It’s easy to point fingers when tensions simmer in the parks during the summertime. Either the young people seem to be too rowdy, or "outsiders" are making people feel unsafe, or the police are coming down too hard on visitors who are just trying to blow off a little steam.

Too often, these assumptions can lead to long-lasting tension and stalemate, which is precisely what community stakeholders in the Amani neighborhood’s Moody Park do not want to happen. Instead, they are creating opportunities for young people and law enforcement to discuss what’s happening in the park and see each other as human beings, not rivals.

The program, called Real-ationships in Moody Park, was created by Safe & Sound, Zeidler Center for Public Discussion, Milwaukee Police Department, Friends of Moody Park, Community Advocates, Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, and COA-Goldin Center, thanks to a ReCAST MKE Safe Summer Community Healing Project grant released by the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention.

"We wanted to create a safe space for conversations and to combat stereotypes," explained Amanda Clark, Coordinator of the 53206 Drug-Free Communities Project housed at Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. 

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Eight teenagers in our area were hospitalized recently with severe lung damage that doctors suspect is the result of vaping. They had extreme cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and vomiting and diarrhea causing weight loss. As of this time, health care professionals aren’t sure what they were vaping.

"The American Lung Association has always held the position that e-cigarette use is not safe, especially by youth whose lungs are still developing," said Megan Cordova, executive director of the American Lung Association in Wisconsin, in a press statement. "E-cigarettes contain chemicals, heavy metals, and fine particulates. The candy and fruit flavorings that so many youth find appealing also contain chemicals known to cause irreparable lung damage."

Separately, a man in Burlington was hospitalized and put into a medically induced coma after using "street vapes" with THC.

The state Department of Health Services is investigating the possible cause of the teenagers’ illnesses. DHS is asking clinicians to be alert for potential cases among patients with progressive respiratory symptoms who report a history of inhalation drug use, including vaping. Cases should be reported to one’s local public health officer. 

Join Safe & Sound's 27th Street West Drug Free Coalition, the 53206 Drug-Free Communities Project, Milwaukee Repertory Theater , and the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance for the first-ever LGBTQ+ Youth Substance Use Prevention Summit, which includes a resource fair, panel discussion, video presentations, and a drag show featuring Coco Monet!

The goal is to educate and support both young members of the LGBTQ+ community (ages 12-24) and their allies. Coalition members will educate LGBTQ+ young people on how to use coping mechanisms that will help them avoid the urge to use substances, as well as opening up a support network that will enable LGBTQ+ youth to connect with peers who have had similar experiences. Additionally, parents, teachers, and other LGBTQ+ allies will learn how to be better supports and in what ways they may strive to further understand those unique struggles that LGBTQ+ youth may face. In providing both LGBTQ+ youth and their allies with education and tools to be more supportive, the organizers hope to reduce the likelihood of LGBTQ+ youth substance use.

The event will take place at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Stackner Cabaret, 108 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, on Thursday, August 8, from 5 to 9 p.m. RSVP here for this free community event.

The Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network and allies launched their “No Singles/No Loosies” campaign to let retailers and customers know that selling and buying single cigarettes is illegal and carry a hefty $691 fine for retailers. Loosies are typically sold to lower-income and underage customers who can’t afford a pack of cigarettes. WAATPN is distributing window clings to display wherever tobacco is sold. The group launched their campaign last week with a press event featuring local retailers, anti-tobacco advocates, and Milwaukee Health Commissioner Jeanette Kowalik. 

The Great Lakes PTTC and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center are offering this webinar on the complicated relationship between substance use disorders and suicidal thinking and behaviors. Presenters are Dr. Kristen Quinlan and Nicole Tirone of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. This webinar will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30. Register here.

All are welcome to attend the sixth annual block party organized by PEARLS for Teen Girls featuring free food, music, and school supplies. It’ll be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at PEARLS’ office, 1805 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee.

The Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center is offering this special Grand Rounds presentation by Michael Fiore, founder and director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention on smoking cessation and cancer patients. It’ll be held from noon to 1 p.m. at MCW’s Clinical Cancer Center, Third Floor, Room M, 8800 W. Doyne Ave., Milwaukee. Lunch is provided. RSVP by emailing Sharon Brown at [email protected].

Get ready for the new school year with health and dental screenings, food and beverages, employment and housing resources, free professional haircuts and hairstyles, face painting, and more at the 1 8th Annual City of Milwaukee Health Department Back-to-School Health Fairs . Free backpacks and school supplies will be provided to children with an up-to-date shot record and lead screenings; on-site vaccinations and lead screenings will be available. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive gifts and services. All free items are first come, first served, until supplies last.

The fairs will be held at:

More than 40 potential employers will be onsite at Cultivate MKE’s Job Fair , to be held from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, August 2, at Journey House, 2110 W. Scott St., Milwaukee. Sponsored by Cultivate MKE, SaintA , and Journey House . Bring your resume or contact information. Lunch and workshops on soft skills will be provided.

Support healthy birth outcomes in Milwaukee on Saturday, August 3, by joining the MKE Tobacco-Free Team at the HaRUNbe Walk/Run . The walk/run will begin at MLK Drive between Locust Avenue and Vliet Street at 9 a.m. Sign up here. 

Safe & Sound , Our Next Generation , Near West Side Partners , and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin are organizing a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM)-focused Family Carnival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, at Our Next Generation, 3421 W. Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee. The fair will provide an opportunity for youth and families to learn and interact with activities focused on STEAM as well as learn some prevention strategies and awareness. 

Ashley Stokes and Praise for Peace are offering this free event for boys ages 11 to 17 who want to experience a fun afternoon full of positivity. Optional haircuts are available. Back-to-school backpacks will be raffled off and free food and snacks are available. Barbering for Boys will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 11, at 606 W. Concordia Ave., Milwaukee. Email Ashley Stokes with questions.

The goal of this third annual Now is the Time conference at UW-Whitewater is to increase awareness and understanding of the unique needs of youth and young adults of ages 16-25 among mental health professionals, counselors, social workers, educators, advocates, family members, and individuals with a mental health diagnosis or need. It’s presented by the state Department of Health Services and UW-Whitewater’s Inclusive Transition, Education, and Employment Projects. Register here for this free two-day conference.

The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force and the Make It Work Milwaukee Coalition are sponsoring this briefing on the 2020 budget requests sent to the county executive. Participants will hear from Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, as well as representatives from the budget department, the transit system, the House of Correction, Health and Human Services, and Aging Department. A short meeting of the task force will be held after the briefing. All are welcome to attend. This briefing will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, at Independence First, 540 S. First St., Milwaukee. 

Dancers from across the community will perform to shed light on addiction during Dancers Against Substance Abuse Inc.’s second annual benefit performance, and substance use disorder treatment experts will share their stories. Proceeds will benefit Roots Recovery Houses. The performances will be held at 5 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, at the Danceworks Studio Theatre, 1661 N. Water St., Milwaukee. Purchase your tickets here.

This two-day training presented by the Alma Institute explores the Motivational Interviewing technique to be used when guiding others toward the positive and healthy behavior change of their choice. It’ll be held on Wednesday, August 21, and Wednesday, August 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Welford Sanders Enterprise Center, 2821 Vel R. Phillips Ave., First Floor Conference Room, Milwaukee. Cost is $135. Get details and register here.

Waukesha County Suicide Prevention Initiative is offering this full-day professional development workshop presented by Stacey Freedenthal, Ph.D., LCSW, on the research and theories about suicidal ideation, as well as tips and techniques for helping the person with chronic suicidal thoughts or behavior. Freedenthal is the author of Helping the Suicidal Person: Tips and Techniques for Professionals and the creator of the website SpeakingOfSuicide.com . The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, August 23, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Trieber Auditorium, 725 American Ave., Waukesha. Cost is $50; includes coffee, light breakfast, and lunch. RSVP here.

The National LGBT Cancer Network is offering scholarships to the August 27-29 National Conference on Tobacco or Health in Minneapolis, and is encouraging members of underrepresented groups to apply. Click here to sign up.

Find a number of public health-related webinars at the training gateway of the Region V Public Health Training Center . Topics include Interprofessional Approaches to Marijuana Legalization, Suicide Prevention Through the Use of Motivational Interviewing, and Managing Change: The Essential Leadership Skill.

Homeless and transitional youth are invited to receive free consultations from attorneys who can provide advice on benefits, criminal matters, credit and consumer issues, public assistance, and more. Bring documentation that’s relevant to your case. The attorneys will be available from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Pathfinders, 4200 N. Holton St., Milwaukee, on August 7, 14, 21, and 28. First come, first served. They attorneys are provided through Project Street Youth and State Bar of Wisconsin Young Lawyers Division.

Children’s Community Health Plan will match every EBT dollar spent at the Brown Deer Farmers Market this season. That’s right: EBT card holders will double their purchasing power when they buy fresh food at the market, which runs Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 9078 N. Green Bay Road, Brown Deer. Children’s Community Health Plan will be on site July 31, August 21, and September 4. Please check in at the welcome table to receive EBT matching tokens. Questions? Contact Caitlin at [email protected] or 414-266-6157. 

This free, online, self-guided course   is designed to help behavioral health professionals improve the quality of the care they provide to clients from diverse backgrounds. This program is accredited for 5 contact hours for licensed alcohol and drug counselors, nurses, psychologists, and psychiatrists; and for 4 contact hours for social workers. Other professionals may earn a Statement of Participation. It’s provided by   Think Cultural Health , which is sponsored by the   Office of Minority Health .