Community Service
2020 – 2021 Service Projects
Zonta Club’s Covid-19 Crisis Response – Service and Advocacy initiative
June-Sept 2020
During this Covid-19-disrupted year, we had several service initiatives to help the community during this crisis. Early in the new Club year it was proposed that Club members voluntarily donate the money that they would normally spend for the monthly meeting expenses for those in need, since we were not holding our in-person meetings.
There was discussion about how the Covid-19 crisis is adversely affecting women and families, particularly regarding basic needs, not only health, but also food, shelter and safety with increases in domestic violence, unemployment, and evictions. The Club selected 4 agencies whose resources were stretched due to the crisis and whose mission aligned with ours.
The Club Members raised $2800 for the Foundation during this campaign and donated $700 each to the following four agencies.
- Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative (MHVI)/WOVIN-Women Veterans Initiative – Women veterans and their families; Providing housing and food
- Sojourner Family Peace Center – Women and their families, as domestic violence is spiking in COVID19 crisis. Providing safety, food, housing
- Sixteenth St Health Center – Patient and family-centered medical care and social services, serving largely below poverty level Spanish-speaking population in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties; Open and accepting new patients, need protective equipment
- The Cathedral Center – Primary focus is on women and children, working to end homelessness; Concerned about running out of supplies, basic needs and PPE
We have continued to ask Club Members for their dinner donations to the Foundation throughout this year, to help supplement fund-raising for agency giving and scholarships.
Neu-Life Community Development
We continued to support Neu-Life Community Development’s after school program for children ages 3-18+. The mission of Neu-Life Community Development is to empower children and youth with skills and strategies to make better life choices. It is the belief and philosophy of Neu-Life that basic foundations of personal accountability, responsibility and respect for life can be rebuilt. Service activities included:
Back-to-School Backpack Drive
June-July 2020
- The Club provided backpacks filled with supplies for a total of 100 students: 80 elementary and 20 middle-school with all their necessary supplies to start off the school year. Members donated items or money and the remaining cost was covered by Foundation funds. Thanks to all shoppers, donators, those who may have gotten discounts and/or donations, coordinator Pam Knackert and delivery by Donna Conant.
Holiday Gifts Drive
Nov-Dec 2020
- The Zonta Club of Milwaukee expressed their interest and commitment to again support the children of Neu-Life Community Development with holiday gifts. The Neu-Life’s Holiday Gift Drive was “powered by” Target and administered through online shopping. Neu-Life identified items on a Target gift registry for members of the Zonta Club of Milwaukee and other groups to purchase for the children. Zonta members purchased approximately 45 gifts with a value of $25 each.
Blanket Project, in conjunction with a larger Initiative across Zonta
Dec 2020-Feb 2021
When the women and families leave the Cathedral Center shelter, they are given a set of sheets and a blanket to take with them. As part of a larger “blanket project” across Zonta District 6, we selected the Cathedral Center as our organization to receive our donation of blankets and sheet sets. More than 45 sheet sets and blankets were donated by Club Members. Coordination credit and thanks goes to Maureen Siwula.
The timing of this project aligned with our January meeting speaker, the Executive Director of the Cathedral Center. The Cathedral Center was the first emergency shelter in Milwaukee to fully implement Milwaukee’s model for Coordinated Entry services – aiding individuals and families in need to access immediate shelter and housing services via one 24/7 phone call.
Thanks to every Club member who participated in our service projects throughout the year.
Allies for Teens in Foster Care – Sept 2019
Thank you to Allison Byrne for sharing her passion for Allies for Teens in Foster Care. We applaud you for the work you are doing on behalf of the teens in group homes. And thank you to the Zontians who contributed in products, gift cards and money to our mini-service project.
Neu-Life Back to School Backpacks and Supplies – July 2019
Sojourner Family Peace Center – Wish List Items – Feb 2019
Thanks to all who contributed!
Lad Lake – Personal Living Donations – May 2017
Many personal care products, bibles, art materials and pictures were collected and donated to Lad Lake.
Sojourner Family Peace Center – Home Goods Donations – February 2017
Bath towels, washcloths, pillows and blankets were collected.
Neu-Life Community Development Center – December 2016
We collected holiday gifts to brighten up the holidays for the Neu-Life children. The children were very excited!
Feeding America – November 2016
To brighten up the holidays for the residents of Milwaukee, we collected food and checks for Feeding America of Eastern Wisconsin. Thank you to all that contributed! Feeding America was happy to receive the donations.
Neu-Life Community Development Center – August 2016
We collected and stuffed backpacks for the Neu-Life Community Development Center participants, helping them to start off of the school year with the correct tools for learning.
Sojourner Family Peace Center – May 2016 “Mini” Service Project
Thank you to everyone who bought and brought children’s items for Sojourner Family Peace Center. Our meeting was held in their new facility and they really appreciated the generous donation! Thank you!
Twin Sheet Set Drive – April 2016 “Mini” Service Project
We collected approximately 25 twin sheet sets (white & beige) for CORE/El Centro in April. CORE/El Centro uses the sheets in their rehabilitation efforts (massage, etc.) with women healing from domestic violence. Thank you!
Cookbook Collection – March 2016 “Mini” Project
Water Bottle Drive – February 2016 “Mini” Project
February we collected new and/or gently-used clean water bottles for the students of Neu-Life Community Development!
Thank you to all that participated.
Collected Water Bottles
“Dress to Impress for Less” Clothing Drive – January 2016 “Mini” Project
January is the last month for us to collect clothing for Alverno College’s “Dress to Impress for Less,” organized by our very own Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship winner Kosovka Spreco. Please bring new or gently used professional clothing that would be appropriate for Alverno students to wear to job fairs, interviews, networking events and/or work to the January Club meeting.
HOLIDAY GIFTS – December 2015
We provided holiday gifts for the children at Neu-Life, based on their holiday wishes. These were delivered to their holiday program and party on December 17th.
DIAPER COLLECTION – November 2015 “Mini” Project
We collected new-born diapers at the November meeting for the Stork’s Nest – St. Joseph’s Hospital. This agency works with new young mothers who lack support from their families and other circumstances that prevent a new mother from getting a good start for her and her baby. Diapers were collected at the November Club meeting.
CAREER FAIR and BACK-TO-SCHOOL CELEBRATION – August 2015
The Neu-Life Career Fair and Back-to-School Celebration was held THURSDAY AUGUST 13 from 1 to 3 PM. About 100 youth participated. The event was held at the Gwen T Jackson Elementary School as the main site building was under construction.
Career Fair:
Volunteers conducted sequential short interactive presentations (5 or 6 of about 10 -15 minutes each) with groups of youth of different age groups. This year we presented Information Technology careers and Fundraising. Last year we presented running your own business, marketing/consumer research, and training as well as interviewing tips and skills. Neu-Life is open to any and all ideas.
Back-to-School Collection: We again bought and filled backpacks for the back-to-school supplies drive this summer. The students appreciated starting off the school year fully prepared!
GOT PAINT? If you have flat (not enamel) paint sitting around in your basement that you don’t plan to use, we will be able to use it in the ARTREACH program. Call Donna Neal and she’ll arrange a pick-up, or bring it to any monthly meeting from now on.
2014 Holiday Gifts for the Neu-Life Children
