Community Advocates Connections: October

October - November 2022

Community Advocates Connections

Friends,

2022 is coming to a close. With it comes the need to ensure that our struggling community members are able to meet their needs during the cold winter months. If you can, please contribute to our programs and services on Giving Tuesday, November 29, the global day of giving. We understand that making a donation isn't always easy, but every gift you can give will be used wisely and with gratitude. Last year, we served more than 100,000 individuals and families who needed help with their housing, utilities, safety in their relationships, mental health, and substance misuse. To those of you who sought out our assistance and advocacy, gave financially or through your time and creativity, or supported our mission, we value you and appreciate you.

In gratitude,

Andi Elliott

Chief Executive Officer

Community Advocates

Please Support Community Advocates on

#GivingTuesday, November 29

Did you know that one out of every four families in Milwaukee live in poverty and struggle with the difficult decision to put food on the table or paying for things like rent, utilities, and other bills?

Last year, over 100,000 individuals sought help from Community Advocates to improve their housing situations, sustain their utilities, and better their financial outlook to provide for their families and children.

You can make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable community members by making a generous gift on #GivingTuesday, the global day of giving.

It’s easy to participate.

Please visit our website to make a donation online. Please select Giving Tuesday 2022 on the Select the Destination of Your Contribution drop down menu.
Please share this with your friends and family members and ask them to consider making a donation.
Mail a donation to: Community Advocates, Attn: Giving Tuesday, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, WI 53233.
If you are a Facebook user, you can create a fundraiser to benefit Community Advocates. Please visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/CommunityAdvocatesMilwaukee.

Your support will help us reduce homelessness, increase access to safe and affordable housing, and provide advocacy and critical services so that all that reach out to us for help can meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity.

Thank you for your kindness! Your generosity will make a difference in the lives of those most in need in our community!

Nevermore Celebrates 40 Years of Service

Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Nevermore Batterers Prevention and Intervention Program is inviting the community to celebrate its 40th anniversary on December 8, which will also serve as the annual awards and recognition dinner for Community Advocates’ Milwaukee Fatherhood FIRE and Nevermore programs. Nevermore is an educational support group-based program that aims to help male batterers understand and take responsibility for their violent behavior in their relationships and wider community. Community Advocates partners with Milwaukee County in their Milwaukee Fatherhood FIRE program, which connects fathers and father figures to develop positive, healthy habits centered around relationships, parenting, and economic stability.

The celebration will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on December 8, in the second-floor multipurpose room of Community Advocates, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. This is a free event; kindly RSVP to Steve Thomas at sthomas@camwc.net by December 1.

Thank You for Your Generosity

We want to share our gratitude for the many generous gifts for our guests and program participants donated by the community. In addition to our individual donors, special thanks go out to:

We are grateful for 40 turkeys donated by The Turkey Club for our program participants. This Thanksgiving marks the tenth year Community Advocates has received these holiday meals. Thank you!

Kurz Industrial Solutions presented Milwaukee Women's Center with a check for $2,200. The guests in our shelter, program participants, and staff are thankful for this vital support.

We're grateful for your support. Thank you!

Kohler Co. organized a clothing drive in October and delivered 1,800+ items in a U-Haul to us. This marks the largest clothing donation Community Advocates has received. Thank you!

Spanish-Language Mental Health & Substance Use Prevention Workshops Take Shape

On November 9, more than 60 Promotores de Salud (Community Health Promoters) began their training in a new Spanish-language mental health and substance use prevention workshop created by Ana Paula Soares, counselor and integrative therapist, with support from Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. The materials are tailored to the experiences and needs of Milwaukee County’s Spanish-speaking residents and will be available to the community in 2023. This pilot project is generously funded by Milwaukee County's Better Ways to Cope initiative. We’ll keep you updated on its progress.

“When Claude Got Shot” Screening

Highlighted Need for Youth Support

A huge thank you goes out to the folks at 371 Productions, who allowed Community Advocates Public Policy Institute’s Brighter Futures Initiative-Milwaukee partners and community members to watch the Emmy-winning documentary "When Claude Got Shot" at COA Youth & Family

Centers on a recent Friday night. The film sparked a great conversation with Claude, Victoria, and filmmakers Brad Lichtenstein and Santana Coleman about the importance of investing in our Milwaukee youth.

Walk In for Housing Help

Our Housing Department has resumed its ability to help community members in person without an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome in the Rental Housing Resource Center, located in Community Advocates’ downtown offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee.

Monday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

We Are Here to Help Tenants & Property Owners

Community Advocates is providing temporary rent assistance to Milwaukee County and Waukesha County tenants who have lost income in the past 60 days or whose income has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to start the application process online right now or to check on a rent assistance application status if you are a tenant.

If you have questions about an application status or need to pick up or drop off documents, we are here to help. The Emergency Rent Assistance Program is open to the public 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at our downtown offices, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, for those who prefer to come in person. You can also call 414-270-4646 or email renthelp@communityadvocates.net.

The Milwaukee RHRC Triage Team accepts walk-in appointments Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Community Advocates offices, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. The RHRC Triage Team can assess your situation and make referrals so you can get the help you need. You can also call 414-895-RENT (7368), email info@renthelpmke.org, or visit the RHRC website for more information.

Are you a landlord and need help? Email landlord@communityadvocates.net.

Thanksgiving Holiday

Our offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25, to celebrate Thanksgiving. However, our 24/7 sites, the Milwaukee Women's Center Emergency Shelter and Autumn West Safe Haven, will remain open. If you are experiencing a domestic violence situation, please call 414-671-6140 anytime to speak to an advocate. If you need help with basic needs over the holiday weekend, contact Impact 2-1-1. We wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving.

Energy Assistance Season is Here

Colder weather is on its way, and with it is the need to keep your home warm and safe. Fortunately, the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance program will help eligible residents save money on their utilities bills and weatherize their home. Go to keepwarmmke.org or call 414-270-4653 (4MKE) to learn more about the program, schedule an appointment, or apply online. Community Advocates is a proud partner in this vital program.

Mental Health & Wellness Workshops & Resource Guide

We are offering Mental Health and Wellness workshops for our community members on Mental Health First Aid for adults and adults who work with youth, verbal de-escalation techniques, and suicide prevention. Check out our online calendar and register today! To schedule a session for your workplace or organization, contact Rita at rliesiefsky@communityadvocates.net.

In addition, you can find our Mental Health & Wellness Resource Guide on our website. The guide includes special sections with resources for families and youth, by/for People of Color, crisis lines, survivors of domestic violence, LGBTQ+ individuals, Spanish speakers, and more.

Community Advocates' Wish List

Can you help Community Advocates and the Milwaukee Women's Center meet the needs of our program participants? We serve families and individuals who have experienced homelessness or domestic violence, and most of them come into Emergency Shelter or our Autumn West Safe Haven with few belongings. We're currently seeking these items for our guests: