It is officially spooky season and Halloween is right around the corner! As holiday themed events and activities are at its peak this month, we are excited to share MCSAP's Spooky Mocktails. Every Friday during the month of October, MCSAP shares Sarah Hofman's fun and healthy mocktail recipes you can try with your friends and family! Learn how to make "Witches Heart" mocktail and a "Ghoulish Grape Cooler" mocktail with simple ingredients at home. You can watch these mocktail videos on the MCSAP Facebook Page by clicking here.

There is a need to understand better the retail environment and how young people are influenced by the marketing and access in these establishments, focusing on tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaping products, and alcohol. Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and Counter Tools have worked to design an assessment survey that will be completed in the store to give us more information on pricing, item placement, and advertisements. To complete these assessments, we are looking for volunteers in or near Milwaukee County to help collect this information. You can volunteer for as little as one hour, and become eligible for prizes! If you are interested, please contact Martha Ghebregziabiher by email: mghebregziabiher@communityadvocates.net.

The Voices of Healing: Trans & Nonbinary Survivors SPEAK OUT is a project designed to support, uplift, and foster the resilience of trans and nonbinary survivors of sexual victimization. This project uses creative expression to empower survivors to share their stories. Speak Out is currently seeking narratives that can be shared through multiple forms of expression, from spoken word to dance to song. Trans and nonbinary survivors of all gender identities and experiences are encouraged to submit their pitches and 10 presenters will be selected. For more information about Speak Out, click here.

The QPR mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know. Community Advocates will offer this introductory session via Zoom twice on October 19. Click to register:

Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This training will give you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. Community Advocates is offering two MHFA sessions in person in the month of October at its Brown Deer location.

Click on the following dates to register:

Bring your family to the 2021 Haunted Hike: Children of the Woods event hosted by Neighborhood House on Saturday, October 23! Each family will be able to enjoy activities in the Not So Scary Area and a Spooky Hike in the woods! Food will be available for purchase. The Haunted Hike event will be held at NH Nature Center W 2650 County Rd MM, Neosho, WI 53059. You must register for this event by clicking here.

Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31) is when communities and organizations provide resources and support by enhancing awareness on the dangers of drug use. The Red Ribbon campaign is offering free downloads and virtual activities for your use. To access these resources, visit their website.

The National Family Partnership is offering two digital resources that can be used to teach students how to make healthy decisions about vaping, prescription drugs and opioids. These resources are free and for students in middle and high school. To get these resources, click here.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is accepting applications for the 2022 Emerging Leaders Program. This is a workforce development program that provides training and mentorship to behavioral health professionals in the African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, Middle Eastern/Northern African, Native American/Alaskan Native and minority LGBTQ2S+ communities. There is no cost to participate in this program and applicants must live or work in Wisconsin. Applications are due November 1. Click here to apply.

The Milwaukee Community Justice Council is now accepting applications for funding from non-governmental, nonprofit, and grassroots organizations in Milwaukee County whose work reduces and/or prevents criminal legal system involvement, promotes racial equity, engages communities impacted by the criminal legal system, and addresses the public health goals. To learn more, click here.