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Andre Lee Ellis, Rose Daitsman named winners of the 2016 Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Robert J. Bauman
September 14, 2016
Andre Lee Ellis recites the poem “I, Too” by Langston Hughes. (Photo by Allison Steines)
Andre Lee Ellis, an activist, community leader, and theatre director, and Rose Daitsman, a lifelong advocate for many human rights issues, have been named the 2016 recipients of the Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award.
Mr. Ellis and Ms. Daitsman will each be presented with the Zeidler award during a special ceremony at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 20 in the third floor Council Chamber Anteroom (prior to the start of the regular meeting of the Common Council) at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St.
“The Committee’s decision recognizes these two outstanding leaders from different segments of our community, who share the common vision of empowering young people to overcome special obstacles in our society. Their positive examples and inspiring messages are things that our city needs to honor and grow,” said Arthur Heitzer, chair of the Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award Selection Committee.
Mr. Ellis has worked diligently to improve the lives of young African American males, while also investing in and improving the community, Mr. Heitzer said.
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Mr. Heitzer continued: “Mr. Ellis’s creative and hands-on work to improve the lives of young African American men and boys on the north side has won well-deserved local and national recognition, including his appearance earlier this year on the Steve Harvey show and being named a ‘Harvey’s Hero.’ Every Saturday morning, young people, and their mentors, can be seen at 9th & Ring Streets, beautifying the area with a community garden.”
Mr. Heitzer added: “Their involvement has also decreased violence, and inspired many young men to work positively for their neighborhood while breaking negative cycles and committing themselves to high and realistic goals. His leadership in the ‘We Got This’ movement shows what caring and listening people can do in some of the most challenged situations in our city.”
About Ms. Daitsman, Mr. Heitzer said: “Rose Daitsman has truly been an indefatigable, lifelong advocate for many human rights issues, including gender, racial and economic equality. An activist for peace for many decades, she lives and breathes the understanding that we can only have a secure peace if it is based on justice.”
Alderman Robert J. Bauman, vice-chair of the award selection committee, said Mr. Ellis and Ms. Daitsman are role models who have worked to make Milwaukee a better city. “Andre Lee Ellis exemplifies what an engaged activist and mentor looks like – putting forth his own energy and vision for improving the lives of others in our city and doing it for the pure joy of watching others prosper, of seeing the betterment of total strangers,” he said.
“Over the years Ms. Daitsman has selflessly pursued causes that are of great import to our city, looking to bring human rights and social justice issues such as human trafficking and equal rights to the fore, and keeping her energy and focus strong for an extended period of years. Her work is worthy of recognition for any number of reasons,” Alderman Bauman said.
June M. Perry, a member of the Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award Selection Committee, said Mr. Ellis “is someone who takes action when he sees a need in the community.”
“He saw young African American boys who didn’t know what it meant to get dressed to go out to dinner…and he did something about it….the 500 Black Tuxedos project that brought together men and boys who were all dressed in tuxedos to go out to dinner,” Ms. Perry said.
“He saw boys who wanted to work but had no jobs so he created ‘We Got This’ to pay them $20 for showing up on time on Saturday mornings to plant and grow vegetables in a community garden. He is a role model, mentor, activist and father figure to many who look to him for guidance and advice. Andre is saving lives and helping boys become responsible men. I wish we could clone him!” Ms. Perry said.
Mr. Ellis moved to the Borchert Field neighborhood in 2011 and instantly began questioning the negative behavior he witnessed there. He took his interest a step further when he asked the young African American men he engaged with how he could help and what assistance they needed. His four decades of experience in theatre has helped him build relationships with the young members of his community and initiate programs that directly impact them and the community in which they live.
In the summer of 2014 Mr. Ellis started the nationally-recognized and aforementioned “We Got This,” campaign. It began when one 12-year-old boy asked Ellis for advice on how to stay out of trouble. He responded by putting him to work and paying him $20 in exchange for the boy’s improved behavior. Mr. Ellis’s idea grew, and now “We Got This” sponsors nearly 100 boys every Saturday to clean up their neighborhood. Ellis uses social media to find black men to help pay each boy $20.
That same summer Mr. Ellis founded another program to empower young African American men in Milwaukee. His “500 Black Tuxedos” event invites black men to sponsor boys in renting a black tuxedo for a day on the town. In the first year, 50 boys and 50 men participated, and under his leadership, the program continues to grow both locally and nationally.
Mr. Ellis has dedicated his life to “putting ‘neighbor’ back into our ‘hoods’” and has served as a positive influence to many. He also helped establish Milwaukee’s Juneteenth pageant as well as Garfield Avenue Blues, Jazz, Gospel and Arts Festival. He previously worked with Jomandi Productions, an African American theatre company in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving back to Milwaukee, where he was born and raised.
Rose Daitsman has been a resilient, lifelong advocate for many human rights issues, including gender, racial and economic equality. When Ms. Daitsman notices inequalities, she aims to correct them through working with existing organizations, or creating coalitions to unite around that particular issue.
With a background in Chemical Engineering, Ms. Daitsman has been a longtime proponent of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. She personally developed an engineering program for minority students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as well as a Peace Studies curriculum for Milwaukee Public Schools. Mr. Heitzer noted that “one of her special and unique contributions was promoting the involvement of Native American Indian students in the fields of science and engineering.”
In 2006, Ms. Daitsman created the Greater Milwaukee Human Rights Coalition, which soon after produced a report in 2007, titled: “The Status of Racial Discrimination in Criminal Justice, Employment and Housing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.” She assembled 10 endorsing organizations and 20 individuals to help research and publish this 30-page report, which was later submitted to the U.S. Human Rights Network and the U.N.’s International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) Committee. This report then led to her involvement in the revitalization of the city’s Equal Rights Commission, which was reinstated in 2009.

created: September 14, 2016

author: Ald. Robert J. Bauman


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 14, 2016

source: news-milwaukeenns

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

author: Adam Carr


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Turnkey program combats foreclosure, but housing challenges remain in Layton Boulevard West | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jabril Faraj
September 14, 2016
In January, a foreclosure notice was issued for 803 S. 36th St., which shares an alley with the most recently renovated Turnkey Home. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
Layton Boulevard West Neighbors (LBWN) recently broke ground on its first new-construction Turnkey Renovation Home. The home, which will be built on a formerly bank-owned lot in Burnham Park, is the most recent example of an ongoing effort by the neighborhood organization to help the Silver City, Burnham Park and Layton Park neighborhoods rebound from the housing and foreclosure crisis.
Since 2008, LBWN has invested more than $3.5 million to renovate 20 foreclosed properties in the area. LBWN Executive Director Will Sebern said the organization will continue to renovate homes in addition to the new construction, which will be the program’s second “Net Zero” home, an energy-efficient model that has reduced energy costs by 96 percent over a year.
“It’s an all-of-the above approach,” Sebern said. “We’re focused on … providing a new home ownership opportunity, and doing so in an affordable way.”
At the groundbreaking, Mayor Tom Barrett said the 2008 housing crisis, fueled largely by subprime lending and a loss of middle-class jobs, resulted in the City of Milwaukee and banks owning more properties than they wanted to. He praised LBWN’s efforts and encouraged other neighborhood organizations to follow suit, adding that the city is eager to help organizations develop the partnerships necessary to execute such a program.
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LBWN Executive Director Will Sebern speaks during an August groundbreaking for the first new-construction Turnkey Home. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
Barrett said, “I want to see a grandma or a mom sitting on her front porch watching the kids play in the front yard. I want the mom or the dad to write a property tax check to the city. I want them to help enhance — and not detract from — the property values of … surrounding properties.”
According to Sebern, in 2015 the median selling price for homes in the three neighborhoods LBWN serves was about $72,000, a 37 percent increase from 2014, but still lower than before 2008, when that figure was between $120,000 and $130,000. He said the new home will sell for about $125,000, which is “still in the affordability range for the homeowner we’re trying to attract to the property.”
Joey Zocher, a teacher at the nearby Escuela Verde, bought the first “Net Zero” Turnkey home in 2014. Zocher, who lived in Bay View for 10 years before buying the home, said it was important for her to move into a diverse neighborhood without “taking over.”
“I love Milwaukee. But, just because I love it doesn’t mean I’m going to act like there’s not issues,” she said. “Trying to think about how to re-establish a neighborhood without gentrifying it is really interesting to me.”
For that reason, Zocher, who purchased her home for $110,000, said, “I really love the checks and balances that have been put into place for the program.”
Individuals who earn between 50 and 120 percent of the city’s median income — $17,745 to $42,587 a year, as of the 2014 census — are eligible for the program, and buyers are required to live in the home for three years. Zocher said the house’s energy efficiency has made owning it more affordable.
Nineteen Turnkey homes have been sold at an average price of $97,434, according to LBWN. LBWN said demographic data on Turnkey homeowners was not readily available.
The neighborhood has had about 50 city- and bank-owned homes at any given time, Sebern said. He added that the declining inventory of foreclosed homes in the area has presented a challenge, “putting upward pressure on prices” and attracting increased attention from outside investors.
A search of Zillow.com shows 29 foreclosed homes in Burnham Park, Silver City and Layton Park. In the same area, 36 homes are in pre-foreclosure, which means the lender has initiated foreclosure proceedings. Thirty of the homes in pre-foreclosure were purchased before 2008. Twenty properties have a lower estimated value than when they were originally purchased; nine of the 16 with values higher than when purchased were bought in the ’80s and ’90s, when prices were much lower.
Harambee, a north side neighborhood comparable in size to the Layton Boulevard West neighborhoods but with lower listed home values, has 20 foreclosures and seven homes in pre-foreclosure, according to Zillow.
“If you’re in a place where housing values are going up, you can have a totally unaffordable payment and it won’t matter because you’re going to be able to sell your house, because it’s worth more,” said Carl Quindel, president of Strong Blocks, an organization that helps Milwaukee renters become homeowners. “It’s only a problem when you have both go wrong — you can’t afford … the monthly cost, and you have no equity.”
Quindel said many banks are much quicker to begin foreclosure proceedings now as compared to when the housing crisis was in full swing. Because of that, he said some of the owners of pre-foreclosed properties may be able to keep their homes, or find other alternatives.
Sebern said LBWN is trying to figure out how to identify homeowners who are facing the threat of foreclosure. “A lot of times … by the time we find out that a property’s in that process, [the owners] may have moved out already, or they may think that there’s just nothing left that can be done.”
He encouraged struggling homeowners to contact LBWN, adding that free services are available. Take Root Milwaukee, an LBWN partner, provides confidential services to help homeowners who are worried about losing their home find alternatives to foreclosure.
Sebern said, “We really are trying to get that message out in the neighborhood in advance so people know.”

author: Jabril Faraj


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 13, 2016

created: September 13, 2016


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29037204134_f88cbb2e63_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 13, 2016


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First year of Sankofa MKE festival seeks to bring black Milwaukee together | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mitchell Mittelstedt
September 15, 2016
The first ever Sankofa MKE festival took place in Washington Park on Sept. 10 to celebrate “the beauty of black: lives, music and culture.”
Co-founder Jarrett English said in a recent Facebook post, “This is about far, far, more than just a festival, it’s about the growth, well being, and all around prosperity of black Milwaukee. Culturally, economically, and otherwise.”
The band shell at Washington Park featured more than 30 performances throughout the day and night.  Situated on paths near the pavilion, vendors sold food, jewelry, soap and other merchandise.
English emphasized the role of people and organizations working together, as a network, to boost the prospects of black Milwaukee.  “The whole point of Sankofa MKE, along with all the other amazing things like Heal the Hood, We Got This and “300+ Strong,” is to make sure, together, that everyone is okay. Black lives, you matter. It’s not saying that nobody else matters; it’s saying that black folks, being in the situation that we are collectively, we matter and we need to raise everybody up.”
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Among those performing at Sankofa MKE was Still Waters Collective, an organization founded by Dasha Kelly for language artists. Three members of the collective, Sierra Bass, 19, Unique Russ, 20, and Alea McHatten, 20, recited their provocative, socially conscious poetry with live accompaniment by the band Cypher, to much applause.
“I want to put light on our narratives, give voice to our community, and to raise awareness, ” said McHatten. Bass continued, “Still Waters has a lot of focuses, but mainly it’s cultivation through art.”
English said he would like Sankofa MKE to become a community-owned co-op “to make sure that we increase the opportunity of success in black Milwaukee.”

created: September 15, 2016

author: Mitchell Mittelstedt


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Foundation continues Gifts to the Community with free admission to lakefront sites | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Greater Milwaukee Foundation
September 15, 2016
(Photo by Adam Carr)
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Gifts to the Community program returns in 2016 with a special, one-day opportunity to explore four signature lakefront destinations for free.
On Saturday, Oct. 15, all visitors to Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, Discovery World, Milwaukee Art Museum and the Port Washington Historical Society’s Port Exploreum and 1860 Light Station will receive free admission. The Foundation’s Gifts to the Community are being presented this year in partnership with Fund for Lake Michigan.
“Our great lake is among our region’s most unique resources, but not everyone in our community has the same opportunity to access its shoreline and the fabulous organizations located there,” said Ellen Gilligan, president and CEO of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. “As we saw last year, philanthropy can eliminate barriers to provide an inclusive and welcoming experience that unites families and neighbors for a stronger community.”
Launched in celebration of the Foundation’s centennial in 2015, Gifts to the Community aimed to provide special opportunities connecting greater Milwaukeeans while showcasing some of the region’s most positive characteristics. Last year, 275,000 people directly participated in 12 surprise gifts that engaged 25 different partner organizations.
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“We’re just thrilled to partner with GMF to help showcase these signature institutions along our beautiful lakefront,” said Vicki Elkin, executive director of Fund for Lake Michigan. “Sometimes we forget that not everyone has visited these sites before. It should be a memorable day, and we hope guests make many return visits to enjoy all the wonderful opportunities our lakefront has to offer.”
Details about the 2016 Gifts to the Community free access day, including destination information and program notes, are available at greatermilwaukeefoundation.org/gifts.
Port Exploreum, 118 N. Franklin St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the 1860 Light Station, 311 Johnson St., will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both are in Port Washington, Wis.
“This partnership with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation provides the Port Washington Historical Society a unique opportunity to reach out beyond our community to share with southeastern Wisconsin the history of not only our city, but also the stories of our community and its people,” said Wayne Chrusciel, executive director of the Port Washington Historical Society.
Milwaukee Art Museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are grateful for our continued partnership with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation,” said Praveen Krishnamurti, Milwaukee Art Museum’s chief experience officer. “This important gift allows us to open our doors to the community and to provide increased access. We hope Milwaukeeans take advantage of this opportunity to visit and explore our galleries, as art is a vital source of inspiration and education.”
Discovery World, 500 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee, will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Discovery World is honored to be included in this very special day for the community,” said Discovery World president & CEO Joel Brennan. “Thanks to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation for allowing people and families to spend quality time together in some of Milwaukee’s amazing cultural institutions. Events like this can make the fabric of families stronger, and it makes us a stronger community.”
Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, 929 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Access to enrichment opportunities like those offered at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is key to a child’s heathy development and school readiness,” said Fern Shupeck, the Museum’s executive director. “We are honored to be selected by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to participate in the Gifts to the Community program. Thanks to the Foundation, families can explore our hands-on exhibits; learn more about the free parenting education, membership and transportation assistance programs we offer for families that are struggling to raise a young child; and experience our Be A Maker communal workshop through activities that promote literacy, and science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM), helping children build important skills that will last a lifetime.”

author: Greater Milwaukee Foundation


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 15, 2016


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Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast calls for new girls and volunteers to join in the fun | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast
September 15, 2016
The school year is back in swing and Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast (GSWISE) is inviting girls to join the fun and register for Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts gives girls a supportive space to take chances, try new things, and learn to succeed even through failure—improving all aspects of their lives.
When girls are given a safe and supportive environment to take chances, despite the potential for failure, they’re able to experience the emotional impact of risk without damaging consequences. Girl Scouts is the premier place to provide girls with a safe environment for trying new things and overcoming fears, making them greater challenge-seekers, more academically proficient students, and, eventually, more successful adults.
Feeling empowered to take action is difficult for girls, but experiencing the benefits of girl-led programming like Girl Scouts can lead to significant growth in girls’ leadership skills—and, according to the Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI), Girl Scouts have more leadership experiences than other girls and boys. Of girls, 84 percent say that they learned or did new things in Girl Scouts, and 80 percent reported that in Girl Scouts they were able to do things that they could not have done in other places. Through experiences like these, girls become more active and engaged learners, develop a positive sense of self, and learn resourceful problem solving.
“It’s not just girls’ confidence and attitude that improve through Girl Scouts—they also become better students,” said Christy Brown, CEO, Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. “Through Girl Scouts, girls learn not to avoid difficult tasks and they become stronger challenge-seekers who are more likely to feel academically engaged and competent as a result. Embracing failure as a natural part of life is necessary to ensure our girls develop the tenacity to overcome obstacles later in life. A girl who can take challenges head-on will grow into a woman who is more successful in all endeavors.”
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Research shows that embracing failure as a learning opportunity, rather than viewing it as a detractor from success, improves all aspects of a child’s life, particularly academics. The GSRI found the variety of activities offered through Girl Scouts—from planning and leading projects to participating in community service and outdoor expeditions—allows girls to gain skills and confidence that also help them do well in school.
Children are resilient and will problem solve until they master a challenging situation, bouncing back if success isn’t immediate. According to a study published by the American Psychological Association, kids perform better if they know failure—trying again when it doesn’t go as planned the first time is part of the learning process. Research shows “helping children to interpret difficulty, not as a sign of intellectual limitation but as the normal learning outcome,” enhanced how they tackled tough tasks and lowered their negative emotional response to these activities.
To join or volunteer, visit www.girlscouts.org/join.

author: Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast


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On the Block: Land of opportunity | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jabril Faraj
September 15, 2016
Read more about Omar Gayle at milwaukeestories.org.


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Behavior clinic awarded $2 million SAMHSA grant to provide trauma-focused treatment for very young children in Milwaukee County | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Penfield Children’s Center
September 16, 2016
The Behavior Clinic, a partnership between Marquette University and Penfield Children’s Center, received a five-year grant totaling $1,930,732 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide trauma-focused treatment for children from birth to age 6 in Milwaukee County.
“The Behavior Clinic speaks to the value that a strong partnership between a community-based organization and an academic institution can have on the community,” said Christine Holmes, president/CEO at Penfield Children’s Center. “SAMHSA’s incredible investment in the Behavior Clinic will support the critical work our staff is doing with children and families exposed to significant trauma.”
As part of the SAMHSA grant, the Behavior Clinic will deliver an evidence-based practice and support:
“Research increasingly links significant emotional and behavioral difficulties in childhood to trauma,” said Dr. Bill Henk, dean of the College of Education at Marquette University. “The SAMHSA grant will allow the Behavior Clinic to continue to serve as a leader in this field contributing to the growing body of research on the impact of trauma in early childhood and share this research on best practices from the clinic’s proven home intervention model with practitioners throughout the country.”
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The Behavior Clinic serves more than 400 children annually by providing in-home counseling and services that address issues very early in a child’s development to help prevent serious mental health issues from developing in the future. Recognized by SAMHSA as a nationally-replicable model, the Behavior Clinic is a training facility for aspiring mental health professionals and has made 41 presentations at local, state, regional and national conferences and published 23 refereed journal articles and two book chapters since 2003, while concurrently delivering trauma-informed care to children and providing parents with skills to foster a positive, stable environment for their child’s overall development.
“This is a tremendous endorsement of the Behavior Clinic’s work to provide trauma-informed care to children living in Milwaukee County,” said Dr. Robert Fox, Professor in the College of Education’s Department of Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology at Marquette University and the consulting psychologist at the Behavior Clinic. “The SAMHSA grant will support our work to provide critical care to young children exposed to trauma and train mental health practitioners on the best practices we’ve acquired doing this work since 2003.”

created: September 16, 2016

author: Penfield Children’s Center


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Milwaukee Public Schools partners with four nationally recognized artists through White House arts initiative | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Public Schools
September 16, 2016
(Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Public School)
Four nationally renowned artists will be working with students at four Milwaukee Public Schools this school year to use arts as a way to help students succeed academically.
The artists are part of Turnaround Arts, the signature program of the President’s Committee on Arts and Humanities. Milwaukee Public Schools is the only district in the state selected to participate in the program.
Each artist works with their school over the course of the program, working directly with students and teachers, engaging parents and the school community, and highlighting the positive impact of the arts on the school’s transformation.
The four artists are:
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“The arts are a gateway to engage more young people in learning, and these artists will be invaluable as we more fully integrate the arts into our curriculum,” said MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver.
Turnaround Arts increases student achievement using an integrated arts model. According to a national research organization, over a four year period, Turnaround Arts schools in other districts experienced on average a 12.6 percent improvement in reading proficiency and a 22.5 percent improvement in math proficiency. In addition, attendance increased and suspensions decreased following the implementation of Turnaround Arts programs.
In Milwaukee, Turnaround Arts focuses on three key areas:
Many of Milwaukee’s arts partners are part of the Turnaround Arts effort, including Danceworks, First Stage Children’s Theater, Black Arts Think Tank, Express Yourself Milwaukee, Still Waters Collective, Florentine Opera, H2O, the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the University of Wisconsin-Peck School of the Arts. In addition, UWM and Cardinal Stritch, through a grant from the Margaret Cargill Foundation, are partnering with MPS to recruit, train and provide ongoing support for MPS arts educators.
Nationally, Turnaround Arts is made possible through a collaboration of government agencies, nonprofit partners, corporate and private partners. Locally, the MPS Foundation coordinated support from the Herzfeld Foundation and the Zilber Family Foundation for the Milwaukee Public Schools’ Turnaround Arts effort.

author: Milwaukee Public Schools


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 16, 2016


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Ong wins prestigious fellowship | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sharon McGowan
September 16, 2016
Matthew Bin Han Ong, a former intern at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, is among 14 journalists chosen for the inaugural class of the National Cancer Reporting Fellowships. The fellowship was created as a collaboration between the National Cancer Institute and the Association of Health Care Journalists.
The fellows will spend four days in October at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, to increase their understanding of and ability to report accurately on complex scientific findings, and provide insight into the work of cancer researchers.
Ong, a reporter for The Cancer Letter, based in Washington D.C., graduated from Marquette University in 2012. He has won four prestigious awards in 2016 for his series, “How Medical Devices Do Harm,” from the Society of Professional Journalists, Washington, D.C. Chapter; Society of American Business Editors and Writers; National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation; and the American Society of Business Publication Editors. He also won the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Washington Media Institute.
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author: Sharon McGowan


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Residents warned about dangerous lead levels in drinking water | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
September 16, 2016
Robert Miranda, a representatives of Freshwater for Life Action Coalition (FLAC), warned residents about elevated lead levels in their household water during a recent public meeting. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Editor’s note: This is one of an occasional series of stories highlighting the health risk — particularly to children — of lead services lines, which deliver water from city water mains to about 70,000 homes in Milwaukee.
It’s happened before — In Flint, Michigan, last year — in Washington, D.C., in the early 2000s. Now, Milwaukee residents are being kept in the dark about dangerous levels of lead in their drinking water, said Freshwater for Life Action Coalition (FLAC) member Robert Miranda.
“The mayor is worried about building his Camelot downtown while residents across the rest of the city are being exposed to lead-contaminated water,” Miranda said.
Miranda made his comments during a public meeting at Muhammad’s Mosque #3, 4202 N. Teutonia Ave. He warned residents that partial lead service line removal and replacements being conducted by the Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) and Milwaukee Water Works are shaking the pipes, releasing loose lead fragments into the water stream and spiking lead levels. Mayor Tom Barrett urged Milwaukee residents living in a building constructed prior to 1951 to purchase a faucet filter, during a public forum on drinking water at Marquette University.
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But just any filter won’t do, Miranda told the smattering of people attending the meeting on the city’s North Side. Residents need a filter that is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and meets standard 53, the minimum requirement for certification of a filtration system designed to reduce health-related contaminants, including lead, Miranda said. The certification and standard should be listed on the outside of the filter’s box, he added.
Milwaukee residents have been advised to purchase certified water filters to protect against lead-tainted drinking water. (Photo by Sue Vliet)
Minister William Muhammad, a FLAC member who’s long been concerned about local drinking water, convened the meeting. He said his concerns were substantiated by FLAC’s findings that lead pipe replacement practices in Milwaukee have been found to cause elevated lead levels, according to studies by EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), among others. The SAB study noted that evidence is limited, but stated that the practice “may cause some harm from short-term elevation in lead levels.” The replacement of lead laterals, which connect city mains to household water pipes, affects about 70,000 residents served by lead laterals, according to DPW data.
The city has published a list of the homes with lead laterals on its website and the mayor has called for more state or federal funding to replace lead laterals. Barrett also said he would consider a program to provide free water filters for residences. Milwaukee Water Works, which recently distributed a pamphlet stating that they city’s drinking water “does not contain lead and meets all safety regulations,” nevertheless urges residents in homes with lead pipes to flush their plumbing. The city recently created a Water Quality Task Force, which is meeting Friday morning at City Hall to help create a comprehensive plan to deal with the removal.
According to Sarah DeRoo, health communications officer for the Milwaukee Health Department, the city has been very open over the past year on all developments related to lead and water. She stated that the city’s water “meets all federal guidelines for testing and treatment of water to minimize the amount of lead that could potentially dissolve into drinking water from a lead service line, and federal lead and copper rule standards for drinking water.”
As a result of a January pilot study to determine if water main replacements resulted in increased lead at the tap, Barrett suspended all work on water mains that affect lead service lines, except in emergencies including leaks and breaks, DeRoo added.
Still, FLAC argues that the city’s efforts to ensure safe drinking water are not sufficient. The coalition is calling for a moratorium on partial lead service line replacements until a safer practice can be identified.
“We have to be watchers of our water,” said Muhammad. “Most of the people who live in this city, especially the poor, the black and the brown, they don’t really know about this lead issue yet but if they did they’d be mad.”
Lorenzo Lewis, who attended the meeting, owns a home a few blocks from the mosque. Lewis, whose home was built in 1948, said he was disturbed about not being warned about the possibility of elevated lead levels in his water his family has been using for years.
“Yes sir, I’m upset about it,” Lewis said. He added that he came to the meeting to find out what type of water filters he should purchase for his home.
Also in attendance was Cortez Muhammad, who decided to come after hearing on the radio and other places that the water situation in Milwaukee could be as bad as Flint’s. He said he hopes for more information in the near future as to whether the water in his home is safe. Cortez Muhammad also said the city has mismanaged finances that could have been used to avert a possible water crisis.
“How much money did we provide to the billionaire owner of the [Milwaukee] Bucks to build a new stadium, but we don’t have money for people in the city,” he said.
Miranda and William Muhammad called for residents at the meeting to inform others on the issue and to contact their alderman and other local leaders to voice their concerns about lead contamination. By being united and voicing strong opposition, they said, city leaders will have no choice but to properly allocate the funding needed to ensure safe drinking water during the next budget cycle.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Muhammad added. “This is about justice and clean drinking water for all.”
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a response from the Milwaukee Health Department.

author: Edgar Mendez


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UnitedHealthcare hosts community block party to support health and wellness of Milwaukee families | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
UnitedHealthcare
September 16, 2016
(Courtesy of UnitedHealthcare)
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Wisconsin partnered with community organizations to host a Community Block Party at the Brown Street Academy in Milwaukee on Saturday, September 10th. Participating community organizations included Employ Milwaukee, Milwaukee Health Services and Progressive Health Center. Covering Wisconsin also provided enrollment assistance and literacy stations through the Brown Street Academy.
Activities included a yoga instructor leading classes, juicing and cooking demonstrations, and a raffle. Barbers provided free haircuts for boys from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. The Blood Center of Wisconsin provided $10 Pick-n-Save gift cards to those who donated blood. The goal of the Community Block Party was to help improve community health by connecting people to available employment, education, and health and wellness resources.
The event took place at Brown Street Academy:
2029 N. 20th Street
Milwaukee, Wis. 53205
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author: UnitedHealthcare


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Diverse group of organizations come together for Peace in our Community and in the World | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Art Heitzer
September 19, 2016
A diverse group of organizations are coming together this Wednesday at 5:30pm to march and rally by the Milwaukee City Hall for . The nearly two dozen sponsoring organizations include the Coalition for Justice, which has led many protests against police actions such as the fatal shooting of Dontre’ Hamilton in Red Arrow Park; and Peace Action Wisconsin, which has a long record of mobilizing against U.S. military actions such as the invasion of Iraq. September 21st is the International Day of Peace declared by the United Nations General Assembly, and is dedicated to both peace within and among nations. The UN has cited racism as an important factor preventing peaceful relations. People will meet at City Hall at 5:30pm for a short march, and conduct a rally at 6pm in the City Hall rotunda.

created: September 19, 2016

author: Art Heitzer


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Milwaukee’s fiscal condition improved, but still highly challenged | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Public Policy Forum
September 19, 2016
(Courtesy of Public Policy Forum)
A report released today by the Milwaukee-based Public Policy Forum finds that the City of Milwaukee’s financial outlook is much improved from the depths of the recent economic recession. The report also suggests, however, that “fundamental fiscal change” will be needed if City leaders wish to make and sustain new investments in additional police officers or community programming in the wake of the recent unrest in Sherman Park.
“The City’s revenue structure – which has been imposed upon it by the State of Wisconsin – remains broken,” says the report, titled Making Ends Meet. “Until it is modified to reduce the City’s reliance on property-related revenue, and to provide wherewithal for total annual revenue increases that mirror the rate of inflation, then City finances will continue to be stressed, and any hope for substantial new investment in public safety, community development, and other needs could be out of reach.”
The report uses a set of local government financial evaluation metrics developed by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) to assess the City’s recent financial trends and what they hold for the future. The Forum undertook a similar analysis in 2009, and found that Milwaukee was “on the precipice of serious fiscal and programmatic disorder” resulting from escalating pension obligations and dependence on revenues from the State of Wisconsin, which had been flat for years.
“Seven years later, the City’s fiscal condition is considerably healthier,” says Forum President Rob Henken, the report’s author. “Successful efforts to dramatically reduce health care costs, stabilize pension contributions, and trim the active workforce have produced relatively calm budgets in each of the past three years, while irresponsible tactics like depleting reserves or deferring needed infrastructure repairs commendably have been avoided.”
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Yet, the report also points out that given the extremely bleak set of circumstances facing the City in 2009, an “improved” outlook must be viewed in the proper context. That context includes the following key cautionary findings:
The report predicts that the 2017 budget will not be overly problematic given the City’s ability to take advantage of one more year of health care savings before costs begin to rise again in 2018. However, at that point, the City again may be forced to choose between addressing the financial needs of the Milwaukee Police Department and reducing expenditures in other departments, a choice that was labeled ‘police or potholes’ in the Forum’s 2009 report.
The report concludes by noting that options for fixing the City’s revenue structure would require legislative action in Madison. The Forum plans to consider those options in subsequent research and also will release its annual analysis of the Mayor’s proposed 2017 budget in mid-October.
“Milwaukee officials, residents, and businesses should take comfort in the City’s improved fiscal condition, particularly when compared to other Midwestern cities like Chicago or Detroit,” says Henken. “Yet, given the expenditure pressures associated with growing public safety and economic development needs and an aging infrastructure, there should be stronger contemplation than ever before regarding the need for change in the City’s basic financial structure.”
The full report – which was commissioned by the Greater Milwaukee Committee as part of its Downtown Task Force initiative – can be downloaded at the Forum’s web site, www.publicpolicyforum.org.
Milwaukee-based Public Policy Forum, established in 1913 as a local government watchdog, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of government and the development of southeastern Wisconsin through objective research of public policy issues.

author: Public Policy Forum


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 16, 2016
2016-City-Fiscal-Assessment.final_


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Reflections on the passing of Eric Von | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Raina J. Johnson
September 19, 2016
(Photo courtesy of Tammy Belton-Davis)
Raina Johnson, a Milwaukee writer, remembers broadcast journalist Eric Von, who passed away on Sept. 8 after a long and impressive career.
Broadcast journalists enter our lives to share news and opinions. But after a while, to us — the listeners — those journalists have a way of becoming our friends, and sometimes like our family members because we have their voice. We know their voice. Even if we never meet them in person, we still have their voice.
On Sept. 8, when I heard veteran journalist Eric Von passed away of an apparent heart attack, I was at an Ex Fabula StorySlam, listening to people share their stories and build community along the way. As a journalist myself, hearing of his passing was one of very few moments that I’ve been truly speechless — stunned, actually. I didn’t know what to say.
Eric, 58, was a legend in Milwaukee’s journalism community, and a community leader. For me personally, Eric served as an inspiration and a staple during many car rides I took with my grandmother when I was in high school. We listened to him on WMCS-AM (1290) a lot.
His journalism career spanned almost as many years as I’ve had birthdays.
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Eric was a steady, constant force on Milwaukee’s radio airwaves. And he will be greatly missed.
For Milwaukee’s black community, Eric was much more than a broadcast journalist. He was a teacher and an agent of change. He provided us with various viewpoints and different ways to think, or tackle a problem. He was a mastermind at bringing various groups of people together and he often used humor as a way in. For the business and the political communities in Milwaukee and in Washington, D.C., Eric was a bridge builder. From 1998 to 2000, he was a special assignment reporter and a co-host of “It’s Your Vote,” a weekly political affairs show on Milwaukee’s ABC affiliate, WISN Channel 12.
His coverage of our community was always fair and balanced, something that many in the black community feel we don’t receive from other media outlets. Eric hosted a show at WMCS-AM before the format changed in mid-2013. More recently, he was the host of “The Eric Von Show” on 860 WNOV, and a regular panelist on Wisconsin Public Television’s, “InterChange,” a groundbreaking public affairs program. He was also the host of “Precious Lives,” a two-year, 100-part radio show series created by 371 Productions about young people and gun violence in Milwaukee.
Eric’s voice in the media was crucial to understanding the deep and vast concerns many black Milwaukeeans face. His untimely death leaves a void in the black community, within our family. Eric Von’s legacy is unmatched. The combination of wit, humor and intelligence he brought to the airwaves is irreplaceable.
His presence was commanding but he immediately made you feel at ease. Mornings in Milwaukee just won’t be the same without Eric’s voice blasting through the radio waves. But we, the listeners, are fortunate to have known and to have heard such a wonderful, generous soul. May he rest peacefully and may his voice carry on in our hearts.

author: Raina J. Johnson


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Resources available to non-violent felons at inaugural Clean Slate summit | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Naomi Waxman
September 19, 2016
Clean Slate Milwaukee Executive Director Shanyeill McCloud discusses the expungement process at a June 2015 event. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
Keyonna Goodwin felt like she was being judged everywhere she went. “I felt hunted for two years,” said the 23-year-old Sherman Park resident.
Convicted of a non-violent felony in 2013, Goodwin encountered a problem that many city residents face — obstacles to employment. “Every job that I applied for, I got turned away because I was a felon, because I made one mistake,” she said.
Shanyeill McCloud, founder and executive director of Clean Slate Milwaukee, knows Goodwin’s experience is all too common. In an effort to assist felons seeking to change their lives, Clean Slate is holding Milwaukee’s first Community Re-Entry & Expungement Summit on Sept. 23 and 24 at the Abundant Faith Church of Integrity from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The summit will provide services including a job fair, housing fair, driver’s license recovery, voter registration and child support assistance.
“The first day is for anybody, man, woman, young adult, juvenile, who has a record and is seeking opportunities, even if they have a job and they’re looking to advance,” said McCloud. During the second day District Attorney John Chisholm, Sen. Lena Taylor and former Rep. Evan Goyke and others will discuss expungement. Volunteer attorneys from the Milwaukee Bar Association also will be present.
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Shanyeill McCloud founded Clean Slate Milwaukee in an effort to bring hope and provide second chances to city residents with criminal records. (Photo provided by Shanyeill McCloud)
In Wisconsin, expungement refers to blocking non-violent criminal records from public view, but only applies to people between the ages of 17 and 30.
Job fair attendees are encouraged to bring an updated resume and to “dress for success,” McCloud said. “It’s just like a regular job fair but employers already know that these applicants have records; hiring will be based on skills and qualifications — as it should be.”
A felony conviction in Wisconsin creates a litany of obstacles, including lack of access to low-income housing, careers in public service, childcare and health care.
“People with records don’t have the same access to opportunities as everybody else. A regular job fair is just not fair. They have to compete with people who don’t have records,” said McCloud. “Housing fairs don’t even really apply to them because if you have a felony record, particularly a drug conviction, good luck getting a job.” For example, Public Housing Authorities may choose to exclude individuals with criminal histories from public and Section 8 housing, according to the Wisconsin Job Center.
According to a 2016 study by the Sentencing Project, Wisconsin is second only to Oklahoma in the rate of incarceration of African-American men and women in state prisons.
“Employers wouldn’t even look at me or speak to me once they saw I had a record. I was denied jobs I was qualified for,” said 24-year-old Cory Pullie, who worked with Clean Slate to successfully expunge his record.
According to a 2015 study by the Public Policy Forum, a criminal background is among the most significant barriers to accessing employment for Milwaukee residents. “According to recent data, African-Americans had the highest unemployment rate (21.5%) and the highest rate of non-participation in the labor force (40%) among all racial and ethnic groups,” the study found.
“Expungement is one of many tools that will assist people that have a prior non-violent felony convictions,” said Steve Kuehl, economic development and Wisconsin state director at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. “These are individuals who have paid their debt to society. We have to ask ourselves, [do] people who have been in prison need to keep paying over and over again for that or can we move forward? Let them go back to work.”
Goodwin credits McCloud and Clean Slate with helping her make important life changes through expungement.
“It’s a weight off my shoulders,” she said. “I’m able to do the things I always wanted to do because now I don’t have a felony on my record. Now I can go back to school for nursing. I had a baby 11 months ago and I used to always think to myself, ‘I need to get this off my record because I want to be her role model and by having a felony from a one-time mistake, how is she going to look at me?’ People do change.”
For Clean Slate clients, opportunity and empowerment go hand in hand.
“Now I feel more confident when I go to job interviews because I know if I’m qualified for it, basically I have the job,” said Pullie. “I go in with the mindset of, ‘it’s going to be my job.’ I don’t have that background weighing on my head anymore.”
Few people are eligible for expungement due to Wisconsin’s stringent judicial clemency guidelines. A pardon, otherwise known as executive clemency, allows for full rights to be restored to an individual. Gov. Scott Walker has issued no pardons since he took office in 2011.
The Clean Slate Summit partners include the Milwaukee Bar Association, Milwaukee Employ, Rescare, the Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative, Justice Point, Wisconsin Community Services, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the League of Women Voters, The Milwaukee Area Technical College and US Bank.
Registration is required to attend the Expungement Summit.

author: Naomi Waxman


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 18, 2016

created: September 18, 2016


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Children to receive $50,000 in donated care for Give Kids A Smile and Head Start Dental Day | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Dental Association
September 20, 2016
Several hundred Milwaukee-area children, ages 3 – 16, from low-income families will receive an estimated $50,000 in free dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments and emergency treatment on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Marquette University School of Dentistry, 1801 W. Wisconsin Ave.
More than 200 volunteer dental professionals, dental and hygiene students and faculty will provide the care, along with oral hygiene instruction for parents and caregivers.
All children are welcome and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Care is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
Many of the children who will be seen on this day are enrolled in Milwaukee Public Schools Head Start Program or one of several other area Head Start programs. Head Start is a federally-funded program that provides comprehensive early childhood education to low-income children and involves their parents in the child development process.
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This event is organized by representatives of the Greater Milwaukee Dental Association and MUSOD with assistance from Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Public Schools Head Start, Acelero Head Start, Next Door Foundation Head Start, Centro Hispano Guadalupe Head Start and Milwaukee Area Health Education.
Dental supplies are being provided by Colgate, GMDA and Henry Schein Dental. GMDA will also provide breakfast and morning refreshments for volunteers.
This year’s fall dental day has been expanded to include older children normally seen as part of Give Kids A Smile which is traditionally held in February as part of National Children’s Dental Health Month.
“We have had increased turnout over the years for our fall Head Start event, but have encountered decreasing numbers of children for GKAS in the winter. By moving GKAS to the fall with our Head Start outreach, we hope good weather and the transportation provided for Head Start families will help more children of all ages get the important dental care they need,” GMDA President Dr. Cheska Avery-Stafford said.
“This charitable outreach also helps Head Start youngsters comply with the preschool program’s annual dental exam requirement, while giving dental and dental hygiene students valuable clinical experience,” Avery-Stafford added.

created: September 20, 2016

author: Wisconsin Dental Association


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On the Block: Sharks and history | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Naomi Waxman
September 20, 2016
Diamond Sconiers, who lives in the Havenwoods neighborhood, may only be 10 years old but she has a lot on her mind. A fifth grader at Eastbrook Academy, a private school in Milwaukee, she has a passion for marine science, especially sharks, and ancient Chinese history. Diamond is eager to share her knowledge and expand her understanding of the world around her.


text:
| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 19, 2016


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Social service leaders hope UNCOM summit generates new partnerships | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Andrea Waxman
September 20, 2016
Safe & Sound’s Elena Burke (left), Drug Free Communities manager and Adrian Spencer, District 5 community organizer, listen to a panel of neighborhood organization directors. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
Rick Banks, a community organizer at the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative, said that connecting with others doing similar work and exploring opportunities for collaboration were the most valuable results of the inaugural Settlement House Neighborhood Summit.
“We don’t often get this many people doing community development in the same room at the same time,” said Banks. He held a notebook in which he had listed people and organizations he plans to contact.
“If people don’t have housing, they don’t have health and that affects their ability to keep a job,” said Banks, discussing the interconnected problems community developers are addressing. “No one can do this kind of work alone,” he said. “The big takeaway is we have to develop a collective vision and collective action,” to be effective.
The summit, organized by United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM), brought more than 200 people from its member agencies and representatives from community, business, philanthropic, government and health organizations together at Discovery World. Looking at the historic settlement house model, attendees discussed how best to harness their collective power to strengthen city neighborhoods by improving the quality of life for urban families.
Settlement houses were first established in England in the late 19 century, to help poor urban families meet their basic needs for food, shelter and work, as well as offer education and other enrichment activities, explained Tony Shields, UNCOM’s executive director. In the U.S., settlement houses were established at the turn of the 20 century to help immigrants assimilate into the new society.
Tony Shields, executive director of UNCOM, reviews the themes of the summit at the end of the full-day session at Discovery World. (Photo by Andrea Waxman)
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“Learning English, getting job skills, quality pre-school for little kids, after-school programming to lengthen the school day for older kids, that’s what they were doing in Chicago and New York in the early 1900s. … It’s not that different from what we’re trying to do,” said Jeff Martinka, executive director of Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, 2819 W. Richardson Place.
He added that most of the eight UNCOM agencies have the same goal: to provide a large array of services to urban families to help them survive and succeed at every age.
UNCOM’s eight member agencies are Agape Community Center, COA Youth & Family Centers, Journey House, Milwaukee Christian Center, Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Next Door, Northcott Neighborhood House and Silver Spring Neighborhood Center. The summit was underwritten by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Shields asked participants to leave with a new idea for a partnership, a goal and a commitment to return for a second summit next fall.
Participants agreed that meeting and hearing from others working on related community development projects gave them new ideas, openings to explore collaborative partnerships and new creative energy.
Working in place-based organizations can be lonely, said Karen Higgins, executive director of Milwaukee Christian Center, 807 S. 14 St.
Higgins found meeting with a large group of fellow human service professionals was “encouraging because you’re hearing what’s working in different areas, (and) you’re getting support for what you do, which is a difficult job.”
A group of children lead the UNCOM Walk for Wellness to support healthier living, in September 2015. (Photo by Emmy A. Yates)
Though Martinka said that he and others who helped organize the summit worried about the value of spending a day away from their agencies, their fears proved to be unfounded. “Having people together in this room was worth the re-energizing impact, and I believe … there’s going to be new programming and new partnerships that are going to result from the summit.”
When Martinka heard about how Pearls for Teen Girls “added muscle” to a peer’s existing teen program, Martinka decided he wants to bring the program to Neighborhood House, he said.
Rashad Wahab, community engagement coordinator at Fitzsimonds Boys & Girls Club, 3400 W. North Ave., said he plans to meet with a Marquette University representative who organizes student volunteers.
Eric Gass, executive director of Agape Community Center, also left with “plenty of ideas,” including collaborating with Milwaukee Justice Center to help Agape area residents with problems related to drivers licenses. He said he has already contacted the center.
“I think (the summit) is just a start,” Gass added. “I am confident that you will see new collaborations coming from this meeting.”

author: Andrea Waxman


text:
| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 20, 2016


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300+ Strong rally encourages unity, amplifies black voices | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jabril Faraj
September 21, 2016
Black men and boys lock arms at the event. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
After a dark, rainy morning, sun finally broke through the clouds over Sherman Park as a host of orange balloons ascended into the bright blue sky. The balloon release, a tribute to Eric Von, who recently passed away unexpectedly, was a fitting opening to a gathering that sought to demonstrate unity in Milwaukee’s black community.
“He was truly the voice of Milwaukee,” long-time colleague Ptosha Davis said of Von, whose 25-year career as a journalist spanned multiple radio stations, Milwaukee Public Television and, most recently, Precious Lives, a radio series examining the effects of gun violence.
Davis said Von “blazed a trail” as a black journalist and as someone who sought to get to the heart of the matter. She said he made sure that the community was informed, challenging young people at the event to “pick up the baton.”
“Everybody has a story,” Davis said. “We may talk about a riot or arrests, but at the root of all of that, there are lives that are impacted.”
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The event, the second annual rally held by the co-operative 300+ Strong, provided entertainment, speakers, free food and a place for community members to connect with one another. The group, comprising Running Rebels, We Got This, Program the Parks and other organizations that serve city youth, was created in conjunction with the national My Brother’s Keeper initiative and Milwaukee’s Black Male Achievement Advisory Council.
Attendees release balloons in a tribute to Eric Von, the iconic Milwaukee media personality who recently died unexpectedly. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)
Jeff Roman, an organizer of 300+ Strong, said the rally, though planned in advance of recent events in Sherman Park, was about “re-uniting” and “re-claiming” the park, as well as building connections and capacity among grassroots organizations.
“I think media and people outside of Milwaukee, they sort of built this false narrative around the young people and communities that live in this area,” Roman said. “There have been people here on the ground doing stuff for young people, so we wanted to lift them up.”
Milwaukee’s black poverty rate of 39.9 percent is 25 points higher than the poverty rate among whites. Less than half of working-age African-American men in Milwaukee were employed in 2010, according to a 2012 paper by Marc Levine of the Center for Economic Development at UWM. Wisconsin incarcerates black men at a higher rate than any other state; in Milwaukee County more than half of African-American men in their 30s have served time behind bars.
“It’s part of white supremacy to make us think not only that we’re bad but to make the rest of the world think that black folks are bad. But this is what we are,” said community activist Tejumola Ologboni, referring to the gathering.
We Got This founder Andre Lee Ellis agreed. “These are the things that should be seen on Facebook, not the fights and negativity; these are the things that should be seen on our blocks; these are the things that will promote love in our community.”
Ologboni led a traditional African libation at the event. The purpose of the libation, a ceremonial pouring of liquid, was to remind people of their connection to each other. “People think we’re separate,” he said. “But … the fact of the matter is that we’re not.”
Vaun Mayes, who has been working with challenged youth in the area throughout the summer, said it is necessary to return to the mentality that “it takes a village” to raise a child.
“Everybody [does] what they do for a reason,” said Terry McDuffy, 14, who participated in the balloon release. “Some people’s mommas ain’t got cars — they want their momma to have cars; some people’s mommas can’t pay their rent — they gotta find a way to pay the rent.”
Ashanti Hamilton, president of Milwaukee’s Common Council and co-chair of the Black Male Achievement Advisory Council, praised the work of individuals and grassroots organizations doing hands-on work in the central city. He said the Common Council has tried to support proactive efforts to address violence and crime, including Safe Zones, a city-funded community-policing initiative, and the Residents Preference Program, which focuses on providing job opportunities to struggling city residents.
Hamilton added that he would like to see an “equalization” of resources across departments and initiatives involved in addressing those issues. In 2016, the Milwaukee Police Department accounted for 45 percent of the city’s $615 million proposed budget.
Rahim Islam, a sponsor of the event and president of Universal Companies, a Philadelphia based nonprofit, said it is important for leaders to bring their abilities together and come up with a strategy to address the root causes of the plight of black people. “Everybody’s just responding, responding, responding. That’s a paradigm that’s not going to get [us] to where we [want to] get to. It hasn’t yet,” he said.
Ologboni encouraged elders in the black community to be a positive example for youth. “Hope isn’t an abstract concept,” he said. “The hope is you, hope is me, hope is what we do.”
Khalil Henley, 16, said it’s important to find positivity within the negativity. He said he hopes to see Milwaukee’s black community become a family, once again.
Eric Von was “more than a radio personality,” Davis said, calling him a community activist, as well. She encouraged young people to educate themselves, search for truth and understand the importance of their voice.
Davis added, “We have a different story to tell.”

created: September 21, 2016


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Announcing 2016 O’Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism conference | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Marquette University
September 21, 2016
What is the impact of Act 10 on public education in Wisconsin? What’s keeping us from accessing government records that should be open to the public? Why is it that the authorities lose track of fugitives on probation or parole? Where do Milwaukee and Chicago rank among U.S. cities with the most lethal shootings? And what’s the connection between Marquette University, Milwaukee and the Pulitzer Prize, the highest honor in journalism, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary?
Each fall, Marquette’s Diederich College of Communication aims to convene people affected by or responsible for the systems and policies related to vital public matters. It does so by presenting the work and research done by our O’Brien Fellows – journalists who spend a year working with students at Marquette on major journalism projects that reveal solutions as they uncover problems.
This year’s O’Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism conference will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13, from 4 – 7 p.m., and Friday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. It will feature the 2015-16 O’Brien Fellows: Justin George of The Baltimore Sun, Liz Navratil of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, independent journalist Miranda Spivack and Dave Umhoefer of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. George will focus on homicides across the U.S., Navratil on probation and parole systems, Spivack on various open-government laws and practices and Umhoefer on the consequences of Act 10.
To register for the free event, visit http://www.marquette.edu/obrien2016. Participants may attend all of the sessions – or just one or two.
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author: Marquette University


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Community organizations push for accountability of police use of surveillance technology | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
ACLU of Wisconsin
September 21, 2016
Thirty-two organizations have banded together to ask Milwaukee’s Common Council to ensure transparency and accountability when it comes to police use of surveillance technology.  They signed on to a letter opposing the recently proposed “Public Safety Plan” and asking for the adoption of a resolution by the Council to create a vetting system for MPD surveillance technology purchases that includes public input and consideration of the impact of technology on the privacy rights of innocent residents.
“The increasing, secret use of surveillance technologies by local police, especially against communities of color and other unjustly targeted groups, is creating oppressive, stigmatizing environments in which every community member is treated like a prospective criminal,” said ACLU Executive Director, Chris Ahmuty.  “The overuse of surveillance technologies has turned many non-white, low income neighborhoods into fishbowls where their residents’ public behavior is monitored and scrutinized.”
The resolution, which is influenced by a set of guiding principles released by a diverse coalition of 17 national organizations, include mandating city council approval and a public hearing process that maximizes community input into surveillance technology decisions.  The principles aim to promote transparency, democratic decision making, and community empowerment with respect to if and how surveillance technologies are funded, acquired, and used.
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The Milwaukee and Wisconsin organizations who have signed on are: 9 to 5, ACLU of Wisconsin, All People’s Church, Beyond the Bell, Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, the Coalition for Justice, the Dominican Center for Women, Educators Network for Social Justice, Felmers O. Chaney Advocacy Board, Justice or Else Local Organizing Committee, Martin Luther King Justice Coalition, Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope, Milwaukee Teacher’s Education Association, MLK Justice Coalition, Mothers for Justice United, NAACP Milwaukee Branch, Parents for Public Schools of Milwaukee, Peace Action, Priceless Insight, True Skool, Schools and Communities United, Showing Up for Racial Justice-Milwaukee Branch, Social Development Commission, Solomon Community Temple United Methodist Church, Uplifting Black Liberation and Community, Urban Underground, Walnut Way, Wisconsin Jobs Now, Wisconsin Voices, WISDOM, and YWCA of Southeastern Wisconsin.
Additional resources and information can be found here: www.communityCTRL.com

author: ACLU of Wisconsin


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 21, 2016

author: Adam Carr


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Council signs off on resolution creating the Office of African American Affairs | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Khalif J. Rainey
September 21, 2016
Ald. Khalif Rainey speaking at a 500 Fathers Initiative event. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
The Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday voted 14-0 in favor of a resolution that will create a city Office of African American Affairs tasked with improving the quality of life for African American Milwaukeeans.
Authored by Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, the measure will establish the Office of African American Affairs as a division of the City Clerk’s Office to analyze issues impacting the African American community and make policy recommendations. Alderman Rainey said it is critically important to have the office to guide and coordinate city departments in addressing the disparities that African Americans face in Milwaukee.
“Study after study, news article after news article cite Milwaukee as the worst place in the country to live as an African American person,” Alderman Rainey said. “In order to flip the script on Milwaukee’s shameful infamy, every policy decision we make should be guided by the question, ‘How will this address our racial disparities?’”
“The input and the discussion that this office will generate will have a substantial impact on the policies and budgeting decisions that will shape our city in the years to come,” said Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, chair of the Finance and Personnel Committee. “This is both an acknowledgement that Milwaukee suffers from these racial disparities and a critical course correction to begin fixing them.”
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Alderman Rainey said that the staffing makeup of the Office of African American Affairs will be determined in 2017 budget discussions in the weeks ahead.
“The creation of this office is an important step toward a more inclusive city with opportunities for everyone, regardless of race,” Community and Economic Development Committee chair Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II said.

author: Ald. Khalif J. Rainey


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 22, 2016

created: September 22, 2016


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Group chooses reconciliation over revenge | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Jewish Federation
September 21, 2016
A moderated discussion with Palestinian and Israeli parents who have lost children in the conflict will show the importance of reconciliation and provide a perspective on the current wave of violence in Milwaukee.
Bassam Aramin — a Palestinian whose daughter was killed by Israeli border police in 2007, and Robi Damelin — an Israeli whose son was killed by a Palestinian sniper in 2012 — will speak as representatives of the Parents Circle Families Forum, a joint Palestinian-Israeli organization that is devoted to reconciliation. “It Won’t Stop Until We Talk — Palestinian and Israeli Parents Choose Peace” will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd. Douglas Savage from the Institute of World Affairs at UW-Milwaukee Center for International Education will moderate the conversation.
Consisting of more than 600 bereaved families, the Parents Circle Families Forum members share the common bond of losing a close family member to the conflict. But instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation. Through the different work of the Forum, members have joined together to take tens of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis on their personal journeys of reconciliation.
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“It is often raw and always emotional, but out of these interactions, comes change,” states material distributed by the Forum. And the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, the organizers of this event, point out that one of its goals of the public program and visits with local schools and civic leaders is to offer inspiration and a model for reconciliation and peacemaking that might help improve the local community.
According to Aramin and Damelin, the Forum has begun to stir awareness about the conflict that transcends history and politics, and the first time that many have seen “the other side” as human. The group hopes for a time when political leaders reach agreement for peace, and they strongly believe that reconciliation — as an alternative to hatred and revenge — between the Israeli and Palestinian people is essential to ensuring that peace is sustainable.
Learn more and RSVP: MilwaukeeJewish.org/FamiliesForum.

author: Milwaukee Jewish Federation


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Havenwoods Walk/Run and Harvest Fest registration closes today | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ald. Cavalier Johnson
September 21, 2016
(Photo by Sue Vliet)
Alderman Cavalier Johnson of the Milwaukee Common Council invites the public to attend the Havenwoods 5k – 10k Walk/Run and Harvest Fest this Saturday, September 24 at 9:00 a.m. This event benefits Havenwoods neighborhood revitalization projects. The race starts at the Havenwoods State Forest. Following the race, participants can enjoy the Havenwoods Harvest Fest at the starting line and finish line, which will have live music, food and beer.
“This is a great family fun event that also benefits a good cause,” Alderman Johnson said. “I encourage all who can to attend the Havenwoods Walk/Run and Harvest Fest this weekend.”
All ages are welcome to participate in this walk/run, but registration ends today. Sponsors for this event include Havenwoods Economic Development Corporation, Silver Mill and North Bay Shopping Centers, CDBG Milwaukee, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
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What: Havenwoods Walk/Run and Harvest Fest
When: Saturday, September 24, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Havenwoods State Forest: 6141 N. Hopkins St.

author: Ald. Cavalier Johnson


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Invite to interview at Milwaukee’s 16th Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
City Career Fair
September 21, 2016

author: City Career Fair


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County Board supports lead abatement financial assistance program | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors
September 22, 2016
The Milwaukee County Board passed a resolution introduced today by Supervisor John F. Weishan, Jr., which would develop a grant and loan program for eligible homeowners living in lead-affected neighborhoods.
The program would provide financial assistance for lead-abatement efforts related to water contaminated by lead pipe laterals, which connect homes to water mains, and also for homes identified as containing lead-based paint.
Lead contaminated water and air have been linked to a multitude of health problems for people of all ages, however, young children are especially prone to its effects, having a much higher potential for developmental disabilities, lower IQ, and other conditions. No “safe” blood-lead level has been identified, and there is currently no medical treatment to alleviate the impact of lead poisoning once it has occurred.
“This financial assistance program to help homeowners with lead abatement is only the first step in addressing a very real crisis here in Milwaukee,” said Weishan. “It will make a dramatic difference in the lives of our neighbors who participate in the first clean up, and I intend for this to be just the first in a series of lead abatement programs for all of our affected neighbors.”
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The lead abatement program enacted by the County Board will not only improve the health of the County residents, but will bring economic benefits as well, with hundreds of new jobs to complete the work, and promoting infrastructure investment in Milwaukee County.
The resolution was passed by the full Board on September the 22, 2016 by a vote of 16 – 1.

author: Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors


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Common Ground tour highlights Sherman Park improvements | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Allison Steines
September 23, 2016
Common Ground, an organization comprising religious groups, small businesses, nonprofits, schools, unions and neighborhood associations, has actively worked to improve Sherman Park for the past eight years, reducing the number of vacant homes from 300 to 60 and redeveloping 75 homes through the Milwaukee Rising program.
Applause permeated the parking lot of St. Catherine Catholic Church as Frank Finch III, a Sherman Park resident and Common Ground leader, started the tour by recognizing the approximately 40 organizations involved in the program.
The tour showcased the home of Randy Jones, who moved into his house on 51 Street four years ago, the second homeowner in the Milwaukee Rising program. According to neighbors, the house was boarded up for several years before he moved in. The transformation was total: new everything.
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“I feel sorry for everyone else because I have the best house in the whole project…my house is ‘the house’,” said Jones. “In four years the biggest thing I have had to do was get a wireless doorbell.”
The vans also drove down 46 Street to highlight the abundance of Milwaukee Rising homes between North Avenue and Center Street. People whipped their heads from left to right trying to take in all of the revitalized homes as the tour guide told stories about each one. There were homes with simple improvements: updated windows, decks, garages; other homes looked straight out of a magazine.
“It has spread by word of mouth,” said Common Ground organizer Allie Gardner. “People come to us with a need and we help them fix it…A household can apply up to three different times with a maximum amount of $5,000.”
Donnie Sims, a local developer, has helped Common Ground rehab three properties. “I must say there was a time where I kind of shied away from the Sherman Park area, but I am glad I got with Common Ground because all that has changed,” said Sims. “I was a little nervous but then the first house I did… the strangest thing happened. I put the house on the market and it sold in one week.”
The tour drew to a close at Invisible Reality Ministries, which started in the home of the Rev. Will Davis with just five people. Davis would move the dining room table to create room for guests as the religious group grew.
Common Ground helped Invisible Reality Ministries find its current building, a large church on the corner of 54 and Center. Conversation filled the room and echoed due to the dome-shaped ceiling with florescent red lighting.
Common Ground’s future plans include changes to the Washington High School of Information Technology athletic field. The school was included on the tour to point out the possibility of future renovations.
Deacon Alexander Hardy, a Sherman Park resident for more than 30 years, said Common Ground plans to start a discussion with Milwaukee Public Schools on behalf of the school. Hardy offered ideas for improvement such as a rubber track, benches and artificial turf, stating that keeping the area nice all year would give young people in the community more opportunities.
Milwaukee Police Department Community Liaison Officer Lawson Murrell joined the tour to get a better sense of the improvements taking place in Sherman Park.
“I must be on patrol with my head down,” he joked. “Some of the houses we have seen today I just been blown away; so I congratulate you all. Keep up the good work. I know you’ve got even better things in store and I am glad to be a small part of it.”

created: September 23, 2016

author: Allison Steines


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MCFI on the spot interviews | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Department of Workforce Development
September 26, 2016
Milwaukee Center For Independence ( M.C.F.I ) and DWD Job Service will be hosting on the spot interviews. This will be held at the YWCA Building, 1915 N Martin Luther King Dr. FRIDAY, September 30th 2016, from 10am to 12pm.
Please a bring a updated RESUME and come Dressed for Success, also apply at www.mcfi.net.
Positions Available:
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created: September 26, 2016

author: Department of Workforce Development


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 26, 2016


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Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective offers support for pregnant women, mothers | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Naomi Waxman
September 27, 2016
The Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective celebrates its new home at the Body and Soul Healing Arts Center. (Photo provided by WIDOCC)
In the wee hours of the morning on July 1, 2015, Valencia Laws decided it was time to take a walk around Wilson Park. Her water had broken the night before and after eight hours of contractions she set off, accompanied by her husband and her doula, DeAnna Tharpe.
“There were people walking their dogs and I would have a contraction and have to stop,” she said. “They would be looking at me like ‘I don’t know if she’s supposed to be here.’”
But with Tharpe by her side, Laws knew she was exactly where she needed to be.
A doula provides emotional and physical support during pregnancy and birth, said Tharpe, CEO of the Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective. “We are not medically trained but we do have CPR and NRP (neonatal resuscitation program] training. We are patient consultants and use oils and herbs for different conditions based on what the client wants.”
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Formed in 2014, the Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective offers “accessible and culturally sensitive support for pregnancy, birth and reproductive health experiences,” according to its website.
“In birth, there are certain cultural aspects that only another woman of color can relate to,” said Tharpe. “A Caucasian woman cannot relate to the racism and the stress of the oppression we deal with on a daily basis. A woman of color can relate better to a woman of color. …We see better birth outcomes when there are women of color supporting each other.”
Valencia Laws is grateful for the support and encouragement she received throughout her pregnancy from the Wisconsin Doulas of Color Collective. (Photo provided by Valencia Laws)
African-American infants die at three times the rate of white infants, according to data released by the Milwaukee Health Department. Public health experts from the Center for Urban Population Health have likened Milwaukee’s infant mortality rates to those in developing nations, exceeding rates in countries such as Bosnia and Kuwait. The extreme racial disparity in rates of poor infant health and mortality is often attributed to the chronic stress of racism women of color endure.
Marisa Hernandez-De Windt, a licensed massage therapist, doula and member of the collective, noted that poor outcomes in Milwaukee don’t just touch low-income women. “These are educated black women who are having negative birth outcomes. That eroding stress of racism, no matter how successful you become, is affecting babies and it’s so sad.” She added that most doulas are white.
The state recently announced plans to cut more than $600,000 from the Wisconsin Family Foundations Comprehensive Visiting Program, an initiative created in 2011 to provide support for pregnant women and families. The program facilitates at-home assistance for families with children from birth until age 5. According to the Department for Children and Families, the funding level will be reduced by 20 percent once the new contract begins on Oct. 1. Officials warn that these cuts will reduce the program’s ability to promote health and well being among women and families in Milwaukee, potentially increasing the demand for the collective’s services.
Doulas help women during birth by leading breathing exercises, providing massage and reducing emotional stress through verbal encouragement.
As a first-time mom, Laws said she didn’t really know what to expect from her doula. “[She] encouraged me to speak up to doctors and helped me be stress free,” she added. “I think the collective is very supportive of mothers.”
Alicia Daniels, a Sherman Park resident and mother of five, agreed. She first utilized the services of the Doulas of Color Collective when her youngest daughter was born 11 months ago and described the process as far more manageable than previous birth experiences. “I really loved it,” she said.
The collective hosted a launch event at the Body and Soul Healing Arts Center, its new home, in late August.
“We’re not making a ton of money off it,” said Hernandez-De Windt. “We do it because we care.” Pregnant women who didn’t grow up in a nurturing home may feel powerless to provide emotional support for their children. The collective is committed to creating opportunities for women to support one another without fear of judgment.
Hernandez- De Windt takes this mission to heart. “This is a labor of love,” she said. “I feel like this is sacred work.”

created: September 27, 2016


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Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast’s Day of Play gets families moving | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast
September 28, 2016
Hundreds of people participated in Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast’s Day of Play on Saturday, September 24 held at Holton Center 510 E. Burleigh Street) and Layton Boulevard West Center (1425 S. 26 Street). Activities included rocking climbing, an obstacle course, dancing, face painting, and a create-your-own healthy snack station. It was a great way to get families moving and to learn more about how Girl Scouts is a place to go on adventures and take healthy risks in a safe environment. Help her find her spark with Girl Scouts by visiting gswise.org.

created: September 28, 2016

author: Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast


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gs_day-of-play_020 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Name *
September 28, 2016

author: Name *


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How to evaluate for-profit schools | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
September 28, 2016
You can check online to see if a school is accredited by a legitimate organization. (Photo by Allison Steines)
While for-profit trade schools have become a popular option, they are not all the same. Some schools mislead students about the cost and the quality of the education they will receive. For-profit schools generally offer certificates or degrees that specialize in career and job-related training. And, many tend to enroll students who rely heavily on federal student aid in the form of grants, loans and military benefits. Without that aid, many students wouldn’t be able to attend.
Working towards a college degree is an important commitment, so choose wisely where you invest your time, energy and money.
Nobody can foresee a school closing, like ITT Technical Institute did recently; however if you’re thinking of applying to a for-profit school, keep in mind the following:
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• Take time to do your research; it takes a minute to check free reports with BBB.org. Complaint detail and vetted customer reviews are included in the reports. Google the school’s name. See what others are saying.
• Verify that the school is accredited (to award certificates, diplomas and associate degrees) by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. Also check with the U.S. Department of Education
• Be aware of high-pressure sales tactics, like claiming you have to sign up immediately. A reputable school will take time to answer any questions you have, allow you to talk to a financial aid advisor, and not require a quick decision. (Find out if you can cancel within a few days of signing up.
• Beware of any school that guarantees you will get a job after completing its program. Ask for references and contact graduates to see what their experience is.
• Confirm the school’s promises of future wages with third parties to make sure the school is accurate with its message.
• Before you enroll, compare total costs with other for-profit schools and public colleges. (Are there fees for dropping or adding a class? What is the cost for books? Does the community college offer a similar program for a fraction of the cost?)
• Ask plenty of questions when talking to recruiters. Reputable schools will clearly describe the program’s duration, costs and graduation rates.  –
• Consider how you will pay for it. If using a federal loan, note that there is a lifetime cap on the total amount of federal loans a student can take out (and you might hit the cap before you’re finished with your education).
• Don’t commit to any program unless you understand what you’ll have to do to complete it. Get details about the required courses and other requirements for the degree/certificate.
• If you’re pursuing a profession that requires a license, contact your state licensing organization to find out what training and credentials it requires. Ask if the school’s program meets the state’s licensing requirements.
• Ask if you can transfer credit you earn at this school to other schools.
• Ask what percentage of students graduate and what percentage of graduates are late in paying back their loans (a high default rate among graduates could be a tip off that students are burdened by too much debt or having trouble finding jobs in their field).
• You can go online to check if a school is accredited by a legitimate organization at the database of accredited academic institutions posted by the U.S. Department of Education or at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation database.
Before enrolling in an online university or other for-profit college, look out for the following red flags:
• No studies or exams. Accredited colleges may give a few credits for specific experience, but not an entire degree.
• No Attendance. Legitimate colleges or universities, including online schools, require substantial course work.
• Flat Fee. Many diploma mills charge a flat fee for an entire degree. Legitimate colleges charge by the credit, course or semester.
• No Waiting. Operations that guarantee a degree in a few days, weeks or even months aren’t legitimate.
• Click Here To Order Now! Accredited colleges don’t use spam or high-pressure telemarketing to market themselves.
• Advertising through spam or pop-ups. Legitimate institutions, including distance learning programs, won’t advertise through spam or pop-ups.

author: Wisconsin Better Business Bureau


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 27, 2016


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Milwaukee Public Library seeks development partners for Martin Luther King library | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Public Library
September 28, 2016
Nefertari African Dance Company performed a routine at the Martin Luther King Library on MLK Day in 2016. (Photo by Morgan Hughes)
The Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) has issued a Request for Proposal from qualified firms who want to partner on a mixed-use development of a new Martin Luther King branch library at 310 W. Locust Street.
“We have been working to improve the library experience by removing barriers and changing the way people think about libraries and what they offer,” said Library Director Paula Kiely. “This includes modernizing our spaces so we can advance our mission to help patrons read, learn and connect.”
The library is seeking a catalytic development that not only provides a 21st century, technology- rich building for residents, but improves the economic vitality of the neighborhood. The proposal should feature the new library as the most visible component of a mixed-use project. The building should utilize creative place-making methods and architecture to engage library patrons, neighbors and pedestrians alike.
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The non-library component (s) must be housing, retail, office or another commercial use as long as the use is appropriate for co-location with a public library and should strive to add to the tax base for the City of Milwaukee.
“Our plan for a mixed-used development for the Martin Luther King branch demonstrates my commitment to a comprehensive library replacement plan,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “I am looking forward to working with Milwaukee Public Library staff and private developers to bring educational resources, new job opportunities and innovative technology to children and families in the Harambee neighborhood.”
This plan follows the successful replacement of the Villard Avenue and East Branch libraries with new, mixed-use buildings, and the complete renovation of the Tippecanoe library. Mayor Tom Barrett, the Milwaukee Common Council and the Library Board of Trustees have identified $18 million for library redevelopment which has been allocated to the Forest Home, Mill Road, Capitol and Martin Luther King branches.
By 2020, it is expected that MPL will have replaced or updated the entire system with 21st century, technology-rich facilities.
Alderwoman Milele Coggs of the Sixth District added: “MLK Library serves as a stable resource to many residents of the Bronzeville community. This RFP will serve as a unique opportunity to enhance a structure that is so vital to the neighborhood. I look forward to the many responses to the RFP that will continue the revitalization of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.”
Proposals are due Friday, October 21, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. via electronic submission to sjmcgov@milwaukee.gov. Visit http://www.mpl.org/about/library_development/ for more information.

author: Milwaukee Public Library


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
September 28, 2016