Voices United

Chef Deborah trusted her gut and lives her dreams

Chef Deborah Spriggs-Ross (L) with friend and mentor Thelma Sias

February 18, 2020

During Black History Month and all year long, we celebrate local individuals who are paving the way for the next generation of community leaders of color. Looking to get involved and make a difference? Learn more about the work of United Way's Diversity Leadership Society, Boys & Men of Color initiative, and work in Reducing Barriers to Employment for local, diverse individuals.

Chef Deborah Spriggs-Ross trusted her gut when it told her she should be her own boss.

“I knew that if I came out of culinary school and worked for a male chef, making $8 an hour, I would not have the same story,” says Deborah.

>>Continue Reading

More than a food pantry

January 30, 2020

Written by Meghan Marsden Parsche, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County volunteer blogger

Food is not only a basic human need, it is a source of comfort and an important part of social connectivity and human bonding. So for members of the community experiencing food insecurity, how and where they access food is important.

This is one of the driving philosophies for Friedens Community Ministries, Milwaukee’s largest network of food pantries and a longtime United Way partner.

>>Continue Reading

We Remember Henry Monaco

December 9, 2019

Henry Monaco knew the value of the word “community.” As a past president of United Way of Greater Milwaukee for 13 years, and 29 years of service at United Way, Henry knew that there was power in bringing people to together to make a difference in the lives of so many in our neighborhoods.

>>Continue Reading

Cold Weather Resource Guide

November 13, 2019

As temperatures drop, please share this important information about warming rooms with folks who may benefit. We will continue to share updates on warming room resources throughout the cold-weather season.

>>Continue Reading

Modernizing expungement law in Wisconsin

September 26, 2019

Written in partnership with Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, and Waukesha County Business Alliance

How do you measure the power of a job? For many, it’s measured in dollars and cents—money needed to pay for everyday expenses like housing, food, education and insurance.

For others, the power of a job goes much further than money. It’s about value and worth. It’s about confidence, empowerment and living with a purpose.

>>Continue Reading

Friendship & Food Trucks

LINC volunteers and members of the Harry & Rose Samson Family JCC "Chaverim" program

September 6, 2019

At United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, we love connecting people with unique opportunities to give back to their community. 

In Hebrew, the word “chaverim” means “friends,” and friendship was the theme at a recent LINC event. 

>>Continue Reading

Lifelong Learning through Volunteerism

Gary Sprong

July 1, 2019

Written by Meghan Marsden Parsche, United Way volunteer blogger

Many people end up using skills they developed in their careers by volunteering in retirement. But for Gary Sprong, it was a desire to learn something new in retirement that inspired him to volunteer.

>>Continue Reading

Podcast: Fatherhood

Hopkins Lloyd Community School parent Bobby McKnight with daughter Nivea and grandson Isaac.

June 19, 2019

Listen Now (00:25:35)

Happy Father's Day! In this episode, we celebrate the love, hard work, and quality time that local dads give to their children and explore the ways that being a dad has changed, and all the ways it never will.

>>Continue Reading

Gail Lione finds Strength in Numbers with Women United

Gail Lione (left) and Linda Mellowes at the 2019 Women United Bruncheon event

May 15, 2019

Congratulations to Gail Lione on winning the 2019 Linda T. Mellowes Women Leader of the Year Award!

Gail Lione is a powerful leader and passionate advocate for women, both personally and professionally. As Chair of the Women United Global Leadership Council for United Way Worldwide, Gail leads a global force of 75,000+ women dedicated to creating a world of opportunity for everyone.

>>Continue Reading

Podcast: The Power of a Job

April 23, 2019

Listen Now (00:31:43)

How do you measure the power of a job? For many, it’s gauged in dollars and cents, money needed to pay for everyday expenses: housing, food, education, and insurance. For others, the power of a job goes much further than money; it’s about value and worth, about confidence, empowerment, and living with a purpose.

>>Continue Reading

Milwaukee Named My Brother’s Keeper Alliance “Community to Watch”

From left: Mike Peeples, Shannon Reed, and Donovan Hemphill

April 19, 2019

We are proud to announce that Milwaukee was recently named a My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBKA) “Community to Watch.”

President Barack Obama launched My Brother’s Keeper in 2014 to address the persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and to ensure all youth can reach their full potential.

>>Continue Reading

The Vello Experience

A student reads with a virtual volunteer through Vello.

March 12, 2019

Written by Patrice Burrell, Vello Volunteer

I always loved working with students and supporting them in the classroom. In the past, I volunteered as a classroom assistant and I had been looking for ways to get involved with children in school once again. I was intrigued when I discovered an opportunity to become an online literacy tutor. It was something new and different for me, and the idea of being able to help a child learn to read really spoke to me.

I wanted to learn more.

>>Continue Reading

Celebrating Black History 365 Days a Year

February 28, 2019

Written by Linda McFerrin, retired Vice President of Resource Development at United Way

February is Black History Month, an opportunity for people to learn about the numerous, significant contributions that Black Americans have made - and are still making - in every aspect of our daily lives.

But Black History Month does not end for me on February 28 -- I try to celebrate it 365 days a year. There are so many things that Black Americans have done to make contributions to our world, things we use every day, things that make our lives easier, and things we take for granted. For example (and thank you to Judge Derek Mosley for sharing this story on Facebook), a Black American woman named Gladys West was part of the original team of engineers who developed the Global Positioning System (GPS), something that is used in every segment of this global society. We would literally be “lost” without Ms. West’s contributions.

>>Continue Reading

Celebrating Incredible Community Members at Annual Meeting

(From left) Jackie Herd-Barber, Ilona Abrahamson, and Vincent Lyles

February 22, 2019

On February 21, 2019, United Way held our Annual Meeting. This event allows donors and stakeholders an opportunity to see how their investment is being put to work in the community.

One of our favorite parts of this event is the presentation of the Gwen T. Jackson Community Service Award, the John A. Puelicher Award for Loaned Executive Excellence, and the Linda McFerrin Award for African American Nonprofit Leadership. Meet this year’s winners!

>>Continue Reading

How United Way Responds to Urgent Needs

February 7, 2019

Written by Nicole Angresano, vice president of Community Impact at United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

When the community needs a hand, United Way is here to help.

In addition to investing year-round in local programs and initiatives, our team at United Way responds to urgent community needs with financial and volunteer support when and where it’s needed most.

When temperatures plummeted well below freezing last week, I reached out to our program partners to determine how we could support their critical work. These are nonprofit agencies that provide a safe, warm bed for individuals with no place to stay; nutritious meals to individuals and families in transition; and so much more.

>>Continue Reading