Junior League of Milwaukee - Women Building Better Communities - In the Community - Community Assistance Grants

Recent Grants

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee - $3350 – March 7, 2006
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee seeks to provide 10 inner-city, at-risk youth with the opportunity to experience Camp Whitcomb/Mason. The camp experience enables youth to develop social skills such as leadership and teamwork; build character and self-worth; and increase community living and service skills. As a result of the JLM’s support, youth will be exposed to one of the nation’s best rated camps as recognized by the American Camping Association. The proven interactive and multi-sensory activities (Environmental Outdoor Education and Archaeology Program) will result in increased self-identity, self-esteem and self-respective. Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on their community involvement and volunteerism.

COA Youth and Family Centers (Children’s Outing Association) - $750 – March 7, 2006
Children’s Outing Association operates the new Burleigh Center after-school program, serving the needs of at least 150 youth daily. The Burleigh community welcomes the new center and its programs as a much needed resource. Through the JLM’s grant, we will contribute to the expansion of the family-centered youth programs. Programmatically, COA is able to provide youth with an alternative to the city streets, academic support and life skills training. In addition to youth programming, the Burleigh Center plans to provide a variety of programs from family activities and events, parent involvement programs, family health and fitness programs, nurturing after-school and summer programs, and community referrals and follow-ups. The grant will fund the purchase of sports equipment.

Friends of Abused Families, Inc. - $3500 – December 14, 2005
Friends of Abused Families, located in West Bend, strives to eliminate domestic violence
sexual assault by providing community leadership, expertise in crisis intervention
services and prevention education in Washington County. The organization is the only
provider of domestic violence and sexual assault services in Washington County. As a
result of the JLM grant, this organization will continue to provide emergency housing
and support services for women and children affected by domestic violence and
and staff the 24 Hour Crisis line which helps callers identify domestic violence and
sexual assault issues, assess their current level of safety and develop a safety plan.

Girl Scouts of Milwaukee Area - $2100 – December 14, 2005
Bonds Beyond Bars (Bonds) was piloted at the Robert E. Ellsworth Correctional Facility
in Union Grove. Ellsworth is a minimum security facility that houses approximately 240
female inmates. Through Bonds, Girl Scouts hopes to “reduce the trauma suffered by
daughters of incarcerated mothers and decrease the likelihood that the girls will
duplicate destructive family patterns.” Girl Scouts seeks to continue and increase the
impact of Bonds pilot program with the JLM grant. As a result of the JLM grant, Girl
Scouts will be able to effectively implement a program that includes bonding activities
that will enable mothers to learn positive parenting skills and increase the self-esteem for
both daughters and mothers. The grant will impact up to 45 girls (ages 5-17) and
approximately 30 mothers in the Milwaukee area.

IndependenceFirst - $3,381 – September 14, 2005
Recognizing that October is Disability Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, IndependenceFirst will host a series of public events (i.e. press conference and kick-off) and four training sessions to unveil the Disability Abuse Response Team (DART) and Protocol for Addressing Domestic Abuse/Violence Against Individuals with Disabilities. As a result of the grant, IndependenceFirst will increase public attention to the issue of violence against persons with disabilities, inform affected citizens of support services that are available; and train area service providers to better respond to the needs of victims of abuse who are disabled.

Peace and Learning Center of Milwaukee - $2500 – September 14, 2005
The Peace Learning Center of Milwaukee seeks to deliver its Peacemakers’ Workshop and expand its reach to schools in the Riverwest and Harambee area. Currently, the Workshop is offered at Frederick J. Gaenslen K-8 School, Escuela Fratney, Franklin Pierce Elementary School, Urban Waldorf School and Messmer Preparatory Catholic School. As it stands, schools are mandated by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to teach conflict resolution skills. However, many schools struggle to simply deliver their core curriculum. The grant will enable The Peace Learning Center of Milwaukee to print a 30-page workbook and classroom posters that reinforce the key conflict resolution concepts that are taught in the workshop. By underwriting the printing cost, The Peace Learning Center will be able to increase its impact in key areas of the Milwaukee area.

My Home, Your Home, Inc. - $4425 – September 14, 2005
Lissy’s Place offers community living for up to 17 women, ages 18-24, who are exiting or have exited an out-of-home foster care placement. Lissy’s Place is the only housing program in the Milwaukee area that serves this population. The grant will enable Lissy’s Place to provide the necessary services and organize educational programs that will enable these women with potential to become self-sufficient and independent citizens. The range of topics includes financial management, health care and job/career readiness.

Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin - $2500 – March 9, 2005
Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin sponsors a pregnancy prevention program, Wise Guys, for adolescent males designed to promote sexual responsibility in young males. CSSW started the program in the fall of 2004 by partnering with the Milwaukee Public Schools to bring the program to approximately 300 6th, 7th and 8th grade adolescent males enrolled in three MPS middle schools. The groups of adolescent males meet once per week for ten weeks addressing topics such as teen self esteem, personal/family values, communication skills, exploring stereotypes, sexuality, dating violence, qualities of healthy/unhealthy relationships, abstinence and contraception, goal-setting, decision-making, responsibilities of parenthood and the challenges that teenage parents face. The funds from the JLM will be used to help implement a parent education workshop where parents and the young men will come together for facilitated discussion on the topic of pregnancy prevention. The funds will also be used for educational materials for the ten week sessions.

Gary L. Dobbs Family Resource Center - $2700 - March 9, 2005
The Gary L. Dobbs Family Resource Center supports grandparents who have taken the responsibility of raising their grandchildren with its Second Time Around Program. The program provides resources to grandparents on how to get legal authority to make decisions regarding their grandchild’s health and safety, how to meet societal expectations on parenting and discipline, and provides support assisting grandparents to reduce the stress of raising their grandchild. The JLM funds will be used to fund speakers for the Second Time Around Program, purchase books for the Gary L. Dobbs Library, and provide opportunities for family outings for grandparents and their grandchildren.

Milwaukee Urban League - $3500 - March 9, 2005
The Milwaukee Urban League has implemented a Health and Resource Back to School Fair for a least 800 family members who often lack the access to health care providers. The fair is held in a community setting providing attendees with the opportunity for various types of health screenings, including: immunizations, glaucoma screening, blood pressure checks, kidney (urine) screening, HIV screening, health checks (exams), glucose (diabetes) screening, lung screening, and lead screening. Families who receive at least three screenings are eligible for incentives. Children who are accompanied by an adult and participate in the youth activities at the fair will receive a book bag filled with school supplies. The JLM’s grant will be used to purchase approximately 350 of the book bags given to the children who attend the health fair.

Adoption Resources of Wisconsin - $3000 – December 8, 2004
Adoption Resources of Wisconsin maintains a resource center that provides education and support to families that are adopting or have adopted special needs children. Adoption Resources of Wisconsin is starting a new initiative entitled the Parent Advocacy Program. This program, which is to be piloted in the greater Milwaukee area, consists of a curriculum designed for parents, foster parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of special needs children to help them navigate the many different public assistance systems designed to assist children with special needs (such as the public school system, the social security system, Title XIX, and other medical benefits). The funds from the JLM will be used for the purchase of the curriculum and other materials as well as assist in the purchasing of cameras so that this program may be videotaped and expanded to other areas in the state.

Daystar - $1000 – December 8, 2004
Daystar is a long term facility for women in need of a residential facility to allow them some time to become independent, contributing members of society. Women who have become residents of Daystar include women who are leaving Sojourner Truth House because they have exhausted their stay there, and women who are exiting the foster care system. While living at Daystar, the residents have the opportunity to attend seminars which allow for recovery and growth in a variety of areas including budgeting, resume writing, computer skills, self-esteem building, anger management and parenting skills. The JLM funds will be used to pay the speaker fees as well as provide the material and supplies for one-third of Daystar’s empowerment seminars for the next year.

Girl Scouts of Milwaukee Area - $200 – December 8, 2004
Girl Scouts of Milwaukee Area (GSMA) are launching the Bonds Beyond Bars pilot project in the Milwaukee area. Bonds Beyond Bars, currently operating in 28 other Girl Scout councils throughout the country, is a program whereby 20 girls will be transported to join their incarcerated mothers once a month for two hours of fun and educational troop meetings at the Robert E. Ellsworth Correction Center. At the meetings, girls will plan and participate in traditional Girl Scout activities, as well as deal with specific issues of interest to mothers and daughters, such as coping with family crisis, self-esteem, drug abuse, and teen pregnancy prevention. The League money will be used for materials and supplies for these troop meetings.

Inhealth - $3000 – December 8, 2004
Inhealth is an organization that develops programs and workshops on numerous health topics and trains community leaders to present them. Inhealth is initiating a program that addresses the stigma of depression which is often a barrier to those seeking treatment. The program, “It’s Time: Changing the Community Conversation about Depression,” is a two-hour program with a unique focus on video-taped interviews of local Milwaukeeans who share their experiences, management, and hope, living with depression. Inhealth is now in phase three of the project – training community facilitators who in turn go out into the community to teach the program. The JLM’s grant will be used to provide 20-30 training scholarships that will offset the cost of the training for organizations unable to afford to do so.

Betty Brinn Children’s Museum - $1000 – September 8, 2004
The Family Focus program at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum provides parenting education, free memberships and transportation subsidies to families who might otherwise be unable to benefit from the Museum experience. By partnering with various social service agencies and community organizations, the Museum has been able to serve more than 1000 families through Family Focus to date. In 2003, the Museum partnered with Lady Pitts High School, a Milwaukee public school for teen mothers. The JLM’s grant would help cover the Family Focus materials, supplies, Museum memberships and transportation subsidies for students of Lady Pitts High School and their children.

Grand Avenue Club - $798 – September 8, 2004
Grand Avenue Club (GAC) is a psychiatric rehabilitation program that offers Milwaukee area adults, who have experienced mental illness, pre-vocational, employment, educational, housing, and recreational opportunities. During the 2003-2004 academic year the Grand Avenue Club Women’s Group was created by two UWM undergraduates, at the request of GAC women members, to address issues related to women’s health, well-being and relationships. The JLM’s money would be used for this group’s materials and supplies as well as its postage and printing expenses.

My Home, Your Home - $5000 – September 8, 2004
Lissy’s Place, run by My Home, Your Home, provides transitional housing and education and vocational services to young women exiting the child welfare system. It is the only such program in Milwaukee focusing on young women who are leaving foster care placement upon turning the age of 18 years. The JLM grant would provide funds for monthly workshops addressing things such as academic enhancement, computer training, job skills, and financial management. The funds would also provide for the purchase of a computer and Power Point projector.

Ranch Community Services - $1500 – September 8, 2004
Ranch Community Services (RCS) provides adaptive recreational opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. RCS is launching a new program called SOAR for Siblings Too which will provide recreational activities for children with disabilities and their siblings. The JLM’s money would go to the purchase of a trackless, mini-train that is wheelchair accessible for use by disabled children and their siblings. The JLM name would appear on the mini-train.

The Women’s Center (Waukesha) - $1000 – September 8, 2004
The Women’s Center (Waukesha) provides Emergency Relief Funds to families in need. These funds are used to buy medicine, clothes, mattresses, pay rent/security deposits, utilities, car repair, or provide emergency transportation for victims of domestic violence. The JLM’s grant would be used to meet these short-term needs of those seeking help from The Women’s Center.

Interchange Food Pantry - $2880 – March 10, 2004
The Interchange Food Pantry provides emergency and supplemental food to people living in lower East Side of Milwaukee. During the year, it served over 19,000 individuals and saw a 27% increase in the number of families served during the last six months. To help address the growing and changing needs of its clients, the Interchange Food Pantry plans to augment its social service referral process and add on-site internet food stamp application submission. The JLM’s grant would support these initiatives by partially funding the purchase of a laptop computer, DSL line, social service referral database and carry-all carts to be given to food pantry clients.

Notre Dame Middle School – After School Enrichment Program - $3000 – March 10, 2004
The Notre Dame Middle School, located in Walker’s Point, is the only all girls middle school in Wisconsin. It accepts Choice students and students of any religious faith. The school’s mission includes developing the leadership and community service skills of its 94 students. The school’s mandatory After School Enrichment Program operates year round, after school and in the summer. The program’s goals include keeping students positively engaged in extra-curricula activities and encouraging learning by reinforcing academic lessons with real life application and experiences. Examples of the program’s activities are individual reading, sports, arts and crafts, one-on-one mentoring, community service and other experiential activities. The JLM’s money would be used for materials, supplies, and travel expenses associated with this program.

Urban Ecology Center – Outdoor Leadership Program - $2000 – March 10, 2004
Located in Milwaukee’s Riverside Park and founded in 1991, the Urban Ecology Center provides environmental science programs and promotes environmental awareness. Its Outdoor Leadership Program for high school students consists of three components: (1) outdoor leadership training, (2) field study experience that promotes research and environmental literacy skills and (3) an individualized leadership practicum with a minimum of 40 hours of community service. Aided by science teachers and guidance counselors, participant recruitment targets students that may not otherwise have such an opportunity, including girls, minorities, and low-income families. In 2004, 15 students will participate in the Outdoor Leadership Program. The JLM’s grant will help cover the participants’ fees for the field research study component at the Teton Science School in Wyoming.

COPE Services, Inc – Volunteer Recruitment Card - $561 – December 10, 2003
COPE is a crisis hotline for Ozaukee County, providing emotional support, crisis intervention and information, and referral services. Over 13,300 people called the agency in 2002. Approximately 60 volunteers staff the COPE hotline after completing 20 hours of classroom training and 8-12 hours of online listening. The JLM grant would be used to design and print a three year supply of 3000 volunteer recruitment cards that could be used as a bookmark. This new recruitment tool would be distributed in places such as libraries, schools, and banks. The award would require the Junior League’s name and logo on the card and our approval of the materials before they are printed.

Hmong American Women’s Association, Inc
– Teen Legacy Circle project - $2000 – December 10, 2003
The Hmong American Women’s Association is the first and only women’s organization in Wisconsin dedicated to the advancement of Hmong women and girls. In January, 2004 it will launch the Teen Legacy Circle Project for Hmong teen girls, age 12 to 19. The programs’ goal is to promote a healthy sense of self worth and self-efficacy and to develop life skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and action taking. The Teen Legacy Circle Project draws on the YMCA’s “Teen Parenting in Today’s Economy” program, but is specifically adapted to make it culturally appropriate and supportive of the Hmong culture.

St. Catherine Residence – Computer Resources - $795 – December 10, 2003
A core component of St. Catherine’s mission is to provide support and services which enhance the efforts of its residents to secure employment, improve their earning power and/or move through an educational program. Key to this is its computer lab which is available 24/7 to all residents which average 257 women each year. St. Catherine’s is seeking to upgrade its hardware and software in the lab and to start providing internet access. A volunteer provides basic computer training and coaching to the residents in connection with this lab. The JLM funds would be used for materials/supplies (including antivirus software) as well as internet hook-up and one year of service.

VSA arts of Wisconsin, Inc. (VSA) – Artist in Residence - $1000 – December 10, 2003
In 2004, the VSA will conduct artist in residence programs in three Milwaukee area schools for approximately 92 students, most with disabilities. The program is led by professional artists who spend up to 30 hours at each site leading participants through hands-on experiences in a variety of art mediums. Art materials and supplies are also provided with the programs. The program offers a failure-free environment and gives participants an opportunity to learn new skills and for self-expression in the arts.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ozaukee County, Inc.
– School-based mentoring program - $1650 – September 10, 2003
This Big Brothers Big Sisters program provides one-on-one mentoring for socially and/or academically at risk of failure youth in third through eighth grade. It is currently in 10 schools throughout Ozaukee County and also serves Milwaukee County children who attend school in Ozaukee. Adult mentors meet with their child during the school day for one and one-half hours/week at school and engage in guidance, academic and support activities. Over 80% of the current 42 children participating in the program are from single parent homes at or below the poverty level. Many also live in environments where parents suffer from alcohol/drug abuse issues or domestic violence. The JLM grant money would be earmarked for materials and supplies needed to train 40 more mentors to match with 40 previously un-served children referred to the program by school personnel.

Friends of Abused Families, Inc.
– Hartford Community Enrichment Center Services - $1200 – September 10, 2003
Friends of Abused Families is the only provider of emergency services in Washington County for women and children trying to escape from domestic violence. It has been operating for 25 years and provides domestic violence community education, a 24 hour crisis line, emergency shelter and one-on-one crisis intervention services. All services are provided at no cost to the program recipient. In December 2002, the organization expanded from its West Bend location by opening a Hartford office to increase outreach to that community. The JLM’s grant will assist with the Hartford office’s crisis line telephone expenses.

Literacy Services of Wisconsin – Family Literacy Program - $1000 – September 10, 2003
The Family Literacy Program provides nurturing care and age appropriate literacy instruction to the children of the Literacy Services’ adult students. The objective is to encourage healthy and productive family interaction with literacy as a focus. The JLM grant money would entirely fund the “Family Development Nights” which are once a month, two-hour evening events, September through June. A program is provided at these events as well as a light meal with five to seven families typically in attendance. Past speaker topics include Fire Safety, Positive Discipline, the work of Dr. Seuss and the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The JLM funds would cover the printing, materials and food costs as well as occasionally speaker fees or expenses associated with these events.

St. Francis Children’s Center - First Friends - $2750 – September 10, 2003
As a result of requests and research, St. Francis Children’s Center opened a new classroom, First Friends, in September 2002 that offers part-time childcare options for special needs and typically developing children from infants to age three. In addition to childcare, the curriculum includes activities to enhance motor and speech development, cognition and social interaction. First Friends is currently serving 28 families and has 12 families on the waiting list. The JLM grant would be used to expand this program and equip the associated additional classroom space. Our funds would be designated to purchase the following furnishings identified by the Center: four cribs, a changing table with pad, a soft play, a bucket table and a four seat ByeBye Buggy with sea-soft cushions.

COA Youth and Family Centers
– Fit, Fine and Fabulous Club for At-Risk Adolescent Girls - $1250 – September 10, 2003
The Fit Fine and Fabulous Club is a drop-in club created by COA in 2002 that currently serves 15-20 girls ages 11-17, primarily from the Riverwest area. COA is seeking to enhance the club to attract and retain more girls. The purpose of the club is to promote healthy living, personal well-being, and making positive choices and changes. It is a prevention-based program that uses a small group approach with research-based curricula, physical recreation and exercise, guest speakers, discussion, educational activities, and field trips. Some of these components are provided through outside resources such as speakers from a Marquette certified trainer. The JLM grant would provide partial funding for new sports equipment, esteem-building activities such as rock climbing and/or to develop additional programming specifically aimed at reducing participants’ risks for adolescent/teen pregnancy.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul – The Vincent Family resource Center – Men’s Nurturing Program and Glad with Dad - $2000 – September 10, 2003
The Men’s Nurturing Program and Glad with Dad are part of the Vincent Family Resource Center’s Father’s Program Services. The programs strive to provide an environment for fathers to create emotional bonds with their children so that they see themselves as nurturers and caregivers. Also offered are coaching, parenting classes and parent-child activities, some of these involving both parents. Family support aspects emphasize the interdependence of all family members. The parent and child participants reside in the central city, downtown and northwest area. The majority are low-income families. In 2003-04, at least 85 men are expected to be served. The JLM funds would go towards materials/supplies, printing, postage, and food expenses for two 13 week Nurturing Parent Educational series and the Glad with Dad bi-weekly father-child drop-in activities and family night/field trips.

The Parenting Network 0 MELD Parenting That Works - $4000 – September 10, 2003
The Parenting Network was founded in 1977 as Parents Anonymous with the help of the JLM. The JLM has a community board position on the The Parenting Network’s Board of Directors today. The agency’s mission is to strengthen parenting and prevent child abuse. Its services, provided throughout Milwaukee County, include parenting education, a 24 hour parent helpline and parent support groups. The agency has been working over the last four years with its program participants and facilitator to update its parent support group program to meet the needs of today’s parents and times. For example, one step already taken is transitioning from serving general audiences to serving targeted audiences – teen parents, parents of teens, single parents, parents in recovery, grandparents parenting again, etc. After exploring and piloting several parenting programs, The Parenting Network has selected the MELD Parenting That Works Program. The JLM grant would go towards the cost of the curriculum materials and licensing fees for three MELD programs (African American moms, Young Dad, and Growing Families) to be used by numerous parenting support groups.