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Official Government
Communication
Week of March 5th-11th
Dear
Friend,
There is a
lot happening at the State Capitol and it is my hope that this email will
help you stay in touch with your government. As your Senator, I truly
believe in public service. If there is anything my office can do to
assist you, please feel free to contact us.
Here to
serve,
Sen. Lena
Taylor
4th
District
School
Nutrition Association Advocacy Day
 On Wednesday I joined my colleague
Representative Joan Ballweg to address students
and faculty who work to promote nutrition and wellbeing in our schools.
The event, hosted by the School Nutrition Association (SNA) and Wisconsin
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (WAND), was a great opportunity to
talk about some of the programs I’ve supported, and
discuss the ways in which nutrition and wellness are cornerstones
of my LOVE&FAITH Initiative. The event was a fantastic opportunity for
students who are just entering the field to learn about the ways they can
work with legislators like myself to accomplish an agenda that benefits
us all. It was great discussing the work we’ve accomplished so far as
well as our mutual priorities for the next legislative session, such as
extending school breakfast programs and bringing the farm to table
movement into our state’s cafeterias. I was thrilled to have the chance
to talk to such an enthusiastic crowd about LOVE&FAITH, a passion
project of mine that in addition to creating paths to employment and
wellness, seeks to encourage urban agriculture and remind students of the
health benefits of growing their own food.
Relationship
Skill Building Workshop
 On Saturday, I’ll be attending the
Relationship Skill Building (RSB) Workshop facilitated by the New Mount
Olive R.E.A.C.H Initiative. This event serves to connect workers in the
trade industries, such as bricklayers, laborers and iron workers, with
more African Americans and underrepresented families within our
communities. Interested individuals will have the opportunity to learn
the basic introductory skills and tools useful for becoming trades
persons. They will also be hosting a meet and greet with other
tradespersons to hear the stories of those who have had built a
successful career out of their skills.
In order for our community to thrive, it’s important that we provide
opportunities for everyone to pursue their interests. In Milwaukee, and
the state more broadly, we have a shortage of skilled workers from
Wisconsin. I truly believe that the work of a skilled trade is both
fulfilling and gives back to the community. Through my LOVE&FAITH
Initiative, I hope to get rid of barriers that can prevent an individual
from being employed. By providing underrepresented communities with the
tools necessary to gain meaningful employment, we eliminate these
barriers. Workshops and training initiatives like RSB provide these
opportunities, much like the hubs I am working to create around Milwaukee
that will connect people with job training and resources.
Visiting
Milwaukee Math and Science Academy
 Earlier today I had the
pleasure of sitting down with some of the lovely young people
at the Milwaukee Math and Science Academy. We had a great time
reading from one of my favorite books, Farmer
Will Allen and The Growing Table. It’s the story of Will’s
transition from professional basketball player to farmer and spreads
awareness about everyone’s ability to grow their own food. The students
loved learning about and eating the fresh food that Will wants to see on
everyone’s table, and I enjoyed the chance to encourage them to visit a
farm!
Girl
Scouts Visit
 On Wednesday some of Milwaukee’s
finest stopped by our office to talk about some of the ways they hope to
get involved with the legislative process. I’m talking of course about
the young ladies in our state’s Girl Scout troops! I was blown away by
both the thoughtfulness the young ladies brought to incredibly important
issues. Specifically, we discussed the ways in which the #MeToo movement as well as suicide prevention and
awareness affect them and their peers. The girls’ passion and willingness
to take such issues head-on was truly inspiring, and I hope I get the
chance to work with them in the future.
Learning
About Project Central Voice
 On Tuesday I attended a presentation by Project
Central Voice (PCV) at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. The goal of
PCV is to come up with new ideas for how we can
provide Milwaukee residents with opportunities in education,
employment and overall self-improvement. It was particularly
informative to see the feedback from residents combined with the data
that PVC had collected. There is no better way to learn about the
problems our communities face than by hearing from residents themselves.
I look forward to using the information from PVC to tackle local
issues as we prepare for the next legislative session.
Gretchen
Mead Meeting
On Wednesday, I had a chance to meet with the folks
over at Victory Gardens to talk about Urban Agriculture, orchards care
and maintenance, the purpose and potential of Wisconsin’s Fast Forward
Grants, worker training opportunities and my Love and Faith initiative to
create ease of access to services and resources. Victory Garden is
and initiative that works to build communities capacity to grow their own
food, creating a community-based, socially just, environmentally
sustainable, nutritious food system for all.
Rise
and Grind
 This week, I attended a lunch at
Rise and Grind Cafe to support the company opening a second location in
the space formerly occupied by Growing Power Cafe in Bronzeville.
If you haven’t been to the eatery, you should definitely stop by and meet
the owners Larina Hightower and Baboonie Tatum. It is great to see the steady
economic development and growth in the area, particularly since the
business has healthy food choices to include vegan items among their
regular menu. The owners, both former educators, also plan to offer
classes on healthy eating and meal planning.
Madison
Seminar Project Interview and Upcoming Panel Discussion on Corrections
 On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of
being interviewed by a Janesville high school senior, who will writing an
editorial for the Janesville Gazette on the issue of Wisconsin’s
Incarceration Dilemma Among Minorities. The interviewer’s thoughtful
questions centered around the overrepresentation of communities of color
in correctional facilities, including the causes, impact, and the work
being done to address Wisconsin’s abysmal record on African-American
incarceration. As a part of my work on the issue, I also
participated in a planning call with fellow legislators, Representatives Crowley, Bowen, and Goyke
regarding a panel discussion we are hosting on March 19, 2018 at
5:30pm at St Mark Church (1616 W. Atkinson Street, Milwaukee) regarding
juvenile justice reform and the closure of Lincoln Hills juvenile
facility.
Intern
Spotlight
Each week, Isaac Alter, a communications intern in my Capitol
office, writes a short feature on fellow intern working in the office.
Take it away Isaac!
 Allison Retzlaff
is a casework intern in Senator Taylor’s Capitol office. Allison is from
Brookfield, Wisconsin and is a junior at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, where she is majoring in economics and
entrepreneurship. Allison also has a passion for law and plans on going
to Law School following her undergraduate studies. She said she is
interested in a law degree because there is a shortage of people in the
profession who can provide the expertise needed in serious situations.
Allison wanted to work in Senator Taylor’s office so she could get a
“behind-the-scenes” look at how laws are created as well as gain
experience working with constituents. So far, her favorite part of
working in Senator Taylor’s office has been getting to learn a lot about
the issues of people who contact the Senator’s office, and what can be
done to assist them.
Constituent
Spotlight
This week one of my constituents, Monty Sanford, was featured in Wisconsin
Achievers, which highlights success stories of Wisconsin students.
Monty is a junior at Cardinal Stritch
University and is pursuing a career as an actor. Monty had a windy road
to get to where he is now, and was able to pursue his education with the
help of a Wisconsin Grant. Monty is a great example of what can happen
when you work hard and pursue your dreams. I look forward to seeing his
acting career take off!
Community
Action Alerts
It's Still Cold!
Call The Salvation Army To Get A Free Winter Coat
MILWAUKEE COUNTY - Do you know anyone that needs a free coat this winter?
Winter coats are being distributed to residents in need at The Salvation
Army Distribution Center, 5880 North 60th St., in Milwaukee this month.
About 9,500 coats were collected, through donations, in November and
December 2017.
Coats will be distributed from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through
Friday, from now until March 31, 2018. Residents should call 414-464-2940
to make an appointment.
Milwaukee Social
Security Administration Office Closing
On March 22, 2018, the Social
Security Administration (SSA) plans to close the SSA office located at
1710 S 7th St, known to the community as the Mitchell Street
office. This closure will leave no remaining offices serving Milwaukee’s
Southside.
Three SSA Office Buildings remain in
the city. They are located at the following addresses..
Milwaukee Downtown SSA Office
310 W Wisconsin Ave #260
Milwaukee, WI - 53203
Phone Number: 800-772-1213
Milwaukee West SSA Office
5020 West North Ave
Milwaukee, WI - 53208
Phone Number: 800-772-1213
Milwaukee North SSA Office
6300 W Fond Du Lac Ave
Milwaukee, WI - 53218
Phone Number: 800-772-1213
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