5 things to do and know this week in Milwaukee: Dec. 7 to Dec. 12 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
December 7, 2020
Food Pantry needs volunteers from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. If you are interested, email volunteer@riverwestfoodpantry.org (Photo provided by Riverwest Food Pantry)
It’s Monday 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. “Level Up”: A virtual networking and mentorship event: Tuesday, Dec. 8
Leaders Igniting Transformation, or LIT, and Mentor Greater Milwaukee are teaming up to present “Level Up,” a virtual networking and mentorship event. The event is taking place virtually from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8. To register, click here. The event includes a presentation from Mentor Greater Milwaukee, a panel with city leaders and mentorship experts and networking opportunities.
2. Affordable housing forum: Wednesday, Dec. 9
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CommonBond Communities is hosting its annual affordable housing forum, “Intersections of housing and mental health,” from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Dec. 9. This year, the forum will be held virtually and is free to all attendees. To register, click here. The panel of experts includes Martina Gollin-Graves, president and CEO at Mental Health America of Wisconsin; the Rev. Walter J. Lanier, senior pastor of Progressive Baptist Church of Milwaukee and director of student resources at Milwaukee Area Technical College; and Omkar Sawardekar, a diversity and inclusion specialist and an organizational change consultant.
3. Wellness Commons ribbon cutting ceremony: Wednesday, Dec. 9
This week, Walnut Way is celebrating the completion of Phase II of the Innovation and Wellness Commons. To mark the occasion, Walnut Way will be livestreaming the ribbon-cutting ceremony from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9. The link will be posted on Walnut Way’s website. The Commons, located on the corner of North 16th Street and West North Avenue.
4. “Snow & Tell” with Safe & Sound: Friday, Dec. 11
Safe & Sound is celebrating the holiday season with “Snow & Tell.” As part of the celebration, the organization is asking residents of Clarke Square and Layton Boulevard West to share their holiday traditions, stories and photos. Submissions are due by Friday, Dec. 11. The celebration will begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17. To submit a story and photo, email Brad at brad@safesound.org or call him at 414-308-0243. To join the virtual celebration, click here.
5. Riverwest Food Pantry: volunteers needed: Friday, Dec. 11
The Riverwest Food Pantry, 924 E. Clarke St., is in need of volunteers to help sort food. Volunteers are needed from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. If you are interested, email volunteer@riverwestfoodpantry.org.
Bonus: Free holiday portraits: Sign up by Tuesday, Dec. 15
It has been a long year and NNS wants to end it on a sweet note by celebrating our community — that means you!
Our photographers will be taking free family portraits just in time for the holidays.
On Dec. 19 and 20, photographers from NNS will meet families in our community at their front door for a physically distant photo shoot. After coordinating a time, all you need to do is get dressed up in your holiday best and the photographer will take a keepsake photo of you and your family in front of your home.
Afterward, we will share a digital version of the photo with you and include it a gallery on our site.
Curious what this might look like? We did a similar physically distant photo shoot for the Class of 2020, with the results in this gallery.
To sign up, fill out this Google Form. Deadline to participate is 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.
Bonus: Make it your business to keep NNS in business
The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service is conducting our annual fundraising campaign. As a nonprofit newsroom, you are never charged to see our work. Yet our labor is not free. Our staff needs and deserves to be paid. Please support us so we can continue telling the stories of ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Donate here.
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 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.