OMMUNITY COUR NAL J
Remembering local Civil Rights icon Father James Groppi (Pg. 3)
Michelle Alexander, author of “The New Jim Crow-Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness,” and the keynote speaker for the Milwaukee NAACP’s Freedom Fund Dinner, holds up a hoodie with the organization’s initials, presented to her by the branch’s president, James H. Hall, Jr. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
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VOL. XXXIX Number 10 October 1, 2014
The Milwaukee
Michelle Alexander inspires momentum of change in Milwaukee By Taki S. Raton
The line was steadily growing on the second floor at MATC’s Cooley Auditorium as this writer entered the corridor at 9 a.m. to hear nationally acclaimed author Michelle Alexander deliver her Friday, September 26 address on “Incarceration, Opportunity & the Future of Milwaukee.” Beginning at 10 a.m. with opening remarks by MATC President Dr. Vicki J. Martin and introductory acknowledgements by Helen Bader Alexander signs Foundation Program Officer Jerry copies of her Roberts, the highly anticipated pres- book for Freedom Fund dinentation by this associate professor of ner attendees Law at Ohio State University drew at Faithe Colas of the 700 West State Street downtown Milwaukee’s Salcampus location a final count of vation Army and 1,800 combined attendance at Coo- local businessman Marcus ley and in the nearby “T” auditorium Mays. (Picture overflow seating. below) scene Her title, “The New Jim Crow – from the dinner, Mass Incarceration in the Age of Col- held at the Pfisorblineness” reveals perspectives on ter Hotel, downtown. (Photo by the historical and cultural factors Yvonne Kemp) shaping the criminal justice system in regards to the current mass incarceration of peoples of color, African American males in particular. Considered as one of the top works of 2010, “The New Jim Crow” won the 2011 NAACP Image Award for “outstanding literary works of nonfiction.” In her opening comments, Alexander immediately set the “I now believe that our criminal jusstage for her delivery. Reflective of the theme and tice system functions much like a context of her writing, caste system...(a system in which) a Alexander noted African group of people defined largely by American males are incarrace and relegated to a permanent cerated in state correctional facilities and then upon re- second class status by law.” lease, “stripped of their --Michelle Alexander at MATC’s forum basic civil and human on Black men and incarceration. rights, rights that were supposedly won during the civil rights movement including the right to serve on juries, the right to be free of Photos and question by Yvonne Kemp discrimination in employment, housing, access to education and basic public benefits.” The author was clear to underscore that these young men locally and nationwide “comprise a growing underclass in America – not class, but caste; a group of people defined largely by race and relegated to a permanent second class status by law.” Alexander admits that for a long while, advocates, policy makers and concerned citizens “have been in denial” believing that the huge numbers of people cycling in and out of the prison system could be easily explained by poverty, bad schools, and broken homes. Many were unable to admit, she explains, “even to ourselves, the true nature of the beast that we face.” Only after years of representing CLARENE MITCHELL: “The needs victims of racial profiling and police brutality and investigating patterns of of Black people in Milwaukee are exMONTE MABRA: “One hundred, drug law enforcement and assisting tremely great, thus the need for an five years of making a difference that people who face legal barriers after agency like the NAACP that has a solid got us here today. Of course they’re having been released from prison history and expertise to fight on our needed to continue moving us forward.” was the presenter “awakened” to the behalf.” reality that our criminal justice system now functions much more like a system of racial and social control than as a system of crime prevention. A resounding round of applause amongst many during her nearly 45 minute sharing – followed her position that, “we have been mistaken for calling our criminal justice system a system of justice.” Factual data supporting her case for the “Jim Crow” title include that there are now more African American adults under correctional control ROZALIA HARRIS: “As my national (NAACP) president said at our convention, if today in prison, in jail, on probation you have to ask if it’s relevant, that’s why it or on parole then were enslaved in is. We are still the most discriminated against MONTRE’ J. MOORE: “Milwaukee is 1850, a decade before 1865’s Eman- race in the USA. It makes me mad just to anone of the most segregated cities in America. cipation Proclamation. swer that question-what the Wisconsin legisla- Wisconsin has more Black males incarcerated As of 2007, more Black men were ture is doing to public workers and their than any other city in our nation. So yes, I disenfranchised – deprived of the families is a crime. Voter ID, collective barstrongly believe Milwaukee needs a NAACP. right to vote - than in 1870, the year gaining, and public education funds (are For more than 100 years the NAACP has the 15th Amendment was ratified being)cut or dismantled. Is it relevant? Was fought for those without a voice, and it needs others to join the fight.” (continued on page 2) the Civil Rights Movement important?”
PULSE OF THE COMMUNITY
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
During the NAACP’s recent Freedom Fund Dinner, we asked a pretty obvious question: “How important is it for Milwaukee’s Black community to have a NAACP? Why or Why not?”
WISCONSIN’S LARGEST AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSPAPER
First Lady Michelle Obama wows the crowd as she rallies supporters for gubernatorial candidate Mary Burke
First Lady Michelle Obama expressed her excitement at being back in Milwaukee earlier this week campaigning for Democratic candidate for governor Mary Burke during a rally for the candidate at the Wisconsin Center, downtown. Obama told the crowd that Burke was smart, cares about people and is in the governor’s race for the right reasons. “She has been such a passionate champion for our kids and families here in Wisconsin,” the First Lady told the energetic crowd of supporters. Also speaking at the rally was Cong. Gwen Moore. (Photos by Yvonne Kemp)
Fuller talks about new book on his life and career at Marquette University
Former MPS Sup. Howard Fuller talks about his life of activism--especially in education reform and Parental School Choice--during a recent “On The Issues with Mike Gousha” discussion at Marquette University, in Eckstein Hall in the university’s law school. A distinguished professor of education at Marquette, Fuller also signed copies of his book (shown below)-which he also talked about-titled: “No Struggle, No Progress: A Warrior’s Life from Black Power to Education Reform.” (Photos by Yvonne Kemp)
Dr. Darienne Driver
MPS Board names Dr. Darienne Driver as permanent superintendent First permanent female superintendent in the district
Milwaukee Board of School Directors President Dr. Michael Bonds issued the following statement on the Board's hiring of Dr. Darienne Driver as superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools effective October 1, 2014. Dr. Driver had been serving as acting superintendent since July 1. "We are proud to announce the Milwaukee Board of School Directors has appointed Dr. Darienne Driver as the permanent superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools. Dr. Driver will be the first permanent female superintendent of Milwaukee
(continued on page 7)
Alexander
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 1, 2014 Page 2
(continued from page 1) granting African American men the right to vote. During the Jim Crow era, poll taxes and literary test were put in place to keep Black folk from the polls. Alexander claims that today in many states, “felon disenfranchisement laws are accomplishing what poll taxes and literary test ultimately could not.” She continued to posit that 80 percent of all African American children can now expect to spend at least a significant part of their childhood years living apart from their father and that in major urban areas throughout the United States, not just here in Wisconsin, “more than half of working age African American men” have criminal records and are thus subject to legalized discrimination for the rest of their lives. In this regard, Chicago also reported several years ago, the author adds, that nearly 80 percent of working age African American men now have criminal records and are relegated to permanent second class status for life. In Washington, D.C. she says, the figure has now passed 90 percent. “I now believe that our criminal justice system functions much like a caste system,” Alexander asserts. Citing such notables as Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Colin Powell, many people believe that if Black folk just stop committing so many crimes, they wouldn’t be locked up and then stripped of their basic civil and human rights. “And therein lies the greatest myth about mass incarceration, that it has been driven by crime and crime rates. That’s not true. Our prison population quadrupled in 30 years – not double, not tripled – but quadrupled. We went from a prison population of roughly 300,000 in the 1970’s to now an incarceration population of over two million and it is still on the rise,” she says. To the astonishment of the listening audience, this law professor says that America has “the highest rate of incarceration in the world. It is a penal system unprecedented in world history. So this explosion in incarceration cannot be explained by crime or crime rates – No!” Further exposing the myth, Alexander uncovers that crime rates have fluctuated over the past 30 years, but that incarceration rates have consistently soared. “Most criminologist and sociologist today would acknowledge that crime rates and incarceration rates in the United States have move independently of one another.” Incarceration rates, and especially Black incarceration rates, has soared regardless of whether crime has gone up or gone down in any given community or in the nation as a whole, she reveals. In explaining what she terms as a “sudden explosion” of incarceration and the growth of a penal system “unlike anything this world has ever seen,” the presenter cites two historical factors – a backlash against the gains of the civil rights movement of the 70’s which, in her words, “translated as an end to the war on poverty” and Ronald Reagan’s war on drugs in the 80’s in communities that can
be identified largely by race and by class. She further submits that contrary to popular belief, people of color are no more likely to use or sell illegal drugs than whites. “Drug dealing happens in all communities. But those who do time for drug crimes are overwhelmingly black and brown people,” she reveals. Quoting Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist Isabel Wilkerson from her book, “The Warmth of Other Suns,” the parallel is drawn between police violence today and lynching during Jim Crow. A Black person was killed in public every four days for often the most mundane of infractions, it was cited from the podium. Now well into a new century, and today “in the era of Obama, the rate of police killings of Black Americans is nearly the same as the rate of lynching during Jim Crow.” Alexander states that when we ignore these important parallels, we place our democracy at great risk given that the images and stereotypes built into American culture since the days of slavery have persisted to this day,” mutating and changing form over time supporting new systems of control.” As in the words of Wilkerson, “Last century’s beast and savage has become this century’s gang-banger and thug.” The very same stereotypes and beliefs that were used to justify slavery and Jim Crow is now being used in a new system of racial and social control that has been born again in America under mass incarceration. In her closing, Alexander observed: “Nothing short of a major social movement has any hope of ending mass incarceration in America and helping to ensure that there will be no more dead Michael Browns.” She adds that the task is not to just end mass incarceration and not just end the war on drugs, “but to end once and for all this history and cycle of creating cast-like systems in America.” “All of our children, all of God’s children, deserve basic human rights.” Following Alexander’s presentation, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial writer James Causey moderated a panel discussion to include the Honorable Carl Ashley, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Branch 33; Torre Johnson of Wisconsin Community Services; Dr. Henna Loyd, UW-Milwaukee Zilber School of Public Health; Dr. Lois Queen, UW-Milwaukee Employment and Training Institute; Dr. Darienne Driver, Interim Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, and community activist and “We Got This” organizer, Andre Lee Ellis. “It is our hope and intent that the visit to Milwaukee by Michelle Alexander will be a catalyst for addressing and inspiring significant steps towards change for the previously incarcerated, specifically in the areas of jobs, housing, education and benefits,” says James Hall, Jr., President of the Milwaukee Chapter of the NAACP. “To be number one in incarceration rates in the country, if not in the world, is completely unacceptable. Professor Alexander said that she feels ‘fire’ energy here in Milwaukee. We have to capture this momentum and that energy and take comprehensive problem-solving steps towards meaningful solutions in the aftermath of her visit.”
PERSPECTIVES
I
Remember when…
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 1, 2014 Page 3
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“There is in this world no such force as the force of a person determined to rise. The human soul cannot be permanently chained.” --W.E.B. DuBois
Father Groppi laid it all on the line for civil rights in Milwaukee By Richard G. Carter “All I want is to enter my house justified…” Joel McCrea, “Ride the High Country” (1962)
n late November 1985, I got word of the death, at 55, of Father James E. Groppi, noted Milwaukee civil rights activist. I was touched, as are most of us, at the finality of the passing of a friend or hero, for true friends and real heroes, are few and far between.
And yet, reading about Father Groppi in the Milwaukee newspaper my mother sent to me in New York City, where I was working, I was more appreciative than sad. I joyously recalled the early days of his deep involvement in the civil rights struggle in my beloved hometown, which coincided with the beginning of my newspaper career. When we first met, in 1963, I was associate editor of The Milwaukee Star -- the pioneering Black weekly - and pleased as punch at finally getting an opportunity to write seriously about important issues for others to read. Although a member of a different Catholic church (St. Francis) from the one which now welcomed Father Groppi, my news gathering activities in the Black community brought me into occasional contact with this dynamic young priest. And it also was the beginning of an acquaintanceship I was to cherish. Father Groppi radiated conviction to a cause whose time, he was convinced, had come. And his conviction enveloped those around him like the crackling blaze of a warm fireplace on a cold, winter night. The fact that Father Groppi was assigned to St. Boniface, on the heavily Black near North Side, from a post on the predominantly White South Side -- and began throwing his weight around so effectively -- totally amazed all of us. In those days, most Black people in Milwaukee were aware of housing inequities in the city. Many of us had suffered from blatant discriminatory practices and, working with the local Urban League and NAACP, some had attempted to redress some of our grievances. But it was not until Father Groppi -- a White man -- began speaking his mind, did things really get moving for us.
THE MILWAUKEE COMMUNITY JOURNAL
Martin Luther King II
The Foreclosure Crisis Economic Violence Shatters the 'Dream' for Millions By Martin Luther King III
ica. There are two distinct cities in Milwaukee: one city that is predominantly poor, blighted, impoverished, and predominantly Black side-by-side with another city that is wealthy, prosperous, economically vibrant, and predominantly White. This stark contrast is directly linked to our inability to be competitive as a group. While few of us have prospered and secured the so-called “American Dream,” the number of African Americans who are struggling has historically been a large percentage of our population and they are living a nightmare. This population is ballooning and if you combine those that live at/below the poverty rate with those living “NEAR” the poverty rate, this represents nearly 2/3 of our population. Why isn’t anything material being done – where is the evidence that a solution is in the works? Nothing is happening because too many of us have become so desensitized and overwhelmed by our challenges that we’ve become paralyzed. With socio-economic disparities between Whites and Blacks being so extreme and continuing to grow, by any measurement, the Black man in America is in real, very real, trouble. This is troubling when you consider the “structural” challenges we face. Every system along with its corresponding pipeline shows that “the pumps are primed” to maintain the status quo. The current input guarantees that our output (outcomes) will not change if something serious is not done to alter the system. For the first time in nearly 100 years, our children will do worse economically than their parents. The final blow that will ensure
these realities remain or even worsen lies in the growing culture adopted by our young people – a culture that is void of personal responsibility with extreme levels of self-gratification and extremely destructive behavior. We have no voice to combat the stereotypes that are representative of our people. We have no voice to hold anyone accountable to do the right thing by us. We have no voice to fight against neither the mass incarceration of our young men nor the sexual exploitation of our women. The challenge is great and there are no easy and quick solutions. The only possible shot that we have lies in our ability to align and aggregate our limited capacities, something we have been unable to do since we’ve been in this country. As a group we’re unable to combat the problems we faced because of a number of issues, including a severe level of distrust amongst each other (legacy of slavery). This distrust prevents us working together to develop a comprehensive plan of attack. The thing we need the most (unity), has been the most elusive. For the past 18 months, I and a number of people have been tirelessly trying to organize the African American community in Milwaukee meeting with a comprehensive and diverse representation of all aspects of our community (i.e. civic, business, educational, religious leaders, etc.) urging them to create a place (table) where we can discuss, plan and strategize on how we MUST improve our community. We must organize our capacity and channel our individual knowledge, wisdom, and expertise into an organized and purposeful way to adopt a “collective agenda” and
Father James Groppi and civil rights leaders during NAACP march, Milwaukee, 1968.
Yet, Father Groppi’s activism, as everyone came to know, didn’t restrict his zeal for pressing the city into passing, in 1968, an open housing ordinance. And as everyone who knew him also will attest, he had other fish to fry. For example, I well remember a day in May 1964 when, as a young reporter with the Milwaukee Sentinel, I was assigned to cover the city’s first real show of public determination by civil rights groups of that era. At the 12th Street School, 593 of the normal morning attendance of 778 elementary pupils, had boycotted classes to protest what was seen as de facto segregation. Four adults carrying signs proclaiming “Freedom Now” and “Integration is Education,” marched on the sidewalk, followed by four without signs. The latter chanted “Freedom, freedom, freedom.” All the marchers were Black. But across the street, outside North Division High School, another group of pickets marched, and this one was integrated. In the midst of the group of about 25 -- closely watched by six policemen -- was Black comedian Dick Gregory and Father Groppi. As I approached those pickets, Father Groppi asked me to join in. When I told him I was working, he winked, clapped me on the shoulder and said: “That’s OK. We’ve all got to do what we’ve got to do.” To which Gregory chimed-in: “Amen, brother.” On the other side of the street, we were startled by the increased volume of chanting and then, noting how the number of pickets had almost tripled in the last few minutes, Father Groppi grinned broadly at the sound of their words. “Come on. Get on board. The freedom train is mov-
ing down the line.” “How do you like that, my friend?” he said to me. “Make sure you get that in your story. And don’t forget, this is happening at 18 other elementary schools and one other high school with predominantly nonWhite enrollments.” “You can count on it, Father,” I replied.” The following year, three months after marching with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama, Father Groppi was arrested for the first time when he and four other clergymen formed a human chain in front of yet another school in protest of racial imbalances. And if there was any doubt in anyone’s mind about his conviction to the cause of equal rights, it was dispelled once and for all.
Rahim islam
W
UNIVERSALLY SPEAKING By Rahim Islam
Published twice weekly, Wednesday & Friday
3612 North Martin Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212
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I left Milwaukee a couple of years later but, owing to his growing fame and the success of the many marches he led in town, Father Groppi never was far from my thoughts. His work continued apace and then, 30 years later, he was gone. When I think of him these days, I remember all the good he stood for, and all he did, in his relatively short life. In so doing, I am reminded of Western movies in which the good guy saves the town, gets the girl and rides triumphantly into the sunset. Make no mistake about it, Father Groppi was that good guy who, indeed, did triumph in the end. He was, and still is, mightily missed. Milwaukee native Richard G. Carter is a freelance columnist
Last year, my family and I were honored to join millions around the world in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the landmark "March on Washington." Beyond the powerful exhortation against racism of my father's "I Have a Dream" speech, however, the organizers were demanding economic justice, along with civil rights, for African Americans and all who were being shut out of the 'American Dream.' Today, the disproportionate impact of the foreclosure crisis in communities of color - 17 foreclosures per 1,000 homes in minority zip codes as opposed to 10 per 1,000 in white communities - underscores the collateral damage of the greed-fueled push to force struggling families of all ethnicities to forfeit their own pieces of the 'Dream.' My father spent a lifetime working to combat the destructive trifecta of poverty, racism, and violence. In our view, the growing dissolution of homeownership, the primary opportunity for building net wealth for hard-working Americans, constitutes nothing less than "economic violence" being perpetrated against the most financially vulnerable constituency. In the context of the foreclosure crisis as violence against homeowners, it occurred to me that the six steps for nonviolent social change that my father used in many of his most successful campaigns could be applied to launch an inclusive movement to address and resolve the issues surrounding forced foreclosures. Nonviolence is a time-honored process with the following phases: (1) Information Gathering; (2) Education; (3) Personal Commitment; (4) Discussion/Negotiation; (5) Direct Action; and (6) Reconciliation. The objective is
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Opinion and comments expressed on the Perspectives page do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or management of the MCJ. Letters and “other perspectives” are accepted but may be edited for content and length.
e all must agree that the state of the Black community is in serious and unprecedented decline both nationally and here in Milwaukee.
It is apparent, if we are honest with ourselves, that the African American is in a weak and defenseless position that, if not challenged, will sentence our future generations to a permanent underclass in Amer-
We Must Come Together Some Way, Somehow Message to the Community:
(continued on page 5)
begin supporting strategies that will advance the goals of the agenda. It is paramount that we do a much better job coordinating and focusing our very limited resources. We can either continue to celebrate our individual successes (while they are important but few) or we can unite to pursue a shared agenda with the potential to continue those successes and begin to reverse the cancer that is tearing our community apart. We must challenge and expect more of ourselves, as well as elected and appointed officials but we can’t do that divided. WE MUST DO SOMETHING NOW OR FACE A BLEAKER FUTURE FOR OUR PEOPLE! Now is the time for each and every one of us to be accountable. We must make our participation known. Please join us on Thursday, October 23, 2014 (5:30 pm) at the Universal Academy for the College Bound (UACB Renaissance – Webster Campus) located at 6850 N. 53rd Street to discuss the issues facing Black Milwaukee with the goal of developing and establishing an agenda. We will implement your individual skills, expertise and creative input into a collective response to assist our community. You are the fuel that will make this work, but we need you to ACT NOW! There is power in unity. We must come together some way, somehow for the survival of our people. Rahim Islam is a National Speaker and Writer, Convener of Philadelphia Community of Leaders, and President/CEO of Universal Companies, a community development and education management company headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Follow Rahim Islam on FaceBook(Rahim Islam) & Twitter (@RahimIslamUC)
RELIGION T The Milwaukee Community Journal October 1, 2014 Page 4
WHAT’S HAPPENING!
In Your Faith-Based Community... Brentwood to host comedy show for its scholarship fund Oct 11
The Lois M. Chapple Scholarship fund of Brentwood Church of Christ will present “Laugh to Educate,” Saturday, Oct. 11, starting at 7 p.m., in the Leroy Durley Fellowship Hall of Brentwood COC, located at 6425 N. 60th St. Popular comedian Marlin Hill will perform, along with Chassity Washington. Admission is $10 per person. There will also be a consession stand to allow members of the audience to grab some food while watching the show.
Holy Redeemer to celebrate birthday of Mother Irene Brewer
Holy Redeemer Institutional COGIC will host the 85th birthday celebration of Mother Irene Brewer Saturday, October 11, at 4 p.m. Holy Redeemer Institutional COGIC is located at 3500 W. Mother Daniels Way. For more information go to: LoisDawson28@yahoo.com, or call Evangelist Margaret Adams (414) 554-3888.
Women’s Day events set for Mt. Zion MBC Oct. 11 and 12
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, located at 2207 North 2nd Street, will hold its annual Women's Day Services Saturday Oct.11, and Sunday Oct.12, 2014. There will be a prayer breakfast Saturday at 8a.m. in the lower level of the church, where our own Ms. Marie Carter will be the speaker. On Sunday, the worship service will begin at 10a.m. The guest speaker will be Minister Jacqueline Katrina Waller of Memphis Tennessee. All are invited to attend these services. Rev. Louis E. Sibley, III is pastor of Mt. Zion. For more information about the two events, call the church secretary at (414) 3727811.
Prophetic Prayer Summit to be held Oct. 10
Carolyn Teague Ministry will hold a Prophetic Prayer Summit Friday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m., at For Him International Ministry, 2544 N. 27th St. The theme of the summit is: “It’s Time to Push.” The guest speaker will be Evangelist Catina Vaughn. There will be anointed prayers, praise and worship, as well as powerful preaching. For more information, call 414-702-9718.
Wisconsin Northwest Jurisdiction of the COGIC to celebrate the ministery and birthday of Pastor Claude Edwards
The Wisconsin Northwest Jurisdiction (WNJ) of the Church of God In Christ (COGIC) will hold a 58th church anniversary and 90th birthday celebration for Rev. Claude Edwards, the senior pastor of Faith Temple COGIC. Edwards is the oldest pastor in the WNJ. The celebration will be held Sunday, Oct. 5, starting at 4 p.m., at Mason Temple COGIC, 6098 N. 35th St. The theme is: “The God of the Breakthrough Commands Victory!” (1 Chronicles 14: 10&11). Bishop C.H. McClelland will be among the featured speakers, choirs, singers and dancers.
If you have a church announcement, email it to: editorial@communityjournal.net, or bring it to the MCJ offices, 3612 N. Martin Luther King Drive. PLEASE DO NOT MAIL!
LETTER FROM THE PULPIT
The Sins of the Black Church:
Gluttony and Sloth
Newton’s first law of motion states that an object in motion tends to remain in motion, and an object at rest tends to remain at rest. This law applies to people. Laziness is a lifestyle for some and a temptation for all. The Bible is clear that, because the Lord our God ordained work for man, laziness is a sin. The Bible has a great deal to say about laziness. Proverbs is especially filled with wisdom concerning laziness and warnings to lazy people. Proverbs tells us what’s in store for the lazy. A lazy person becomes a servant (or debtor). Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. (Proverbs 12:24) His future is bleak: “A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing." (20:4) He may come to poverty. “The soul of the lazy man desires and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.” (13:4 KJV) According to Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century, the seven deadly sins are: pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, greed, and sloth. Gluttony seems to be a sin that black Christians like to ignore. They are often quick to label smoking and drink as sins, but for some reason gluttony is accepted or at least tolerated. Many of the arguments used against smoking and drinking, such as health and addiction, apply equally to overeating. Many black Christians would not even consider having a glass of wine or smoking a cigarette but have no (continued on page 5)
God’s Vineyard is Meant for All!
he scripture readings given to us this week are: Isaiah 5: 17, Philippians 4: 6-9 and Matthew 21: 33-43. The first and third reading center on a "vineyard." However, the way we have come to interpret these readings can leave us wondering where the "Good News" is.
In the first reading God speaks through Isaiah about what God's expectations were for the Chosen People. With all God had given them, this beautiful vineyard, the expectation was that the people would harvest an abundant crop of grapes, but no, they were wild and sour grapes. God expected from his cherished vineyard, "judgement', not bloodshed, "justice," not an outcry. God wanted justice from His people, God wants all people to live an abundant life, but His "cherished plant" turned sour and unjust and people suffered while others lived with amble food and wine to drink. The parable deals with injustice and murder. Those tenants who were put in charge of the vineyard came to believe it belongs to them. And they would drive away or kill anyone who laid claim to it. Remember, we are talking about God's vineyard, meant for all. Today we can claim all of creation as God's vineyard and the fruits of the vineyard are to be shared, especially with the poor and those hungry now. Unfortunately, so many who claim to be part of God People are acting like murderers. They do this when they despoil the poor and trample on their rights as human beings.
In Loving Memory
By Fr. Carl Diederichs, All Saints Catholic Church
In chapter 25 of Matthew Jesus gets very specific about the Kingdom, the Vineyard, and how our role of feeding the hungry and clothing the naked is at the heart of how we treat Jesus. We do drive Jesus away; we do kill Him whenever we drive away anyone who needs the basic necessities of life. If we do these things, if we are good stewards of God's gifts we will have the peace of God within us.
Do we feel we have been placed here to manage God's vineyard? Are we at all interested in being good stewards of the gifts God has given to us for others and ourselves? Today there are millions of people asking for a fundamental right: the right to eat; the right to have a decent home, the right to health care, the right to a living wage, not minimum wage, the right to be educated, the right to live wherever they want, the right to freedom and security.
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Offering pre-need, at need and after-care services to families in Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and other communities throughout our state.
Dealing with Domestic Violence
October is National Domestic Abuse Awareness idation or pressure, is unable to understand the nature or Month. Amid the Ray Rice domestic violence saga and condition of the act, decline participation, or communiother NFL players who have been benched because of al- cate unwillingness to engage in the act; and (3) abusive legations of being perpetrators of domestic violence; this sexual contact. very serious issue has not only been the topic of much Threats of physical or sexual violence communicate conversation recently; but the NFL has been forced to the intent to cause death, disability, injury, or physical treat domestic violence as a very serious matter, and harm through the use of words, gestures, or weapons. rightly so. Psychological/emotional violence traumatizes the vicAbuse between intimate partners represents an insidi- tim by acts, threats of acts, or coercive tactics. In most ous form of abuse. Whether you believe what went on cases, emotional violence has been preceded by acts or with Ray Rice and his then fiancé threats of physical or sexual violence. was a private issue; the fact remains Stalking generally refers to harassdomestic abuse is a problem much ing or threatening behavior that an bigger than football. Domestic vioindividual engages in repeatedly, lence is perpetrated in homes all such as sending the victim unwanted across America and must be adpresents, following or lying in wait dressed. for the victim, damaging or threatenIntimate Partner Violence (historiing to damage the victim's property, cally called "domestic violence"), deappearing at a victim's home or place scribes physical, sexual, or of business, defaming the victim's psychological harm by a current or character or spreading rumors, or haformer intimate partner or spouse. rassing the victim via the Internet by This type of violence can occur posting personal information. BIBLICAL COUNSELING among heterosexual or same-sex If you know of someone who is a couples. victim of abuse, please encourage FOR TODAY’S According to the National Institute them to seek help immediately. CHRISTIAN FAMILY of Justice (“NIJ”) violence by an inBeloved, according to the Centers By Rev. Judith T. Lester, timate partner is linked to both imfor Disease Control 31% of women B.Min., M.Th. mediate and long-term health, social, in the U.S. have been physically and economic consequences. Factors abused by an intimate partner at at all levels—individual, relationship, community, and some point in their lives. In addition to experiencing societal contribute to intimate partner violence. physical abuse by a partner, an estimated 22.3% of Types of Intimate Partner Violence women and 14% of men have experienced severe physiThe Center for Disease Control’s National Center for cal violence at the hand of an intimate partner. Injury Prevention and Control, which spotlights injury Among the most common types of severe violence and violence prevention topics, defines five types of in- women experienced by an intimate partner is being timate partner violence: slammed against something and being hit with a first or Physical violence is the intentional use of physical hard object. (Source: National Intimate Partner and Sexforce with the potential for causing death, disability, in- ual Violence Survey, September 2014). jury, or physical harm. The startling facts speak for themselves. We must conSexual violence can be divided into three categories: tinue to raise awareness that abuse in any form cannot (1) the use of physical force to compel a person to engage and must not be tolerated. One way you can help raise in a sexual act unwillingly, whether or not the act is com- awareness is to get political by working to change current pleted; (2) an attempted or completed sexual act involv- policy by influencing lawmakers to pass additional laws ing a person who, because of illness, disability, or the and impose higher penalties against domestic/intimate influence of alcohol or other drugs, or because of intim(continued on page 5)
BREAD IN THE WILDERNESS
J C Frazier Ernestine O’Bee Funeral Director Founder Services scheduled from September 17 to September 24, 2014 Gardner, Earl Age 63 yrs. September 27, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 6, at 1PM. Visitation Monday 12 Noon until time of services at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Neely, Ernest Age 89 yrs. September 25, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 4, at 11AM at New Mt. Olive Pentecostal Church 937 W. Burleigh St. Visitation Saturday 10AM at the CHURCH until time of services. The family is served by: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020 Pippin, Roosevelt Jr. Age 83 yrs. September 29, 2014. Beloved husband of Helen Pippin. Loving father of Sharon Williams, Rodney(Adrienne)Pippin, Lamon (Quintella)Pippin and Mario A. Pippin. Loving brother of Wayne Pippin. Also survived by 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and a host of other loving relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 4, at 12 Noon at Ebenezer COGIC 3132 N. MLK Dr. Visitation Saturday 10AM at the CHURCH until time of services. The family is served by: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Searcy, Cynthia Age 51 yrs. September 28, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 3, at 1PM. Visitation Friday 12 Noon until time of services at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020 Cooper, Mattie M. Age 101 yrs. September 25, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 2, at 12 Noon at St. Matthew CME Church 2944 N. 9th St. Visitation Thursday 10AM at the CHURCH until time of services. The family is served by: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020 Jarrett, Willie D. Age 82 yrs. September 24, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 3, at 11AM at Metropolitan Baptist Church 1345 W. Burleigh St. Visitation Thursday 3-7PM(Family will receive guest from 6-7PM) at: Northwest Funeral Chapel O'Bee, Ford & Frazier 6630 W. Hampton Ave. (414)462-6020
Families served by:
Northwest Funeral Chapel O’Bee, Ford & Frazier
Milwaukee 6630 W. Hampton Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53218 Telephone: (414) 462-6020 Fax: (414) 462-9937
Racine 800 Barker St. Racine, WI 53402 Telephone: (262) 637-6400 Fax: (262) 637-6416
P O L I T I C S &G OVERNMENT City•County•State•National
City leaders participate in Grand Opening of new park
Aldermen Russell Stamper, II and Micheal Murphy joined Mayor Tom Barrett and other community residents in cutting the “green” ribbon officially opening the new Ezekiel Gillespie Park, located at 2478 N. 14th Street, on the southeast corner of 14th and Wright Streets. The park is also the biggest project to date for HOME GROWN MILWAUKEE, a project of the city of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee office of Environmental Sustainability. It works throughout the city to transform neighborhoods and revitalize communities by repurposing vacant lots into community spaces and neighborhood economic opportunities. The new Gillespie park was once three vacant lots. Ezekiel Gillespie (1818 to 1892) was an African American civil rights and community leader who won a landmark case securing voting rights for Blacks in Wisconsin. (Photo by Yvonne Kemp)
Leading business poll ranks Walker’s Wisconsin fourth worst state for business By Urban Media News
In the final weeks of the gubernatorial campaign, Scott Walker is doing everything he can to distract voters from his horrible record on jobs. Attacking his opponent’s ideas to turn Wisconsin into a top-ten, thriving economy, instead of facing the fact that he and his administration have failed miserably at putting Wisconsinites back to work. Wisconsin is dead last in Midwest job creation since Walker took office in 2011 and recent jobs data shows the state lost 4,300 jobs in August alone. Walker is completely out of touch with the reality families face, even touting a “Wisconsin Comeback” when the state continues to hemorrhage jobs and lag behind the rest of the nation in economic growth. Walker is a career politician, content to weather the storm rather than put forth a plan to improve Wisconsin’s economic fortunes. Walker’s lopsided tax cuts for those at the very top and big special interests are why a new report from the American Economic Development Institute and Pollina Corporate Real Estate, Inc. ranks Wisconsin as the fourth worst state for business in 2014. The study, in its eleventh year, examines 32 factors that reflect state’s efforts to be pro-business. Taxes, human resources, energy costs, infrastructure spending, worker compensation leg-
islation, and incentive programs are just a few of the items the study look at to score states’ business climate. The Pollina Corporate Top 10 Pro-Business States study reflects state leadership that “truly understands the importance of producing the best business environment, and thus the best opportunities for job growth.” Wisconsin’s low rank is certainly a reflection on the state’s leadership. After taking office, Scott Walker commented that he wanted to brand his 250,000 jobs promise on the foreheads of members of his administration. Three and half years later, Wisconsin is still lagging behind on job creation, and Walker is struggling to get citizens back to work. The governor’s one-dimensional job creation strategy of tax cuts for those at the very top haven’t worked and in his second term, Walker only plans to implement more of the same failed ideas. The study mentions that states like Wisconsin, should “seriously evaluate their economic development capabilities” and suggests that “state political leaders rethink their efforts to attract and maintain jobs for their constituents.” Families in our state can’t bear another four years of Scott Walker’s failed job creation ideas. Instead of waiting for Walker to rethink his efforts, voters should choose new leadership in the fall. Unlike Scott Walker, Mary Burke knows what it takes to create jobs and attract businesses in Wisconsin. Her private sector experience includes turning a homegrown Wisconsin bicycle company into a global industry leader as an executive with Trek Bicycle. And when she served as Wisconsin’s Commerce Secretary, there were 50,000 more jobs in the state than exist today. With the cost of nearly everything rising and a shallow pool of jobs, Burke’s proven success in both the private and public sectors is exactly what Wisconsin families need.
from the Pulpit The Foreclosure Crisis Letter Gluttony and
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 1, 2014 Page 5
(continued from page 3) simply to defeat injustice, not an opponent, through reasoned and non-hostile compromise. And that is our mission. In January 2013, we participated in a national community outreach effort sponsored by the Independent Foreclosure Review (IFR), an entity established by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve and the Office of Thrift Supervision to assist in providing remediation for affected homeowners. Although nearly eight million persons were reached directly and indirectly through churches across the country, we were shocked to learn that the IFR was abruptly terminated before it could even begin to help a single borrower. Since the beginning of the housing crisis, some 4.9 million homeowners are in foreclosure and 1.9 million families continue to struggle to stay current on their mortgages, with a large percentage of them "under water." With so much suffering - and homeownership at its lowest level in two decades - it is particularly abhorrent that certain powerful hedge funds and insurance conglomerates are pushing hard for more foreclosures rather than sustainable resolutions that would allow families to keep their homes. This pro-foreclosure campaign seeks to unravel the mortgage principal reduction objectives in federal remediation settlements and block the use of loan modifications as a tool to restore stability in communities. The real eye-opener is that it is a $9.4 trillion problem affecting some 9 million citizens in the United States. And the growing erosion of wealth and equity is bankrupting minority and other disadvantaged citizens whose aspirations for homeownership are being jeopardized by huge corporate financial institutions whose callous indifference to the plight of struggling families is reprehensible. Unfortunately, there is still a widespread misperception that the devastating subprime scandal is behind us. But Beyond Broke, a report prepared by the Washington-based Center for Global Policy Solutions, thoroughly analyzes the systemic roots of the economic disparities manifested in the continuing housing crisis. With homeownership remaining the "key driver of wealth," the far-reaching adverse consequences of foreclosure are inevitable. We have recently reached out to Attorney General Eric Holder and urged his intervention to counter the aggressive pro-foreclosure campaign that is seriously and disproportionately undermining the stability of minority communities and exacerbating neighborhood blight. (The full text of my letter to Mr. Holder appears on my website http://www.mlk3.com). We are reminded that the Civil Rights Act of 1968 - Title VIII of which was also known as the Fair Housing Act and prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing based on race, religion, national origin, sex (and as amended) handicap and family status - was passed on April 11, 1968. President Johnson rallied support for the bill as a fitting tribute to my father's legacy, exactly one week after he was taken from us. Today, some 46 years later, there is still much more work to be done. But the stakes are even higher now. After generations of hardship and hard work to pursue the better life promised by the 'American Dream,' disadvantaged communities are now headed toward certain bankruptcy with the loss of their most significant net wealth asset - homeownership. Policymakers, regulators and fiduciaries overseeing the mortgage market simply cannot allow that to happen when so many have sacrificed so much to open the door to that 'Dream.'
Dealing with Domestic Violence
(continued from page 4) partner violence. The bottom line is the ubiquitous problem of domestic/intimate partner violence demands the entire community become involved to help prevent and control the violence. The writer does not assume responsibility in any way for readers’ efforts to apply or utilize information or recommendations made in these articles, as they may not be necessarily appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. If you would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.
Sloth in the Black church
(continued from page 4) qualm about gorging themselves at the dinner table of a smorgasbord. Physical appetites are an analogy of our ability to control ourselves. If we are unable to control our eating habits, we are probably also unable to control other habits, such as those of the mind (lust, covetousness, anger) and unable to keep our tongues from gossip or strife. We are not to let our appetites control us, but we are to have control over our appetites. The ability to say no to anything in excess—self-control—is one of the fruits of the Spirit common to all beliefs. (Galatians 5:22) Here are some helps to overcoming weight problems, which usually come about through lack of knowledge, lack of discipline, or lust for food. 1) Repent for yielding to the temptation of lust for food. 2) Submit to God and ask Him for the power to overcome gluttony and laziness through his Holy Spirit. (James 4:7) 3) Use God’s plan for your weight loss. Since the Lord created the human body, He certainly knows what is best for us to eat. 4) Fasting one meal or one day a week will help in disciplining your body to submissive to your Spirit Man. 5) Daily, thank God for setting you free. Don’t be discouraged even if at times it seems slow or you fail occasionally. Remember, this problem came little by little and it is sometimes more healthy to lose it little by little. 6) Eat at the salad bar after church. 7) Walk after church. Exercise three times per week. 8) Get rid of the fake hair, nails, spandex—dress moderately. Gluttony and sloth, their end is destruction, whose god is their belly and whose glory is in their shame who mind earthly things. (Philippians 3:14) Rev. Father R. M. Pumphrey Christ Catholic Church (Diocese of Boston)
BUSINESS CORNER
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Profile: Sheila, The Bag Lady LLC Purse Boutique
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“‘Sheila, The Bag Lady LLC’ Purse Boutique was an idea that came to me after witnessing my mom’s fight with breast cancer,” explained Dondraell King-Wilks, the owner of the boutique named after her mother. “She made her transition 14 years ago. But the need for women to connect still exists. So the essence of the boutique is to celebrate and support women through fashion and by building relationships. Sheila loved purses, but she also lived a full life and had compassion for her ‘sisters.’ This is Sheila’s legacy.” Not only does “Sheila, The Bag Lady” sell elaborate and embellished purses, they also carry accessories that are both luxurious and classic to complete every outfit. “Our stylist is on duty at all times,” said King-Wilks. “We welcome our customers bringing in their shoes they want to match the purse with, as well as clothing you want to match accessories with.” King-Wilks encouraged customers to call the boutique seekign consultations. Accessory wardrobing is done by appointment. Walk-ins are also encouraged. King-Wilks said “Sheila, The Bag Lady” boutique is a solution to shopping at area malls. “Nothing against mall shopping, but this shopping experience is guaranteed to be more personal than your typical merchandise and currency exchange. “We often host purse parties in celebration of graduations, marriages, and baby showers, etc., King-Wilks noted. “Later, there will be an added component where women will support each other by venting or walking through their pain in groups. That is still very much in the development stages right now.” The proposed talking sessions are a way for King-Wilks to stay connected and committed to the community and its sisters. Sheila, the Bag Lady is located at 6111 W. North Avenue in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53213. The phone number is 414.737.1923 “You will be surprised at how affordable our prices are! So, feel free to stop in and check us out,” King-Wilks urged. “Remember, if you want something unique and wonderful, Sheila, The Bag Lady is the boutique for you.” --Material for this article was supplied by Dondraell King-Wilks. Edited by MCJ Staff
Four Ways to Hire & Get the Most from a Financial Professional
A Strong Bond is Essential for Money Management, Says Industry Veteran
As the United States approaches an unprecedented point in its history – what many are calling a retirement crisis – attention for retirement planning is at an all-time high. “The baby boomers are retiring, about 10,000 every day for the next several years, and their greatest fear is that they’ll outlive their retirement funding; of course, money is an issue for just about everyone else, too,” says Rodger Alan Friedman, author of “Forging Bonds of Steel,” (www.forgingbondsofsteel.com/). “Most people have a sense that they could be doing more with their money – more savings, better investments, etc. – much the same way that they know that they could be healthier. But on both accounts, taking action is a different story.” As with health, failure to take action on your finances will, over time, cost you, he says. While educating yourself on money matters has tremendous benefits, you’ll ultimately want a certified and experienced professional who manages money for a living. A strong client-advisor relationship is fundamental for success, says Friedman, who offers the following tips for hiring an advisor you can trust and building a strong relationship: • Ask a would-be planner what he or she is reading. Would you trust an advisor who doesn’t read? While experience is valuable, the most reliable form of knowledge usually comes from reading books and trade publications. The former deals in well-established information, while the latter explore new directions in the industry. “I would want to know that an advisor reads books on the best thinking on wealth management, economics, investment and retirement planning,” Friedman says. “Ideally, your advisor would also attend, participate and learn from others at seminars. In other words, good advisors are engaged in continual learning, not resting on what they learned 10 years ago.” • Advisors should take copious notes and repeat back to you your concerns. How do you know your advisor is listening to you, and is he or she getting crucial information, rather than simply sounding good with data points? Taking notes is a good sign. And, when she repeats back to you something you’ve just said, it indicates she is actively listening. You feel understood, and that’s when the “I get it” look passes between both of you.
According to Forbes, here is the annual earnings of this year's Hip-Hop Cash Kings: 1. Dr. Dre (shown above): $620 million 2. Jay-Z: $60 million (tie) 3. Diddy: $60 million (tie) 4. Drake: $33 million 5. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: $32 million (Courtesy of “The Rundown”)
This moment is a link in the chain of trust and understanding that’s so important. • Be forthright with your advisor. This is essential. Some folks, for example, are “big-hat-and-skinny-cattle” people, which means they have a high standard of living – expensive vacations, BMWs, Rolexes, etc. – but little in the way of investment accounts, bonds, equities, commercial operations or real estate. This balance sheet does not spell success, despite the outward signs. Seasoned advi-
sors need to see that balance sheet – they need to see what’s under that big hat. Whether there are fat or skinny cattle underneath a wealthy image, you and your advisor need to collaborate and agree on a common purpose. To achieve it, you need to be forthright from the outset. • Accountability flows both ways; do your homework. Advisors need personal documents that are crucial for a comprehensive review. Upon the agreement of a full financial plan, the advisor will
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Driver becomes first permanent Getting the Most female superintendent in the district from a Financial
(continued from page 1) “If we stay focused Public Schools. "Dr. Driver is a visionary, highly- on our core mission qualified and energetic educator. We of teaching and learnare thrilled to have her lead us through this next chapter of MPS. ing and putting our The board has every confidence that students needs first, Dr. Driver will continue to lead the district in a positive direction and we will change the continue our efforts and commitment face of Milwaukee to improve outcomes for children of and the lives of our the Milwaukee Public Schools. "The Board will terminate its su- students and their perintendent search contract. We families."--Dr. Driver have found the best candidate possible." Dr. Driver added: "I am deeply appreciative of the Board's confidence. Working together with the board, administration, schools, students, staff, parents and the community, I truly believe anything is possible. “If we stay focused on our core mission of teaching and learning and putting our students needs first, we will change the face of Milwaukee and the
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want to review and analyze the following items: a copy of the most recent tax return, including a W2 or 1099 info; a copy of all bank, CD and money market account statements; mutual fund, investment; IRA accounts, 401(K) accounts and corporate benefit statements; pension or annuity arrangements; long-termcare and life-insurance statements; disability, liability umbrella, car- and home-insurance statements. Without these, it’s nearly impossible to create a baseline of where you are now and to chart a course to where you want to be. About Rodger Alan Friedman Rodger Alan Friedman, author of “Forging Bonds of Steel,” (www.forgingbondsofsteel.com/), grew up working in his family’s New York City laundry, where he learned a strong work ethic – and the type of work he didn’t want to do.
The Milwaukee Community Journal October 1, 2014 Page 7
Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin asks community to sign online petition to restore critical funding
Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin (BHCW) continues to be very troubled by National Healthy Start Initiative's decision not to re-fund our Milwaukee Healthy Beginnings Project despite BHCW's grant being "approved" by them. The Black/White infant mortality gap in Milwaukee is too great for BHCW to peacefully go without this important grant. BHCW has been diligently fighting this with the goal of having the funds restored! Thus far, BHCW has greatly appreciated the legislative support from Congresswoman Moore and Senator Tammy Baldwin! They also are appreciative of the Wisconsin Legislative letter that was sent to HRSA by Representatives Mandela Barnes, La Tonya Johnson, JoCasta Zamarripa, Cory Mason, Evan Goyke, Frederick Kessler, Leon Young, Jon Richards, Sandy Pasch as well as Senators Nikiya Harris-Dodd and Lena C. Taylor Healthy Start has admitted that they made errors in the grant award process. BHCW is asking the community for
support so the pressure stays on the federal government until they make things right with the agencies that they caused harm. Please support BHCW's Change.org petition and share it broadly with your networks. BHCW is urging President Obama to hold the Health Services and Resources Administration (HRSA) accountable for its admitted mistakes and order them to provide full funding to the 25 agencies across the country that were approved but not funded to fight infant mortality disparities. BHCW's petition can be accessed directly on the main page of its website at www.bhcw.org.
Jacqueline Bland
credits United Way funded COA program for helping her build positive relationships
Jackie is a bright high school senior from Milwaukee, and while she is successful academically, Jackie faced considerable social and behavioral challenges when she started at the COA Goldin Center 10 years ago.
Jackie struggled to build positive relationships because she was closed off emotionally and became easily frustrated when things did not go her way. Jackie admits building positive relationships with peers and adults was difficult, which usually led to arguments and other conflicts. Participating in a United Way of Greater Milwaukee-funded program offered at COA allowed Jackie to set personal goals related to conflict resolution, build positive relationships and plan for her future.
With the encouragement of her counselors at COA, Jackie participated in programs, which helped her develop effective communication and interpersonal skills. Eventually Jackie was hired as a youth worker at COA, which led to a paying job outside of the center where she now works full-time until she goes to college. Jackie feels her participation at COA contributed to her academic success and helped her grow to model positive behavior. “I always wanted to do things on my own,” says Jackie. “COA taught me that I could spread my wings, but I didn’t need to do it alone. Now, I look forward to meeting new people, and I have an open mind.” Jackie has even set her sights on becoming a nurse so she can comfort and help people while working in a team setting – something she learned at COA. Even with her full plate, and college on the horizon, Jackie still spends time at COA whenever she can. “I want to see the people I care about and make sure I maintain those relationships,” says Jackie, adding: “Thanks to United Way, COA has made me a better person.”
“COA taught me that I could spread my wings, but I didn’t need to do it alone. Now, I look forward to meeting new people, and I have an open mind.”