Author: Correspondent

Milwaukee Stories Podcast: Jose Vasquez

Jose Vasquez, a former gang member, talks about the emptiness he felt as a young person, his personal journey of change and why he has dedicated his life to working with youth who are experiencing many of the same challenges he did.

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Else Ankel: Founder of Urban Ecology Center remembered

While Else Ankel humbly underplayed her influence on the Urban Ecology Center, she is often referred to as the founder. With her passing, we acknowledge her life with gratitude and our hearts go out to her family and friends as we mourn. For those who knew Else, they were familiar with her deep fondness for the Black Forest in Southwestern Germany, where she grew up. She often shared stories of how her family would spend every Sunday on long (10-12 hours!) hiking excursions through the Black Forest. Her vision was to make that possible for children here in Milwaukee....

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The Millennial Spirit and a desire to make a difference

“Whenever people went into the art room, those issues vanished. The interaction that art had in my community really made a difference. Art really has a personal effect on a human being.” – Denisse Hernandez The desire to have an impact in the world, underpinned by a pervading optimism, is a common attribute of Millennials. Mount Mary’s Creative Campus channels the optimism and can-do spirit that defines this generation.Mount Mary student Denisse Hernandez, ’17, aspired to be an artist, but found that the act of producing art wasn’t quite enough for her. “I was trying to do fine art but it...

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Milwaukee Stories Podcast: Martha Barry

Martha Barry, racial justice director at the YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin, talks about the legacy of racism, what white people can do to confront prejudice and structural injustice — the importance of changing “hearts and minds” — and her personal journey of listening, learning and being exposed to different experiences.

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Documentary of cross country trek by two local vets premieres at Film Fest

“This moving documentary has a compelling urgency.” – The Hollywood Reporter Two Milwaukee friends, both Iraq veterans, began a journey that will come full circle next week when Almost Sunrise, a new documentary film featuring their spiritual odyssey, screens as the Centerpiece film in front of packed audiences at the city’s Landmark Oriental Theater on October 1, and again on Oct 2, as part of the 2016 Milwaukee Film Festival. It was a scorching summer day in 2013 when the Mayor of Milwaukee, a gaggle of press, family and friends of Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson gathered to mark...

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Overdue book fines forgiven with visit to any Milwaukee Public Library

Milwaukee Public Library welcomes back library patrons of all ages who may have been blocked from using the library due to fines and fees associated with having long overdue materials. Adults and children are encouraged to visit their local branch of Milwaukee Public Library between Monday, September 26 and Sunday, October 9, 2016 when Library staff will help patrons get reconnected to the wealth of resources that the library has to offer. Those interested in participating in the Welcome Back campaign should visit, in-person, one of the thirteen Milwaukee Public Library locations where they may return any overdue books,...

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