From the desk of the Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. CEO: |
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Why the Increase in Violent Crimes?
In 2021 the city of Milwaukee set a record for the second year in a row with an alarming homicide number of 194 people. This surpassed the number of 190 people in 2020. The number of non-fatal shootings also surged to record levels in the city of Milwaukee with 444 in 2019 and 797 in 2020. Overall crime in America has risen sharply since the pandemic. Many of us wonder “who or what is to blame” when it comes to the sharp increase in the number of homicides and violent crimes across the country.
According to some criminologists, this recent increase is caused by one of several factors: pandemic related stress; racial conflicts exacerbated by the murder of George Floyd; the increase in the number of retiring police officers; and criminals having too much time on their hands. We know the influence that significant and prolonged childhood trauma has on the developing brain, as well as adolescent and adult functioning or dysfunction. The four factors identified here have no doubt exacerbated a problem that most major urban communities have experienced recently.
On Tuesday, July 12th, WCS, in collaboration with Scaling Wellness In Milwaukee (SWIM), film director and producer Giuseppe (Joe) Fazari, Ph.D, and Marquette University, will explore another causative factor of violence. The group will host a community viewing and discussion of the film, Why They Kill. Following the viewing, Joe Fazari will discuss the topics and research included in the documentary. He will also relate esteemed criminologist Lonnie Athens’ violentization theory on childhood trauma and the Milwaukee community.
Based on the critically acclaimed book by the Pulitzer Prize winning author, Richard Rhodes, Why They Kill is an award-winning documentary that explores how violent criminals develop, how violent communities are created and transformed, and how violent acts are committed and prevented. The film addresses and highlights the importance of the intersection among community organizations and institutions; including courts, schools, police, and families and the need for these critical stakeholders to collaborate in an individual’s developmental period.
Please join us on Tuesday, July 12 th, from 1:30 to 4:30 pm at Marquette University’s Varsity Theatre for an important viewing and discussion of Why They Kill. Please click here to register. |
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WCS Recognizes Two "Friend of the Friendless" Awardees
In 2001, WCS established the Friend of the Friendless Award to recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to meeting the needs of those who have been marginalized in our community. This year WCS is proud to honor two individuals, Brian McBride and Chuck Schumacher, with the 2022 WCS Friend of the Friendless Award.
Brian McBride has dedicated himself to advocating for children, young adults, and families in Milwaukee County for more than 20 years. Throughout this time, Brian has been a valuable member of the Wraparound Milwaukee Team, serving as a Care Coordinator, Supervisor, Program Manager, Interim Director, and currently, the Director of Children’s Community Mental Health & Wraparound Milwaukee. In this role, he has led the way with community-based programming and planning and empowered partners, like WCS, to provide individualized services and support. There is no doubt that Brian has positively impacted the lives of countless youth and their families through his dedication and vision as he has been an instrumental part of the success of many initiatives. These include launching the first episode psychosis program (CORE); developing the O-YEAH program; implementing Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) for youth and young adults; and growing Peer Specialist Services in Milwaukee County. While always remaining focused on the needs of individuals, Brian has been creative in his work to develop new ways to meet the community’s changing needs, such as advocating for Youth Crisis Stabilization facilities and individualized placement resources and enhancing services for children and families.
Chuck Schumacher has been a strong and effective advocate for providing previously incarcerated individuals with a second chance. As the Finance and Administration Manager of the city of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) since 2015, Chuck has worked closely with WCS to meet DPW’s seasonal needs for sanitation crews and other miscellaneous work crews by training and placing individuals enrolled in the WCS Employment and Training Services program, most of whom have recently returned to the community after incarceration. Chuck has also arranged for WCS’ Commercial License Permit graduates to obtain their CDL certification while working with the city of Milwaukee. Because gaining meaningful training or finding family-sustaining employment with a criminal record can be incredibly difficult, these opportunities have been life-changing for many of the participants. Through the years, Chuck has more than demonstrated his commitment to making sure that the city of Milwaukee does its part to give returning citizens a chance to gain valuable work skills and establish a positive work record. He has consistently and tirelessly advocated for WCS participants at the city’s Community and Economic Development Committee meetings and when engaging with public officials. Thanks in great part to Chuck’s advocacy and efforts, WCS has placed more than 700 individuals with the City of Milwaukee, and more than 90% of these workers retained their position for at least 45 days. |
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Jorge Franco and Natasha King Join the WCS Board of Directors
WCS recently welcomed two new members to its board of directors, Jorge Franco and Natasha King.
Jorge Franco is the chairman, president, and chief executive of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin and the co-chairman and chief executive of the United States Economic and Workforce Leadership Coalition, which is based in Washington, DC. He leads the U.S. Coalition’s Career and Workforce Leadership Fund Initiative. This initiative aims at training and placing those in the low-and-moderate income (LMI) workforce into higher paying careers. Mr. Franco has advised and has presented innovative LMI upward mobility public policy for more than 25 years to executive-level leaders of the nation’s largest banks, the White House, both chambers of the U.S. Congress, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the FDIC, the CFPB, and the Federal Trade Commission. In addition to national and local boards of directors, Mr. Franco has served on numerous Milwaukee area boards of directors. We are honored to have Mr. Franco join our Board of Directors!
Natasha King has over 15 years of executive leadership and direct service experience in several fields, including human resources, operations, and management. Throughout her career, Natasha has had a significant impact at the non-profits where she has worked. Most recently, she was the Vice President of Compliance & Chief People and Culture Officer at Family Peace Center in Milwaukee. In this role she helped lead the Family Peace Center’s Culture Design Initiative, developed the organization’s DEI plan, and led the organization’s pandemic response plan. With her expertise in strategic and succession planning, operations, and performance management, Natasha is now proud to be a Human Resources Consultant. We are excited to welcome Natasha to the WCS Board of Directors. |
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WCS 110th Anniversary Fun Facts
During its 110-year history, Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. has changed its name three times, but never its mission. - Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. (2003 to the Present)
- Wisconsin Correctional Service (1965 to 2003)
- The Wisconsin Service Association (1941 to 1965)
- The Society for the Friendless (1912 to 1941)
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Career Opportunities at WCS
WCS is looking for kind and hardworking individuals for the following positions:
Care Coordinator – Wraparound Program If you are a kind and empathetic team player who wishes to help youth and young adults with identified mental health and life needs, then this is the job for you! The Care Coordinator will work with participants in the Wraparound Program to assist them through the court-ordered programs of REACH and O’Yeah. They will monitor the quality of services that individuals are receiving, be an advocate for them across a variety of settings, and seek community resources to assist them while in the program. Qualified candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of education or human services, have a minimum of one year of experience providing mental health services and complete 85 hours of mandatory training on the Wraparound philosophy and policies.
Case Manager - Community Support Program (CSP) WCS is searching for an organized, independent, compassionate person who has experience working with individuals who have mental health needs to take on the role of a Case Manager in the Community Support Program. The Case Manager will provide treatment planning, symptom management, medication monitoring, and crisis intervention to participants in the program who have serious and persistent mental health needs and co-occurring substance use. Qualified applicants must have a bachelor's or master's degree in behavioral science; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic, and disability concerns; and knowledge of DSM V and psychotropic medications and their side effects.
Youth Care Workers (Part and Full-Time) – Youth Shelter Care Are you passionate about working with youth and want to serve as a mentor? Then this position is for you! The Youth Care Worker provides supervision of the young people placed in the WCS Youth Shelter Care Program, a 24/7 residential setting. This includes implementing the daily schedule of activities, providing group educational activities, recreational activities, following up individually with youth, and serving as a mentor and role model. Applicants need to have at least three years of experience with youth. Weekends are required. |
| Since 2002, WCS has awarded 26 individuals and organizations with the honor of the Friend of the Friendless Award. Awardees include former WCS employees, politicians, activists, and non-profit organizations. |
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Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. 3732 West Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 320 Milwaukee, WI 53208 Phone: 414-290-0400 Fax: 414-271-4605
Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. (WCS) advocates for justice and community safety, providing innovative opportunities for individuals to overcome adversity.
WCS is a 501(c) 3 non-profit agency that provides services in southeastern Wisconsin. WCS has been serving the community successfully for over 110 years. |
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