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Post from Community: Milwaukee nonprofit trains with Food is Medicine Accelerator for healthy meal delivery | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Food is Medicine Accelerator
August 10, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Medically tailored meals will be delivered to thousands more food-insecure and chronically and critically ill people nationwide through the Food is Medicine Accelerator, a project providing technical assistance and training to nonprofit food agencies – including the Dohmen Company Foundation in Milwaukee – so that they can launch the life-saving health intervention in currently unserved or underserved communities.
Four nonprofit agencies – Feeding Tampa Bay in Florida, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Meals on Wheels People of Portland, Ore., and the New Hampshire Food Bank – recently completed a yearlong, intensive training program through the Accelerator. The project has expanded the number of medically tailored meals (MTM) providers to 16 operating in 14 states. A second cohort of five nonprofit agencies – located in Central Florida, Northwest Indiana, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin – has begun the training to further expand MTM access.
The Food is Medicine Accelerator is a partnership between the Food is Medicine Coalition, Boston-based Community Servings, God’s Love We Deliver, Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation at Harvard Law School and Nonprofit Finance Fund. Supported by funding from CVS Health, private donors, and co-investments from the agencies participating in the training, the Food is Medicine Accelerator works to refine, replicate and broadly scale the MTM model to support individuals in areas across the country that do not have access to MTM services.
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“As leading advocates in the Food is Medicine movement, we feel compelled to address the urgent need for medically tailored meals not only in Massachusetts, where we feed thousands of people annually, but also in other parts of the country,” said David B. Waters, CEO of Community Servings. “The Food is Medicine Accelerator will help improve the health of people across our nation by expanding this model to areas where homebound, critically ill individuals currently have no access.”
“We are thrilled to share our expertise in and passion for the Food is Medicine movement with our colleagues in the Food is Medicine Accelerator,” said Karen Pearl, President and CEO of God’s Love We Deliver. “New York City has been transformed by the life-saving work that God’s Love We Deliver has done for more than three decades, and we look forward to seeing how our model will lower health care costs, improve health outcomes, and increase patient satisfaction for the individuals helped by the members of the Food is Medicine Accelerator.”
The Food is Medicine Accelerator team trains participants from nonprofit food agencies in the operational, policy and contracting mechanisms to become providers of medically tailored meals. The MTM model features home-delivered meals that are designed by a registered dietitian nutritionist and that reflect an appropriate, evidence-based dietary therapy for illnesses such as cancer, cardiac disease, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The intervention also includes standards for nutrition and food quality, nutrition counseling and education, data collection, and health care referrals.
Upon completion of the training, Accelerator participants are well-equipped to introduce medically tailored meals in their respective regions. The nonprofits currently training through the Accelerator are: Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in Orlando; Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville, Ind.; La Soupe in Cincinnati; the Houston Food Bank; and Dohmen Company Foundation in Milwaukee.
“We know that providing access to nutritious food improves lives and is the most effective medical intervention to reverse chronic disease, yet many in our community don’t have access to food is medicine interventions,” said Rayna Andrews, Director of Food For Health with the Dohmen Company Foundation.  “These are just a few reasons why we’re working on launching a home-delivered medically tailored meals solution as an extension to our Food For Health program. Through our training with the Food is Medicine Coalition’s Accelerator program, we’ll be well positioned to further our impact, bringing MTM services to Greater Milwaukee.”
The Food is Medicine Accelerator is leveraging a growing body of research showing the impact of MTM on improving health outcomes, reducing health care costs, and enhancing patient satisfaction. The provision of MTM is the only known food insecurity intervention to overcome key barriers to optimal health, such as limited access to health-promoting foods and difficulty in changing dietary behaviors, and targets individuals whose needs cannot be met with less intensive, non-MTM programs such as food pantries, soup kitchens and traditional meals-on-wheels programs.

author: Food is Medicine Accelerator


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Medically-tailored-meals.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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August 10, 2021

source: news-milwaukeenns

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

author: Name *


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Post from Community: Northwestern Mutual announces $100-million impact investing fund to address inequality and the racial wealth gap | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Northwestern Mutual
August 10, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, Northwestern Mutual announced today a new $100-million impact investing fund to deliver on the company’s commitment to addressing inequality and the racial wealth gap in the U.S. The fund, which will direct investments to Black and African-American communities nationally and locally in the Milwaukee area, will focus on three key opportunities: physical and social infrastructure, access to capital for individuals and businesses, and healthy sustainable neighborhoods and communities.
The fund is an outcome of the company’s Sustained Action for Racial Equity (SARE) task force, which launched in 2020 and is focused on making a bold, real, and long-term impact that drives equity and inclusion in Black and African American communities.
“Northwestern Mutual has historically made substantial investments in the communities in which it operates and has a long-standing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The Impact Investing Fund is intended to make measurable improvement in racial equity, while also generating a positive financial return for our policyowners,” said Ray Manista, executive vice president and chief legal and compliance officer at Northwestern Mutual.
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This investing combines with Northwestern Mutual’s current programs, resulting in a comprehensive effort that is making a real difference:
•An existing $15 billion socially responsible investing (SRI) portfolio within its general account which focuses on socio-economic and green investments broadly.
•A $20-million investment announced in 2020 dedicated to investing in startup companies founded by Black entrepreneurs via its corporate venture capital fund, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures (NMFV). To date, NMFV has made investments in five companies.
•The Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator, a partnership with gener8tor launched in 2020 to invest in and support Black entrepreneurs to help close the funding gap for Black founders. The first cohort each received $100,000 and recently graduated the 12-week program. The second application period for the second cohort for this fall closes on August 15, 2021.
•A commitment of $2.5 million for Milwaukee schools, nonprofits and local programming supporting educational pathways to close the achievement gap among talented-yet-underrepresented students in our hometown.
Additionally, over the last 30 years through the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, the company has invested $28 million to help underserved neighborhoods in the Milwaukee area with housing support, access to youth and family resources, food programs and more.
“We’re working to drive breakthrough solutions to help close the racial equity gap with continued and dedicated support and investment,” continued Manista. “This latest announcement is a testament to our ongoing commitment to drive change and demonstrable outcomes in our hometown and nationwide.”
Investing close to home
The racial wealth gap in the U.S. is staggering and there are significant disparities between white and Black families, especially in terms of income, homeownership, and student loan debt. To that end, as part of this initial announcement, Northwestern Mutual has made an investment commitment to The Gateway Capital Fund, an African-American-led venture capital fund targeting Milwaukee County and the state of Wisconsin for investment opportunities. The Fund will make investments in companies seeking seed and early-stage investments. Managed by Dana Guthrie, founder of investment company Alchemy Angels, Gateway Capital Partners will serve as general partner of the Fund and will oversee its investment strategy and portfolio.
“If you’re in the Milwaukee startup ecosystem and you’re not fortunate enough to be able to raise a significant ‘friends and family’ round, it can be difficult getting an idea off the ground,” says Guthrie. “Our fund is designed to be the first institutional check into promising young startups, giving them 15 to 18 months of runway to hit some key milestones that ultimately set them up to attract follow-on capital in the future. We are appreciative of Northwestern Mutual’s commitment to our strategy and the Milwaukee community.”
Nationally, Northwestern Mutual’s Impact Investing Fund has already invested $30 million in funds specifically targeting Black, African-American and other underserved communities. Minority-owned businesses face challenges like the racial disparities seen for Black families. These businesses heavily rely on non-traditional financing sources like friends and families. When Black-owned business are able to access capital, they are financed with amounts significantly lower than White-owned businesses.
One of the funds Northwestern Mutual has committed to is Siebert Williams Shank’s Clear Vision Fund. Siebert Williams Shank is a Black-owned business, and Clear Vision will make investments in minority-owned businesses with an emphasis on Black and Latino-owned businesses, enterprises that operate in or serve underserved markets, and businesses that foster inclusive growth through commercially sustainable business models.

author: Northwestern Mutual


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Post from Community: St. Ann Center’s gala lights up Deer District | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care
August 10, 2021
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St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care will host its 17th Annual Hybrid Dream Together Gala on Friday, Aug. 13, at Gather at Deer District, 333 W. Juneau Ave. The Gala is the center’s largest fundraising event in support of the world-renowned day care program, serving children, older adults and people with disabilities all in the same home-like setting.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m., when guests gather for a cocktail hour and silent auction in the unique event space, overlooking Fiserv Forum and the plaza. The evening features dinner catered by Levy Restaurants. Showcased in the live auction are Giannis Antetokounmpo autographed collectibles, a Milwaukee Brewers Suite, Green Bay Packers boxed seats with transportation, winter getaways in Arizona, dinner at the chef’s table at Lake Park Bistro and more.
New this year, the Gala will feature a livestreamed program, plus special content for guests who attend the event virtually. Silent auction items can also be bid on by the general public online beginning Aug. 11. The online auction site can be found at aesbid.com/ELP/STANN21.
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All proceeds from the gala support St. Ann Center’s Care Champions program, which directly benefits youth, frail elders and adults with disabilities who have no means to pay for services they desperately need. The gala will also honor St. Ann Center supporters, the Care Champions who make these services possible. From whirlpool baths and physical therapy to art and music therapy, adult day services promote independence and a sense of purpose.  Youngsters in St. Ann Center’s early childhood education program learn to respect and appreciate the adult clients as they join them for intergenerational activities on a daily basis.


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Doctors stress cancer screenings after COVID-19 pandemic slide | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
August 11, 2021
When it comes to detecting cancer, timing is crucial. Some screening methods, such as those for colon cancer, can help prevent cancer entirely. (Stock photo)
Doctors throughout Milwaukee are urging people to resume getting cancer screenings after seeing a sharp drop-off in patients throughout the pandemic.
Dr. Joan Neuner, an internal medicine physician and leader of the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Cancer Prevention and Outcomes program, said cancer screening dropped from  60% to 80% at the beginning of the pandemic, depending on the type of cancer.
Dr. LaKesha Lawrence is an OB/GYN with Milwaukee Health Services. (Photo provided by Pam Clark, Milwaukee Health Services)
In addition, Ascension Wisconsin’s Milwaukee locations have seen a 20% decrease in people seeking screenings compared to this time in 2019, said Dr. Therese Kerwel, a colorectal surgeon at Ascension. Dr. LaKesha Lawrence, an OB/GYN at Milwaukee Health Services, also said she’s seen a decrease in people seeking screenings.
According to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 48% of Americans polled in May 2020 had delayed medical care because of the pandemic. Of those, roughly 11% had their conditions worsen because of them.
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When it comes to detecting cancer, timing is crucial. Some screening methods, such as those for colon cancer, can help prevent cancer entirely.
For instance, the five-year survival rate for early-stage colon cancer is about 90%, Kerwel said. The disease is much easier to treat early on. In later stages, the survival rate drops to just 15% as the disease advances.
“It’s a very difficult fight,” Kerwel said. “People don’t win that fight.”
Dr. Therese Kerwel is a colorectal surgeon with Ascension Health. (Photo provided by Victoria Schmidt, Ascension Wisconsin)
Kerwel said recommendations for screening are getting earlier. People should start getting screened yearly for colorectal cancer as early as 45 years of age. The previous suggestion was 50.
Lawrence said women should get yearly screenings, including mammograms and cervical screenings, from the time they turn 30. In addition, Neuner said it is important to get tested regularly for colon, lung and breast cancer.
Kerwel said most preventative exams are covered by insurance. BadgerCare and Medicaid cover most exams, adding that regular doctor visits can help ensure you get the screenings and examinations needed.
Lawrence noted that Milwaukee Health Services, a federally funded health center, provides primary care to patients regardless of their ability to pay.
The earlier the better
Neuner said it can be difficult to convince patients of the importance of early screening because it may not always seem urgent.
“You’re taking healthy people and asking them to do something that takes time,” Neuner said.
For many people on Milwaukee’s North Side, where the Medical College of Wisconsin reports high rates of colorectal, prostate and lung cancer, it’s more than just an inconvenience, Neuner said. People might be holding multiple jobs with rigid schedules or have trouble securing child care.
Lawrence said many patients may also be fearful of visiting  because of COVID-19. Still others have lack transportation or don’t have a primary care provider.
“For many people, it’s a fear of the unknown and that what’s going to be found is going to change their lives,” Lawrence said.
Cancer disproportionately affects communities of color. From 2009 to 2013, Wisconsin’s Black population had one of the highest incidences of colorectal cancer at about 50 per 100,000. The Native American population had a rate that was slightly higher, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Lung cancer also disproportionately affects the Black and Native American populations. Lung cancer is considered one of the deadliest forms of cancer and kills more people in Wisconsin on average than breast, prostate and colorectal cancer combined, based on data from the Department of Health Services.
When it comes to screening, Lawrence said the message is simple: Don’t delay. The earlier the better.
“Don’t fear the unknown,” Lawrence said. “Fear not being treated.”
When should I get screened?
Screening recommendations by age range from Ascension Wisconsin:
In your 20s:
In your 30s
In your 40s
In your 50s and beyond:

author: Matt Martinez


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 10, 2021

author: Dwayne Burtin


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Smiling women with cancer over the city | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 10, 2021


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OPINION: The pandemic revealed massive inequities in our food system. We are working to rebuild it better. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sophia Torrijos & Danielle Nabak
August 11, 2021

author: Sophia Torrijos & Danielle Nabak


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sophiadanielle | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 10, 2021


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How to replace spoiled FoodShare food and other tips after a wild weather week | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
August 12, 2021
Trees around the city were hammered by this week’s storms, including this one in Lincoln Park. (Photo by Adam Carr)
The hot weather and severe storms have wreaked havoc across Milwaukee. Here’s a quick list of handy resources.
What to do if your food spoils because of the storm:
If you receive FoodShare and had food spoil because of a storm-related power outage, you can have the food replaced. FoodShare members should contact their local agency to request replacement benefits. Replacement benefits are issued for the amount of food lost, up to the amount of benefits already issued for the month.
Fill out the Request for Replacement FoodShare Benefits form and submit it to your agency. Reach out to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin for help with FoodShare at: www.feedingamericawi.org. While FoodShare can be replaced due to power outages, P-EBT cannot.
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The American Red Cross has tips for staying safe and recovering:
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services.html
Impact 2-1-1 can connect you with numerous agencies that can help you:
https://www.impactinc.org/impact-2-1-1/
Need to report a power outage?
File a report to WE Energies here or call 800-662-4797. Don’t assume that the utility is aware of the outage.
Hot weather tips:
The Milwaukee Health Department recommends the following:
More information, including a list of available cooling centers and public pools, can be found at Milwaukee.gov/health/cooling-sites
Have more questions? Text MKE to 73224 and ask to connect with a reporter. We will help get the answers you need.
El clima caluroso y las tormentas severas han causado estragos en Milwaukee. Aquí está una lista rápida de recursos útiles.
https://www.redcross.org/cruz-roja.html
Envíe un mensaje de texto al 211 o llame al 877-947-2211
Presente un informe a WE Energies https://www.we-energies.com/partners/espanol/default  o llame al 800-662-4797. No asuma que son conscientes del apagón.
Si usted recibe FoodShare y los alimentos se han estropeado debido a un apagón relacionado con la tormenta, puede reemplazar los alimentos. Los miembros de FoodShare deben ponerse en contacto con su agencia local para solicitar beneficios de reemplazo. Los beneficios de reemplazo se emiten por la cantidad de alimentos perdidos, hasta la cantidad de beneficios ya emitidos para el mes.
Llene el formulario de solicitud de reemplazo de beneficios de FoodShare https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/f0/f00330s.pdf y entréguelo a su agencia. Comuníquese con Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin para obtener ayuda con FoodShare en: www.feedingamericawi.org. Aunque FoodShare puede ser reemplazado debido a cortes de energía, P-EBT no puede.
El Milwaukee Health Department recomienda lo siguiente:
Puede encontrar más información, incluyendo una lista de centros de enfriamiento y piscinas públicas disponibles, en https://city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Cooling-Sites
Envíe el mensaje de texto “MKE” al 73224 y pida que se ponga en contacto con un reportero. Le ayudaremos a obtener las respuestas que necesita.

author: Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 11, 2021


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Post from Community: Milwaukee Night Market presented by Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. returns to W Wisconsin Ave on August 18 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wyatt Tinder
August 12, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Westown Association, in partnership with NEWaukee, is excited to share that the Milwaukee Night Market presented by Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. returns next week on Wednesday, August 18, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on West Wisconsin Avenue between 2nd Street and Vel R. Phillips Avenue.
The Night Market is a one-of-a-kind, free, outdoor street festival showcasing a variety of local Milwaukee vendors, performers and artists.
New this year, American Family Insurance has sponsored the vendor fees for 20 BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) entrepreneurs participating in the market. American Family Insurance selected an array of vendors to sponsor that features gender parity, ethnic diversity, a combination of food and craft businesses and both new entrepreneurs as well as long standing community staples.
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“It’s exciting to have the popular Milwaukee Night Market, a community event that brings so many city residents together, return in 2021,” said Ranell Washington, American Family Insurance office of community and social impact advisor. “American Family is pleased to sponsor 20 local entrepreneurs of color, allowing them to showcase the variety of quality products and services they offer. The pandemic has hit small businesses particularly hard, especially our diverse businesses, so providing an opportunity to promote and sell at this event is particularly important.”
American Family Insurance-sponsored vendors include Raising Good, Queens Crown Essentials, Soap Fixx Co. LLC, Style Pop Cafe, DUSBLU, WoLF Studios MKE, Tres Flores Funnel Cakes, Fit4YouMKE, HoneyBee, Sage Wellness & Apothecary, Ina Maka (Healing Crystal Jewelry), Dynamo, Red Tipi Inc, T for Textile, MKE Black, Be Heard, Jakarta Cafe, El poblanito gourmet tacos, BeBe’s Bistro, MR GREENS and Corn Man LLC.
“Sponsorship for the Night Market is allowing MKE Black to take part in its first Night Market, and we are beyond excited,” said Ayrton Bryan, MKE Black Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives. “And deciding to support diverse founders and entrepreneurs is essential to truly changing how the spaces we work, grow, and enjoy become welcome locations for all.”
The August 18 market will feature over 100 food and craft vendors and local organizations, including: Tatay’s Truck, Junior’s Smoked BBQ, Pedro’s South American Food, Cuatro Uno Cuatro, Lit MKE, Lush Popcorn, OnMilwaukee.com, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee and more. For a full list of vendors, visit mkenightmarket.com/vendors.
Performances at the W. Wisconsin Ave. intersection at Third Street will include the TRUE Skool Band and DJs and a pop up performance by the Milwaukee Flyers Tumbling Team at 7 p.m.
“We are thrilled to reactivate West Wisconsin Avenue and welcome back Downtown employees and visitors,” said Stacie Callies, Westown Association Executive Director “The return of the Night Market in 2021 was made possible because of important partners like Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. and American Family Insurance. Because of their commitments to the community, we are able to produce an exciting, diverse event for all of Milwaukee to enjoy.”
In early June, Westown Association announced a new strategic partnership that transferred the Night Market brand from NEWaukee. In July, law firm Meissner Tierney Fisher & Nichols S.C. secured the first title sponsorship of the Milwaukee Night Market. The 2020 Night Market season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 2022 Night Market event dates will be announced by the end of this year.
West Wisconsin Avenue between Plankinton and Vel R. Phillips Avenue, and Old World Third between Wisconsin Avenue and Wells Street will be shut down from 12PM-1AM on the day of the event. Busses that run along Wisconsin Avenue will be rerouted to either Michigan Ave. or Wells St.
For more information about the Milwaukee Night Market, please visit: www.mkenightmarket.com.
About the American Family Insurance group
Based in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family Insurance has been serving customers since 1927. We inspire, protect and restore dreams through our insurance products, exceptional service from our agency owners and employees, community investment and creative partnerships to address societal challenges. We act on our belief in diversity and inclusion by constantly evolving to meet customer needs and preferences. American Family Insurance group is the nation’s 13th-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranking No. 232 on the Fortune 500 list. The group sells American Family-brand products, primarily through exclusive agency owners in 19 states. The American Family Insurance group also includes CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, The General, Homesite and Main Street America Insurance. Across these companies the group has more than 13,500 employees nationwide.
Westown Association is a non-profit business association focused on championing the economic and social development of the neighborhood west of the Milwaukee River in downtown Milwaukee. To learn more, visit westown.org.
NEWaukee is an agency with over a decade of experience in helping organizations create transformational programming and brand engagement. To learn more, visit newaukee.com.

author: Wyatt Tinder


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Night-Market_2019.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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August 12, 2021


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Post from Community: First annual Milwaukee Black Theater Festival Youth Night will be held on Wednesday, August 18 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
First Stage
August 12, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Name of Event: Milwaukee Black Theater Festival Youth Night!
Date: Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Description: Milwaukee Black Theater Festival presents its first annual Youth Night in partnership with St. Ann Intergenerational Center for Care on Wednesday, August 18. This curated event will bring youth performers from theaters around Milwaukee together, sharing original performance art, exploring the theme “The Strength and Resilience of the Black Woman” with special performances by First Stage, a part of their Amplify Series, Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Professional Training Institute, Next Act Theatre’s Next Actors, Black Arts MKE’s Youth Ensemble and the band K-Stamp led by Kwasi Stampley. The event will be hosted by Milwaukee Rep’s Ashley Jordan. Families in the area and around Milwaukee will have the opportunity to experience multiple theaters in one location. Youth Night is best suited for young people ages 8-18 and their families.
Cost: Free
Location: St. Ann Intergenerational Center for Care, 2450 W. North Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53205. Enter west parking lot on 25th Street, between West North Avenue and West Meinecke Avenue
Website: milwaukeechambertheatre.org/2021mbtf
Phone: (414) 276-8842
About Milwaukee Black Theater Festival
Founded in 2020 by Sheri Williams Pannell, Malkia Stampley, Dimonte Henning and Brent Hazelton, the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival was created to amplify and celebrate Black voices through an annual citywide event. The Festival provides a platform and agency to artists grossly underrepresented in the arts and particularly in Milwaukee. The Festival’s inaugural season was curated by a committee of Milwaukee influencers. Due to the constraints of COVID, an all-virtual Festival was presented by Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, the inaugural year’s lead producer. In its second year, Black Arts MKE joined Milwaukee Chamber Theatre as the lead producing partner and fiscal sponsor. Presenting Black-led theaters include Lights! Camera! Soul! and Bronzeville Arts Ensemble. The Festival features two staged productions, play readings, free events and special community engaging opportunities.
milwaukeechambertheatre.org/2021mbtf
About Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Founded in 1975 by Montgomery Davis and Ruth Schudson, guided from 2005 to 2020 by Michael Wright, and now led by Brent Hazelton and Amy A. Salat, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) partners with other arts organizations, community-based organizations and universities to produce thought-provoking productions and innovative outreach programs on an intimate, human scale. As a leader in developing Milwaukee and Wisconsin’s theater community, MCT provides regular employment and a stable artistic home to local theatre professionals through a five-play subscription season, the Young Playwrights Festival (YPF), and the Montgomery Davis Play Development Series (MDPDS). MCT performs at the Broadway Theatre Center in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward and is a proud Member Group of the United Performing Arts Fund. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to make a donation please visit milwaukeechambertheatre.org
About Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Milwaukee Rep is the largest performing arts organization in Wisconsin with three unique performance venues in the Patty & Jay Baker Theater Complex – the Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Studio and Stackner Cabaret. For over six decades, Milwaukee Rep has been a centerpiece of Milwaukee’s vibrant arts and cultural scene with productions ranging from Broadway musicals to Shakespeare to American Classics and New Works that are entertaining, inclusive and impactful. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mark Clements and Executive Director Chad Bauman, Milwaukee Repertory Theater ignites positive change in the cultural, social, and economic vitality of its community by creating world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue among an audience representative of Milwaukee’s rich diversity. milwaukeerep.com
About Black Arts MKE
Black Arts MKE (BAMKE) is a unique “arts platform.” Launched in 2014, BAMKE was created – at least in part – in response to post-recession research findings that revealed, “Nonprofit arts organizations need an entirely different business model” (The Importance of Being Small, prepared for the Nonprofit Management Fund, April 2012). For many smaller African American arts organizations, the recession made it especially hard to keep doors open and the lights on unfortunately, and we’ve seen important cultural offerings in Milwaukee shut down. BAMKE was created to prevent this trend from continuing and to provide a more sustainable, vibrant African American arts and culture scene in our community. In addition to working with local artists of color to produce and present African American performing arts works including Black Theater, BAMKE provides administrative support to local arts groups with the intent to enable artistic leadership to focus their time and energy on their strengths of creating artistic programming. BAMKE is a Member Group of United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) and Resident Group with the Marcus Performing Arts Center. marcuscenter.org/series/black-arts-mke
About Next Act Theatre
The mission of Next Act Theatre is to engage the hearts and minds of audiences with compelling and intimate theatre productions to stimulate thought, foster the exchange of ideas and promote the development of new perspectives. Next Act Theatre celebrates 31 years of professional theatre. Next Act Theatre is a proud member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). nextact.org
About First Stage
First Stage is one of the nation’s leading theaters for young people and families. First Stage touches hearts, engages minds and transforms lives by creating extraordinary theater experiences through professional theater productions that inspire, enlighten and entertain. Its Theater Academy, the nation’s largest high-impact theater training program for young people, fosters life skills through stage skills and serves nearly 2,000 students each year. As Wisconsin’s leader in arts-integrated education in schools, First Stage’s dynamic Theater in Education programs promote literacy, character building and experiential learning throughout the curriculum, serving over 20,000 students each year. First Stage was selected to participate in the Partners in Education program of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2012), and was the recipient of the Milwaukee Business Journal’s Eureka Award, recognizing creativity and innovation in business, education and the arts for its Next Steps program for students on the autism spectrum (2013, 2015). First Stage is a member of TYA/USA, the American Alliance for Theatre and Education, the Wisconsin Alliance for Arts Education, Milwaukee Arts Partners and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF). firststage.org

author: First Stage


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MBTF21-Logo_circle.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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August 12, 2021


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Post from Community: HNTB donates $5K contest winnings to water sustainability nonprofit Reflo | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
HNTB Corporation
August 12, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
HNTB announced today that it is donating winnings from a design contest with Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District to Reflo, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating sustainable water use and green infrastructure. In February, MMSD awarded the HNTB team first place and $5,000 in the “Green Infrastructure Overpass Design Contest” for its conceptual design that uses the space beneath overpasses to create stormwater tree farms.
Reflo plans to use the funds for the development of its portable Outdoor Discovery Carts. Reflo, the Green Schools Consortium of Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Public Schools use these carts to support schoolyard maintenance and outdoor curricular activities at local schools. The carts are outfitted with gardening tools and education supplies to promote environmental stewardship and facilitate outdoor learning exercises.
“We applaud the MMSD and the Elizabeth J. Tellier Foundation for conducting the ‘Green Infrastructure Overpass Design Contest,’ and we’re thrilled to donate our contest winnings to Reflo for the production of new carts,” said Ashley Booth, HNTB Wisconsin office leader and vice president. “It’s important to all of us at HNTB to support sustainable water solutions locally and eco-friendly initiatives that improve the environment. Reflo’s carts make outdoor learning opportunities more accessible to the local community, and they provide awareness for students and Milwaukee residents of the importance of the environment and access to an improved quality of life.”
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“We are grateful that HNTB has chosen to donate their prize money to Reflo,” said Kevin Shafer of MMSD. “Through this partnership, more Milwaukee residents will learn about the importance of stormwater management, flood risk reduction and the environment, which reinforces our mission of improving water resource quality in the region.”
For more than three years, Reflo has worked to develop the Outdoor Discovery Cart for Milwaukee area schools and green infrastructure education. Reflo owns a provisional patent on the cart and, to date, has built and delivered 10 of these educational carts to local schools and parks.
“HNTB’s sponsorship will be instrumental in allowing us to expand the production of the carts to support even more schools and community-based educational programs,” said Justin Hegarty, executive director of Reflo. “HNTB has been a fantastic partner over the years. In 2018, HNTB worked with us on the rainwater harvesting project Alice’s Garden, one of Milwaukee’s most extensive community-supported gardens, which provides a model of regenerative farming and community cultural development on a global scale.”
About HNTB
HNTB Corporation is an employee-owned infrastructure firm serving public and private owners and contractors. With 107 years of service in the United States, HNTB understands the life cycle of infrastructure and addresses clients’ most complex technical, financial and operational challenges. Professionals nationwide deliver a full range of infrastructure-related services, including award-winning planning, design, and program and construction management. For more information, visit www.hntb.com, or follow HNTB on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

author: HNTB Corporation


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Reflo_cart_outdoor-class.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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August 12, 2021


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Post from Community: You are invited to SDC’s open house! | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Social Development Commission
August 12, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
For more than 50 years, SDC has been changing our community for the better. Now SDC is changing its look and adding new locations. We want to show it off!
Plus, we will have resources to help you manage challenges created by COVID-19 and the pandemic.
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Finally, what’s an open house without raffle prizes, giveaways, food, back-to-school supplies, and more?
We’ve got it all. Come see and be a part of the SDC today!
WHO:   The Social Development Commission
WHAT:  Open House
WHERE:  1730 W. North Avenue
WHEN:  Friday, August 13 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 9 a.m.
Open House and Tours until 4:30 p.m.

author: Social Development Commission


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Vaccination rates continue to lag in Milwaukee’s central city neighborhoods | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
August 12, 2021
Vaccination rates in Milwaukee’s central city neighborhoods are low in comparison to the rest of the county. (File photo by Sue Vliet)
Central city neighborhoods significantly lag behind other areas in Milwaukee County when it comes to vaccination rates, according to data supplied to NNS by the Milwaukee Health Department.
In the 53206 ZIP code, which includes the Amani neighborhood, 26.4% of residents have completed their vaccine series. In 53210, also known as Metcalfe Park, the rate is 30%. The overall rate in Milwaukee County is 47%, while the overall rate in the state is about 50%.
Dr. Allison Kos, chief medical officer at Progressive Community Health Centers, said demand for the vaccines is low at the clinic, which serves the 53206 and 53210 ZIP codes. Her organization hasn’t ordered new vaccines in eight weeks and is expecting its 400 Moderna vaccines to last until October.
On the South Side, in 53215, vaccination rates have risen to 41.4%, and both 53212 and 53204 have about 39% of residents fully vaccinated.
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‘Working against time’
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson said in an interview that while the numbers are lower than the department wants, she feels on-the-ground efforts have increased vaccination rates.
For example, a door-to-door vaccination effort by the local anti-tobacco coalition Jump at the Sun Consultants reached over 2,400 homes in the city and got 404 people vaccinated as of Aug. 4, Johnson said. Other efforts, including mobile clinics and vaccine drives, have also attempted to meet people where they are.
Johnson said the department knows it’s “working against time” as the delta variant makes headlines.
The delta variant, a strain of COVID-19 that is more spreadable and severe, has caused an increase in cases and hospitalizations in Wisconsin. In late July, the Milwaukee Health Department issued a mask advisory for all residents regardless of vaccination status. The mask advisory recommends people wear masks indoors when with people outside their household.
“Masks work but that’s not the way we get out of this pandemic,” Johnson said. “We need to get more people vaccinated.”
Recent data surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine indicates that it does not fully prevent individuals from getting infected, but it does protect them more effectively from hospitalization and death.
But these facts have not convinced everyone.
Residents share concerns
A FIRM NO: Dennis Walton says he’s still skeptical about the COVID-19 vaccine and doesn’t plan to get it. (NNS file photo)
Dennis Walton, an Amani resident and community activist, remains skeptical of the vaccine.
“The information is too all over the place; it’s too confusing,” Walton said.
Walton said he felt that emphasizing safety while allowing big crowds to congregate this summer sends mixed messages. He’s taking the virus seriously and wants to stay safe but said leaders “sold people on the hope that the country would reopen.”
Damia S. Causey, an NNS columnist who is currently studying to become a registered nurse, got her second dose of the vaccine on Aug. 4. Her husband, James, wrote about the decision for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
FROM NO TO YES: Damia S. Causey got the vaccine after having doubts earlier in the pandemic. (NNS staff photo)
One of the biggest factors in deciding to get vaccinated was the need to get the vaccine before she began clinicals, said Causey, who lives near North 39 Street and West Capitol Drive. Causey also said she wanted to protect herself and others from the virus.
“Some things aren’t about us as individuals,” Causey said. “Some things are for the collective.”
With that said, Causey said she views the vaccine as one tool in the bigger fight against COVID-19.
“What I am against is that people looked at the vaccine like a cure-all and it’s not,” Causey said.
Other residents remain undecided about getting vaccinated. Ambrose Wilson-Brown, a mindfulness coach and entrepreneur, is one of them.
While he still thinks the vaccine was developed a bit too quickly, the desire to participate in events and to be able to move about freely have made him reconsider his decision.
UNDECIDED: Ambrose Wilson-Brown, a mindfulness coach and entrepreneur, is still trying to decide if he wants to get the vaccine. The ability to attend a wedding or go on vacation has made him reconsider the shot. (Photo provided by Ambrose Wilson-Brown)
“It was very fast then, and it’s still fast now,” Wilson-Brown said. “I wanted to let the science catch up and get more information.”
COVID-19 vaccines have not been formally approved by the Federal Drug Administration, or FDA, but have been granted an emergency use authorization due to the severity of the pandemic.
Health leaders face a daunting challenge as they try make  complex information easy to understand for their patients, said Dr. Bryan Johnston, a family physician on Milwaukee’s North Side.
“More and more, there have been a lot of confusing messages coming from a lot of different directions,” Johnston said. “Some patients are paralyzed by this constant flux of information.”
Johnston said the delta variant has thrown a “curveball” as breakthrough cases of COVID-19 have made people more skeptical about the vaccine’s protection. He’s still recommending everyone get a shot in the arm, however.
“It’s possible that you can get the virus,” Johnston said. “But the vaccine will prevent you from getting really sick and prevent you from dying. It really is the way out of this. It’s even more critical to get it now.”


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Dwayne Burtin
August 11, 2021


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DENNIS WALTON | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 11, 2021


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5 things to do and know the weekend of Aug. 13 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
August 13, 2021
Milwaukee Health Services is having a community baby shower at the MLK Heritage Health Center, 2555 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, on Friday, Aug. 13. (Image provided by Milwaukee Health Services)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as you begin the weekend.
If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Social Development Commission open house: Friday, Aug. 13
The Social Development Commission, 1730 W. North Ave., is hosting an open house from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13. There will be raffle prizes, giveaways, food, back-to-school supplies and more.
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There will be additional open houses at SDC Northwest, 9155 N. 76th St., on Friday, Aug. 20; SDC Chase, 2968 S. Chase Ave., on Saturday, Sept. 11; and SDC Teutonia, 6850 N. Teutonia Ave., on Saturday, Sept. 18.
2. Milwaukee Health Services community baby shower: Friday, Aug. 13
Milwaukee Health Services is hosting a Luau Lullaby Community Baby Shower in honor of National Health Center Week. The shower will take place at MLK Heritage Health Center, 2555 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13. Participants can attend educational sessions on safe sleep, infant mortality, breastfeeding and more. There will also be a raffle, special performances and a sit-down dinner.
3. Danceworks: Social dance series for couples: Friday, Aug. 13
Danceworks, 1661 N. Water St., is offering a social dance series for couples. This week, participants can learn the steps to a basic cha cha cha. The class is available in-person and online from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13. Click here to register. Class rates begin at $20 per couple. Due to COVID-19, the in-studio version of this class is only available for dancers who live in the same household.
4. CirculateMKE market at Alice’s Garden: Saturday, Aug. 14
Circulate Creative Entrepreneur Garden will be at Alice’s Garden, 2136 N. 21st St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14. There will be activities for children, food, free giveaways and local vendors. The market is an opportunity to support youth entrepreneurs and community members who are struggling financially. Read more about CirculateMKE here.
5. Sherman Phoenix front porch series: Sunday, Aug. 15
The Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., is continuing its Front Porch Series, which features multiple vendors and live performances. This month’s event will take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 15.
Bonus: Bronzeville Week: Bronzeville Bingo is back: Friday, Aug. 13 to Saturday, Aug. 21
In honor of Bronzeville Week, the Bronzeville Collective, 339 W. North Ave., brought back Bronzeville Bingo. The bingo card is an opportunity to support local businesses and receive discounts when you shop. The card features Black-owned businesses located inside the Bronzeville Collective, in the  Bronzeville neighborhood and inside the Sherman Phoenix, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave. Bronzeville Bingo is available from now until Saturday, Aug. 21.
Bonus 2: Metcalfe Park Community Bridges community day: Saturday, Aug. 14
Metcalfe Park Community Bridges is hosting a community day filled with painting, barbeque, music and joy. The group is currently painting a wall mural at the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, 2900 W. Center St. The community is invited to help paint the mural from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14. Less experienced painters can check out the group’s paint and sip event happening at the same time.

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 12, 2021


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NNS Spotlight: How two groups are working to meet the housing needs of queer, trans, Black and non-binary people in Milwaukee | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
August 13, 2021
The Brave Green Wave Trybe and the 21st Street Cooperative have partnered to buy their first home. (Photo provided by Trevonna Sims)
In the spring of 2020, Annia Leonard was on the verge of being evicted.
But Leonard’s friends stepped in to help, and that lead to the creation of the Brave Green Wave Trybe, a group that has purchased a home that will be centered around and owned by queer, trans, Black and non-binary people.
“We saw a need that wasn’t being addressed directly by any of the existing organizations focused on housing or the community groups that were focused on queer folx,” Leonard said.
The Trybe partnered with the 21st Street Community Cooperative, which aims to build a safe and encouraging community of co-ops by purchasing multiple houses within a small radius around the 1100 block of North 21st Street.
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The Trybe’s home will be one of the first housing cooperatives in Milwaukee exclusively serving queer, trans, Black and non-binary residents.
“I remember being a part of tight-knit communities as a child,” said Trevonna Sims, a member of the Brave Green Wave Trybe. “We need that back.”
The National Association of Housing Cooperatives defines a housing cooperative as “a form of homeownership where residents collectively own and control developments in which they live.”
The Trybe plans to move three or four of its five members into the house by fall, and the house will serve as the blueprint for similar projects.
“A housing co-op gives those who have been systematically blocked from homeownership an opportunity to build equity and learn the value of owning a home,” said Jordan Terry, co-founder of the Brave Green Wave Trybe. “Everyone has a stake in ensuring that the cooperative succeeds. We want to ensure that there is a space in Milwaukee that nourishes first-timers on their journey through home ownership.”
A study done by the Williams Institute, a research center housed at UCLA that focuses on sexual orientation, gender identity law and public policy,  showed that sexual minority adults are twice as likely as the general population to experience homelessness in their lifetime.
Caitlin O’Brien, a member of the 21 Street Community Cooperative, said her experience at Casa Maria, a group that houses women and children in need of short-term housing, is the reason she advocates for cooperative housing.
“It really made me passionate about communal living situations — seeing people work for their room and board and still have the time and energy to do meaningful work,” she said.
Others feel the two groups’ approach is a step in the right direction.
“Housing insecurity is not a problem that is going to be adequately resolved by a single program or housing model because the needs and desires of the housing insecure are varied,” said Shannon Virginia, a member of the 21 Street Community Cooperative. “But we believe that cooperative housing is a necessary option for Milwaukee.”
How you can help
The groups are still taking donations and volunteers to help them make this home the space they want it to be.
Wisconsin residents can become investors by purchasing shares at $25 each with a 0.03% dividend. To do so, people can send a check to the 21st Street Community Cooperative, 1151 N. 21st St., Milwaukee WI, 53233.
You can also find the groups on Facebook:
Brave Green Way Trybe
21st Street Community Cooperative

author: PrincessSafiya Byers


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51299250055_a334005a77_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 12, 2021


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OPINION: A shot at normalcy: Why I decided to get the COVID vaccine | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Damia S. Causey
August 13, 2021
Damia S. Causey writes: “The vaccine is not the end-all, be-all. But it will help.” (Photo by Sue Vliet)
Editor’s note: Have something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org.
The decision on whether or not to get vaccinated against COVID-19 is split across the country, with roughly half of all Americans fully vaccinated. In Wisconsin, 49.8% of the population has been fully vaccinated as of Aug. 11.
This statistic held true in my own household, too.
My husband chose to be vaccinated early on and received his first and second dose of Pfizer in March and April. My attitude was one of wait and see.
As a journalist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, my husband, James Causey, has been very outspoken regarding the need for the public to be vaccinated. He was concerned about my refusal, but he respected my position.
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He would, however, drop frequent hints about all the things we wouldn’t be able to do if I didn’t get the shot. He’d say things like, “We could take a cruise for our upcoming anniversary, but only vaccinated people get to do that.”
I admit, I was one of the holdouts against the vaccine. But not for the reasons some might think.
My reasoning had nothing to do with distrusting the government because of previous violations against Black bodies like the Tuskegee experiment. Nor did it hinge on conspiracy theories about the mark of the beast or the government’s attempt to thin the population.
For me, the decision not to get vaccinated right away simply had to do with the virus being just that — a virus. Meaning that viruses don’t have cures. The virus simply evolves, as we see with the Delta variant, and continues to mutate. Over time, our immune systems will continue to adapt to ward off this virus like it has with so many others.
The vaccine is not the end-all, be-all. But it will help.
I don’t receive the flu vaccine for the same reasoning. If I have to take a vaccine yearly to have only partial protection because the flu vaccine doesn’t cover all strains — because it can’t — then I will continue to practice good hygiene habits like frequently washing my hands, using a napkin to open public doors and coughing in my elbow, to stay as safe as possible.
Even with the best precautionary measures, we can still get sick. I came down with COVID-19 in November. It was traced to a family member who wasn’t as careful. A Thursday night Packer game being shown at a bar was worth the risk to them. So, my mom, my husband and I were all impacted by someone else’s choice.
COVID-19 is highly contagious and very aggressive, sometimes deadly, especially to those with compromised immunity. So, as the delta variant and other strains began to emerge, I decided to get vaccinated. The latest information says 83% of new COVID-19 cases are the delta variant strain.
I received the Pfizer vaccine in July and had my second dose Aug. 5. There were no noticeable side effects other than arm soreness both times. I didn’t ever feel sick or tired or nauseous.
What does make me feel sick about the vaccine is the carelessness people have gone back to because a vaccine is available. Super large gatherings, lax hygienic measures and a disregard for people’s personal space should not be back on the table. Disregard for the greater good of all of us is what is keeping us in this mess.
The vaccine is not a cure for this virus, and because we are rushing back to business as usual, we are seeing rising COVID-19 infection rates and deaths.
I still practice social distancing, and as much as I love my Milwaukee Bucks, there’s no way I would have attended such a massive event with over 300,000 people like the parade held in their honor.
I still wear a mask in all enclosed spaces like retail and grocery stores. I wear gloves when I pump gas. I still wipe down grocery carts and keep my own wipes in the car to wipe off my steering wheel and door handle upon entering my vehicle. I remove my shoes in my hallway and wash my hands immediately upon entering my home.
Coming from a health care background and currently finishing up my health care degree, I did many of these things routinely before COVID, so the transition wasn’t as hard for me.
My 81-year-old grandmother, Mae, is home-bound, and we have to go in and out of her house frequently to check on her and help her with daily activities. I don’t want to be the reason she gets sick. COVID might not be as bad for me, but it might be debilitating for her. She has a right to be protected from whoever has to enter her home.
Ultimately, I decided to get vaccinated because the vaccine is a valuable tool in our COVID-19 toolbox, along with smart distancing, regular testing and masking up. While all of us have the right to choose whether or not to be vaccinated, we don’t have the right to infringe on another person’s right to be safe.
And if I can do my part to slow down the freight train that is COVID, then I am willing to take one for the team. We all need to do our part to quell this virus.
Damia S. Causey is a columnist for Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is currently studying to become a registered nurse.

author: Damia S. Causey


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Post from Community: BBB Tip: Working with your insurance company after a disaster | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
August 13, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Natural disasters can leave homeowners with flooding, roof damage, and plumbing issues. Vehicles can get flooded and sustain tree damage. As the cleanup begins, homeowners and vehicle owners need to figure out their next steps and how they will pay for repairs. They must navigate insurance claims and policies as they assess the damage. The Better Business Bureau offers these tips to consumers working with insurance:
Be wary of storm chasers and learn how to avoid them.
Read BBB’s tips on hiring a tree service company or hiring a trustworthy contractor.
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For more, visit us at BBB.org.

author: Wisconsin Better Business Bureau


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Post from Community: MATC Adult High School earns Cognia accreditation | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Area Technical College
August 13, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Milwaukee Area Technical College announced today that its Adult High School has earned accreditation by Cognia™, a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts and education service providers. MATC is the only one of the 16 Wisconsin Technical College System colleges that operates an adult high school.
Founded in 1931, MATC’s Adult High School has a diverse faculty and staff serving students 16 and older who want to earn a high school diploma. It offers a full range of academic and student support services and many courses incorporate hands-on learning. The low-cost courses are offered in online, in-person or blended formats. In-person classes are held on the Downtown Milwaukee Campus on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with an additional four hours to be completed outside of class. Students who have earned credits at other schools earn advanced standing and complete the remaining credits needed for graduation.
MATC’s Adult High School fills a number of needs in the community,” said Kevin Mulvenna, instructional chair and faculty member. In addition to allowing students to earn prerequisites for college courses and programs without having to utilize financial aid or pay college tuition, it also offers a way to earn a high school diploma for programs or institutions that will not accept a GED or HSED.
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“Most importantly, many of our students want to prove they can complete a traditional high school program,” Mulvenna said. “For some, having not done so has left a haunting, emotional scar.”
Cognia, formerly AdvancED, recognizes organizations nationwide that meet rigorous standards focused on productive learning environments, equitable resource allocation that meets the needs of learners and effective leadership. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school is accredited, and that MATC’s Adult High School is recognized across the U.S. as a school that meets Cognia Standards of Quality and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement.
“School accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Adult High School a nationally recognized mark of quality,” said, Dr. Vicki J. Martin, MATC president. “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our openness to external review and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.”
To earn Cognia accreditation, a school district also must implement a continuous process of improvement and submit to internal and external review. Schools in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a five-year term.
Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the institution and its community on the primary goal of preparing lifelong learners in engaging environments where all students can flourish. Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Adult High School is to be commended for demonstrating that it has met high standards and is making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”
Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about the Cognia Accreditation at cognia.org
Wisconsin’s largest technical college and one of the most diverse two-year institutions in the Midwest, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a key driver of southeastern Wisconsin’s economy and has provided innovative education in the region since 1912. More than 30,000 students per year attend the college’s four campuses and community-based sites or learn online. MATC offers affordable and accessible education and training opportunities that empower and transform lives in the community. The college offers more than 170 academic programs; and transfer options leading to bachelor’s degrees with more than 40 four-year colleges and universities. Overwhelmingly, MATC graduates build careers and businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers. The result of the merger of AdvancED and Measured Progress, Cognia was formed to bridge the gap between school evaluation and student assessment. As a global nonprofit working in over 80 countries, our 36,000 institutions serve and support nearly 25 million students and five million educators every day. Cognia serves as a trusted partner in advancing learning for all.  Find out more at https://www.cognia.org.

author: Milwaukee Area Technical College


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Adult-High-School-1.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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August 13, 2021


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Post from Community: YWCA Southeast Wisconsin opens search for new President & CEO | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
YWCA Southeast Wisconsin
August 13, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
YWCA Southeast Wisconsin announced today it has opened the search for its next President and CEO. A member of a national network of 200+ affiliates, YWCA Southeast Wisconsin’s mission is to eliminate racism and empower women, promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The search will be conducted by YWCA SEW’s special Board Task Force and managed by the organization’s Chief Human Resource Officer, Sheila Mayhorn.
Current President and CEO, Ginny Finn, stepped into the role of Interim President and CEO following the December 2019 retirement of long-time President and CEO, Paula Penebaker. Finn’s intended three month interim role focused on stewarding the organization’s transition to an expanded program model, but with the arrival of COVID-19 in March 2020 the Board of Directors and Finn agreed that the work ahead required more than an interim approach.
With the organization’s program model transition well-underway and YWCA SEW’s services and reach significantly expanded since that time, YWCA SEW returns to its plan to tap its next generation of leadership. Following transition with the new executive, Finn will return to her role of Chief Development Officer, leading the organization’s strategic communications and revenue development work.
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YWCA SEW Board Chair Lindsey Davis noted, “As an organization we are a vital part of a network of
essential service providers. Since January of 2020, a truly extraordinary partnership of Board, executive
leadership and committed staff has been our recipe for meeting the needs of our community and we now
are well-poised to move our bold mission forward even more significantly.”
The Opportunity Guide and Position Description, which specifies steps for any interested candidates, can be found on YWCA SEW’s web site at www.ywcasew.org/ceo
About YWCA Southeast Wisconsin
As part of a national network of 200+ affiliates with a bold mission to eliminate racism and empower women, YWCA SEW’s work serves 10,000+ individuals annually, equipping and challenging our community to commit itself to peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Through its distinctive lens focused on economic social determinants of health, YWCA SEW offers an array of interconnected empowerment and racial justice/gender equity programming and services for women and their families. This is YWCA SEW’s vision for the region: a thriving, inclusive, and just Southeast Wisconsin defined by racial
and gender equity as the foundation for healthy communities. Visit www.ywcasew.org
https://www.ywcasew.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/CEO-and-President-Announcement-Press-Release-Final-.pdf

author: YWCA Southeast Wisconsin


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5 things to know this week in Milwaukee: Aug. 16 to Aug. 21 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
August 16, 2021
The City of Milwaukee Office of Workforce Development is having four drive-through job fairs on Milwaukee’s North and South sides on Thursday, Aug. 19. (File photo by Ana Martinez-Ortiz)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as we enter a new workweek.
If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. City of Milwaukee Budget Awareness Week: Monday, Aug. 16 to Saturday, Aug. 21
The City of Milwaukee is having its first Budget Awareness Week starting Monday, Aug. 16 through Saturday, Aug. 21. During this week, the public will have an opportunity to discuss the city’s process, priorities and solutions with city officials. Each day there will be a different event, including a virtual meeting with Mayor Tom Barrett, a webinar on American Rescue Plan funding, educational exercises and more. Click here for the schedule of events.
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2. Music in Johnsons Park: Tuesday, Aug. 17
Friends of Johnsons Park presents “Music in the Park.” This week, Harvey Westmoreland and the Knee-Deep II show band will be performing. The concert will take place in Johnsons Park, 1919 W. Fond du Lac Ave., starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17. The concert is open to the public.
3. Back-to-school action event with LIT: Wednesday, Aug. 18
Leaders Igniting Transformation is hosting a back-to-school event. The goal of the event is to advocate for safe and equitable schools where all students can receive a quality education. The group is planning to meet outside of the Milwaukee Public Schools’ offices, 5225 W. Vliet St., from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
4. Office of Workforce Development drive-through job fairs: Thursday, Aug. 19
The City of Milwaukee Office of Workforce Development is hosting drive-through job fairs on the North Side and South Side. The fairs will take place at the following locations: Social Development Commission, 9155 N. 76th St.; Bethesda Baptist Church, 2909 N. 20th St.; UMOS, 2701 S. Chase Ave.; and Basilica of St. Josaphat, 2333 S. 6th St., from noon to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19. Attendees will receive information on employment opportunities, health care, transportation and more.
5. ArtWorks mosaic reveal at Green Tech Station: Thursday, Aug. 19
In October, high school interns with ArtWorks began learning about the environmental problems facing Milwaukee. In response, these students created a mosaic out of recycled plastic. The mosaic will be unveiled at the Green Tech Station, 4101 N. 31st St., at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19. The Green Tech Station is a new space in the Garden Homes neighborhood that will serve as an environmental education space.
Bonus: “Beatmaker’s Open Mic” night at Escuela Verde Newline Cafe: Thursday, Aug. 19
Escuela Verde Newline Cafe is partnering with Lakebeat Music Academy to present a new series called “Beatmaker’s Open Mic Night.” People will be able to share their beats, collaborate with other creators, meet new people and more. If you’d like to share your beats, click here for the submission form. The event will take place at Escuela Verde Newline Cafe, 3618 W. Pierce St., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 15, 2021


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Post from Community: Heroes Day at the Marcus Performing Arts Center | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Marcus Performing Arts Center
August 16, 2021

author: Marcus Performing Arts Center


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 16, 2021


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Post from Community: Milwaukee Urban League welcomes students and families back-to-school | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Urban League
August 16, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Milwaukee Urban League and its generous sponsors – Great Lakes Coca-Cola, Target, Spectrum, Nosotros Hair Studio, Pretty Girls Are Educated, Sharp Literacy, and America’s Black Holocaust Museum – are partnering together to prepare students and their families for a fun and successful start to the 2021-2022 school year. MUL’s Family Back-to-School Bash will take place Saturday, August 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. behind the MUL office building located at 435 West North Avenue in Milwaukee’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood.
“Education is at the core of the mission of Milwaukee Urban League,” said Dr. Eve M. Hall, president and CEO of Milwaukee Urban League. “We are excited to host this back-to-school event for students and families and we look forward to aiding them as they prepare to start a new school year.”

author: Milwaukee Urban League


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Post from Community: SEWRPC kicking off a Regional Food System Plan for Southeastern Wisconsin | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
August 16, 2021
Editor’s note: Posts from the Community is the place for community announcements and event postings. If you have a community-oriented event you feel our readers would be interested in, please submit here.
Commission staff have initiated a Regional Food System Plan for Southeastern Wisconsin. The public is invited to attend a virtual Kick-Off meeting to learn more about the Region’s food system and provide input on what should be included in the plan.
Virtual Meeting Information:
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Tuesday, August 24th | 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 25th | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Registration information is available at www.sewrpc.org/RFSP or by calling 262-953-3252
Input from the virtual Kick-Off meetings will be considered as the plan is prepared. Comments may also be submitted in any of the following ways:
Additional information on the Regional Food System Plan is available online.
About the Regional Food System Plan for Southeastern Wisconsin
Everyone needs to eat to survive; however, our food system is mostly disconnected from the public eye. The food system is a complex web of activities, processes, and actors involved in producing and delivering food to consumers. A sustainable food system supplies food security and adequate nutrition for all in a way that protects economic, social, and environmental interests for future generations.
VISION 2050—the long-range land use and transportation plan for the Region—recognizes the need to make healthy food accessible in all areas of the Region, acknowledges the relationship between the Region’s urban centers and agricultural resources, and recommends developing a regional food system plan. To support this recommendation, the Commission is developing a Regional Food System Plan for Southeastern Wisconsin. This plan is aimed at increasing food access, reducing economic and health disparities, supporting locally owned and sustainably operated farms, preserving productive agricultural land and sensitive natural resources, and connecting the stakeholders throughout the Region that produce, process, distribute, and consume food.
Tying it all Together
The seven-county Region is home to many initiatives designed to improve access to healthy food for those in need, reverse economic and health disparities, and preserve natural resources. They include planning efforts undertaken by the Region’s counties, local governments, and community organizations; efforts to increase access to healthy food such as farmers markets and urban agriculture; efforts to improve economic opportunities and transportation options in areas of need; and efforts to support agriculture and preserve the Region’s most important natural resources.
While the initiatives related to healthy food access, equity, agriculture, and the environment are impressive, they could be strengthened by expanding connections and interaction at the regional level. One way to achieve this is through a regional planning effort. SEWRPC is in the unique position of serving all 154 counties and local governments in the Region, urban and rural. SEWRPC is also in the unique position of having developed a comprehensive plan for the Region that includes principles and recommendations that can be incorporated into a regional food system plan to strengthen existing initiatives and organizations and address all aspects of this complex issue. SEWRPC Executive Director Kevin Muhs stated that the plan will “be a guide to improving healthy food access and production throughout the Region” and that the plan can play a key role in “tying it all together.”
About SEWRPC
The Regional Planning Commission is the official areawide planning agency for infrastructure and land use for Southeastern Wisconsin. The Commission serves the following seven Southeastern Wisconsin Counties: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington, and Waukesha. Under State law, Commission plans are advisory to local and State governments.


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UPDATE: New grant helps Milwaukee’s largest condom distribution program stave off closing | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Matt Martinez
August 17, 2021
The 414ALL program has been distributing condoms in Milwaukee since 2014. (NNS File Photo by Natalie Wickman)
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include news of a new grant by United Way of Greater Milwaukee
Diverse and Resilient’s 414ALL program, the largest condom distributor in the city, is no longer in jeopardy of shutting down because of a lack of funding, but its leaders say it will have to scale back.
The program, which started in 2014, distributes condoms and offers condom education to over 50 partner organizations, including schools, barber shops, restaurants and health centers.
The program seeks to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, said Osha Towers, director of community organizing for Diverse and Resilient, a nonprofit that focuses on sexual health in the LGBTQ+ community.
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NNS reported earlier that the program would have to close because it was running out of funds. But on Tuesday, Nicole Angresano, vice president of community impact for United Way of Greater Milwaukee, said her organization has pledged another $100,000 for the year. Gerry Coon, president and CEO of Diverse and Resilient, said he was notified on Tuesday morning, adding the grant would help tremendously for the next year. Some cuts will need to be made as the program seeks additional funding.
The city has seen a significant increase in syphilis in the last year as well as other diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Julie Katrichis, director of clinic operations of the Milwaukee Health Department, said rates have continued steadily going up since the beginning of the year.
Towers said the program had distributed over 1 million condoms since 2014, with over 200,000 condoms in the last year alone.
Osha Towers, director of community organizing for Diverse and Resilient, said 414ALL has distributed over 1 million condoms. (Photo provided by Diverse and Resilient)
Towers said the program will likely last until the end of the year because there is not enough money to continue. Towers and the team are seeking funding elsewhere.
Towers said the program costs about $170,000 a year to operate, which includes ad campaigns.
The program was originally funded by the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Oversight Committee, which included several contributing organizations established by the United Way of Greater Milwaukee. Some funders moved away as time went on and the city’s teen pregnancy rate dropped.
Towers said the program targets 11 ZIP codes in Milwaukee where sexually transmitted infection rates are high. The ZIP codes include 53212, 53204, 53206, 53208 and 53233, among others.
The condoms are often given out as “variety packs” to encourage users to find the type they prefer. The packs also include lubricant and a list of locations where recipients can find STI testing.
Molly Lancelot, a community education manager with Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said the program provided roughly 8,000 condoms a month to its sites. She said the prospect of 414ALL ending was “alarming” and worried that STI rates will increase further.
Jose Salazar, HIV director at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, said that although his organization has its own resources for condoms, others rely solely on 414ALL to provide them. Street outreach teams that engaged with sex workers, for example, would be heavily impacted if the program shuts down, Katrichis said.
Katrichis said Diverse and Resilient’s relationships in the community make the organization better suited than almost anyone else. She said she’d rather see the organization be able to “continue their good work rather than start over” and hopes to see funders step up.


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OSHATOWERS | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 16, 2021


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UPDATE: Online application for P-EBT closes Wednesday, but you can still apply over phone or email | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
August 17, 2021
Though the online P-EBT application will be closing for the 2020-’21 school year, officials say parents can still apply via phone or email. (File photo by Adam Carr)
Parents can apply online to receive Pandemic EBT credits, or P-EBT, through Wednesday, Aug. 18. After then, they will need to apply over the phone or via email.
To apply after Wednesday, call 1-833-431-2224 or email PEBTsupport@wisconsin.gov.
To apply, parents will need to provide biographic information for themselves and eligible children and confirm their address and child’s school name and city. Providing a Social Security number is not required.
School P-EBT, one of three different types of P-EBT, can be used like FoodShare to buy groceries. It is available to parents whose children did not receive school meals during the 2020-’21 school year because they were learning from home.
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You are eligible to receive $6.82 in School P-EBT per day your child learned remotely during the last school year if you meet all of the following conditions:
The other types of school P-EBT. Pre-6 P-EBT, which is for parents of children who were 6 years old or younger on Oct. 1, 2020 and not enrolled in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program, and Summer P-EBT, which covers $375 in summer meals for parents who received either Pre-6 or School P-EBT.
Parents can be eligible for more than one P-EBT program, depending on the age of their child, how often that child was learning remotely or how often most children in their region were learning remotely.
If you received summer meals from a food pantry or food service program, such as MPS’ “Stop, Grab and Go” program, you can still be eligible to receive P-EBT.
You can read more on all three P-EBT programs and their eligibility requirements here.
Benefits will be loaded onto the recipients’ active QUEST card if they have one. If they don’t have an active QUEST card, they will receive benefits on a P-EBT card in the mail once they are approved.
If you have questions about your eligibility or did not receive benefits even though you believe you are eligible, call 1-833-431-2224 or email PEBTsupport@wisconsin.gov.
In addition, we are here to help. Text “MKE” to 73224 and select “talk to a reporter.”

author: Sam Woods


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49666388808_8880d7eb70_k (1) | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 16, 2021


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OPINION: When it comes to our education system, it’s time to let young people lead the way | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dom Portis
August 18, 2021

author: Dom Portis


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
August 17, 2021

author: Dwayne Burtin


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We’ve updated our list on where you can get free food or low-cost meals | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
August 18, 2021
If you’re hungry, help is available in many forms in Milwaukee right now. You can get food delivered to you, stop by pay-what-you-can restaurants and produce stores or visit food pantries such as this one at the Milwaukee Islamic Dawah Center. (File photo by Mark Doremus)
If you or someone you know needs food, here is information on where to find food pantries, meal distribution sites and meals for children as well as pay-what-you-can options, meal delivery programs and information on how to get money for buying groceries. This information will be updated regularly.
Do you know of a resource that is not listed here? Text “MKE” to 73224 and let us know!
If you are looking for food now, the best place to start is by using the following resources. These resources can connect you to food pantries and meal sites within your ZIP code.
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The Hunger Task Force has created an interactive map complete with soup kitchens, MPS meal sites, non-MPS meal sites, mobile markets, meal sites for seniors and more. You can search by ZIP code or by resource type to find what you are looking for at a location near you. The map is updated daily, but call the location before you visit to make sure it is still open.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin also has an interactive map of food pantries and meal programs located across eastern Wisconsin. The map is updated regularly but call the location before you visit to make sure it is still open.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin also has maps of summer meal locations and farmer’s markets that take Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, credits. You can learn more about the WIC program here.
Use the 2-1-1 Wisconsin website to find the food pantry in your neighborhood.
Call Impact at 2-1-1, which can connect you to food pantries and meal programs in your area. You can also text your ZIP code to TXT-211.
You can also text “MKEfood” to 73224 to connect with a reporter about food resources.
For some, yes. This is because some pantries are restricted in the areas they can serve and are required to verify that you live in the area they serve. However, not all pantries require an ID.
If you are not sure if you need an ID, call the food pantry directly or text “MKE” to 73224 and a News414 reporter can get you the information you need.
Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church is serving 300 free meals every Saturday outside of Damascus Gate restaurant, located at 807 W. Historic Mitchell St. Distribution starts at 11 a.m. and continues while supplies last, usually until noon. The Rev. Karen Hagan said this service will continue at this time and location through the end of October.
Some restaurants and grocery stores allow customers to pay only what they are able to pay for food, even if that is $0. However, there is often also a suggested price or way to donate for those who want to support these efforts.
Tricklebee Café, located at 4424 W. North Ave., is a community cafe offering vegan and gluten free options. The café is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Call 414-488-2477 to order for pickup or dine in.
greater good(s) MKE, located at 5205 W. North Ave., is a pay-what-you-can produce store open every Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m. and every Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon.
Victory Garden Initiative, or VGI, is a food justice nonprofit and urban farm based in Harambee. In addition to other programming, VGI hosts a pay-what-you-can farmstand every Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 249 E. Concordia Ave. until Oct. 29. Food at the farmstand is grown at VGI’s farm across the street. Donations are accepted.
Emerald City Catering, located at 3555 S. 13th St., said that people can call to reserve leftover meals or meals made with extra produce the company did not use. Meal prices will be pay-what-you-can. Call 414-672-3434 anytime between noon and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday to inquire about their pay-what-you-can options.
MKE Good Food Bus is a mobile food truck that offers produce on a pay-what-you-can scale. Cash, PayPal, Venmo and CashApp accepted. Text 414-367-9459 for the exact location of the truck. However, the truck will generally be in these neighborhoods on the following days:
For those who are 60 or older, Meals on Wheels will deliver meals to you and anyone living with you who also qualifies. You can view eligibility requirements and apply here and view this month’s menu here.
Additionally, for those 60 or older and/or have a qualifying disability in the 53204, 53205, 53206, 53215, 53223, 53224 and 53225 ZIP codes, Friedens Community Ministries will deliver food from one of its four pantries. Call 414-289-6030 to sign up.
Those making less than the maximum income requirements can get EBT credit to buy food through Wisconsin’s FoodShare program. You can check to see if you are eligible here, and instructions on how to apply here.
Parents of children who receive free or reduced-price school meals may also be eligible to receive credit to buy food through Pandemic EBT, or P-EBT. Three P-EBT programs focused on school age children, children under 6, and summer meals respectively. You can view eligibility for each program here.
If you are eligible but have not received any funds or a letter saying you are eligible, either fill out an application here by Aug. 18 or call 833-431-2224 and email PEBTsupport@wisconsin.gov.