Friends –

What a year! In 2023, Community Advocates Public Policy Institute celebrated a major milestone: our 15th anniversary. Back in 2008, the idea of embedding a public policy institute within a basic needs organization was out of the ordinary. Today, it’s still unique, but we’re grateful for our uniqueness. PPI builds a bridge between community members and policy makers to improve services and address the upstream issues that contribute to poverty and poor physical and behavioral health in Milwaukee. As you’ll see in this newsletter, we’re continually evolving to respond to changing factors in our community. One notable evolution was the launch of the PPI Member Network this summer. We hope you’ll become a Member to inform our work and strengthen our community.

On behalf of all of us at PPI, we wish you a happy, healthy, and peaceful holiday season.

Kari Southern

Deputy Director

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute

Andrea Bailey, Kat Becker, Gabriel Drinkwater, De'Shawn Ewing, Lauren Faulds,

Sonia Frymark, Lisa Kaiser, Kela King, Bridgette Knecht, Charlie Leonard,

Hannah Lepper, Rita Liesiefsky, Devin Manns, Karina Perez, Erik Prescott,

Laura Silva, Cecilia Tenorio, Jenzy Walugembe, Christine Wiese & Rachel Wick

A large and supportive group of community members gathered at the Grace Center on Thursday, November 2, to celebrate Community Advocates Public Policy Institute’s (PPI) 15th anniversary and to hear from author Ben Westhoff about his experiences in researching the fentanyl crisis and his ideas on how to prevent more harm in Milwaukee County.

The evening started with an overview of the history and mission of PPI by Community Advocates CEO Andi Elliott, a brief but passionate speech about the opioid crisis by Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, a thoughtful and engaging speech by De’Shawn Ewing, PPI’s Community Outreach and Engagement Manager, and an exploration of the vision of PPI by Community Advocates COO Maudwella Kirkendoll. 

Keynote speaker Ben Westhoff took to the podium to discuss his book Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic. His story was engaging and harrowing as he discussed his experiences infiltrating a fentanyl lab in Wuhan, China. He emphasized that efforts should focus on preventing and minimizing the impact of substance misuse through education, especially among young people.

We’re grateful for everyone who participated in our event, including Ally Sponsor AF Technical Resources; Contributing Sponsors Valerie Gabriel, Marcus Theatres, Neu-Life Community Development, Rogers Behavioral Health, and UW Population Health Institute; plus Co-Sponsor Diverse & Resilient. We hope to celebrate more milestones in the future!

In 15 years, Community Advocates Public Policy Institute moved the needle on critical issues facing our community. But we still have so much more to do.

That’s why we’re asking you to join us as a Member of PPI—to share your insights, learn from our staff and partners, and help us to improve the health and well-being of our community members by changing the upstream conditions that cause poverty, substance misuse, and trauma.

In our first year, PPI Members have enjoyed exclusive sessions with State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, State Rep. Evan Goyke, Milwaukee Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, American Lung Association Wisconsin Advocacy Director Molly Collins, PPI Director Emeritus David Riemer, PPI Policy Advocate Emerita Julie Kerksick, and City of Milwaukee Tobacco Free Alliance Coordinator Charlie Leonard.

PPI Members also received premiere access to our 15th anniversary celebration, which included a private meet and greet with Keynote Speaker Ben Westhoff and a complimentary copy of Fentanyl, Inc.

We hope you’ll join us as an Individual or Organization Member today!

2023 was a year of major growth at PPI as we expanded on our prevention initiatives. Here’s a snapshot of a few of our new projects.

RISE Drug Free MKE Coalition: We kicked off the first half of our year with a rebrand and launch of our county-wide substance use prevention coalition, RISE Drug Free MKE. Formerly known as the Milwaukee County Substance Abuse Prevention coalition, or MCSAP, RISE Drug Free MKE is devoted to raising awareness of substance (mis)use, and through inclusive education, elevating our entire community, from our youth to our elders, out of the harms caused by substance (mis)use. Lead staff are De’Shawn Ewing, Community Outreach and Engagement Manager; Jenzy Walugembe, Coalition Coordinator; and Cecilia Tenorio, Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator.

Milwaukee Family Intervention Services: This month we began accepting participants for our Milwaukee Family Intervention Services (MFIS) program, funded by the WI Department of Children and Families, to provide case management and therapeutic intervention services for families coping with behavior problems. Lead staff are Lauren Faulds, Child Welfare Program Manager; Andrea Bailey, Therapeutic Intervention Specialist; Christine Wiese and Kela King, Family Support Specialists; and Bridgette Knecht, Intake Specialist.

LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Series: Launched during Pride Month, PPI organized six webinars for behavioral health professionals who want to better serve their sexual and gender diverse clients. This series was led by Charlie Leonard, City of Milwaukee Tobacco Free Alliance Coordinator.

Juul Vape Disposal Project: Used vape cartridges are considered to be hazardous waste. PPI received a one-year grant to help to dispose of this waste safely. This project is led by City of Milwaukee Tobacco Free Alliance Coordinator Charlie Leonard.

STOP Act in the Amani and Lindsey Heights Neighborhoods: The STOP Act will support more research on how and where alcohol is being marketed and sold in the 53206 neighborhoods so that we can create a healthier community for youth and families. This project is led by De’Shawn Ewing, Community Outreach and Engagement Manager.

Escucha Tus Emociones Platicas: PPI partnered with Therapist and Trainer Ana Paula Soares, who developed and piloted a Spanish-language mental health and wellness workshop for Milwaukee’s Latinx residents. Escucha Tus Emociones platicas are now being facilitated by trained Promotores de Salud in Milwaukee County. Lead staff are Cecilia Tenorio, Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator, and Hannah Lepper, Training and Technical Assistance Manager. Look for more details about these platicas in 2024.

Affordable Connectivity Program: Eligible households can get a break on their Internet service bills through the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Resource Coordinator Laura Silva is leading our community outreach for the ACP, as well as providing access to all of Community Advocates’ resources.

PPI added new members to our team and we feel that we’re getting stronger every day. Our wonderful new staff members are:

• Andrea Bailey, Therapeutic Intervention Specialist
• Kat Becker, Alliance for Wisconsin Youth Southeast Region Coordinator
• Gabriel Drinkwater, Engagement Specialist
• De’Shawn Ewing, Community Outreach and Engagement Manager
• Kela King, Family Support Specialist
• Bridgette Knecht, Intake Specialist
• Erik Prescott, Engagement Specialist
• Laura Silva, Resource Coordinator
• Cecilia Tenorio, Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator
• Jenzy Walugembe, RISE Drug Free MKE Coordinator
• Rachel Wick, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator

You're cordially invited to a book talk and signing by Ben Austen, author of Correction: Parole, Prison, and the Possibility of Change at Boswell Book Co., on January 23, 2024. Correction, an investigation into the crisis of the American criminal justice system through the lens of parole, has generated rave reviews from The New York Times, Washington Post, and Matthew Desmond, author of Evicted, who wrote, "Correction ranks among the very best books on life inside and outside of prison I have ever read."

This book event, cosponsored by PPI, will begin at 6:30 p.m. on January 23 at Boswell, 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee. It’s free but registration is required. 

The WI SUPST is a foundational course of study in substance use prevention. Grounded in current research and SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework, WI SUPST is designed to help participants develop the knowledge and skills needed to implement effective, data-driven prevention strategies that reduce behavioral health disparities and improve wellness.

This training is open to coalition leaders, members, prevention professionals, and anyone working to develop skills to engage in community-based substance use prevention. It's sponsored by the Alliance for Wisconsin Youth and Community Advocates Public Policy Institute. Cost is $10 to cover materials; deadline to register is January 12.

Your generous gift will allow us to continue to provide effective and innovative programs and services to thousands of community members.

We appreciate your support!

Kari Southern | Community Advocates Public Policy Institute | 414-270-2950 | ksouthern@communityadvocates.net | ppi.communityadvocates.net