Green & Growing program 2022

Green & Growing program 2022

A FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN MILWAUKEE’S AMANI NEIGHBORHOOD

LUNCH | ENTERTAINMENT | AWARDS

WELCOME TO GREEN & GROWING CHECK-IN & RAFFLE • SILENT AUCTION (closes at 1:30pm) • PHOTO STATION

LUNCH IS SERVED (12:25pm)

INVOCATION Sr. Mary Howard Johnstone, OP • Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa Long-serving Dominican Center Board Director

ENTERTAINMENT All Saints Gospel Choir

AWARDS

GIFTS OF LOVE

AWARDS

CLOSING REMARKS

EMCEE Tony Atkins, TMJ-4 GREEN & GROWING EVENT COMMITTEE Connie Kordsmeier, President of DC Board of Directors, Event Chair Maricha Harris, DC Executive Director Jan Wagner, Vice President of DC Board of Directors Christina Chronister, DC Communications Specialist Morgan Sass, Safe & Sound Development & Communications Coordinator Nikki Wilson, Expert Institute Customer Success Specialist Katie Bell Sparks, President of Sparks Collaborate Results, LLC VIDEOGRAPHER Chris Siegel of Chris Siegel Multi Media, https://www.chrissiegelmm.com

Donate to Help Reach Our Goal! https://www.DominicanCenter.givesmart.com All proceeds will support Dominican Center’s mission to work with residents and partners to build a better future in Amani Buy a Planter and Watch It Grow!

Take home a centerpiece! To purchase a planter click: https://bit.ly/DCPLANTER Grown in the DC’s hydro- ponics lab, these plants rep- resent our progress and our growth toward the future.

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR

Northwestern Mutual serves more than 4.9 million clients and was voted No. 1 best life insurance company. Find out more at https://www.northwesternmutual.com. The North- western Mutual Foundation believes in a vibrant and diverse Milwaukee and is committed to improving education and revitalizing our neighborhoods. The Foundation has invested more than $28 million to Milwaukee through our neighborhoods, education and volunteer- ing efforts. Find out more at https://www.northwesternmutual-foundation.com

THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM SPONSOR

The Brewers Community Founda- tion harnesses the pride, passion and commitment of Brewers fans, players and other supporters to positively impact the lives of chil- dren and their families in Greater Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Over the past decade, the BCF has generated more than $42 million to support local non-profits in the areas of health, education, recreation, ba- sic needs and social justice issues. Approximately 200 non-profit orga- nizations receive funding annually. https://www.brewers.com/BCF for more information.

THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSOR

American Family Insurance is a Wisconsin company that provides not only insurance, but resources to support their customers. In 2020 the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation donated $10 million dollars, $2.5 million in grants and $6.8 million in COVID relief. Their mission is to inspire, protect and restore dreams by creating more equitable communities. Visit https://www.amfam.com for more information.

THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSOR

Connie and John give generously to several local non-profit organizations that support the arts, neighborhood safety in Milwaukee and community revitalization. Connie Kordsmeier is currently the President of the Dominican Center Board and has been on the Board since 2016. She has also chaired the Event Planning Committee and the fundraising luncheon since 2018.

THANK YOU TO OUR MEDIA SPONSOR

THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSOR

Milwaukee’s TMJ4 News brings viewers breaking and developing news, weather, traffic and sports coverage from the Mil- waukee area and across Wisconsin. The TV station, with studios on Capitol Drive in Milwaukee, has been on local airwaves as TMJ4 since 1941. The news station, with resident-geared programming, re- mains an integral part of Milwaukee. Visit https://www.tmj4.com for information.

For more than 160 years, PNC Bank has been committed to providing clients with great service and powerful financial expertise to help them meet their goals. The PNC Foundation’s priority is to form partnerships with community-based non-profits within the areas of early education, arts and culture and economic development. Visit https://www.pnc.com for more information.

THANK YOU TO OUR UNDERWRITERS & SUPPORTERS

THANK YOU TO OUR TABLE SPONSORS

Luncheon Menu SERVED BY WISCONSIN CLUB’S SCRATCH KITCHEN WISCONSIN CLUB SALAD Iceberg, Mesclun and Romaine lettuce accented with grape tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots, and champagne balsamic vinaigrette, topped with garlic basil croutons. Served with fresh-baked rolls, coffee and tea

APPLE CRAISIN CHICKEN SCALOPPINI Breast of chicken scaloppini served over rice pilaf with apple craisin relish, chicken velouté sauce and fresh vegetable medley

VEGETARIAN STUFFED SHELLS (ALTERNATIVE ENTREE) Ricotta, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese blend with seasoned spinach, stuffed into pasta shells, baked in Asiago cream and topped with marinara and herbed bread crumbs

Browse & Bid Our Auction! BID ON THESE ITEMS AND MORE! ALL PROCEEDS SUPPORT AMANI RESIDENTS. ONLINE AUCTION CLOSES AT 1:30PM

Brompton Folding Bike

OP COM Hydroponics Unit

Fabulous Fireworks Experience

Wisconsin State Fair Package

Full Service Salon Package

Deluxe Tool Set

Winner? Pick Up Your Prize! Check out ONLINE and skip the line! Visit www.DominicanCenter.Givesmart.com and choose PAY at the top of the page. Then check out and show your purchase to the Auction Attendant to pick up your prize.

If you’d like help paying for your Auction Item or you’d like to use cash or check , visit the Check Out Table .

OUR HISTORY The Dominican Center was founded in 1995 by Sinsinawa Dominicans Sr. Ann Halloran, OP, and Sr. Anne-Marie Doyle, OP, as a holistic approach to education and women’s programs in the Amani neighborhood. In 2012, the Obama administration launched the Building Neighborhood Capacity Program (BNCP) to catalyze community-driven change in neighborhoods that have historically faced barriers to revitalization (including poverty and underlying critical issues of educa- tion, employment, housing, health and safety).Through the BNCP, the Dominican Center was designated as the neighborhood partner, or “anchor” for the neighborhood, to sup- port resident decision-making and involvement in the program. Over the past 25 years, the role of the Dominican Center has shifted from an organization that provides services to one that also convenes partners together with residents in sup- port of its priority areas of safety; housing and economic development; and education and family well-being. OUR MISSION Dominican Center works with Amani residents and partners to build a better future. OUR APPROACH People’s lives are powerfully shaped by the neighborhoods in which they live. The Domin- ican Center believes Amani residents are closest to the solutions needed to revitalize the neighborhood. But they can’t do it alone. We are all interconnected and impacted by the challenges faced in the Amani neighborhood. Our work supports resident-led efforts to create positive social change, and we need your help to achieve our vision. Serving Amani Residents Since 1995

Amani Sankofa Honoring DC award winners with an art piece representing Amani: “A neighborhood with a rich history and a thriving future”

mani means peace in the Swahili language. Together, residents and partners are working to bring peace back to the Amani neighborhood. This work of art, which was created by an artist who was raised in Amani, represents a reflection of Amani’s past and our collective aspirations for Amani’s future. The street is a one-point perspective of the block that the artist – Allison Westbrook – grew up on. It is from the perspective of a person standing in the middle of the street looking towards the future. This viewpoint represents the future aspirations that we are working to achieve.

“go back and get it.” This symbolism reflects our aspiration that, one day, Amani will once again be a thriving neighborhood. Centered in the path is a familial representa- tion of the people who call the Amani neigh- borhood home – the residents who represent generations. They are centered because they are at the heart of our work. There is a radi- ant light surrounding the family, and they are walking down the path towards our future. This underscores our aspiration that, one day, the families in Amani will once again thrive. In the years to come, we will be able to pro- claim, “Amani is a thriving neighborhood of

choice because together we have helped restore the community.”

The Amani neighborhood was once thriving. Residents were employed and owned their homes. When Milwau- kee’s manufacturing fortune waned in the 60’s, the neigh- borhood started to decline. The housing and mortgage crisis of 2008 further dis- tressed the neighborhood. The black swans located on the street represent this history while also depicting

About the Artist Allison Westbrook was born and raised on Milwaukee’s North side within the Amani neighborhood. He and his family lived in the shadow of the old A.O. Smith factory. The street view in this work of art is the actual block Allison grew up on. As a

our hope for the future. In short, the black swans symbolize an unpredictable or unfore- seen event, usually one with extreme conse- quences. This representation acknowledges the decades of divestment and marginalizing systems that contribute to today’s chal- lenges. Moreover, the birds are craning their necks back and eating eggs in the style of the Andinkra symbol, Sankofa, which means to

kid (the second youngest of nine) art was his way of making sense of the world; it fed his curiosity and gave him the confidence to be challenged by new ideas and it helped shine a light on the dark around him. As an adult, he is even more thankful for this gift because it aids in finding the metaphors in this ever more complex world when things seem to make no sense at all.

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FOUNDERS AWARD WINNER Dominican Sisters Founded Center Founding Sisters built foundations for resident-led education and programming at Dominican Center

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n 1995, Sr. Ann Halloran, OP and Sr. Ann-Marie Doyle, OP, founded the Dominican Center for Women, Inc., as a holistic approach to education and wom- en’s programs in the Amani neighborhood of Milwaukee. By addressing the needs of women, they hoped to make positive change in the dis- tressed area. They began with an adult literacy program for women. Through the years, the DC has been responsive to the changing needs of the community. It now serves both men and women of all ages. Programs have expanded to include GED preparation, financial literacy, job skills, home ownership, health and safety. In addition to the founding Sisters, others from the congregation have served at the Domini- can Center. Sr. Mary Howard Johnstone (pic- tured at left with founding Sisters) was there at the founding of DC and continues to serve as a Board Director. Most recently, Sr. Patricia Rogers, OP lead Dominican Center for a decade and dedicated her career to supporting change in Amani. “It’s

being with the people, not over the people,” she said. “It’s not just a chair at the table, it has to be a voice and a vote.” During her leadership, DC supported leaders of Amani United, was key in the resident-led movement to revitalize Moody Park, was recog- nized for lower crime in Amani, held cleanups and mobile food pantries, and worked with Northwestern Mutual and other Amani partners to start the Block by Block initiative. In addition, DC became the anchor for the White House Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa have made a lasting footprint in Amani and their founding ideals will be upheld in the neigh- borhood through Dominican Center’s growing future. The Dominican Center honors the Dominican Center for Women, Inc. founders and their congregation, The Dominican Sisters of Sin- sinawa, for the founding of the Center and the foundations they built for generations of Amani residents and the Center that serves in their neighborhood.

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FOUNDERS AWARD WINNER Sr.Mary Menke Inspired Students One of DC’s longest-serving tutors remembered as inspiring teacher who ‘loved hard’

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r. Mary Menke, CSA, was one of the longest-serving tutors in the Dominican Center’s Adult Education Program. She often helped the Education Director Barbara Wells with the program as well as the students and Dominican Center staff. “She was passionate about educating others,” said Wells. “Her love for God graced her to serve where many would not venture. Dedi- cated and selfless she was.” One of the DC Adult Education students that Sr. Mary’s worked with often is Mia Hughes. “She had a good heart for people she loved, and when she loved, she loved hard,” said Hughes. “She sat down with me and had a lot of confidence in me when I had a wall up.” Sr. Mary made an impression on countless students, but she also was beloved by fellow tutors. “When I started here, Sr. Mary was just a stalwart at Dominican Center,” Said Kathleen McKeown, a tutor at the Center who started ten years ago. “It’s been so hard to imagine the place without her.... She was the first one here ... she always had her lesson planned out.

Sr. Mary would get to know the students so well and find out what they needed.” Sr. Mary was born in Milwaukee and graduat- ed from Messmer High School in Milwaukee and entered the St. Agnes Convent in Fond du Lac. She graduated from Marian College in Fond du Lac in 1969 with a BS in Education and continued her own education with theological studies throughout her years as an educa- tor. She taught at several primary schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and New York. After retiring, she started volunteering at the Dominican Center, where she spent more than a decade giving one-on one tutor support to about 100 students each year. The Dominican Center honors Sr. Mary Menke, Csa, because of her dedication and connec- tion to DC Adult Education students. When DC founders first came to Amani, they listened to the women of the neighborhood and asked them what they needed. Together they started the Adult Education Program. They wanted to educate themselves to better their families. Sr. Mary spent countless ours individually support- ing students building their own futures.

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE FOUNDERS AWARD WINNER Dr.Carter Worked to Make Amani Well A Milwaukee icon and Wisconsin’s trailblazing, longest- serving Black pharmacist, serving within Amani since 1968

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r. Lester Carter and his legendary bow tie have inspired places and people all over Amani. He has a park named after him, an honorary street sign and the pharmacy that he consulted at until his passing still sits in the neighborhood. He founded his first phar- macy in Amani at 24th and Burleigh in 1968. The Carter Drug Store was the only Black owned pharmacy in Milwaukee. He dedicated his career and life to provide people with the information and medication for the very best quality of life. He also was committed to the community and the city he served. Dr. Carter served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war, then graduated from the Creigh- ton University pharmacy school. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Medical Science from the Medical College of Wiscon- sin. He also published Healing the Human Body with God’s Remedies, a piece that supports his holistic approach to health using natural products and remedies. Dr. Carter passed away this year at the age of 90. His presence is still very much alive in Amani and beyond.

Dennis Walton, a lifelong Amani resident, said, “Dr. Carter was not only a friend to many people in our community, a healer over all, but a father to many of us when we were young. And he was the most influential men I ever had a chance to meet.” Rep. David Bowen said on Twitter, “After a ful- filling life of impacting the Milwaukee commu- nity and Wisconsin’s health system as the 1st Black Pharmacist, the legend Dr. Lester Carter has passed. My condolences to his family and all that were impacted by his life! A giant I’m honored I gained wisdom from.” And a statement from the Common Council reads. “He helped improve the overall quality of life for community members, and as we remem- ber his service, we think of his special touch.” The Dominican Center honors Dr. Lester Carter because of his commitment to Amani resi- dents health, education and family well-being. As well as his holistic approach to wellness. An icon in Milwaukee, Dr. Carter inspired Amani residents of all ages and broke barriers in his life, career and strides to build a better future.

CONTINUING THE LEGACY AWARD WINNER Shelley Mathews is Growing Our Future FullCircle26, Inc.’s founder and CEO supporting DC with hydroponics lab, bringing education & enterprise to Amani

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helley Mathews is an innovator and a problem solver and she has held out her hand to lead Dominican Center and Ama- ni residents into the future of urban agriculture. Shelley was led back to her childhood school (St. Leo’s was formerly housed in the DC building) as a solution to the challenges of urban farming and the accessibility to fresh produce. In 2019 she, and the company she founded FullCircle26 Inc., partnered with DC and began to build the organization’s hydroponics lab. “When I first met with the DC and Amani United team, a young man said, ‘People wonder why there is so much craziness in 53206 ... it’s from our children being raised with lead in their sys- tems (from non-removal of lead pipes) and no access to fresh produce.’” Shelley said. “He saw hydroponics as a solution and his statements confirmed my mission, purpose and the dedica- tion of our FullCircle26, Inc. team’s efforts.” In 2022, FullCircle26 Inc. (FC26I) marked their five-year anniversary in a business journey from an independent sales contractor to a full service North American sales and distri-

bution organization of AgTech and STEM/ STEAM products. The company is commit- ted to providing access to new plant growing technologies, STEM/STEAM learning tools and training for children thru adults. FC26I will also be launching its non-profit organization Next Generation Harvest with a mission to provide greater access for generational change. Shelley is a true at heart farm girl with the pas- sion to provide a platform for others to expand their entrepreneur spirit. The foundation of FC26I was built on over 30 years of professional sales and marketing positions with top brands in office, electronics, housewares, children’s and art products. All of the skills gained over the years have provided a strong company begin- ning and bright outlook for the future. The Dominican Center honors Shelley Mathews of FullCircle26, Inc. for her work in bringing hydroponics and STEM/STEAM edu- cation to Amani, and for her new approach to feeding the community in a food desert.. She has an undeniable passion for the health and well-being of her community and she is build- ing the future in new and unique ways.

CONTINUING THE LEGACY AWARD WINNER Past, Present, Future of Dominican Center Longtime DC employee ‘Mr. Wes’ serves Amani residents through home rehab, hydroponics and kindness

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r. Wes” grew the centerpieces at the Green & Growing tables, he built the hydroponics lab they were grown in too. And he was the inspiration and the engineer behind Dominican Center’s green vision for the future of health and entrepreneurship in the Amani neighborhood. Wesley Laundry, “Mr. Wes” as he’s called throughout the community, has lived in Milwaukee since 1960 and he’s served the residents of the Amani neighborhood at the Dominican Center since 2001. He has served in many capacities at DC, housing rehab specialist, mentor and hydroponics specialist. When ever someone needs anything – includ- ing a kind word – at the Center, they turn to Mr. Wes. He has cared for the DC building like it is his own home, and he has cared for staff and residents like they are his family. Since 2020 though, he’s taken on another important role: serving the most vulnerable in Amani’s senior population through food pantry delivery and support things like home repairs. “I would do this even if I didn’t work at Domin- ican Center,” Mr. Wes said. “If there’s no one

in the community doing these things, if no one takes the time to help, it won’t get bet- ter. Some of these people don’t have anyone to help them, and I am able to support my community, which I love. I wouldn’t live in any other neighborhood besides [Amani].” Mr. Wes once said that what he does cannot be measured because it is from the heart, but the proof of Mr. Wes’ impact in the community comes from the residents he serves. “I have only known Mr. Wes for about a year since he started delivering food to me, but he is a very friendly man and my sisters and I love him. We told him he could be a part of our family,” said Ms. Johnnie Luckett. The Dominican Center honors Mr. Wesley Landry for being an integral part of DC’s past, present and future. Mr. Wes has a commitment to, and a passion for the care of residents in his community, and he has always put their needs first as the Center has grown and changed to meet the needs in Amani. Mr. Wes’ spirit is seen in the mission of the DC and he is continuing a legacy of compassion, care and innovative thinking.

2470 West Locust Street, Milwaukee, Wisc. 53206 414.444.9930 | https://www.dominican-center.org