Gold Medal Lofts Grand Opening

Milwaukee-based J. Jeffers & Co. developed the project in partnership with Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. The 77 apartments include market-rate units, and those reserved for people making less than 60%, 50% or 30% of the area’s median income levels.  Read more

Héctor Colón LSS Statement Regarding George Floyd

“Please…..I can’t breathe….Mama……my stomach hurts, my neck hurts, everything hurts,……Please…….Don’t kill me!” Like so many, I can’t get these words out of my mind. More than seven minutes passed as Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck. George moaned and groaned while three other police officers stood there doing nothing as George took his last
breath on May 25, 2020. Today his family stands without a son and brother, his kids without a father and the community without a person that displayed a commitment to make lives better.

Why did this happen? My heart pains to see the videos or read the news relating to this injustice. Unfortunately, racial and ethnic disparities continue to exist in our society. The research literature well documents that people of color and specifically African Americans are treated differently in the criminal justice system. Who would have thought that the alleged use of a counterfeit $20 dollar bill could result in a senseless homicide? When I looked into the eyes of Derick when watching the video, I personally felt the cold and reckless act that slowly and painfully took George’s precious life.

As a person of color, I can identify with the racial and ethnic injustices I have faced in my life. By no means would I compare my situation to the injustice of George, nor am I comparing my situation to the experiences of African Americans in this country. However, I will share a few points to demonstrate how I can relate. These moments never leave your memory. One time on a nice summer day I went to pick up my girlfriend, who is now my wife. Within blocks of her home we were stopped by four police officers in two cars. The officers shouted, “Get out of the car.” I said, “Why?” They repeated, “Get out now!” They roughly ransacked my car, going through my glove compartment and trunk, leaving a mess as they calmly walked back into their vehicles with no explanation of why they did this.

Another time I was working for a mail carrier and was entering the back of a department store in Racine to pick up their mail. An individual next to me shouted, “Get away from my car you Mexican N….” I went on to tell him why I was there but he kept on shouting at me angrily. After being taunted several times, I picked up my mail and left.

Yet another time, I went out with some friends to go dancing, something I rarely did in college because I was focused on getting my degree to pursue a career. Two friends and I were prohibited from entering the establishment. I asked, “Why are you not letting us in?” White patrons were walking right in so it was not because of crowd control. I asked three times and then they said very aggressively, “You better leave or else we are calling the cops.” Since I knew this conversation was going nowhere, I left.

The way I reacted in these situations, walking away, may have saved my life. Had I reacted differently, maybe I would have gone to jail, obtained a fine, lost my job and even died the way George did. The unfortunate thing here is that George did react the way I did. He was polite and did not resist arrest and yet he is gone.

Justice needs to be brought to Derek Chauvin, but he is not the only one responsible. The other police officers who were on the scene are also responsible. Why didn’t they do anything? Did they agree with what they saw? On the other hand, maybe they were fearful. I say they were cowards. They chose not to use good judgment and common sense or to enact the aim and purpose of their police profession which is to protect and serve. Courage is acting even when you are afraid. Courageous people will do the right thing even when it is difficult. These police standing by were the only ones that could have saved George’s life and they should have consequences measurable to their silence and inaction that led to this tragic situation. Despite my personal experiences, I believe the overwhelming majority of law enforcement act with integrity in fulfilling their duties to protect and serve. The actions of the police officers in the George Floyd tragedy did a grave disservice to all the men and women who put their lives on the line and whose countless daily positive actions go unreported. It is my hope that as a society we do not get clouded and turn against the individuals who choose to protect and serve. If we are to get to the root cause, we must look to the systems and policies that foster conditions where the actions of these officers can occur.

While George is gone his story lives. The pain and discomfort many feel is real and it will last a long time. Nevertheless, how can we use this unfortunate tragedy to move us closer together versus further apart. We need to peacefully end the racial and ethnic disparities that continue to exist in our criminal justice system, in our healthcare system, and in other systems and institutions in our society.

In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that; hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” And the Floyd family agrees. Terrance Floyd said recently, “We’ve been down this road already. He [George Floyd] would want to seek justice the way we are, the way we’re trying to do. But channel it another way. The anger, damaging your hometown, it’s not the way he’d want.” Let us follow the advice of Martin Luther King and George’s brother in moving forward demanding change through peaceful efforts. There is no place for violence against police officers, protestors, businesses and communities. We must lead with peace.

Everyone is created equal and has a right to live in a healthy community filled with people using their God-given gifts to serve. At LSS, we are called every day to enact our mission to act compassionately, serve humbly and lead courageously in solidarity with all people from white to black to brown and in-between. And we will stand in support of the infinite worth of black lives.

‘No matter when they call, I pick up’: Mental health workers see increased demand for treatment, support

Ivy Zamora, a therapist with Lutheran Social Services, primarily serves children with mental health challenges. But increasingly, she’s hearing from their parents, too.

“There’s a frustration and helplessness that sets in that can be overwhelming for people,” Zamora said.

Zamora isn’t deterred. She is setting up phone and video calls with the kids she normally sees at their schools, and their families. She’s listening and sharing coping mechanisms, while also connecting families with resources for food, gas money, school supplies and other needs through the new LSS Response Fund.

Zamora and hundreds of mental health workers around Wisconsin are finding creative ways to stay in touch with patients and expand what they offer while anxiety rises and traditional support services shut down.

Health experts say it’s too early to tell how extensively the pandemic is impacting mental health but there are already indications of rising symptoms of anxiety and depression, and more calls to support lines.

At Children’s Hospital, a greater portion of youth coming to the emergency room are being treated for self-inflicted injuries, compared to this time last year, according to Amy Herbst, vice president of mental and behavioral health.

“I can’t say it’s necessarily caused by isolation but we certainly believe there’s a correlation,” Herbst said. “There are tremendous stressors in many families’ lives right now.”

Dr. Jerry Halverson, chief medical officer at Rogers Behavioral Health, said the hospital has seen increased demand for inpatient mental health care as other avenues narrow.

Milwaukee County’s public behavioral health hospital, which recently confirmed several people on the campus had tested positive for COVID, shut down its children’s unit from March 16 to April 23.

Halverson said patients are reporting difficulties reaching their usual mental health providers. He said patients are also avoiding other hospitals out of fear of COVID-19. This can cause symptoms to escalate.

“COVID has uncovered a lot of folks that had depression and anxiety prior to this,” Halverson said. “It’s been very stressful and it’s not surprising we’re seeing continued and increased demand for psychiatric treatment.”

The Waukesha Police Department, which provides details about police calls to the Journal Sentinel, has responded to more emergency calls related to mental health. Some callers have specifically noted challenges with isolation or cohabitation during the pandemic.

Baumann said unless someone is urgently suicidal, Waukesha police officers are referring callers to IMPACT 2-1-1 and other community resources.

But with day treatment programs closing, therapists locking their doors, and hospitals pivoting resources to COVID-19 treatment while being more cautious with admissions, many of the traditional routes for mental health support are unavailable.

Video therapy now broadly available

As orders for isolation started sweeping the country, mental health providers knew they needed a way to keep in touch with patients. Some had already experimented or were well practiced with tele-health platforms that allow providers to securely and privately talk with patients via video.

But there were barriers. Before the pandemic, Medicaid only paid for tele-health in specific circumstances. Patients had to be at a clinic, hospital or nursing home while calling their provider. And the provider had to work for a certain type of clinic.

On March 17, dozens of mental health advocacy organizations and practitioners signed a letter asking state officials to remove those barriers. Officials responded. Patients can now video-conference with their providers from home — whether the provider works for a clinic or works independently.

These changes will be permanent beyond the pandemic, a spokesperson for the state Department of Health Services said.

‘That existential feeling of loneliness’

Tele-health has been vital for Zamora, who serves students in United Community Center’s charter schools. It’s allowed her to keep in touch with families in possibly the most critical time, while day treatment programs and hospitals are taking fewer mental health patients.

One parent Zamora works with, an undocumented immigrant, was laid off from her restaurant job and is caring for both her child and her mother. She’s been without income for several weeks.

“For her there’s an increase in anxiety and some depressive symptoms,” Zamora said. “That existential feeling of loneliness in the world and feelings of isolation from co-workers and friends. And now people are counting on you and you can’t meet their needs.”

Zamora hopes the mother will benefit from the LSS Response Fund. And Zamora is trying to help her shield her child from the stress as much as possible.

“The virus has strained families in a different way than they may have historically experienced stress in the past,” Zamora said. “We’re trying to do a good job of helping kids not absorb and internalize those adult concerns.”

As tele-health becomes the primary, and sometimes only, way to access a therapist or psychiatrist, some patients are left behind because of limited internet or technology.

In central Wisconsin, therapist Kris Koplitz has recommended some families park outside libraries to access internet for therapy sessions.

In Milwaukee, providers at Sixteenth Street Clinic have found some clients are running out of minutes on their phones and lacking computers, tablets or smart phones to access other tele-health platforms, said Maria Perez, vice president of behavioral health.

‘No matter when they call, I pick up’

With some long-time mental health supports suddenly disrupted, mental health providers are working long hours to ensure their clients don’t feel alone.

Our Space stopped taking new residents at Parachute House, a temporary residence for people in emotional distress, but reopened April 27. The organization also closed its drop-in center which offered support groups and other services.

Our Space workers like Mark Ploeckelman, Jr., are still visiting clients and setting up calls.

“No matter when they call, I pick up,” said Ploeckelman, a certified peer specialist who coordinates care for residents of Highland Commons in West Allis, an apartment building for people with mental illness and substance use challenges.

“They can call me at 3 a.m. and I’ll get up out of dead sleep and be like, ‘Hello this is Mark.’ And they’ll be like, ‘I can’t believe you picked up, I thought you’d be asleep.’ And I’m like, ‘I was, but you called.’ “

Ploeckelman said residents have been wanting to go to hospitals for inpatient care more often than usual, and he’s trying to calm them down and keep them safe at home when possible.

“I want them to know I’ll be there every day as normal as I can be,” he said.

Koplitz, who serves students in the Colby and Abbotsford school districts, has also found ways to stay connected to families.

Koplitz usually uses her office plants as props for mindfulness exercises. Now that she’s switched to tele-health, she gives her students a list of natural materials, like twigs and rocks, to find and bring to their video appointment, at which they will practice mindful observation with the five senses.

Campos, who works as a nurse and has legal guardianship of the children, said Zamora has helped her children practice patience and empathy.

“I’m the one that gets the benefits because they’re doing so well at home,” Campos said. “It’s a blessing and I hope more families that need the help are able to access it.”

Zamora said while the pandemic has caused deep stress, it has also illuminated the strong relationships neighbors have built to support each other financially and emotionally.

“These families have historically had to rely on each other,” Zamora said. “There’s a lot of banding together, sharing of resources. There’s really a lot of tenderness.”

Mental health resources

Crisis lines

• Milwaukee County 24-hour crisis line: 414-257-7222. When needed, a mobile team can meet adults and adolescents anywhere to talk and connect them to resources.
• Pathfinders 24-hour line for youth in crisis: 414-271-1560
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• HOPELINE: For emotional support, text “Hopeline” to 741-741

Other resources

• IMPACT 211: Call 2-1-1 for information and referrals to a wide range of community services
• Sixteenth Street: Call 414-672-1353 to set up an appointment with a mental health provider
• Milwaukee Health Department: Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Resources
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide

Rory Linnane reports on public health and works to make information accessible so readers can improve their lives and hold officials accountable. Contact Rory at (414) 801-1525 or rory.linnane@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @RoryLinnane. 

Sojourner House and Positive Avenues create temporary 24/7 shelter

Those with substance use disorder facing challenges amid virus

Lutheran Social Services asking for monetary donations, face masks

Waukesha Freeman

By Nikki Brahm

WAUKESHA — Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan is asking for donations in response to the coronavirus, with Waukesha services specifically needing face masks and monetary donations.

The Genesis House is a supportive 12-bed Transitional Residential Treatment for men with substance use disorder. Residents typically stay between 30 to 180 days with nine hours of therapy a week while they work to transition back to independent living. Also needing donations is the Cephas House, which provides services to adult males referred through the Department of Corrections that have a history of substance use disorder.

Patrick Reilly, program supervisor at the Genesis House for LSS, said they have been responding to the coronavirus and its many challenges. He is unaware of a coronavirus case in their facilities.

“What we’ve been doing to the best of our abilities is following all CDC guidelines … but like any organization in our area, PPE is hard to come by,” Reilly said. Reilly said they are asking the community to donate 60 cloth masks, for both staff members and residents at the two houses.

One of the greater challenges the alcohol and drug treatment centers are dealing with is the lack of available community support meetings. Reilly said they support each individual on the path to recovery through outside support.

“What we’ve had to do with a lot of organizations is really embrace the Tele-Health or Zoom meetings … we’ve been able to put together a pretty good list of outside support meetings that our residents can be involved with,” he said.

Reilly said there couldn’t be a more difficult time for individuals to find sobriety than right now. “Purely the fact that they’re in treatment, I think is amazing … I don’t think the Zoom meetings are as effective as let’s say individual, and to be in the same room as someone, but I’d rather have that than none,” Reilly said.

Another challenge is boredom, which can be a trigger for individuals working towards sobriety. “Boredom and down time is dangerous for my threeyear- old, but it’s also extremely dangerous for alcoholics and drug addicts,” Reilly said.

LSS Response Fund

Katharine Foley, LSS advisor, public relations, said they are also looking for monetary donations towards their Response Fund, created in response to the coronavirus.

The LSS Response Fund helps counselors provide direct support to the over 5,000 people who rely on LSS, including families that may not have access to mental health counseling, addiction recovery, affordable housing, daytime shelter, food and more.

Foley said the LSS Response Fund helps with many of the needs they are working to solve.

“Some of the families just need a gas card so the parents can still work, or they need additional school supplies to help keep their kids busy,” she said. “For housing, if it is additional food for the week just to get by if they have to pay their rent check.”

The fund has a $25,000 fundraising goal set and has raised just under $5,000 so far.

To donate masks, Waukesha residents can sew cloth masks and donate them to either the Cephas House or the Genesis House. To donate cloth masks, people can email donorservices@lsswis. org.

To donate to the LSS Response Fund, people can visit lsswis.org/LSS/lssresponsefund. For questions related to services offered, people can call 414-246-2300.

“This is the safest place for people with a substance use disorder to be right now,” Reilly said.

Positive Avenues will remain open during COVID-19 pandemic

LSS President & CEO named UMOS Hispanic Man of the Year

President and CEO Héctor Colón Named 2019 BizTimes Nonprofit Executive of the Year