The search for someone to lead the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, or DOC, is in progress. In a press release, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced the retirement of Kevin Carr, who served as secretary of the DOC for roughly five years. Evers applauded Carr’s accomplishments, including expansion of educational opportunities for people who are incarcerated as well as increased access to medication assisted treatment, a treatment often used for opioid use disorder.  But some people who are currently incarcerated are not so quick to praise Carr.  Prisoners throughout Wisconsin shar ..read more

Kim Stephans dines at Rise & Grind Cafe, located at 2737 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The cafe serves free breakfast to seniors on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (Photo by Trisha Young) For Kim Stephans, participating in Milwaukee County’s Dine Out program is more than just getting a free meal – it’s a lifeline to social connection and a sense of belonging. “Places like this will bring you back to life,” said Stephans. The program has become a vital part of Stephans’ life, along with the Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, which serves as a vital ..read more

Theodore Lipscomb Sr., executive director of Local Initiatives Support Corp., addresses Harambee residents at a Feb. 29 presentation of the neighborhood’s Quality of Life plan. (Photo by Meredith Melland) Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood is living up to its name — which means “all pull together” in Swahili — by putting residents’ voices at the heart of a new Quality of Life plan. More than 250 Harambee residents have come together to shape the plan, reflecting the neighborhood’s spirit of collaboration. Local Initiatives Support Corp., or LISC Milwaukee, launched the Harambee Quality of Life ..read more

Wisconsin Women in Conservation hosts a variety of gatherings for women who farm or are interested in farming in rural or urban settings. Its next meeting is on Tuesday, April 16. (Photo provided by Wisconsin Women in Conservation) It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance. 1. Neighborhood Cleanup: Monday, April 15 Join Muskego Way Forward in cleaning up the Muskego Way neighborhood from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Apr ..read more

Men from the Epsilon Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. pose after performing in Milwaukee’s Black Arts Fest in 2023. The group’s next step show is Saturday, April 12 at the Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave. (Photo provided by Aaron Bledsoe) It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please submit your news by clicking here at least two weeks in advance. 1. Epsilon Tau Step Show: Friday, April 12 The Epsilon Tau chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. will hold a step show fr ..read more

Diamond Riley, Leah Boonnam and Melinda Torres (front row from left to right), said they are more confident about their goals after completing the Building a Path to Success program. (Photo by Edgar Mendez) Diamond Riley plans to pursue a new goal in life once she’s released from the Milwaukee County Community Reintegration Center. “I want to work with justice-involved youth and young adults and help them overcome the challenges I had,” Riley said. “I found my passion.”  She now has the skills to help her achieve her goal thanks to a workshop that prepares people for successful reentry af ..read more

Twenty-one men became alumni of Fathers Making Progress in early March after completing the group’s Fathers Building Fathers classes. (Photo provided by Fathers Making Progress) Martin Hershey was in a tough place when he joined Fathers Making Progress. Hershey said he was struggling as an individual and with his family. But because of the program, he’s been able to grow as a person and as a father.  “Without this program, I would have never seen my flaws. and I wouldn’t be where I am,” he said. “My kids call to hang out with me now.”  Fathers Making Progress, or FMP, addresses the n ..read more

FoodShare advocate MaiDoua Vang talks with a client at Alicia’s Place, a FoodShare resource center operated by the nonprofit Hunger Task Force, on March 26, 2024. It’s one of three Hunger Task Force resource centers in Milwaukee offering kiosks with phones, printers and computers for FoodShare recipients at no cost. (Andy Manis for Wisconsin Watch) Food doesn’t last long in Leisa Winston’s home, where she takes care of nine grandchildren. “Every day after school, it’s somebody (saying), ‘Granny, I’m hungry. Granny, you got something sweet?’” Winston said. The Milwaukee retiree relies on food a ..read more

A box of food from the Hunger Task Force is seen in Milwaukee on July 13, 2021. (Isaac Wasserman / Wisconsin Watch) Need to access or replace FoodShare benefits? You can find a list of local food assistance office locations and phone numbers on Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services website. Feeding Wisconsin’s FoodShare helpline (1-877-366-3635) can help you navigate the application process.  Below are additional resources around Wisconsin.  Southeast Wisconsin: Hunger Task Force (phone: 414-777-0483, online: hungertaskforce.org) can assist in filing replacement forms at three lo ..read more

The Lideres por la Salud walking group enjoys a walk on a section of the Hank Aaron State Trail. (Photo by Trisha Young) On Milwaukee’s South Side, Lideres por la Salud is helping Latino Milwaukeeans walk toward a healthier future. Lideres por la Salud, which means leaders of health in English, is a health-focused walking group that meets weekly for walks and discussions on topics related to nutrition and lifestyle.  The group hopes to promote health and wellness in the Latino community through education and by advocating for access to nutritious food and safe physical activities like str ..read more