It was a night we’ll never forget! More than 650 art lovers gathered at the new House of RAD for Feed Your Soul, an art auction and much more, to benefit Community Advocates. An art gallery was set up to feature the donated art put up for auction, but the night also included live painting, DJs, delicious food and beverages, tattooing, and a fire eater! We’re very grateful for the time and talent invested in the Feed Your Soul event, including the planning team, artists, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and attendees. Thank you!

Earlier this month, Community Advocates organized a presentation by David Riemer, Senior Fellow at our Public Policy Institute, that explored how a work-based policy package can greatly increase employment, earnings, and income, thus ensuring workers’ and retirees’ economic security and expanding the middle class. The Greater Milwaukee Foundation was the gracious host and a co-sponsor of the data analysis conducted by the Urban Institute that led to "A Roadmap for Ensuring Workers’ Economic Security and Expanding the Middle Class." 

Missed it? You can watch the video presentation, download the slide deck, and read the report on our website.

In October, Community Advocates hosted a Lunch and Learn for community partners on Healthy Relationships and Breaking the Cycle of Violence. October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and as a topic Community Advocates and the Milwaukee Women's Center are working within and deeply dedicated to, it was important to us to provide a baseline of information and resources for others in the community. Through education and support, violence and abuse are preventable, and healthy relationships are possible. 

Guests heard from presenters Beth Sampson Bauer, author of Relationship Rights (and Wrongs), and Steve Thomas, the Program Manager for the Nevermore Batterers Prevention and Intervention Program at the Milwaukee Women’s Center. Community Advocates and the Milwaukee Women’s Center aim to break the cycle of violence for good so that every man, woman, and child can live in safety and peace. If you are experiencing domestic violence, please contact the Milwaukee Women's Center's 24-hour Crisis Line at 414-671-6140.

The 2025-2026 Energy Assistance Benefit Season runs through May 15, 2026. 

During the benefit season, eligible Milwaukee County residents can apply for a one-time payment to help cover a portion of their energy bills. The amount of the benefit varies depending on a number of factors, including household income and size, as well as their heating bills. Residents may also qualify for other benefits as well to reduce their utility costs. Check out this season’s eligibility requirements on our website.

If you are eligible, you may apply via phone, mail, or online. Please schedule your appointment by calling 414-270-4653 or by going to keepwarmmke.org. At the time of your scheduled appointment, you will receive a call to start your application. If you prefer to apply online, you can access the link to apply online at keepwarmmke.org. 

Community Advocates In-Person Energy Assistance Hours: Community Advocates has limited availability for walk-in clients at our downtown offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. Stop by between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to apply in person. Our offices at 4906 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee, are open to receive applications and provide assistance.

Spectrum News 1 in Milwaukee released a thoughtful story on the plight of homeowners who are at risk of losing their home to foreclosure because of unpaid property taxes. As the reporters explain, homes in Milwaukee (and other cities) aren’t assessed equally, and because of that the lowest-valued homes are disproportionately burdened by property taxes. This most likely impacts lower-income, Black homeowners.

The Milwaukee Property Tax Appeals Project at Community Advocates works with homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure and those who feel they are overtaxed. The project, in conjunction with UW Law School, has resolved about $845,000 in property tax debt. The Spectrum News story details the experiences of Regina Young, who fell behind on her property taxes but was able to get caught up thanks to assistance from Marissa Boston, our Tax Foreclosure Advocate. "Community Advocates changed my day. They changed my world, not only me, but my closest family that I shared this news with," Regina said.

Community Advocates provides a range of programs and services for tenants and landlords in Milwaukee County.

Our programs include:

• City of Milwaukee Rental Assistance: Rental Assistance is a resource for eligible City of Milwaukee residents at risk of housing instability due to a temporary financial hardship. Click here for more information on eligibility criteria and how to apply if the criteria are met.

• Landlord/Tenant Programs: For tenants and landlords dealing with housing instability or lack of resources that could lead to eviction. Learn more.

• Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center: The RHRC walk-in clinic, located in the Community Advocates building at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, operates Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During these hours, tenants and landlords can consult with an intake specialist on a first-come, first-served basis. The intake team will assess needs and offer resources or referrals for rent and utilities assistance, landlord/tenant dispute resolution through neutral mediation, and relocation services. Visit the RHRC in person, go to RentHelpMKE.org, or call 414-895-RENT (7368) for more information.

We received an incredible amount of support from our community sponsors this fall, including:

• Molly Maid of East Metro Milwaukee is supporting the Milwaukee Women's Center through their Making a Difference Drive, during which Ms. Molly Foundation staff leaves a letter in client homes asking for a donation to provide much needed resources during this very critical time. Their goal is to raise $12,000 for the Milwaukee Women's Center. Their kickoff breakfast was fantastic!
• The Charles E. Kubly Foundation is supporting healing circles provided via the Escucha Tus Emociones project.
• The Turkey Club, a longtime donor, is gifting 40 turkeys to our community members during the holiday season.
• The Lowlands Group’s Café Hollander collected winter coats and gear for the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s guests through its annual Chili Weather Coat Drive. Marquette University volunteers helped to sort and organize items at the shelter.
• Susan and Bob Nommensen donated 30 pumpkins for the kids at the Milwaukee Women's Center to decorate for Halloween.

Thanks for strengthening our community!

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? We invite you to prepare and serve a meal to the 75 guests staying at the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Emergency Shelter on the Near South Side of Milwaukee.

Details:

• Meals should be prepared, purchased, and served by volunteers at 6 p.m. daily.
• We provide a fully equipped commercial kitchen with all the utensils, pots, pans, and dishes, along with a commercial stove/oven. If you prefer, you can bring in fully cooked meals that are ready to serve.
• Volunteers will be required to wear hair nets, gloves, and masks when necessary to ensure the safety of all guests.
• Volunteers must complete an application and pass a background check.

This is a great opportunity for individuals, families, or groups to make a tangible difference in the lives of adults and kids who have survived domestic violence or homelessness.

Interested? Contact Jeri Kavanaugh at jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net to discuss the details and schedule your date to serve.

Together, we can provide comfort, nourishment, and hope to those who need it most. Thank you for your support!

Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee has partnered with the Rental Housing Resource Center (located inside of the Community Advocates building, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee) to help individuals currently looking to remove past evictions from their CCAP Search.

This free clinic will be held on the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is currently open to individuals with dismissed evictions and completed payment plans only. Only open to Milwaukee County. Walk-ins welcome. Appointments preferred. The next clinic will be held on Wednesday, December 10.

Community Advocates recognizes that people who live with Opioid Use Disorder and are in recovery need to live in a safe and stable home. To make that happen, we are providing Recovery Vouchers for up to six months of supportive housing for individuals and their families. To be eligible, the individual must be age 18 or older and have documentation of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) or receiving treatment to address OUD within the previous 12 months. In addition, the individual must have documentation of homelessness (Category 1, 2, 3, or 4).

To obtain a referral form, email Maudwella Kirkendoll.

The program is funded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of Energy (DEHCR), Housing and Community Resources.

You can get in touch with us in the following ways:

• Call: 414-270-2992
• Email: Contact Us
• Facebook: facebook.com/CommunityAdvocatesMilwaukee
• Milwaukee Women’s Center’s 24/7 Crisis Line: 414-671-6140
• Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program: 414-270-4653 or KeepWarmMKE.org
• FSET at Community Advocates: 414-290-7700
• Rent HelpLine: renthelp@communityadvocates.net
• Bottomless Closet: 414-270-2984
• Emergency services after hours or on weekends: 2-1-1