clinic will be held in Room M605, of the Main Building, 1015 N. 6th St.  Free vouchers for the parking structure at North 8th and West State Streets will be available, and snacks and wellness kits will be offered.
Walk-ins are welcome, but you may pre-register at https://tinyurl.com/8saz355r.
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COVID-19 vaccines are free, but please bring your insurance card.
For more information, call Dr. Josie Veal at  414-297-8095.
Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 25,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 170 academic programs; and transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

author: Milwaukee Area Technical College


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November 23, 2021


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Post from Community: Nonprofit seeks 75,000 men to help end human trafficking | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Convergence Resource Center
November 23, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Against the backdrop of several high-profile federal trials, state and community leaders today called on men to take a stand against human trafficking and the commercial sex trade. The goal is to enlist at least 75,000 men to join the cause.
One of the best ways to make change happen is by educating our friends and neighbors. By raising awareness, we inspire one person to stand up, and then another and another. It’s like dominoes,” said Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes. “Men need to play a responsible role in this issue. We can’t absolve ourselves of responsibility with trafficking because, in reality, human trafficking is perpetuated by men, mostly.”
During an online news conference, members from law enforcement, state and local governments, religious institutions and the business community gave their backing for the fourth annual HEMAD campaign.
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HEMAD (Human trafficking Educators working with Men and boys to stand Against the Demand) asks men to take a public stand against human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of adults and children. In its first year (2018), 3,000 men to the HEMAD pledge. In 2019, the goal was 6,000 men but the result was more than 40,000 thanks to social media. Last year, nearly 60,000 men in 11 states and two foreign countries took the pledge.
HEMAD is a program of Convergence Resource Center (CRC), a faith-based nonprofit community service organization helping women rebuild their lives after trauma with an emphasis on justice involved women and female survivors of human trafficking.
“We are facing an epidemic in our state and our nation that most people don’t realize exists, even though it’s out in the open,” said Arnold Cifax, Youth Pastor of New Testament Church in Milwaukee and a board member of CRC. “Human trafficking is a multimillion-dollar criminal enterprise that exists in cities, suburbs, small towns and rural areas – and that is victimizing the most vulnerable adults, teens and children in every community.”
The statistics are staggering,” said Tamara Remington, a security specialist for Acuity Insurance. Remington spent 24 years as a police officer in California and Wisconsin prior to joining Acuity. As a detective with the Sheboygan Police Department, she investigated scores of human trafficking cases resulting in federal and state charges.
“In 2019, the last year that figures are available, more than half of the criminal human trafficking cases in the U.S. were sex trafficking cases involving children. One in three runaways will be lured into sexual exploitation within 48 hours of leaving home and the average age of entry into the commercial sex trade is 13 – that is a kid in the seventh grade,” said Remington. “Law enforcement agencies are working together and sharing information, but they need the public’s help. Traffickers are using social media platforms to recruit unknowing victims and advertise. We need more citizens to get involved. If you see something, say something and call police. You might save a life.”
During the online event, Cifax showed a brief video illustrating the issue of human trafficking and how men can play a key role in ending the demand of sex trafficking. He then led the dozens of leaders in a pledge to stand up against traffickers.
“It’s important for every woman to hear every man take this pledge,” said Desirae Casarez of Oshkosh. Casarez has worked at CRC for the past seven years and has seen the trauma human trafficking survivors have experienced as well as their resiliency in rebuilding their lives and being able to trust other people.
In a video, Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson said a two-year study by the city’s homicide review commission suggests the area’s sex trafficking problems could be much larger than suspected. He added that the city’s office of Violence Prevention and the Milwaukee Commission on Domestic Violence are working with CRC and other groups to reduce the demand and eliminate opportunities for human trafficking.
“I encourage all elected officials at the local and state level to join me by taking the HEMAD pledge to stand against human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of adults and children,” Johnson said.
“Together, we can reduce the demand for sex trafficking in our communities and decrease the chances that a young person from our church or school becomes a victim of this dehumanizing underworld.”
According to the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in People Report, eighty percent of human trafficking cases in the U.S. involve sex trafficking, and this is a crime being committed in every county in our state.
A study on sex trafficking of juveniles and young adults by the Medical College of Wisconsin found that 55 percent were under age 18 when they were first trafficked for sex and one in four had been trafficked multiple times. The study recommends additional training for street-level police officers to better distinguish between prostitution and sex trafficking of adults, focusing awareness and prevention efforts toward individuals at risk for sex trafficking victimization, identifying and addressing the factors that enable sex trafficking to occur in certain areas and developing ways to identify locations where juveniles are trafficked through collaboration between the community, the criminal justice system, local healthcare systems, and social service and advocacy agencies.
“About 300,000 children are at risk of being sex trafficked each year in the U.S.,” noted Cifax. “That’s the combined populations of Racine, Eau Claire, Oshkosh, LaCrosse and Manitowoc or Green Bay, Janesville, Sheboygan, Wausau, Fitchburg and Brookfield. That’s a lot of kids and they are worth saving!”
Cifax added that more than 50,000 cases of human trafficking have been reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline (888-373-7888 or text 233733) in the past five years and the number of human trafficking cases in the U.S. is rising every year.
“It is important for men in business and civic organizations, churches and block watch groups to take the HEMAD pledge and share it with their friends, coworkers and neighbors,” said Cifax. “This is a multimillion-dollar demand-driven industry that we need to put out of business. We can squash that demand by publicly taking a stand.”
About Convergence Resource Center
Convergence Resource Center (CRC) is a faith-based nonprofit community service organization providing support for women rebuilding their lives after trauma with an emphasis on justice involved women and female survivors of human trafficking. It is a contracted member of the Milwaukee Joint Human Trafficking Task Force (MJHTTF). To learn more, call (414) 979-0591 or visit www.convergenceresource.org.
About HEMAD
Human trafficking Educators working with Men and boys to stand Against the Demand (HEMAD) is a program of Convergence Resource Center directed at men on the importance of ending human trafficking. To learn more, visit  https://www.convergenceresource.org/hemad-campaign or contact HEMAD@convergenceresource.org.

author: Convergence Resource Center


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HEMAD-logo.png | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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November 23, 2021


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12 things parents need to know about COVID-19 vaccinations for kids ages 5 to 11 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
November 24, 2021
The COVID-19 vaccine is now authorized for use among kids ages 5 to 11. Students at St. Margaret Mary School got the vaccine in early November. (Photo by Matt Martinez)
Leer en español: 12 cosas que los padres deben saber sobre las vacunas COVID-19 para niños de 5 a 11 años
If you are a parent and have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine that is authorized for kids ages 5 to 11, you are not alone.
You’ve told us.
So here’s some information to help.
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1. Where can I get my kids vaccinated?
The Milwaukee Health Department provides vaccines at the Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Road, and Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23rd St. Vaccines are also provided at the new Menomonee Valley site, 2401 W. St. Paul Ave.
2. Who can I call for help?
The Health Department also operates a COVID-19 hotline at 414-286-6800 that can provide information and help residents schedule an appointment.
3. Where can I get the shot?
To find places where you can get vaccinated, visit vaccines.gov for a searchable database that will allow you to filter results for specific vaccines. HealthyMKE.com also provides a list of vaccination events and clinics. Vaccines are also available at local pharmacies, like Walgreens and CVS.
4. Any specific programs for Milwaukee children?
There are special efforts to get children in Milwaukee vaccinated. The Milwaukee Health Department is running clinics at Milwaukee Public Schools and Seton Catholic Schools through Dec. 14.
5. Where can I go to get quick info and tips about vaccines?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has fact sheets available about the vaccine and tips for parents, including how to make the vaccine process easier for young children.
The Mayo Clinic also provides a comprehensive list of questions and answers about COVID-19 vaccinations for children.
6. How does it work?
The Pfizer vaccine is a Messenger RNA vaccine, or mRNA vaccine, that instructs immune cells on how to make proteins that fight off the virus.
The vaccine does not contain any live coronavirus.
7. How was the vaccine tested for this age group?
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the Pfizer vaccine was tested on over 4,600 children from ages 5 to 11 before being authorized for emergency use.
In the study, 3,100 received the vaccine and 1,538 received a placebo.
Children were monitored for two months after receiving their second dose of the vaccine. According to the CDC, long-term side effects will present themselves within six weeks of a vaccine’s administration.
Results indicate that the vaccine is about 91% effective among this age group.
8. Do kids get the same dose in their vaccine as adults?
No. The Pfizer vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11 uses a lower dose than the vaccine for adults, a difference of 10 micrograms compared to 30 micrograms, respectively.
9. What are the side effects?
Commonly reported side effects with the COVID-19 vaccine are a sore arm at the spot of injection and flu-like symptoms.
The list included sore arm, redness and swelling, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, fever, nausea and swollen lymph nodes, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
In rare cases, there have been reports of cases of myocarditis, or a swelling of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, an inflammation of the heart’s outer lining, following COVID-19 vaccinations in males aged 12 to 17.
According to the CDC, the risk of getting myocarditis or pericarditis from COVID-19 infection is higher than COVID-19 vaccination.
10. Are there any other vaccines available besides Pfizer for kids?
Not yet. The FDA is expected to review Moderna’s proposal for vaccines for adolescents in the coming months. According to a recent news release from Moderna, the review may not be complete until January.
11. Will we have to get boosters every year?
It’s still too early to tell. Research indicates that the vaccines are at least effective for the first few months after vaccination.
12. Can you get the COVID vaccine and the flu shot at the same time?
Yes, according to recent guidance by the CDC. For more information, check out our NNS reporting here.
If you have more questions, please email matthew.martinez@marquette.edu or text us at News414: MKE info on demand. By texting ‘MKE’ to 73224, you get the resources you need now, in real time.

created: November 24, 2021

author: Matt Martinez


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 23, 2021


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OPINION: Three more reasons why we’re grateful in 2021 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
November 24, 2021
Second of two parts.
During a time of year often marked with celebration, it’s also a time of reflection and gratitude.
So we asked contributors to our “Community Voices” column to share a person, organization or institution for which they feel thankful.
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Gloria Tiscareño holds Amanda’s child, Alis. (Photo provided by Amanda Avalos)
(Photo provided by Amanda Avalos)
Amanda Avalos is an interim co-executive director of Leaders Igniting Transformation, Fire and Police Commissioner, co-founder of Milwaukee Beautiful and self-proclaimed “biggest fan of Milwaukee.”
Take a moment to picture this — you’re sitting at the kitchen table and have a hot bowl of soup in front of you. It’s a cold, rainy day outside and you taste your first spoonful. You can hear the rain softly patting the windows and the steam from the bowl slowly wafts in the air. There is a calm stillness around you as you take a warm, full, deep breath. Whether it be pozole verde or another hearty soup — this is what it feels like to be loved by Gloria Tiscareño, my fiancée’s mother and grandmother to my child.
When asked to reflect on a person who I am thankful for who’s making an impact in Milwaukee, immediately my mind goes to Gloria Tiscareño. When I think about what it truly takes to build and maintain community, it’s people like Gloria who keep us all going. Grandmothers are sometimes overlooked and taken for granted because they can be some of the most angelic people, and it is because of those reasons why we owe them special celebration.
Gloria, a grandmother of 20 beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a mother of three amazing people and a friend to hundreds of Milwaukeeans, is a South Side pillar.
She teaches me the value of true community every single moment spent with her; Gloria embodies care for others in gentle, often unspoken ways. Day and night, I have seen her show up for so many. As an organizer, I’m often reflecting on what it takes and truly means to show up for community in ways that are meaningful — Gloria does it naturally. I admire the way she thinks and chooses to help others, over and over, regardless of what it will take from her.
I am thankful for Gloria for all the ways she leads people, for how she shows up for them and for the way she holds the community together through homemade food, care and heart. She reminds me of the importance of holding each other throughout and despite everything. Chances are, if you personally don’t know her, that someone in your family or networks is her friend.
So next time you find yourself discouraged or disheartened by the coldness in the world, remember the people in your life who make you feel as warm as she does me.
Thank you, Gma, for being you.
Read more: OPINION: ‘When your existence is a direct threat to the status quo’: My journey to the Fire and Police Commission
(Photo by Lidia Sharapova)
Annia Leonard is an event coordinator, model, community connector, teacher, owner of Enchanted Werk, coordinator at MKE Good Food Bus and youth organizer with Uplifting Black Liberation and Community.
This holiday season, I think it’s important to be reflective of my housing journey with Guest House of Milwaukee and all those I have encountered along the way.
Two years ago, I was living out of my camper van. While working to gain stability, I applied for housing through Guest House Milwaukee’s Rapid Rehousing Program in late 2020. Between my recent eviction and my already systemic lack of access, it was a long housing search that ended in my housing managers rejoicing with me as I moved in.
Through their continuous support, I have settled into working and starting a business for myself. They helped me with food and furniture, bus passes to our check-in meetings and helped me set SMART goals.
I honestly doubt I would have been able to empower myself without their community-care approach to housing issues that affect Milwaukee greatly.
My managers, Jaquel and Akira, have been thorough in making sure I feel prepared to be released from the program. I’ve decided to stay with them just to support me with staying on top of saving and budgeting. I also don’t mind that they gas me up about my modeling career.
I think that it is important to have a set of folks who are motivated — and with resources to provide — to give people the attention they need to find stable housing. Guest House of Milwaukee is an institution I am forever grateful for.
And I want to specifically shout out Jaquel and Akira in the Rapid Rehousing Program! I hope this brings you joy, as you have helped curate peace in my housing situation.
Read more:  OPINION: My ‘leap of faith’: Why I’m running for Miss Wisconsin
(Photo provided by Pancho Sanchez)
Francisco “Pancho” Sanchez is a lifelong Milwaukeean and K-5 community schools manager for United Way’s Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership.
My name is Pancho, and if you’ve ever met me, you know one thing — I talk. I talk about this, I talk about that, I talk too much, I talk too loud, I talk, I Talk, I TALK. It’s a part of who I am. I have a voice.
Because of my age, sex, gender, education and position, I have a voice. It is something that I’m privileged to have, but something many of us take for granted. Having the power to speak and know that we are being heard, to know what we say is being valued, to know the message we want to convey will even be considered is something that many don’t have the opportunity to experience. This is especially true for our youth, and this even holds more truth when we talk about our youth of color.
More often than not, our youth are ignored, and their voice is undervalued. Even when they are telling us exactly what they need, we decide what is best for them. We don’t allow them to speak, and when they do, we label them a problem. This is why I’m thankful for individuals, organizations and programs that honor youth voices.
Specifically, I’m thankful for the Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement, or BLMA, a department focused on supporting boys and men of color within Milwaukee Public Schools.
The Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement works to improve outcomes for Black and brown students by working collaboratively with students to challenge systems, structures and spaces of oppression. It seeks to create conditions that promote greater success. It’s a daunting task, but it is not what those who work in the department are doing that amazes me, it’s how they are doing it.
The Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement does not work with the purpose of doing anything to or for our youth, but they focus on doing everything WITH our youth.
Their programming is developed with the belief that Black and brown youth are assets to our schools and communities. From its inception they held listening sessions to provide Black and brown students the space to have a voice and share their stories, their challenges and successes. They used that knowledge to build the curriculum and the programming that students voiced they wanted and deserved.
The amazing thing is the Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement continues to be a platform for Black and brown male students to hold space and use their voice to create the change they want to see.
I am thankful for the Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement because they treat our students with dignity and uplift the voices of Black and brown youth in a world that far too often has spoken on their behalf.
Read more: OPINION: Don’t say you love my Milwaukee if you are afraid of crossing the 16th Street Viaduct
OPINION: Milwaukee gives thanks: 3 reasons why we’re grateful in 2021
We asked you what you’re thankful for. Here’s what you told us.
Milwaukee gives thanks 2020: Four shout-outs to those who stand out
OPINION: Milwaukee gives thanks: Four shout-outs to those who stand out
OPINION: Milwaukee gives thanks, part two: Four more shout-outs to those who stand out
info@milwaukeenns.org


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AnniaHeadshot | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 23, 2021


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PanchoHeadshot | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 23, 2021


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Post from Community: Charitable giving after the Waukesha parade tragedy | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
November 24, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
After a terrible and very public event such as the Waukesha parade tragedy, people want to help in any way possible, and that often means contributing to fundraisers to help the survivors and the families of the victims. Sadly, scammers often take advantage of these moments of vulnerability to deceive donors. In addition, there are often campaigns set up by well-meaning individuals who may or may not be directly connected to the tragedy.
“As our Wisconsin community and communities throughout the country come together in the wake of Sunday’s devastating event, BBB reminds everyone to be mindful of scams that often follow tragic incidents,” says Jim Temmer, Better Business Bureau (BBB) Serving Wisconsin CEO and president. “Please donate safely and report all scams to BBB Scam Tracker.”
The Better Business Bureau urges donors to give thoughtfully and avoid those seeking to take advantage of the generosity of others. Here are BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance (BBB’s Give.org) tips for trusted giving:
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1. Thoughtful Giving: Take the time to check out the charity to avoid wasting your generosity by donating to a questionable or poorly managed effort. The first request for a donation may not be the best choice. Be proactive and find trusted charities that are providing assistance. Visit Give.org to verify if a charity meets BBB Standards for Charitable Accountability.
2. Crowdfunding: Keep in mind that some crowdfunding sites do very little vetting of individuals who decide to post for assistance after a tragedy or a disaster, and it is often difficult for donors to verify the trustworthiness of crowdfunding requests for support. Read more Give.org tips on crowdfunding.
3. Respect for Victims and Their Families: Organizations raising funds should get permission from the families to use either the names of the victims and/or any photographs of them.
4. State Government Registration: About 40 of the 50 states require charities to register with a state government agency before they solicit for charitable gifts. If the charity is not registered, that may be a significant red flag. In Wisconsin, most organizations soliciting for charitable donations must register and file a report annually with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (WDFI). Check to see if a charity or professional fundraiser is registered.
5. How Will Donations Be Used? Watch out for vague appeals that don’t identify the intended use of funds. For example, how will the donations help victims’ families? Also, unless told otherwise, donors will assume that funds collected quickly in the wake of a tragedy will be spent just as quickly. See if the appeal identifies when and how the collected funds will be used. Do not donate cash or through cash apps, instead
6. What if a Family Sets Up Its Own Assistance Fund? Some families may decide to set up their own assistance funds. Be mindful that such funds may not be set up as charities. Also, if collected monies are received and administered by a third party such as a bank, CPA, or lawyer this will help provide oversight and ensure the collected funds are used appropriately (paying for funeral costs, counseling, and other tragedy-related needs).
7. Online Caution: Never click on links to charities on unfamiliar websites or in text messages or email. These may take you to a look-alike website where you will be asked to provide personal financial information, or may download harmful malware onto your computer. Don’t assume that charity recommendations on social media have already been vetted.
8. Financial Transparency: After funds are raised for a tragedy, it is even more important for organizations to provide an accounting of how funds were spent. Transparent organizations will post this information on their websites so that anyone can find out without having to wait until the audited financial statements are available sometime in the future.
9. Tax Deductibility: Not all organizations collecting funds to assist after a tragedy are tax exempt as charities under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donors can support these other entities, but keep this in mind if they want to take a deduction for federal income tax purposes. In addition, contributions that are donor-restricted to help a specific individual or family are not deductible as charitable donations, even if the recipient organization is a charity.
Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker.
For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at BBB.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.


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Post from Community: Residents turn out for health fair in 53206 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jump At The Sun consultants
November 24, 2021
(Photo provided by Jump at the Sun Consultants, LLC)
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Residents of the 53206 neighborhood visited the Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center, 1530 W. Atkinson Ave., recently for a day of fun, games, education, and COVID-19 shots and boosters for those who were interested. The Fall Health Fair was presented by Jump at the Sun Consultants, the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network, the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Poverty Network, in partnership with the City of Milwaukee Health Department and Alverno School of Nursing.
According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the 53206 ZIP code area has the lowest vaccination rate in the city, with 39 percent of residents having received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. In general, vaccination rates on the North Side of Milwaukee lag behind other areas in the city and are lower than the city average of 50 percent. According to the DHS, communities of color have experienced higher rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths since the pandemic began, and Latinx and Black residents have lower vaccination rates, compared to whites.
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During the fair, Alverno Nursing Students and Milwaukee Health Department personnel administered 37 COVID vaccines or boosters, in addition to 14 flu shots. Milwaukee resident Brian A. Mitchell was among those who received the COVID booster.
“I’m a fan of all local sports teams and I also support my community by being fully vaccinated,” Mitchell said. “The opportunity to get my booster shot was important to help everyone be safer.”
Residents also played interactive games to learn more about tobacco prevention, COVID-19, and other chronic diseases. Those games were created and hosted by third year UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health students.
The event was also supported by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Wisconsin DHS Minority Health Program, Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program and the Milwaukee County Executive’s Office. For COVID -19 vaccination locations contact (414) 286-6800 or visit HealthyMKE.com. Call 1-800 Quit-Now for free smoking cessation support.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
November 24, 2021