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STREETOUTREACH | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 19, 2021


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Post from Community: Nativity Jesuit Academy names Vanessa Solis as next president | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Nativity Jesuit Academy
April 20, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
The Board of Trustees at Nativity Jesuit Academy and the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus are pleased to announce the appointment of Vanessa Solis as the school’s next president.
“Vanessa brings a deep commitment to the lived practices of Ignatian spirituality, and her experiences as both a teacher and a principal will strengthen her work as Nativity’s next president,” said Fr. Brian Paulson, S.J., Provincial of the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus. “Seeing Vanessa as Nativity’s first Latina president is a powerful alignment to the school’s call to serve Latino youth.”
Solis will formally transition to the president’s role effective July 1. Past Nativity president Sue Smith will remain in a consulting role to support Solis during her transition to this new role. The Board of Trustees is grateful for Smith’s continued dedication and leadership to Nativity as interim president during the search and as an invaluable resource to Solis as she transitions.
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Nativity’s Board Vice Chair and Senior Manager of Projects for JLL, Andrea Scrobel, chaired the presidential search committee. She observed that while there was incredibly strong interest in the presidential position within the community and several strong external candidates were interviewed, it was clear that the best candidate was already at Nativity.
“There is no playbook on leading in a pandemic, but Vanessa has handled the challenges with grace and determination,” said Scrobel. “I am confident that under Vanessa’s leadership, Nativity will not only weather this pandemic but be strengthened because of it.”
Since joining Nativity in 2014, Solis has led ground-breaking work. Solis served as Nativity’s first ever K4 teacher, laying the foundation for the elementary school to grow as Nativity became a full K-8 school with more than 250 students. From that position, she then transitioned to Nativity’s director of elementary school education and ultimately became the principal in 2018. During the past year, Solis has navigated Nativity through a new set of challenges triggered by the pandemic. Through each stage of her time at Nativity, Solis has felt called to do more.
“While my time, energy and focus was on my current work as principal, I kept feeling that I was meant to do more for Nativity, more for our students and our families,” said Solis. “I know firsthand that a high-quality education is transformational not only for our students but their whole family and it is an honor to provide the same opportunities that were made available to me to our deserving students.”
Solis’ immense passion for Nativity and the success of the school’s students is grounded in her upbringing. Solis grew up in Chicago’s La Villita (Little Village) and entered school knowing only Spanish. Despite those economic and social challenges, Solis became the first in her family to graduate from college. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (’06) and holds two master’s degrees –one from Cardinal Stritch University in Urban Education (’14) and one from the University of Notre Dame in Educational Leadership (’17).
Jay Schwister, Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at Baird, serves as the Chair of Nativity’s Board of Trustees and participated actively in the presidential search.
“Over the past seven years, I have gotten to know Vanessa Solis through my involvement on the Board of Trustees. I am continuously impressed by her thoughtfulness, humility and intentional decision-making,” said Schwister. “As our first Latina president, Vanessa is starting a new chapter in Nativity’s history and it is a privilege to serve alongside her in our mission.”
“The impact of Nativity is possible because of the people who fiercely believe in our mission,” said Solis. “I am excited to harness the energy that surrounds Nativity and share the wonderful story we have with our current and prospective donors and the broader Milwaukee community.  The world class education we offer our students is possible because of our generous donors, and I personally understand that when someone believes in your potential anything is possible.”
About Nativity Jesuit Academy:
Nativity Jesuit Academy is a K4-8 co-ed Catholic, Jesuit, urban school serving young men and women. For the past 27 years, Nativity Jesuit Academy has transformed challenges into results on the southside of Milwaukee. Nativity Jesuit Academy serves 258 K4-8th graders. 100% of Nativity students are Latino and 97% experience poverty.

source: news-milwaukeenns

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

author: Nativity Jesuit Academy


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Vanessa-Solis.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 19, 2021

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8 things you should know about credit | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 21, 2021
“We’re walking, talking credit scores,” says Jackie Carter, the director of economic empowerment at YWCA Southeast Wisconsin. “When applying for a loan or credit, that creditor or lender may not know you personally, so they look at your credit score . . . ” (Stock photo)
Diana Billstrom wanted to rebuild her credit score, but she wasn’t sure where to start.
Though she knew the basics, Billstrom wanted to learn more.
“I think we all need financial education, no matter our age or neighborhood,” she said.
When she heard that Walnut Way Conservation Corp. was offering a webinar in February on credit scores called “Keeping Score: Everything You Never Knew About Credit,” she signed up.
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Jackie Carter, the director of economic empowerment at YWCA Southeast Wisconsin, led the workshop, which was made possible through a grant from the Zilber Family Foundation.
The need for financial management is great, Carter said. Past generations didn’t have the knowledge to pass it on or it wasn’t something they discussed, she said.
Billstrom, who is a program manager at COA Youth & Family Centers, isn’t just using the information for herself; she’s sharing her newfound knowledge with her family and clients.
Below, Carter breaks down everything you need to know about credit.
A FICO credit score is a number that ranges from 300 to 850. The score determines a person’s creditworthiness — that is, how suitable a person is to receive a financial credit or loan, based on their past experiences.
Carter explained that 300 to 579 is considered poor, 580 to 669 is fair, 670 to 739 is good, 740 to 799 is very good and 800 to 850 is exceptional.
“We’re walking, talking credit scores,” Carter often tells clients. “When applying for a loan or credit, that creditor or lender may not know you personally, so they look at your credit score and what’s on your credit report the same way they would consider your character. They look at how you manage certain things financially.”
2. Why is credit important?
“Credit is our ability to borrow money, to receive goods or services now and pay for it later,” Carter said. “It impacts so many areas. It’s important because of the fact that it gives you access to things that you would not have access to if you didn’t have it.”
Good credit can get you the best interest rate or no interest rate. Most people will have to get credit at some point for such things as renting an apartment or buying a car.
Some people are “credit invisible,” which means they don’t have any credit history with the three major credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. This can create obstacles for them if they need to borrow money, Carter said.
Jackie Carter is in charge of financial literacy education for YWCA Southeast Wisconsin’s adult education and workforce readiness programs. (Photo provided by Jackie Carter)
3. How your score is determined
FICO is the most commonly used scoring system among lenders. A person’s FICO credit score report comprises five components: payment history, credit debt owed, length of credit history, new credit and type of credit.
Payment history is worth 35% of a credit score, amount owed is 30%, length of credit history is 15%, new credit is 10% and types of credit is 10%.
“I always stress that your credit score is only what it is at the time you pull it,” Carter said. “It is not set in stone.”
4. Understanding the five components
“A big part of being able to get that credit score up is really understanding what influences it and how to work within those different areas to get that credit score to whatever the goal is,” Carter said.
Payment history, the biggest influence on the credit report, is exactly that – the history of your payments. It shows how often you paid on time and how often you were late. The important thing to note is when the payment is late and when it hits the credit report.
Payments are due on a certain day each month. If they are not paid, they are considered late, and when a late payment hits the 30 day mark it goes on the credit report, Carter said. Partial payments are considered late payments.
“If you have to be late, try not to be 30 days late, and if it has to be 30 days, try not to let it get to 60 days and on and on,” Carter said. “The later it gets, the more it hurts the credit score.”
The second largest part of the credit score is the amount of credit owed or a person’s debt.
This part of the score looks at how many months you’ve had an account open. Once an account hits the 12-month mark it is considered a seasoned or established account, Carter said.
While you want to be careful not to open a lot of different accounts, it is important to have open credit accounts that show your history.
“Once you close the account, it will drop the credit score because you no longer have that history,” she said. “If you need to close an account, don’t close more than one a year.”
Carter said some clients consider closing their credit card accounts because they aren’t managing their credit well. Instead, Carter offers an alternative solution: Cut the card up but keep the account open. The credit history is still available.
New credit is all the times you have applied for credit in the last 12 months. Carter said it is important to limit the number of accounts you apply for and open.
There are two types of accounts: traditional and nontraditional.
Traditional accounts report a person’s payment history and include installment loans, mortgage, personal loans, vehicle payments and credit cards. Nontraditional accounts include rent, the phone bill, insurance and so on.
There are two types of credit accounts: installments and revolving. Installments raise the score and revolving lowers it.
“With installment accounts, those are accounts that every payment that you make reduces the amount you owe, whereas revolving such as with a credit card you have that ongoing ability to increase your debt,” Carter said.
For example, if a person has a credit card with a $300 limit and spends $150, he or she can make the minimum payments and still have access to charge more.
5. Get to know your credit report
Diana Billstrom says she’s applying the lessons she’s learned from a credit webinar to not only rebuild her credit but also to help her budget. (Photo provided by Diana Billstrom)
The first step toward building good credit is looking at the credit report and knowing your current credit score. Then, scan it thoroughly to make sure all the information is correct. Individuals should confirm that their name is spelled correctly, that the current and former addresses are accurate, that the Social Security number is right and so on.
They should double-check that the amount borrowed is correct and that all the accounts listed on the report belong to them.
Once the information is deemed correct, a person can begin working on their credit score. When working with clients, Carter will help them look at the full report, and then she helps them tackle it piece by piece. It can take a while, but it can change.
“Never let what appears on your credit report define who you are, because it does not define who you are,” Carter said. “We’ve all made mistakes at some point and things happen. It’s OK to feel bad when you see your credit score, but don’t stay in that space where you feel bad.”
6. How to use a credit card to build credit
“Credit cards are very effective in building a credit score,” Carter said, if a person is strategic.
She generally recommends that clients don’t use more than 30% of their available credit limit. If a person spends more than 30% of their credit limit, it can lower a credit score.
“I encourage the individuals I work with to use the credit card for something you have to pay cash for,” Carter said. “Something you could pay in full – if you can – when that payment is due.”
For example, when you go to buy gas, use a credit card.
Sometimes, people have no choice, and they have to use more than 30% of their credit limit. In that case, Carter said, individuals should reach out to their credit card company and ask when it reports payment history to the credit reporting agencies. Even if you can’t pay it off in full, you can pay enough to get below the 30% mark.
7. How to protect your score
Carter suggests using a platform such as Credit Karma to monitor your score. Identity theft and fraud are huge issues that have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, she said. Being informed about your credit score allows you to know if there’s a problem and attempt to fix it right away.
Another suggestion: Be careful who you share vital information with. People can use your information to apply for credit in your name.
Check your credit score at least once every four months. People used to check it once every year, but Carter suggests doing it more often.
“In the world we live in right now, a lot can happen in a year,” Carter said. “It’s important to check your credit score more often and make sure everything is accurate so they can address any issues right away.”
To check your credit score, visit Annual Credit Report. Right now, Equifax, Experian and TransUnion are offering free weekly credit reports.
8. Common misconceptions and misunderstandings
There are three major misconceptions that Carter has heard from clients over the years.
The first is that if you don’t get approved for a credit card, it doesn’t hurt your credit score. This is false. Whether you’re approved or not, your credit score focuses on the fact that you applied. Applying for one credit card isn’t going to cause a drastic hit but applying for one after another will lower your score.
People often believe that their job or background plays a role in their credit report. Again, this is false. A credit report does not factor in a person’s age, salary, job or other information aside from the five components listed earlier.
The third misconception is that anyone can check another person’s credit score. This is definitely not true. A person has to have a purpose and your permission to legally look at your credit score.

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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51051074301_7d6a56babc_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 20, 2021


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51052944142_b2287c4f34_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 20, 2021


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CREDITSCORE | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 20, 2021


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NNS Spotlight: Tenants protecting tenants: How one Milwaukee group fights to keep residents in homes | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
April 21, 2021
Members of the Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union took to the streets last summer. (Photo provided by Hayden Harwood)
Robert Penner believes most tenants don’t know their rights and their landlords exploit that.
That’s why he joined the Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union or MATU.
The all-volunteer organization organizes to challenge evictions, makes tenants aware of their rights and it sometimes takes on negligent landlords.
“The power is in being committed to one another’s problems,” Penner said. “Having a group of people as dedicated to living situations as they are their own is important.”
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The group started officially meeting in March 2020 after realizing more needed to be done to support and protect tenants in Milwaukee.
MATU member Amara Lang said the group takes a hands-on approach to assist its members.
“A few things we have been able to do to help tenants weathering this housing crisis/global pandemic have been accompanying tenants to court for eviction and other tenant issues,” she said. “And helping win neglected repairs, leading marches and press conferences for tenant rights and working toward housing justice through policy, advocacy and direct action.”
“We believe housing is a human right, it shouldn’t be a commodity,” added Jay Lucien, another MATU volunteer.
MATU volunteers work closely with organizations like Community Advocates, the Social Development Commission and the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee to ensure members get the help they need.
“Sometimes we are talking other tenants through a single complaint,” Lucien said. “Other times we are connecting them with resources in the community that can help them better than we can.”
Stopping evictions is the group’s top priority, Lucien said.
Since March 15, there have been 8,223 filings for eviction in Milwaukee, according to data compiled by Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, which is tracking evictions in 17 cities during the pandemic. The Milwaukee filings eclipsed pre-pandemic averages in June and July but fell below averages for August.
Ultimately, MATU seeks “safe, sustainable, reasonably priced housing in Milwaukee,” Lucien said.
Resources to consult if you’re worried about eviction
Check out our Instagram Story on “Milwaukee resources to help you avoid evictions.”
Help is just a text away with our News414 project with our friends from Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. Text MILWAUKEE to 73224 to see how it works.
In case you missed it: Four main takeaways from “Making rent,” a conversation about eviction and tenant rights

author: PrincessSafiya Byers


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50885024918_7a500d12c0_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 20, 2021


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tenant-protest | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
April 21, 2021

author: Dwayne Burtin


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Post from Community: College Possible Milwaukee to host virtual Dream Big dinner | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
College Possible
April 21, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
This Thursday night,  College Possible Milwaukee will host a live-streamed fundraiser and celebration of the Class of 2021. The one-hour event is free and open to the public and will be co-hosted by College Possible Milwaukee’s Executive Director, Kellie J. Sigh, and  Dynamic Events owner, David Caruso.
The program celebrates college graduates, Ja’Lia Butler and Ia Thao, and a high school graduate, Bawi Kil Dawt Nun Par, who will join in a conversation about what it means to be a first-generation college student, what has driven them to persist through the pandemic, and the role that College Possible has played.
“At College Possible, we are committed to upholding our message of hope and possibility in the face of this school year’s challenges,” said Kellie J. Sigh. “Let this event serve as a reminder and celebration of what is possible for Milwaukee’s youth when they are provided with equitable access and equal opportunities.”
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The annual Pat Wilmeth Award will be presented to The Michael and Billie Kubly Family, Molly Fritz, and  The Charles E. Kubly Foundation. This award honors the spirit of long-time College Possible supporter Patricia Wilmeth. Pat’s commitment to higher education, to students and to helping those less fortunate than she has had a long-lasting impact both on our organization and throughout the greater Milwaukee area.
Community supporter Grady Crosby, Vice President Public Affairs, Chief Diversity Officer and President, Johnson Controls Foundation, will be the keynote speaker. “The reason the word ‘possible’ is so important is because it really speaks to the future, what can happen. It is a word of hope.” Crosby said, “I know this organization is going to continue to transform possible, into probable, into likely.”
The Dream Big Dinner will be produced by  Plum Media and live-streamed at 7 pm on Thursday, April 22. The event is free and open to the public. Those purchasing a VIP ticket will receive a specially curated thank you bag showcasing Black-owned local businesses. Donations raised through this dinner will directly support College Possible Milwaukee programming that helps area students achieve college readiness.
To register, visit  collegepossible.org/events/dreambig.
About College Possible: College Possible is a nationally-growing nonprofit organization making college admission and success possible for students from low-income backgrounds through an intensive curriculum of coaching and support. College Possible Milwaukee was established in 2008 and serves more than 2,300 students each year through programming in 15 partner high schools and partnerships with numerous local colleges. Findings of a Harvard University study show that College Possible’s approach to unlocking the potential of low-income students is effective and that students served are significantly more likely to enroll in a four-year college.

author: College Possible


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CPDreamBig.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 21, 2021


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Post from Community: New director selected to lead Jewish Community Relations Council | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Jewish Federation
April 21, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation welcomes community advocate Kai Gardner Mishlove as its new director. She began her new role on April 15, 2021.
Gardner Mishlove brings to the JCRC a long professional history with leadership roles advocating for various marginalized and vulnerable communities, such as program coordinator of refugee health and social services at Advocate Aurora, family engagement director for Edot Midwest Regional Jewish Diversity and Racial Justice Collaborative, parent guide for deaf and hard of hearing families for State of Wisconsin and co-facilitator with Nurturing Diversity Partners.
As an active Jewish community volunteer, she has served on the boards of Hillel Milwaukee, JCRC Milwaukee, the Friendship Circle WI, National Council of Jewish Women-Milwaukee, SEA Literacy Project, Hands and Voices and various disability rights groups.
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Gardner Mishlove has extensive community collaboration experience volunteering and developing projects with refugee, immigrant and differently abled populations. Her collaborations include the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society convened Wisconsin Grassroots Immigration Leaders, the “Salaam, Selam, Shalom Welcome Baby Showers” program, Refugee Arts, a Wellness and Zumba collaboration, a Team Rainbow initiative to connect  refugee children resettled in Milwaukee to attend JCC Rainbow Day Camp, intergroup community initiatives with Milwaukee Jewish Day School, “Tables Across Borders,” a global pop up dining experience highlighting the cuisines of Milwaukee area refugee community chefs, and “Unity Brunch,” a networking event linking local communities and activists across missions and cultures.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston University, with graduate studies in public health from the University of Illinois. She is a graduate of the Selah Jews of Color Leadership Program of Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice, and of the Jewish Women of Color Resilience Circle.
Gardner Mishlove is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. In 2017, she was awarded the Building Bridges award by National Council of Jewish Women Milwaukee, and she was recognized as one of 12 Milwaukee “Sheros” in 2020 by the Milwaukee Repertory Theater.
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About the Jewish Community Relations Council: Founded in 1938, the Jewish Community Relations Council, the public affairs arm of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, advocates for the rights and values of Jews individually and collectively, here and abroad. The Council implements a coordinated program of education, action, and advocacy for the Jewish community.
About the Milwaukee Jewish Federation: For more than 100 years, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation has been dedicated to building a strong Jewish community. We distributed $19 million last year to Jewish and non-Jewish organizations locally and around the world, and manage philanthropy through our $200 million Jewish Community Foundation

author: Milwaukee Jewish Federation


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Kai-Gardner-Mishlove.jpeg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 20, 2021


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Post from Community: SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund overview–Join SBA Wisconsin Friday 4/23 or Monday 4/26 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
U.S. Small Business Administration
April 21, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Calling all business owners of  restaurants, bars, cafés, bake shops, brew pubs, breweries wineries, food trucks, stands, or cart owners about the soon-to-open Restaurant Revitalization Fund!
SBA’s Wisconsin office is offering free public webinars on the RRF—registration is open now.
April 23, 9 am: http://ow.ly/bFFm50EtlcC
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April 26, 2 pm: http://ow.ly/vvAO50EtlcD
When the application portal opens, women, socially and economically disadvantaged, and veteran business owners will get first priority, and the funds are expected to go quickly.  Join us and get your questions answered.
For more on the program and portal opening, go to www.sba.gov/restaurants

author: U.S. Small Business Administration


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SBA0414-OCPL-Restaurant-Grant-Tile-Request-1.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 21, 2021


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How one man is making his mark in Milwaukee by serving others | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
April 22, 2021
MKE Black co-founders Rick Banks (right) and Paul Wellington launch their app at Skybox Sports Bar on Feb. 10, 2020. (Photo provided by: Rick Banks)
Rick Banks has always been a problem-solver.
Since he was a child, he has always thought about how he could make things better, he said.
From connecting Harambee neighborhood residents to resources near them to knocking on doors to be a resource for people who have election-related questions, Banks can be found serving Milwaukee.
Now the 29-year-old is making his mark through community and political organizing.
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“My personal mission is the development of the Black community in Milwaukee,” Banks said.
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Banks said his giving spirit is a product of his upbringing.
“My parents were kind people with big hearts.” Banks said. “And I grew up seeing two or three different worlds.”
Although his family was lower middle class, Banks said he had family members who were poor. Seeing the struggles of different economic classes helped make him the man he is today, he said.
He attended Riverside University High School, where he developed an interest in politics. While there, he met Ald. Milele Coggs after inviting her to a meeting of the school’s Black student union.
“She told me to hit her (up) about my interest and I did,” Banks said. “I volunteered in her office over the summer and by the time I started college, I was invited to a paid legislative service aide position.”
He considers his time working as an aide the start of his political career. He credits most of what he knows about politics and community relations to working in her office and his time in the UW-Milwaukee student government.
“Rick is committed to the people,” said J. Allen Stokes, a former plan commissioner for the City of Milwaukee and a mentor to Banks. “He clearly has care and concern for the community.”
Allen and Banks met when Banks was an AmeriCorps member and worked on the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative.
“One thing I try to teach mentees is that if you have been blessing with skills and talents, you have a responsibility to give something back,” Allen said. “I can see that in the things he has done over the years.”
Banks has been a part of several ventures started with the goal of helping people in Milwaukee.
He served as the political director of BLOC, or Black Leaders Organizing Communities, a group that provides tools, training and resources to the community to ensure people are recognized at all levels of government, before leaving to focus on his own venture full time.
Banks also volunteers as the executive director of MKE Black, a nonprofit he co-founded that is dedicated to providing a one-stop place for information on dining, shopping, culture, resources and more.
“I am a person who sees that we need to try new things,” Banks said. “I have a strong support system that allows me to do so.”
Friends say Banks doesn’t always get the appreciation he deserves for the work he does.
“Rick is pretty mild-mannered and sometimes understated,” said Nate Gilliam, who has worked closely with Banks for the past five years but has known him longer. “His presence is louder than he is and that’s not always appreciated.”
In 2018, Banks launched an unsuccessful campaign for the Wisconsin State Assembly.
He said he’s done with politics — for now.
“I like to say I closed the door on politics, but the window is still open,” Banks said.
As someone who has accomplished much without a college degree, Banks said that experience tops any lesson he’s learned in the classroom.
“Don’t let anything stop you from doing the different things you want to do,” he said.


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50815089676_59628ee5c1_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 21, 2021


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Post from Community: First Stage’s new Amplify – BIPOC virtual short play series continues with lively new musical “UNMUTED” | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
First Stage
April 22, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
The second offering in First Stage’s new Amplify – BIPOC Virtual Short Plays Series will be UNMUTED, a lively new musical by First Stage Playwright in Residence Alvaro Saar Rios, with Music and Lyrics by composer Deborah Wicks La Puma and directed by Anna Skidis Vargas, Producing Artistic Director for Theatre Nuevo in St. Louis. This Amplify production explores the question: what happens when the substitute gym teacher is kicked out of the Zoom Room of a virtual gym class and the students take over? Performed in English with some Spanish lyrics, audiences will want to unmute their streaming devices to enjoy this fun and timely virtual play, to which we all can relate. Recommended for families with young people ages 10+. Approximate running time is 15 minutes.
First Stage developed this new series to offer virtual short plays created by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) playwrights that center on the young person’s point or view, amplifying the voices of these artists and young people throughout the Milwaukee community. The organization has had a long history of age-appropriate casting and of centering its work on the young person’s point of view. Understanding the power of connection that young people feel when they see themselves and their stories on stage, First Stage is excited to begin this series featuring newly commissioned work from BIPOC playwrights and directors.
UNMUTED streams April 30 – May 30, 2021. Each play in the Amplify series will be available on the First Stage YouTube channel. Audience members are encouraged to register to receive the link to each play prior to its premiere. While making a donation is not required for streaming access, all gifts received will help to support the artists involved in the Amplify series and First Stage’s commitment to building an inclusive community. To learn more and to register, please go to:  https://www.firststage.org/amplify
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“UNMUTED is a musical about what happens when the substitute teacher gets kicked out of the Zoom Room in a virtual gym class and students take over,” said Director Anna Skidis Vargas. “They play the game “SorD” (Secret or Dare) and learn about each other’s lives on the other side of the screen – their loud parents, love of tacos, Spanish class and all of the other things we miss about school in pre-pandemic life.”
Added playwright Alvaro Saar Rios, “This piece was inspired by my own son taking class online. Because we turned this into a musical, we wanted to highlight certain things – I don’t want to say make fun of – but more at least say, ‘We see you.’”
“The lyrics are in both Spanish and English, or Spanglish, as I grew up speaking in my household,” shared Composer/Musical Director Deborah Wicks La Puma. “I hope it’s something that families that are watching together feel is a reflection of living across multiple languages and cultures.”
Artistic Director Jeff Frank also commented: “I’m excited about the Amplify series, because we recognize that our young audiences connect more deeply to our productions when they see other young people on stage – when they see their lives represented in the stories we tell. Because we see the power in that connection, it is imperative that we continue to advance our efforts to ensure that as theater artists all of our programming is reflective of our community – through the stories we share and the programs we implement – and the teams we assemble to bring those stories and programs to life – and that we hear from and listen to the varied voices that make up this community.”
BIOGRAPHIES
Alvaro Saar Rios (Playwright) is a Playwright in Residence at First Stage. Other plays he has written for First Stage are last season’s ON THE WINGS OF A MARIPOSA, MOLE HILL STORIES and the award-winning LUCHADORA! His plays have been performed in New York City, Chicago, Hawaii, St. Louis, California, Arizona and all over Texas. He is a Resident Playwright at Chicago Dramatists, and in his past life, he drove tanks for the U.S. Army. Mr. Rios and his wife Michelle Lopez-Rios are the founders of The Royal Mexican Players. Alvaro has an MFA from Northwestern University and teaches playwriting at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. www.alvarosaarrios.com
Anna Skidis Vargas (Director) is a director, actor and playmaker who subverts stereotypes through myth, spirituality and humor. She works primarily in devising and developing new work, with a focus on the stories of underrepresented groups. She is the Founding Artistic Director of Theatre Nuevo in Saint Louis, and has produced and directed five of their productions, including LUCHADORA! with Mustard Seed Theatre in collaboration with Theatre Nuevo, for which she was nominated for Outstanding Director of a Comedy and Outstanding Production of a Comedy by the St. Louis Theater Circle. As an actor and singer, Skidis Vargas has received two Circle Awards for Outstanding Performances, and has been nominated for three others. She was also named Saint Louis’ Best Female Vocalist by the Riverfront Times In 2014, and is a member of TCG’s Rising Leaders of Color Cohort. Skidis holds a BA in Performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and is an MFA Directing Candidate at The University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, she has directed for their season subscription series, UT New Theatre and The Cohen New Works Festival. www.skidisvargas.com
Deborah Wicks La Puma (Composer/Musical Director) is a composer, music director and orchestrator. She is one of the most produced Theatre for Young Audiences artists working today. With bestselling children’s author Mo Willems she has created ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY!”; NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED; THE ROCK EXPERIENCE and DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS: THE MUSICAL. Her many and diverse works with playwright Karen Zacarías include: ELLA ENCHANTED (Based on the book by Gail Carson Levine); OLIVÉRIO: A BRAZILIAN TWIST; FRIDA LIBRE; LOOKING FOR ROBERTO CLEMENTE and EINSTEIN IS A DUMMY. With playwright Adam Tobin she created SHE PERSISTED (based on the book by Chelsea Clinton), and the upcoming WHAT DO YOU DO WITH AN IDEA? (based on the book by Kobi Yamada). Her adult works include the lyric opera Dakota Sky and the Mexican folk musical PERDITA (based on Shakespeare’s WINTER’S TALE) with Kathleen Cahill. She received her MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and studied folk music with ethnomusicologist Alfredo López Mondragón. Her honors include the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award, an NEA New American Works Grant, two Parents’ Choice Awards and a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical Adaptation. A proud Mexican-American and “Navy brat” who grew up in Brazil, Portugal and California, La Puma is a member of TYA USA/ASSITEJ, ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild. Mother to three daughters and Mimi the Cat, La Puma lives in Southern California with her PR agent and loving husband, Chris. www.crunchynotes.com
Jeff Schaetzke (Assistant Musical Director/Director of Artistic Operations) has a long history at First Stage as a director, teacher, music director and actor, dating back to playing Romeo in 1996. Most recently, Jeff directed ELF – The Musical, the music for Roald Dahl’s MATILDA The Musical and BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER THE MUSICAL. Other First Stage favorites include THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE, SPOOKLEY THE SQUARE PUMPKIN THE MUSICAL, LOVABYE DRAGON, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER™: THE MUSICAL, ELLA ENCHANTED; BIG NATE: THE MUSICAL; BIG FISH (having also appeared as Edward Bloom); BIG, THE MUSICAL and many others. A lifelong Milwaukeean, Jeff has enjoyed working with many Milwaukee theaters, including playing Father in Skylight Music Theatre’s production of VIOLET, and directing music for the Milwaukee Rep, Skylight Music Theatre, Carroll University, UWM and Marquette University. Other credits: Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s THE DALY NEWS, two seasons at American Players Theatre and a 22-year relationship at Dominican High School. Jeff is a 2014 inductee into the Wisconsin Theatre Directors Hall of Fame and a four-time Outstanding Musical Award Winner at the Overture Center’s TOMMY/JERRY Awards. He is a proud graduate of North Central College and the Professional Theatre Training Program at UW-Milwaukee.
Jeff Frank (Artistic Director) is recognized as one of the top directors in the field with an expertise in developing new work for theater for young audiences. He holds a BFA in Theater from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and an MFA in Child Drama from the University of Utah. Having served as First Stage’s Education and Academy Director from 1996 – 2003 and as First Stage’s Artistic Director since February 2003, Jeff remains committed to the power of theater to transform lives and is forever thankful to call First Stage home.
The cast of UNMUTED features Young Performers: Ailie Snyder (Milwaukee); Noel Rubalcava (Milwaukee); Ariel Nelson (Milwaukee); Reese Bell (Cedarburg); Dayanara Sanchez (New Berlin); Annie Sturtz (Waukesha); Ryon Davis (Milwaukee) and Naima Gaines (Milwaukee).
The Artistic Staff for UNMUTED Includes: Anna Skidis Vargas (Director); Deborah Wicks La Puma (Composer/Musical Director); Jeff Schaetzke (Assistant Musical Director), Coltyn Giltner (Video Crew) and Melissa L. Wanke, Member of Actors’ Equity Association, (Stage Manager).
For the UNMUTED Companion Enrichment Guide, please visit:
https://www.firststage.org/Documents/First Stage PDFs/2020-2021 season/Unmuted_EnrichmentGuide.pdf
For visuals for UNMUTED including headshots, show logo and trailer, please visit:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12kCVx_ZdVNjp4PK3xqBp2DRow77VtdAN?usp=sharing
The schedule for Amplify – First Stage’s BIPOC Virtual Short Play Series is:
UNMUTED
By Alvaro Saar Rios
Music and Lyrics by Deborah Wicks La Puma
Directed by Anna Skidis Vargas
Streaming April 30 – May 30, 2021
Premieres at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 30
Description: When the substitute gym teacher is kicked out of the Zoom Room of a virtual gym class, the students take over! As the group starts a game of “SorD” (Secret or Dare), they discover more about each other’s lives on the other side of the screen – their frustrations with online school, their love for tacos on Tuesdays and, most importantly, what they miss. Performed in English with some Spanish lyrics, unmute your streaming device for this lively new musical, to which we all can relate. Recommended for families with young people ages 10+.
Talkback: An extended talkback will stream on the First Stage Facebook page on Friday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. following the premiere of UNMUTED. The talkback will be facilitated by Digital Marketing & Content Manager Antonio L. Davis, Jr. and will feature playwright Alvaro Saar Rios, director Anna Skidis Vargas and Composer /Musical Director Deborah Wicks La Puma.
COPPER HORNS IN WATER
By Ty Defoe
Directed by Johamy Morales
Streaming now – May 16, 2021
Link posted here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbetctxRMtw&t=7s
Description: North is a curious underwater creature who has earned their Copper Horns, a coming-of-age ritual that gives these young creatures power under water. North will soon learn the importance of their horns when they need to summon their strength – and with the collective power of their friends – to save the day. Based on Anishinaabe storytelling tradition, tune in as students from Indian Community School perform this fun-filled story for the entire family. Recommended for families with young people ages 8+.
Title To Be Announced
By Nikkole Salter
Directed by Samantha Montgomery
Streaming Fall 2021 (Please note: this virtual play was originally scheduled for May 20 – June 21, 2021. Stay tuned for new streaming dates in Fall 2021, as part of the 2021/22 season’s Amplify Series.)
For any additional questions, please call: (414) 267-2961.
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About First Stage
First Stage is one of the nation’s leading theaters for young people and families. First Stage touches hearts, engages minds and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences through professional theater productions that inspire, enlighten and entertain. Its Theater Academy, the nation’s largest high-impact theater training program for young people, fosters life skills through stage skills and serves nearly 2,000 students each year. As Wisconsin’s leader in arts-integrated education in schools, First Stage’s dynamic Theater in Education programs promote literacy, character building and experiential learning throughout the curriculum, serving over 20,000 students each year. First Stage was selected to participate in the Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2012) and was the recipient of the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Eureka Award, recognizing creativity and innovation in business, education and the arts for its Next Steps program for students on the autism spectrum (2013, 2015). First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education, Milwaukee Arts Partners and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). www.firststage.org

author: First Stage


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Post from Community: Francesca Mayca Wegner is named executive director of Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee
April 22, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing educational, career and leadership opportunities for Hispanics in Wisconsin, has announced that Francesca Mayca Wegner has been named as its executive director.
“We are confident that Francesca will lead us into a new era of building ever more equitable and powerful partnerships with visionary leaders, organizations around the region,” said HPGM Board Chairman Oscar Tovar. “As HPGM celebrates its 20th anniversary, the future of the organization is shaping up to be a time of renewed energy and exciting changes. Francesca demonstrates a depth of knowledge of nonprofit organizations and has outstanding leadership qualities. With her collective skills and commitment to education, professional development and extensive experience in forging partnerships, she has the proven passion for the HPGM vision and mission.”
Francesca Mayca Wegner
Mayca Wegner most recently served as senior director of development and communications for Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee. She previously served in various roles in Marquette University’s advancement department.
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In her new role, Mayca Wegner brings extensive experience in building and sustaining strategic relationships with various stakeholders on behalf of nonprofit, higher education and corporate organizations.
“I have experienced first-hand the power of HPGM programming. I have connected with some of my most trusted mentors and friends through my involvement with HPGM as a college student and a professional,” Mayca Wegner said. “Mentoring and education have played an influential role in my life. I would not be where I am today without those special people and organizations who helped me learn important lessons, celebrated my successes alongside me and made me feel welcome. I am excited and proud to serve as the next executive director, standing on the shoulders of the remarkable leaders who came before me.”
A native of Des Plaines, Ill., Mayca Wegner earned her bachelor of science degree and master’s degree in business administration at Marquette University. She also studied abroad at La Universidad de Deusto San Sebastián in Spain.
She also serves on the board of directors for the Washington County Humane Society, on the Marquette Hispanic-Serving Institution Advisory Committee and as a mentor in the Nativity Jesuit Academy Mentoring program.
Mayca Wegner was selected from a field of 23 candidates who applied for the position and will start in her new role on April 26, Tovar said. HPGM was assisted in the search by Leading Transitions, an executive search firm.
About HPGM
The mission of HPGM is to connect and unite Hispanic professionals, students, and the community with rich heritage, strong leadership, and impactful initiatives. HPGM serves more than 2,500 students and professionals annually by providing access to jobs and internships, scholarships, leadership development, and mentoring opportunities. HPGM works with 37 corporations,12 institutions of higher education, and more than 50 community partners to break down barriers and empower diverse leaders.


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Picture1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 22, 2021


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Post from Community: MATC registration for summer and fall classes now open; increased in-person, blended and hybrid options offered | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Area Technical College
April 22, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Registration is now open for courses beginning in June, August, September and October at Milwaukee Area Technical College. In light of the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines, MATC will offer more in-person instruction this fall.
The college’s goal is to offer at least 60% of fall courses through in-person, hybrid and blended formats. The remaining courses will be held fully online. All MATC campuses are now open for in-person services, including admissions, advising, financial aid and registration.
Courses will be offered in the traditional semester-long format and in shorter 12- and eight-week sessions at MATC’s campuses in Downtown Milwaukee, Mequon, Oak Creek and West Allis; and at the Walker’s Square Education Center.
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“Nationally and locally, the vaccination rollout is ahead of schedule,” said Dr. Vicki J. Martin, MATC president. “With that in mind, MATC continues to work to convert more sections to in-person, hybrid and blended options to better meet student needs. We are happy to be able to welcome more students back to on-campus learning and services with strong health and safety protocols in place.”
In addition to implementing deep-cleaning protocols, the college has developed safety training for students and staff and worked to rearrange space to ensure social distancing. MATC is limiting entrances to allow for health and temperature checks upon entering. Face masks are to be worn at all times and face shields are made available as needed. Wipes and antibacterial stations are strategically placed throughout each building. In addition, protocols have been developed for reporting positive tests and for contact investigations. These steps have helped the college limit any spread while offering some in-person classes over the past year.
Based on changing health conditions and public health recommendations and requirements, course type, location, dates or times may need to be changed. Students enrolled in courses will be notified if changes are made.
Prospective students can learn more about MATC by attending the free, virtual open house from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 29. The event will be held on Zoom and will utilize breakout rooms to meet with program and department representatives. Visit matc.edu/openhouse to RSVP. For more information, call 414-297-6228 or write recruitment@matc.edu.
For more information on MATC, visit matc.edu/gethelp.
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 30,000 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 150 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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20190516_PreparatoryPlumbing018_LowRez.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 22, 2021


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Post from Community: TMJ4 to launch Milwaukee Tonight | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
TMJ4 News
April 22, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
TMJ4 News (NBC) is launching a different kind of newscast on Monday, May 10th. Milwaukee Tonight will focus on the people, places and events that make the community special. From artists to architecture, food to festivals, neighborhoods to nightlife – this show will be a nightly reminder that our city is filled with stories to be proud of.
Veteran TMJ4 anchor Steve Chamraz will host the show and will be joined nightly by correspondent Cassandra McShepard (formerly of WITI) who will focus on our community’s hidden gems.
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“We know that the city of Milwaukee itself is a hidden gem in our country so we wanted to create a newscast that highlights all of the diverse people and places that make it the amazing city that it is,” said TMJ4 News Director, Tim Vetscher. “Our community has been through such challenging times and we produce plenty of other newscasts to focus on the tough stories going on around us. Milwaukee Tonight will celebrate the city we love.”
Milwaukee Tonight is part of a greater effort by TMJ4 News to provide a platform for diverse voices, positive stories and unique perspectives in Southeast Wisconsin. The program premieres Monday, May 10th at 6:30pm and will air each weeknight. Milwaukee Tonight replaces the current newscast, “TMJ4 Now.”
About TMJ4 and Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As the nation’s fourth-largest local TV broadcaster, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of 61 stations in 41 markets. The Scripps Networksreach nearly every American through the national news outlets Court TV and Newsy and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, Laff and Court TV Mystery. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, “Give light and the people will find their own way.”

author: TMJ4 News


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Cassandra McShepard | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 22, 2021


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Milwaukee Tonight | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 22, 2021


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Steve Chamraz | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 22, 2021


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5 things to do and know the weekend of April 23 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 23, 2021
After a long winter, Pete’s Pops is extending its spring time hours. (Photo provided by Pete’s Pops)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
Bonus: West Vliet Street art walk: Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24
West Vliet Street, the business corridor that runs east to west from North 43rd to North 62nd streets, is hosting an art walk. The two-day event is taking place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 23 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 24. This is an opportunity to support locally owned shops, enjoy the murals and interactive art demonstrations, check out food trucks and more.
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48750821361_857c5187c2_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 22, 2021


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Post from Community: Seeking 5,000 plastic bottle caps for youth community art project | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
ArtWorks for Milwaukee
April 23, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
ArtWorks for Milwaukee and Northwest Side Community Development Corporation (NWSCDC) are collecting 5,000 plastic bottle caps for a youth-led art project at Green Tech Station (4101 N. 31st St), and we need your help!
Green Tech Station is a partnership of NWSCDC and the City of Milwaukee to transform a vacant brownfield site at 4101 N. 31st Street into a green infrastructure demonstration and environmental education destination. This summer, youth interns will create a bottle cap mosaic at Green Tech Station using plastic bottle caps and other types of hard plastic lids (e.g., peanut butter, mayonnaise, milk, soda, nuts, vitamins, etc.) that will be screwed onto wood panels and mounted on the fence.
Please drop off your clean plastic bottle caps and other hard plastic lids in a sealed bag or container at one of the following locations no later than :
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Century City Tower/NWSCDC office  –  4201 N. 27th St
Use front entrance of building between 8am-6pm
Outpost Natural Foods Cooperative (Bay View)  –  2826 S. Kinnickinnic Ave
Drop off in the bin outside of the store
Marshall Building/ArtWorks for Milwaukee office  –  207 E. Buffalo St, #600
Drop off in the bin on the 6th floor right outside of Material Studios
If you are willing to leave your name and contact information with your donated caps, we will be sure to invite you to the mosaic unveiling event at Green Tech Station later this summer!
If you have any questions, comments, or would like to coordinate other arrangements for dropping off your caps, please contact Sarah Bregant at 414-444-8200 x.8104 or via email at sarah.b@nwscdc.org.
Please note that we are not asking you to use more plastic bottles and containers than you already would be using – we’re just asking that you save your caps and lids for our exciting project. Thank you!

author: ArtWorks for Milwaukee


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Bottle-cap-project-image.JPG | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 23, 2021


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Post from Community: Sunday April 25 caravan and county board call for normal relations with Cuba | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba
April 23, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Sunday’s Caravan and County Board Call for Normal Relations with Cuba
This Sunday, April 25, Milwaukee will join a rapidly spreading movement of car and bike caravans calling for an end to the US economic blockade of Cuba, beginning at the Mitchell Park domes at 1 PM. This movement was initiated by Cuban-Americans in Miami to end restrictions on their ability to see or assist their relatives, and has expanded throughout the US and Canada, Latin America, Africa and Europe, held on the last Sunday of each month.
On April 22, the Milwaukee County Board overwhelmingly adopted a resolution similarly calling for normal relations between the US and Cuba. County Board Chair Marcelia Nicholson joined supervisor Steven Shea and others in sponsoring the resolution, and shared her personal story how a Cuban born schoolmate suffered because she could not visit her relatives in Cuba.Supervisor Sylvia Ortiz-Velez cited the potential benefits to county residents, including jobs and access to Cuban medical breakthroughs, such as in the field of infant mortality; she noted that Cuba’s universal system of preventive medicine has resulted in life expectancy similar to the U.S. but at a small fraction of the cost.
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Dr. Raul Galvan, a prominent member of the Cuban-American community, who was born in Havana, welcomed the move: “It’s heartwarming to hear that the Milwaukee County Board has gone on the record urging President Biden and Congress to support the Cuban people by eliminating the Embargo and normalizing relations.”
Dr. Galvan and others will speak briefly at a send off rally for the caravan, which is also expected to hear from two Wisconsin women studying tuition free in Havana, who are scheduled to graduate this year as debt-free doctors. This is part of Cuba’s affirmative action program, which has educated 200 U.S. students, mostly women and overwhelmingly people of color, free of charge, in return for their promise to return home and work in an under-served setting. Other Caravan supporters including Los Brown Berets will also speak.
For more info contact the Wisconsin Coalition to Normalize Relations with Cuba, www.wicuba.org., or contact Art Heitzer, 414 628-2547. For information on the April 25th caravan see https://www.facebook.com/events/284870236755332/.
The County Board resolution is here: https://milwaukeecounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=9310829&GUID=13052F04-6190-4616-9E25-5A688A1B32A6


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What renters need to know about the eviction process | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
April 23, 2021
An eviction in progress on the near South Side in 2017. (File photo by Adam Carr)
More than four years after being evicted, Elizabeth Brown says she still is not completely over it.
But she’s learning to live with the fallout.
“It’s a lot of psychological pain,” said Brown, who has lived in the Amani neighborhood for three years. “Evictions are the hardest on children. It’s not only the stress of not having a home, but [it’s] also embarrassing for kids.”
Brown said it took her almost a year to find a home after her eviction.
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“It stays on your record for years,” she said. “You have to be prepared to settle” for a lower quality of living.
Brown said that in her experience, the only property managers who rent to people with evictions are slumlords or those who are going to overcharge you.
What struggling renters need to know
Document, document, document: Nick Toman, a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, said any transactions between a tenant and landlord should always be documented as anything unrecorded becomes harder to prove in court.
The process: “The first thing to understand is that evictions are three lawsuits wrapped into one,” Toman said. The first is the actual eviction, the right to possession of a property, and the second and third are essentially about who owes who what, and property damage, he said.
The steps: Toman said the first step to any legal eviction is terminating the tenancy. There are a few ways that can happen.
One way is the lease ends and doesn’t get renewed, he said. If you’re on a month-to-month lease, you can get a 28-day notice with no cause. A tenant can also get a five-day notice for breaking a tenancy agreement but has five days to fix the problem, he said.
Once any of those notices are given and the tenant does not vacate the property, the property owner can file for eviction.
“Self-serve” evictions are when property owners remove a tenant and their belongings from a property without going through the legal process. These are against the law, according to Toman, and so is filing evictions before giving notice.
What tenants can do: The best protection for a tenant is to have renters insurance and to keep proof of big purchases as expensive things sometimes get lost in evictions.
What not to do: “A tenant cannot withhold rent by themselves,” Toman said. “Even if the property owner is in the wrong, withholding rent is shooting yourself in the foot.”
A landlord’s perspective
Heiner Giese of the Apartment Association of Southeastern Wisconsin said evictions are difficult for property owners, too.
“You rent out a property for profit,” he said. “You lose money evicting people.”
He said there is a misconception that property owners intentionally or maliciously evict tenants often.
“Our association has now done some intensive research on eviction judgments in Milwaukee County and Wisconsin. In Milwaukee, landlords seek unpaid rent in less than 30 percent of the eviction cases,” he said.
The average judgments for rent and damages were $2,436, Giese said. After five years, only 2.5% of those eviction judgments were paid, he said.
Giese said this is especially rough period for small-time property owners.
“There are cases where tenants find loopholes and go a few months to a year without paying ren,” he said.
Giese stresses the benefits of all parties talking to each other to avoid eviction.
“When tenants and landlords communicate situations, it can be less likely for eviction to take place,” he said.
Brown agrees. She said she feels lucky to have her current landlord.
“I am only able to stay because he shows grace,” she said.
Resources to consult if you’re worried about eviction
Check out our Instagram Story on “Milwaukee resources to help you avoid evictions.”
Help is just a text away with our News414 project with our friends from Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media. Text MILWAUKEE to 73224 to see how it works.
In case you missed it: Four main takeaways from “Making rent,” a conversation about eviction and tenant rights


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26515636729_1f346cc80f_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 22, 2021


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5 things to know this week in Milwaukee: April 26 to May 1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 26, 2021
Voces de la Frontera is hosting a prayer vigil in honor of Workers’ Memorial Day. (Photo provided by Voces de la Frontera Action)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
Bonus: United Community Center’s 51st anniversary celebration: Thursday, April 29
The United Community Center is hosting a virtual celebration in honor of its  51st anniversary. The event takes place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 29. The theme is “Making 2021 One of a Kind.” Tickets can be purchased here and cost whatever you want to spend. All ticket purchases will be donated to the United Community Center and matched by a United Community Center donor. The celebration will feature five graduates, special guests and more. There will also be a raffle.


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51134719025_259a8d9b13_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 25, 2021


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Post from Community: Summer learning will Be productive and joyful at Seeds of Health Schools: Infusing joy into summer learning at Seeds of Health | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Seeds of Health
April 26, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Seeds of Health (SOH) Schools know that the pandemic has taken a toll on its students, as well as students around the world. In addition to the social & emotional effects of the pandemic, students have been on a COVID-induced roller coaster ride navigating virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning. On a positive note, SOH knows this ride has taught students valuable 21st Century technology skills and an entirely new vocabulary and mindset when it comes to virtual learning. However, students have suffered a lag in learning.  SOH is determined to address this lag with a lineup of innovative summer classes that promise to do more than just catch students up. Seeds of Health plans to use summer courses to infuse more JOY into learning.
Seeds of Health Executive Director Marcia Spector states, “The pandemic has affected all of us in ways we can’t imagine.  While our children are very resilient, it has been very difficult for them to understand and deal with all that has happened in our world and in their personal lives. At Seeds of Health, we have created a summer learning experience that not only addresses the gaps in education but also addresses the social and emotional needs of our students. This summer, we’re offering our students many unique opportunities to learn, and we want those experiences to be joyful. Our students need and deserve that.”
A Summer Class Lineup with Something for Everyone
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Students from Seeds of Health Schools (Tenor High Schools, Veritas High School, and Seeds of Health Elementary) can choose courses designed to target physical, social, emotional, and academic growth as well as classes for credit recovery. As the course guide title suggests, the variety of courses won’t be a typical summer selection. The Learning in Concert, Summer 2021 Catalogue is full of enriching, interesting, and stimulating courses designed to address gaps in learning while students partake in non-traditional classes that offer children a chance to explore areas of interest.
Many Options for Seeds of Health Elementary Students
Seeds of Health Elementary (SOHE) students will participate in grade-level reading and math courses and have options for additional learning activities, to be scheduled between June 21 and July 29.
The basics (math and reading) will be covered, but in fun and innovative ways through courses like Math is As Easy As 1-2-3, Reading is Foundational, or Read to Succeed. Younger elementary students can sharpen reading skills in the Adventures with Picture Books; 3rd-5th graders might like to explore the Graphic Novels class; and older students might enjoy the Author Study class where they study a book and its author, and then meet the author online. Hands-on classes like Let’s Go with LEGOS! or LEGO Robotics combine learning opportunities with life skills and fun. Other courses like Sports in Action and Tae Kwon Do aim to help students get moving. In addition, kids will have the opportunity to learn self-care tips for overall well-being.
Credit Recovery and More for High School Students
At both Tenor High School campuses and Veritas High School, students will be able to choose from a variety of summer activities that extend and enrich student learning beyond the traditional school term. Students who have failed classes have the opportunity to earn credits back through summer credit recovery classes.
In addition to those opportunities, each high school has its own unique lineup of courses that allow students to enrich their skills while exploring areas of interest that may help guide them on career paths.  Highlights include Career Interest Science, Science (Terraforming Mars), English- Explore the City You Live In, Social Studies (American History Through Film), Math (Building Life Skills through Math), and Debunking Conspiracy Theories. These classes give students the chance to explore content areas in a new way. There are also great non-traditional offerings like Ecology Club, Nature and Writing, Summer Fitness, Upcycling, or Photography.
The Mission of Seeds of Health Doesn’t Stop in the Summer
Time and again, Seeds of Health has proven that nothing will get in the way of its mission – “To meet the unique needs of urban children through small schools in a caring, personal environment.” Seeds of Health Schools have found innovative ways to address their students’ needs during the pandemic and will continue to do so moving forward, thanks to innovative programs like their Seeds of Health Learning in Concert Series for the Summer of 2021. For more information about the Learning in Concert Summer Learning at Seeds of Health Schools, contact Assistant Executive Director Jodi Weber at 414-390-0830.
About Seeds of Health, Inc.
Founded in 1983, Seeds of Health, Inc. is the only K4-12 charter school agency in the state of Wisconsin serving approximately 1,300 students in three high schools with a total of four locations and a K4-8 elementary program. The individual and unique education programs at each Seeds of Health school serve a broad range of student needs – from at-risk to the college-bound. Seeds of Health is Milwaukee’s innovative “homegrown” answer to imaginative, collaborative, and cutting-edge education options, with the vision to positively impact the growth and development of urban children. Tenor High School, a program of Seeds of Health, is a high-performing charter school authorized by the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (UWM).  For more information, please visit www.seedsofhealth.org.

author: Seeds of Health


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SOH-Logo.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 26, 2021


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First Stage’s ‘Amplify’ series raises the voices of people of color | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 27, 2021
“Copper Horns in Water,” the first play in First Stage’s new “Amplify” series, features Marisa Carr and students from the Indian Community School. (Photo provided by First Stage)
When Ty Defoe was young, he played the spider in First Stage’s production of “Charlotte’s Web.”
Now, he’s back at the children’s theater-this time as a playwright-with his short play, “Copper Horns in Water.”
“For me as an artist to write a story like this in my own territory, for me it’s a great coming home,” Ty Defoe says. (Photo by John Edmonds)
“It was a no-brainer to me to write something that amplifies the Native people of Wisconsin,” said Defoe, who is an Indigenous artist, actor and playwright.  In “Copper Horns,” he said, “the Native youth get to be the heroes, they get to build relationships and be complicated individuals.”
The play follows North, an underwater creature that recently earned its copper horns during a coming-of-age ritual, and is based on the Anishinaabe storytelling tradition and features students from the Indian Community School and Marisa Carr.
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The play is a part of First Stage’s “Amplify” series, which features plays by BIPOC, or Black, Indigenous and People of Color, artists.
Reflecting the community
First Stage has always been a place for young people to see themselves on stage, its artistic director Jeff Frank said. But this new series is a part of the theater’s longstanding commitment and conscious effort to reflect the community, Frank said.
“If you can dive into theater and see perspectives from other characters, it’s going to expand your world,” Frank said.
The “Amplify” series hopes to do this by showcasing the voices and works of BIPOC artists.
The series consists of two plays: “Copper Horns in Water,” which is available to stream until Sunday, May 16, and “Unmuted,” which will begin streaming Friday, April 30.
Alvaro Saar Rios, the playwright behind “Unmuted,” is a resident playwright with First Stage and an associate professor at UW-Milwaukee.
Alvaro Saar Rios, the playwright behind “Unmuted,” says theater shows people’s experiences and allows the audience to empathize with them. (Photo provided by First Stage)
Rios, who is Latino, said some of his plays are about Latino culture, but “Unmuted” is not. Sometimes there is an expectation that the work of BIPOC artists has to reflect their culture, he said.
The play follows a group of students in virtual gym class after the substitute teacher is kicked out of the Zoom.
Rios’ son’s experience with virtual school inspired the plot.
“I wanted it to be this piece that reflected what my son was going through,” he said. “Because the kids have this room to themselves, they get to be kids.”
‘The students kept coming back’
The turnaround for both plays has been relatively quick. While Defoe and Rios have embraced the heightened intensity, technical problems created extra challenges for all involved. First Stage figured out early on that due to internet connectivity issues, it had to film each actor individually and then stitch the final production together.
“It became a hybrid of theater and film to become this finished project,” Frank said. “It provided a series of challenges that we look at as learning experiences here at First Stage. It’s easy to look at challenges and be defeated by them but being able to push through shows a resilience.”
Johamy Morales, the director of “Copper Horns in Water,” says the theater should invoke a true sense of community. (Photo provided by First Stage)
Johamy Morales, the director of “Copper Horns in Water” and director of education for the Seattle Children’s Theatre, said the process kept her on her toes and taught her to be flexible.
“As a director, I learned to enjoy the process of being in unknown territory,” she said. “I’m a leader on this project but I’m also a learner.”
Morales especially admired the students’ resilience. Rehearsal would take place after a full day of school, she said.
“The students kept coming back,” Defoe said. “They wanted to make the story together and that was really inspiring to me.”
Defoe and Morales hope that the play encourages viewers to think more consciously of water and the responsibilities that humans have toward it.
“Art is a tool for social impact,” Defoe said. “It saves lives and inspires people to do work.”
“I hope that virtual theater continues,” Rios added. “It allows us to reach audiences we haven’t been able to reach. I’m proud that we’re utilizing the internet and using it as a way to tell stories and create something.”
How to watch the plays
“Copper Horns in Water” is available to stream now, with “Unmuted” available starting Friday, April 30. The plays are free to stream on YouTube.


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Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 26, 2021


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Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 26, 2021


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Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 26, 2021


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Ana Martinez-Ortiz
April 26, 2021


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Post from Community: Alverno College wins national award for student assessment | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alverno College
April 27, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Alverno College will receive the 2021 Trudy W. Banta Lifetime Achievement in Assessment Award, given to national leaders in assessment work.
The award has previously only been given to individuals, making Alverno the first institution to receive it.
“This is a tremendous honor for Alverno College,” said Joseph Foy, Ph.D., vice president for Academic Affairs. “This prestigious award is a testament to the legacy of educational innovation that Alverno is known for, as well as the continued excellence provided by Alverno’s staff and faculty today. I am very proud of our campus community and of the Alverno College students who demonstrate in their personal and professional lives the transformational power of our outcomes-based approach to education.”
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The award will be presented at the 2021 Assessment Institute in Indianapolis, hosted by Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) from October 24–27. The IUPUI Assessment Institute is the oldest and largest U.S. higher education event focused on assessment and improvement. This year’s virtual event will include more than 250 educational sessions addressing a range of assessment topics, themes and trends. Several thousand attendees from across the U.S. and several foreign countries are expected to attend.
Since the early 1970s, Alverno College has been a leader in teaching and assessment, pioneering an ability-based curriculum that focuses on eight skills most valued by employers: communication, analysis, problem solving, valuing in decision-making, social interaction, developing a global perspective, effective citizenship, and aesthetic engagement. Rather than receiving traditional letter grades, Alverno students are assessed by faculty members, peers and professionals. This in-depth feedback allows students to understand how to capitalize on their strengths and improve their weaknesses.
Educators from around the world attend Alverno’s annual Summer Assessment Workshop, which this year will be held virtually on June 2, 4 and 7. Faculty, administrators and staff who are experts at designing and implementing assessment methods will guide attendees through understanding and exploring learning outcomes, competency-based education, student assessment-as-learning, and institutional assessment. For more information or to register, visit alverno.edu/Workshop.
About Alverno College
Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno College promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Undergraduate programs for women are offered in more than 60 areas of study, and graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology, school psychology, music therapy, music and liturgy, and business are open to women and men.
A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report. For two years, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education named Alverno the country’s most inspiring college.
Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college.

author: Alverno College


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April 27, 2021


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Post from Community: Convergence Resource Center celebrates Ebony Wright as its 2021 ‘Masterpiece Work of ART’ | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Convergence Resource Center
April 27, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Four years ago, Ebony Wright was looking forward to being reunited with her seven children after three years in jail. She knew she never wanted to return and vowed this, her third term, needed to be her last. An unexpected encounter with a Convergence Resource Center (CRC) volunteer shortly before her release put her on the right path to her goal.
“I never expected they would do as much as they have for me. I thought they might give me a bus pass and maybe one or two counseling sessions,” said Wright. “They helped me find a place to live, clothes, personal hygiene items, towels and sheets along with resources and referrals for other programs and assistance.
“I’ve received one-on-one counseling, group therapy, computer training that will help me get a job working in an office, and they are helping me get my GED (high school equivalence certificate),” she added. “My support system is CRC. They have kept me from making the same bad choices that sent me to jail.”
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CRC is a faith-based organization that helps women rebuild their lives after incarceration and female survivors of human trafficking. More than 1000 women have overcome their traumas during the past 18 years because of CRC.
“Ebony’s life story is one of heartache, adversity, disappointment, tough love, hard work, self-reflection, dedication, inner-growth and a bright future,” said Debbie Lassiter, D. Div., the nonprofit’s CEO and co-founder.
Wright, 37, grew up in Rockford, Ill., the oldest of four children who looked after her three younger brothers after her parents divorced when she was 12. She remained close to her father even after the separation that was caused by drug use. His death two years later and her falling in with older teens Ied to drug and alcohol use, dropping out of school, and becoming pregnant at 17. A second baby a year later followed by a third child three years later added to her stress. That’s when she began writing bad checks and running up credit card bills that went unpaid, landing her three years in an Illinois prison.
She had a fourth child after her release and was pregnant with her fifth when she was arrested for shoplifting. She landed back in prison after that baby was born. Seeking a fresh start, she moved to Milwaukee to get away from bad influences. She had two more children before being sent back to prison for a probation violation in 2015. She learned of CRC in the weeks before her release and enrolled a few days after leaving prison.
“CRC is women helping women. No matter the issue or problem, they always have an answer to everything – they’ve always been there for me and they are there to help me succeed,” said Wright. “No one there is judgmental. They’ve been where I am and some of them have done worse. They give me accountability and the help I need to make the right decisions and do things the right way. The wrong way leads back to jail. I don’t want to go back and have to start over.”
Wright works two jobs – at a daycare center and at CRC – and is proud that in the past year she moved from a rundown apartment into a nice house and has had her driver’s license reinstated so she can legally drive.
“Ebony has never given up. She wanted to be a good mom to her children and to be a better person, herself. All she needed was a helping hand, consistent direction, and encouragement to be her best,” said Lassiter. “That is what she found at Convergence Resource Center.”
Because of her hard work and consistent growth, Wright was recently celebrated as CRC’s “2021 Masterpiece” during the nonprofit’s “Ensuring Hope for the Future” virtual annual fundraising event. Women enrolled in CRC’s programs are called Works of ART, referring to CRC’s Avoid Recidivism Track that helps women avoid repeating negative behaviors to move forward in their lives.  The Masterpiece is the Work of ART selected as having shown the most improvement and growth during the past year.
“Much like a seed that began to sprout at the edge of a garden, she has grown stronger despite the weeds that surrounded her,” said Lassiter. “Thanks to the loving hands, faith, and training of the gardeners at Convergence Resource Center, Ebony has put down deep roots in good soil, grown straight and strong and is ready to bloom for the rest of her life.”
Wright hopes to mentor other women at CRC the way she has been mentored. In the meantime, she is sharing the lessons she has learned with her children.
“I tell my oldest that their past doesn’t define you – you can move forward. I tell my youngest that mommy works really hard to take care of you,” she said. “I have to make the right choices for them. Failure is not an option anymore.”
About Convergence Resource Center
Convergence Resource Center (CRC) is a faith-based nonprofit community service organization providing support for men and women rebuilding their lives after trauma with an emphasis on justice involved women and female survivors of human trafficking. It collaborates with more than 50 community service organizations locally and nationally through partnerships and membership in several human trafficking task forces. To learn more, call (414) 979-0591 or visit www.convergenceresource.org.

author: Convergence Resource Center


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EbonyWright_ConvergenceResourceCtr.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 27, 2021


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Post from Community: Walk the grounds at St. Ann Center | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care
April 27, 2021
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
The community is invited to get some exercise and enjoy a beverage at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care during Free Refreshment Fridays. Walk the landscaped pathways at the Bucyrus Campus, 2450 W. North Ave., every Friday in May, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
Walkers can enter the grounds from North 25th Street and visit the Tiki Hut gazebo for a free drink and snack, weather permitting. Paved walkways on the 7.5-acre grounds cover one-third mile.
A free chair yoga session will be held at the campus’ Indaba Band Shell on Friday, May 14 and 21. Certified yoga instructor Marquita Edwards will lead exercises promoting flexibility and balance. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.
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Visitors must wear face coverings and observe social distancing. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, contact Gloria Miller at gmiller@stanncenter.org, or call 414-210-2428.


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b74f42c0-ef62-475d-96a6-384ebd136e9b.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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April 27, 2021