Community Advocates, Inc.

Yesterday, we were fortunate enough to get together with long-time friends and Milwaukee Women's Center pioneers and advocates in preparation for the MWC's 45th Anniversary. Stormy and LaTrice shared stories of struggles, success, and wisdom in getting to where we are today. 💜

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute’s Stronger Families Milwaukee program has just completed three years of this five-year prevention initiative. PPI partners with Neu-Life Community Development and The Parenting Network on this pilot program from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Working together, the Stronger Families team strives to alleviate the stress placed on parents who are struggling and empower them to focus on the most important thing – having a healthy and loving family. We are highlighting Stronger Families Milwaukee in conjunction with observing April as Family Strengthening Month in Wisconsin. This year, we are especially inspired by Governor Tony Evers' proclamation of 2025 as the “Year of the Kid,” reinforcing a statewide commitment to bolstering youth mental health, supporting the childcare industry, and prioritizing the well-being of children and families. While every month we are dedicated to strengthening families to build safe and nurturing environments for children, this month we highlight the teams and programs that do the work every day. #StrongerFamilies #StrengtheningFamiliesMonth

Thank you to Milwaukee Brewers and to all the staff that helped put together the care packages! We appreciate the generosity of your efforts to help support survivors of domestic violence!

Community Advocates is fortunate to have Natasha Dotson on our Board of Directors, now serving as Vice President. Natasha’s focus as Vice President is to raise the visibility of the work and programs offered by Community Advocates. Natasha is dedicated to attracting more people who want to help the mission that Community Advocates is founded on: providing people with advocacy and services to meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity. “If I won the lottery, I’d still be doing this work,” Natasha says in reference to everything she does to help the community not just survive, but thrive. Read more about Natasha at https://lnkd.in/g2x2mCJ4

Together, Community Advocates, Inc. and Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee are working to make sure families don’t experience homelessness with support from United Way’s Safe & Stable Homes initiative. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gbcK8PWN

Light and Unite Red Week - Executive Proclamation 💡 David Crowley, County Executive of Milwaukee County, has proclaimed March 17-23, 2025, to be Light and Unite Red Week across Milwaukee County, encouraging residents to spread awareness, support substance use prevention, and promote recovery to build stronger, healthier communities. Learn more about Light and Unite Red Week: https://lnkd.in/gDGGQZe8

For individuals experiencing homelessness while navigating mental illness, Autumn West Safe Haven provides more than refuge. The Autumn West Safe Haven is a temporary alternative to traditional shelters, offering 20 furnished studio apartments, case management, and longer lengths of stays to allow guests to take steps to stability and independence at their own pace. It’s designed to recognize participants’ need for sensitive, flexible care planning and prioritizes safety, privacy and community. The program stands out with its trauma-informed and client-centered approach. Staff are trained in de-escalation and Motivational Interviewing, ensuring residents are met with compassion. “The safe haven exemplifies serving through dignity in each component of programming, whether that be in the comprehensive client-directed care planning, high standards and quality of the facility itself, extensive food program, or engagement activities that sprinkle the monthly calendars,” says Supportive Housing Programs Director Matt Raymond. Success is measured through permanent housing transitions, further health stabilization, and connections to long-term support. In 2024, the program provided stabilization, income support, and housing assistance to 35 individuals, including veterans, young adults, older adults, and chronically homeless persons. 74% of those served at Autumn West in 2024 either exited to permanent housing or were safely residing at Autumn West at the end of the calendar year. Community members can support this work through advocacy and monetary or in-kind donations. In a world where stability can feel out of reach, Autumn West is a place of healing and hope. Learn more about Autumn West Supportive Housing here: https://lnkd.in/eP7Ktemt #supportivehousing #safehaven #healingandhope

If you work or live with young people and want to learn more about how to help them with mental health issues, we're offering Youth Mental Health First Aid twice in March, on March 7 and March 21. This FREE Zoom workshop will help participants learn common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, plus how to cope with common issues such as #anxiety, #depression, #substanceuse and much more. This workshop is valued at $170, but we're offering it for free. RSVP now! #YMHFA #YouthMentalHealthFirstAid #youthmentalhealth https://lnkd.in/gfzP6yuX

Clear your calendars for Tuesday, March 4, because PPI's Alliance for Wisconsin Youth is co-sponsoring a full day of events for you! Begin your day with Coffee + Conversation at Hales Corners Lutheran. Following immediately is a Professional Development presentation/workshop discussing high-potency THC products, youth substance use, and actionable steps to create healthier communities. The discussion will be facilitated by our very own AWY Coordinator Kat Becker, MPH, CPH. The evening opportunity for engagement is in the form of a Family Wellness Event at Greendale Middle School. It includes a vendor fair of local health and wellness services and organizations, 8th Grade Health Advocacy Poster Presentations, and a featured presentation from Johnny's Ambassadors - Youth THC Prevention's Founder Laura Stack. RSVP for the THC discussion here: https://lnkd.in/gq44JCut

Last week we had the opportunity to host 3 local representatives for a Legislative Breakfast in Greendale, with one of our workgroups: Community Alliance. The morning included: 🔵 Coalition Presentation, highlighting all of the work our coalition members and volunteers have accomplished. 🔵 Wisconsin WINS program update for the represented communities 🔵 Panel discussion with Rep. Donovan, Rep. Wittke, and Sen. Wanggaard about substance misuse and mental health + priorities in this upcoming budget and legislative session. This evented was hosted by: Community Alliance, Community Advocates, Inc./AWY, and Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project.