Community Advocates Connections
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Friends,
I hope this message finds you safe and well and hopeful. Community Advocates continues to deliver programs and services for those who are facing critical life situations, such as eviction and unstable housing, domestic violence, street homelessness, or substance use disorders, so that they don’t become permanent problems. All of these situations have worsened during the pandemic, which creates even greater disparities in health, wealth, and family stability. We are fortunate to be part of the solution by providing rent assistance in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties so that tenants can keep current on their rent and stay safe in their homes, and landlords can get paid. In addition, through the Rental Housing Resource Center, Community Advocates partners with rental housing stakeholders to enable tenants in unstable housing to work through their related issues as well, so that they emerge from the pandemic in a stronger, more stable household. We’re grateful for their engagement and collaboration.
In gratitude,
Andi Elliott
Chief Executive Officer
Community Advocates
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May is Mental Health Month |
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This month, Mental Health Month, we’re highlighting the importance of tuning into your mental health needs and getting the care and services you need. Many of Community Advocates' programs -- including Basic Needs and Behavioral Health Services, Milwaukee Women's Center, and prevention programs -- include a mental health component as part of our wraparound services that engage the whole person.
In April, MCSAP's annual Youth Summit returned with the theme "Mental Health Matters."
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Milwaukee Fatherhood FIRE Program |
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We are pleased to announce that we’re partnering with Milwaukee County on their Milwaukee Fatherhood FIRE Program, which promotes fathers as Family-focused, Interconnected, Resilient, and Essential in the lives of their children, families, community, and society. Fatherhood FIRE involves three blended core program services and workshops on healthy relationships, responsible parenting, and economic stability. This program connects fathers with other fathers with similar goals working to improve their lives over a period of several weeks.
Fatherhood FIRE serves biological fathers, expectant and adoptive fathers, stepfathers, or a person who is serving as a father figure for a dependent child or young adult up to 24 years old who lives in Milwaukee County.
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Rent Assistance Available in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties |
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Honoring Paul Hauer’s Life |
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Each donation Community Advocates receives is much appreciated. But in April, we were especially honored to receive the gift of clothing from the family of Paul M. Hauer, who passed away unexpectedly in February at the age of 47. Paul’s clothing—hundreds of pieces in perfect condition ranging from everyday essentials to shoes and business suits—will be distributed to individuals participating in The Bottomless Closet’s services for job seekers overcoming barriers to enter or rejoin the workforce.
The Hauer family—parents Michael and Carol, and siblings Mark, Emily, and Sara—remembered Paul as a generous, adventurous, and humble person who always focused on others, not himself. This gift to the Bottomless Closet’s participants seemed like an apt way to continue his legacy of care and concern for all he encountered, they said.
"We believe that this was a cause that Paul would certainly approve of," his mother Carol said. "His whole life was about public service. So if he can continue to be helpful to people he would be just so happy to be part of that mission."
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Mother’s Day Celebration with MWC’s Shelter Guests |
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Many thanks go out to the nonprofit organization Legacy of Ali and Fatema, whose volunteers cooked and served a delicious Mother's Day lunch at the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s emergency shelter. We appreciate their longstanding care and concern for our guests. THANK YOU!
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On Mother’s Day, the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s emergency shelter received a fantastic gift from Movers for Moms—35 large boxes filled with toiletries. Movers for Moms is Two Men and a Truck’s springtime national giving program, when its locations collect donations to deliver to women’s and family shelters to make Mother’s Day a little more special. We are grateful for their continued support of our emergency shelter guests.
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Community Advocates’ Services and Resources during COVID-19 |
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While Community Advocates' sites are closed to the public due to COVID-19, we are still providing services and resources to our community members on the phone and via email.
You can get in touch with us in the following ways:
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Community Advocates is grateful for the generosity of our community. We are seeking supplies for individuals who are moving into their own homes after experiencing homelessness and insecure housing. To donate new bedding (twin size), pillows, coffee makers or microwaves to the individuals who participate in our Autumn West Safe Haven or Project Bridge programs, please contact Jeri Kavanaugh at jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net to arrange your donation. You can also purchase items on Amazon (if you use Amazon Smile with this link Community Advocates will receive a donation as you shop) and have them delivered directly to us by sending them to Jeri Kavanaugh at Community Advocates, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, WI 53233. Thank you for your support!
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Community Advocates
2021 Board of Directors
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Leadership
President: Jodi Wire | We Energies
Vice President: Bryan House | Foley & Lardner, LLP
Treasurer: Sandra Samse | Johnson Keland Management
Secretary: Sharon Jordan | Direct Supply
Board Members
Sheree Dallas Branch | The Salvation Army
Anne DeLeo | Community Volunteer
Natasha Dotson | Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative
Valerie Gabriel | Community Volunteer
Erin Henry | Northwestern Mutual
Betsy Hoylman | Northwestern Mutual
Gary Ingram | Igary Events
Pamela Klein | Fresh Coast Partners, LLC
Jim Liedtke | Community Volunteer
Ashley Pavlic | Medical College of Wisconsin
Noceeba Southern | United States Social Security Administration
Alexandra Urrutia-Comas | Advocate Aurora Health
Kate Venne | Brady Corporation
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