It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.

1. Vibez Creative Arts Space is now virtual

Vibez Creative Arts Space has gotten creative with its business model. The business, which is housed in the Sherman Phoenix, is going virtual. Instead of in-person classes, Vibez will be streaming its classes live on Facebook and Instagram. At-home canvas kits and beer/wine/spirits kits are available for pre-order. To order a kit, individuals can call or text 414-465-2387. When ordering, individuals will be asked to schedule a curbside pickup.

2. YMCA emergency response camp programs

The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee is launching two emergency response camp programs to provide safe and quality care to the children of first responders and health care service workers. The program will be held at the Rite-Hite Family YMCA, 9250 N. Green Bay Rd., and the Advocate Aurora Conference Center, 2920 W. Dakota St. Registration is open to all healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, EMTs and other essential service providers.

3. Don’t forget the census

Earlier this month, the U.S. Census Bureau sent out a letter inviting households to respond to the census online. The letter contained a personal identification that individuals should use when answering the questionnaire. Individuals can also respond to the census through the mail if preferred. Click here to see why the 2020 census should matter to you.

4. Hmong Chamber of Commerce emergency loan

The Hmong Chamber of Commerce announced an emergency loan fund to help the Wisconsin business community. Loans range from $5,000 to $10,000. Eligible businesses can learn more about the terms and interest rates and apply by contacting Ger Thao, the operations manager, at ger@hmongchamber.org. Currently, the turnover time is five business days.

5. Grocery kits for those in need

The Maruf Center has partnered with the Attari Supermarket, 3042 S. 13th St., and Biryani Palace, 5326 S. 27th St., to provide grocery kits for those in need. Individuals in need of a kit can visit Attari Supermarket or Biryani Palace and mention the “Maruf Grocery Kit.” Each kit contains rice, bread, oil, meat and lentils. The kits are customizable. Maruf is also looking for kit sponsors. Grocers who would like to participate can call or text Shaheen Saiyed at 951-880-4911.

Bonus: The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed on coronavirus by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.

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5 things to do and know this weekend: The COVID-19 edition

by Ana Martinez-Ortiz, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
March 27, 2020

<h1>5 things to do and know this weekend: The COVID-19 edition</h1> <p class="byline">by Ana Martinez-Ortiz, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service <br />March 27, 2020</p> <br /> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-65408 is-resized"><img src="https://milwaukeenns.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/49700668668_f53b256bc3_o.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-65408" height="750" width="1125" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Vibez Creative Arts Space’s physical location may be closed, but the business is offering virtual classes on Facebook and Instagram. (Photo provided by Vibez Creative Arts Space)</figcaption></figure> <p><em>It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon <strong>Thursday</strong>.</em></p> <p><strong>1.</strong> <a href="https://www.vibezcreativeartsspace.com/?fbclid=IwAR29uZGOg49ZBX-sGF3TsNSVsIwvpQ5dIelwTupK_TJc7waIxOI44lBEGKM"><strong>Vibez Creative Arts Space is now virtual </strong></a></p> <p>Vibez Creative Arts Space has gotten creative with its business model. The business, which is housed in the Sherman Phoenix, is going virtual. Instead of in-person classes, Vibez will be streaming its classes live on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/VIBEZCreativeArtsSpace/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/vibezcreativeartsspace/?utm_source=VIBEZ+Creative+Arts+Space&amp;utm_campaign=2545b0f35d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_23_03_15&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_8284b40249-2545b0f35d-271578465&amp;mc_cid=2545b0f35d&amp;mc_eid=81890520d9">Instagram</a>. At-home canvas kits and beer/wine/spirits kits are available for pre-order. To order a kit, individuals can call or text 414-465-2387. When ordering, individuals will be asked to schedule a curbside pickup.</p> <p><strong>2. </strong><a href="https://www.ymcamke.org/youth-development-covid-19-response/"><strong>YMCA emergency response camp programs </strong></a></p> <p>The YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee is launching two emergency response camp programs to provide safe and quality care to the children of first responders and health care service workers. The program will be held at the Rite-Hite Family YMCA, 9250 N. Green Bay Rd., and the Advocate Aurora Conference Center, 2920 W. Dakota St. Registration is open to all healthcare workers, firefighters, police officers, EMTs and other essential service providers.</p> <p><strong>3. Don’t forget the census </strong></p> <p>Earlier this month, the U.S. Census Bureau sent out a letter inviting households to respond to the census <a href="https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/respond/respond-online.html">online</a>. The letter contained a personal identification that individuals should use when answering the questionnaire. Individuals can also respond to the census through the mail if preferred. Click here to see why the <a href="https://milwaukeenns.org/2020/01/30/why-the-2020-census-should-matter-to-you/">2020 census should matter to you</a>.</p> <p><strong>4. </strong><a href="https://www.hmongchamber.org/covid-19"><strong>Hmong Chamber of Commerce emergency loan</strong></a></p> <p>The Hmong Chamber of Commerce announced an emergency loan fund to help the Wisconsin business community. Loans range from $5,000 to $10,000. Eligible businesses can learn more about the terms and interest rates and apply by contacting Ger Thao, the operations manager, at <a href="mailto:ger@hmongchamber.org">ger@hmongchamber.org</a>. Currently, the turnover time is five business days.</p> <p><strong>5. Grocery kits for those in need</strong></p> <p>The Maruf Center has partnered with the Attari Supermarket, 3042 S. 13th St., and Biryani Palace, 5326 S. 27th St., to provide grocery kits for those in need. Individuals in need of a kit can visit Attari Supermarket or Biryani Palace and mention the “Maruf Grocery Kit.” Each kit contains rice, bread, oil, meat and lentils. The kits are customizable. Maruf is also looking for <a href="https://form.jotform.com/200417246910144">kit sponsors</a>. Grocers who would like to participate can call or text Shaheen Saiyed at 951-880-4911.</p> <p><strong>Bonus: </strong><a href="https://milwaukeenns.org/tag/coronavirus/"><strong>The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS</strong></a></p> <p>Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed on coronavirus by following us on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/milwaukeenns/">Facebook page</a> and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this <a href="https://milwaukeenns.org/tag/coronavirus/">landing page</a>. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, <a href="https://milwaukeenns.org/2020/03/16/what-questions-do-you-have-about-covid-19-in-milwaukee/">send them in our way</a>. We’re here to serve you.</p> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://milwaukeenns.org/2020/03/27/5-things-to-do-and-know-this-weekend-the-covid-19-edition/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://milwaukeenns.org&quot;&gt;Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/&quot;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&quot;https://i0.wp.com/milwaukeenns.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-NNS-Favicon.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;ssl=1&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;</p> &lt;img id=&quot;republication-tracker-tool-source&quot; src=&quot;https://milwaukeenns.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=65404&amp;amp;ga4=G-HGM4XK3QCM&quot; style=&quot;width:1px;height:1px;&quot;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &quot;https://milwaukeenns.org/2020/03/27/5-things-to-do-and-know-this-weekend-the-covid-19-edition/&quot;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;/script&gt; &lt;script id=&quot;parsely-cfg&quot; src=&quot;//cdn.parsely.com/keys/milwaukeenns.org/p.js&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

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