The Wisconsin Statewide Substance Use Prevention Training conference in Wisconsin Dells shed more light on the impact of trauma on youth, adults, and those working in the field of prevention .

"My biggest takeaway was to try and always remember that everyone has some sort of trauma, and to be careful what you let influence your lens that you are looking through," said Kasaundra Brown, coordinator of the  Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention (MCSAP)  coalition.

Learn more about this trauma-informed conference >>

Join Safe & Sound's 27th Street West Drug Free Coalition 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.

Enjoy a family-friendly night out with music, food, kids’ activities, and community presented by COA Youth & Family Centers. Concerts will be held Tuesdays through August 20 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Kadish Park, 750 E. North Ave., Milwaukee. The series kicks off with De La Buena on July 9. 

On Saturday, June 15, three groups of volunteers cleaned up Atwater, Bradford, and McKinley beaches on the Lake Michigan shoreline, collecting a shocking 1,600 cigarette butts and hundreds of other items, including bits of plastic, Styrofoam, glass, and metal. They were able to identify the best placement of cigarette butt receptacles for the launch of the  Hold On To Your Butt MKE   campaign (with support from  Fund for Lake Michigan ), and data collected will go to the Alliance for Great Lakes to track the amount and type of litter at Great Lakes beaches over time.

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. 

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.

The National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference highlights the latest research in the substance use prevention field. It's a forum for prevention professionals, coalition leaders, researchers, and federal partners to share research, best practices and promising evaluation results for the purpose of integrating research into prevention practice. It will be held at the Hilton Chicago from August 27 to 29.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute, COA Youth & Family Centers, and Safe & Sound are organizing a Community Field Day with activities and resources, plus a free Chick-fil-A lunch on Monday, July 8, at 12 noon at COA Goldin Center, 2320 W. Burleigh Ave., Milwaukee. First come, first served!

This Registry-approved training provides tools to help prevent sexual abuse of children and will benefit adults who work and volunteer with children. Monday, July 8, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sessions will be held at The Parenting Network , 7516 W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee. Call 414-671-0566 to register or to schedule a group training.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. This no-cost training is presented by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention thanks to a ReCAST MKE grant. It’ll be held at Community Advocates Training Center, 6900 W. Brown Deer Road, Milwaukee, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9. RSVPs are required for this free training at this link.

Home to Stay is a monthly one-stop-shop for individuals and families whose lives have been touched by the criminal justice system. Resources include employment opportunities, housing services, health care, insurance, driver’s license recovery, expungement, and much more. The next Home to Stay will be held on Wednesday, July 10, from 11 .m. to 2 p.m. at Employ Milwaukee, 2342 N. 27th St., Milwaukee. It’s sponsored by the Milwaukee Reentry Council and State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. 

The documentary Milwaukee 53206: A Community Serves Time illuminates the effect of mass incarceration on families, neighborhood residents, and the wider community. Two screenings will be held in July at Hillside Terrace Resource Center, 1452 N. Seventh St., Milwaukee:

These screenings are sponsored by UnitedHealthcare, Milwaukee HealthWatch, and Covering Wisconsin.

This free neighborhood health outreach event sponsored by City on a Hill is held the second Saturday of each month. At 2224 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, on July 13, from 12 noon to 3 p.m., the organization will offer doctor visits for the uninsured, health and dental education, health care navigation assistance, a hot lunch, free bag of groceries and hygiene items, vision services and glasses, and much more! 

Five adult sisters, successful careers, and a recording contract. What could possibly go wrong? SISTAS: The StagePlay , written, directed, and produced by Chicago playwright KaySandra Hunt, explores family challenges in an evening of laughter, tears, comedy, and music. Join us July 13 and 14 at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. Two performances daily: 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Attend the Sistas VIP Sweet Reception an hour before each show for tasty delights, photo ops, gifts, socializing and networking, and selective seating for the live performance.

A donation will be made to Community Advocates' and the Milwaukee Women's Center's programs with each ticket purchased by a Community Advocates supporter. Call the box office at 414-291-7800 and mention that you support Community Advocates, or use the code "Advocates" when you purchase your tickets online , and a donation will be made to our programs. Tickets are on sale now. Thank you!

Substance abuse prevention specialists, youth workers, counselors, and AODA counselors will be exposed to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network research on trauma and substance abuse. Participants will learn more about prevention-based self-care strategies designed to reduce substance abuse. This no-cost training is presented by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and the City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention thanks to a ReCAST MKE grant. It’ll be held at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, 101 W. Pleasant St., Suite 210, Milwaukee, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 25. RSVPs are required for this free training at this link.

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 on Saturday, August 10. 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. The organizers would like to invite partner agencies to get involved, including tabling (substance use resources or a S.T.E.A.M. Activity), funding, volunteers, donations of prizes and food, and assistance with promoting the carnival. Want to become a vendor? Complete this vendor form and return it to Adrian Spencer by Monday, July 8. Email Adrian or drop it off at/send it to 801 W. Michigan St., Milwaukee, WI 53233. 

A collaboration between the US Drug Enforcement Agency and Discovery Communications, Operation Prevention has updated its no-cost classroom resources on opioid prevention. The lessons—for elementary, middle, and high school students, plus resources for parents and educators—cover medication safety, the brain and body on opioids, community impact, and more. There’s even a self-guided module, virtual field trips, and Spanish-language resources. Download the lessons here.