MPC: Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community

This episode of Milwaukee’s Philanthropic Community explores how the Bucks Foundation is using the influence of professional sports to create meaningful community impact. Host Jill Economou is joined by Marla Habert, Executive Director of the Bucks Foundation, to discuss the organization's commitment to improving health outcomes, expanding opportunities, and investing in Milwaukee neighborhoods.

Marla shares how the Bucks Foundation has evolved over its nearly ten-year history from traditional grantmaking to a more strategic, program-driven approach focused on building a healthier and stronger community. From health and wellness initiatives to youth career exposure and collective impact partnerships, the Foundation leverages the reach of the Milwaukee Bucks brand to address some of the region's most pressing challenges.

The conversation highlights the Bucks Health & Wellness Program, a nationally unique initiative developed with input from the Milwaukee Bucks performance and nutrition teams to help community members improve their health through accessible nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle support. Marla also discusses the Deer Accelerator, a long-term collaborative effort to address Milwaukee's health disparities by bringing together neighborhood organizations, healthcare systems, philanthropists, and community leaders.

Listeners will hear how players, coaches, team staff, donors, and community partners work together to create lasting impact throughout Milwaukee and why the Bucks Foundation believes creating opportunity is one of the most important investments it can make.

1:22 | The history and mission of the Bucks Foundation

3:03 | How the Bucks, the Foundation, and the community work together to create impact

4:38 | Marla's journey into philanthropy and her role with the Bucks Foundation

5:58 | How the Foundation operates, raises funds, and measures impact

7:13 | Key initiatives including Bucks Health & Wellness, the Deer Accelerator, and youth career exploration

8:14 | Fundraising through events, partnerships, and the Bucks 50/50 raffle

9:25 | How players and coaches identify causes they're passionate about and engage in the community

11:40 | The Bucks Health & Wellness Program and its focus on closing health gaps

14:12 | Using data, community conversations, and partnerships to determine where support is needed most

18:15 | The Deer Accelerator and addressing Milwaukee's 12-year life expectancy gap

21:37 | Tackling food access challenges and connecting residents with community resources

24:16 | The impact players and their families have beyond the basketball court

26:44 | The Foundation's long-term goal of creating healthier communities and greater opportunity

28:08 | Ways fans, donors, and community members can get involved and support the mission

The Bucks Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Milwaukee Bucks, dedicated to building healthier and stronger communities throughout Wisconsin. Through strategic partnerships, health and wellness initiatives, youth opportunity programs, and community investments, the Foundation works to improve health outcomes, expand access to resources, and create pathways for success both on and off the court.

Website: https://www.nba.com/bucks/foundation

Presenter of the MPC Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.

Website: Ellenbecker Investment Group

This episode of Milwaukee’s Philanthropic Community explores how one organization has grown from a small bilingual child care center into a vital resource supporting children and families throughout Milwaukee. Host Jill Economou is joined by Luis Ayala, CEO of La Causa, Inc., an organization providing education, social services, crisis support, foster care, and other resources designed to strengthen families and communities.

Luis shares the story of La Causa’s beginnings in 1972, when civil rights activist Clementina Castro recognized the need for culturally responsive early childhood education for Hispanic families. What began with a small group of children has since expanded into an organization serving more than 2,000 children and families each year while remaining grounded in its original mission of providing stability and a safe harbor for those in need.

The conversation explores La Causa’s holistic approach to serving families at different stages of life, from early education and its charter school to mental health services, treatment foster care, and crisis intervention. Luis also discusses challenges facing families today, including affordable housing, access to health care, economic mobility, language barriers, education, and other sources of stress.

Listeners will also learn about La Causa’s Crisis Nursery and Respite Center, a free, 24/7 resource for families experiencing a crisis, and how the organization continues to adapt its programs as community needs evolve. Luis shares his own connection to the mission and explains how individuals can support La Causa through volunteering, attending events, donating, and helping spread awareness.

Episode Highlights:
0:24 | The value of bilingualism and La Causa’s mission
2:05 | La Causa’s beginnings and Clementina Castro’s legacy
4:12 | A holistic approach to supporting children and families
7:00 | Challenges facing Milwaukee’s Hispanic community
9:18 | Creating stability and opportunity through community services
10:42 | Luis Ayala’s personal connection to La Causa’s mission
12:48 | Mental health, foster care, and evolving social services
15:31 | The Crisis Nursery and Respite Center
18:26 | Providing free crisis support 24/7
19:26 | What’s next for La Causa
20:53 | How to support, volunteer, and get involved

La Causa, Inc. is a Milwaukee nonprofit dedicated to providing children and families with opportunities to build better lives. Founded in 1972 as a bilingual child care center, the organization has expanded to provide early education, a charter school, social services, mental health support, treatment foster care, crisis services, and other programs designed to create stability and strengthen families.

Website: La Causa

Presenter of the MPC Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.

Website: Ellenbecker Investment Group

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

This episode of Milwaukee’s Philanthropic Community explores what it truly means to have a safe place to call home and what happens when essential home repairs become financially out of reach. Host Jill Economou is joined by Melanie Roach, CEO of Revitalize Milwaukee, a nonprofit helping low-income seniors, veterans, and people living with disabilities remain safely and independently in their homes.

Melanie shares how critical home repairs, from installing grab bars and railings to addressing unsafe steps and deteriorating roofs, can make a life-changing difference for homeowners who want to remain in the places and communities they know and love. She discusses the difficult choices some homeowners face when necessary repairs compete with medications and other basic needs, as well as the dangers that can develop when home maintenance is delayed for years.

The conversation highlights Revitalize Milwaukee’s Older Adult Home Modification Program, its network of trusted contractors, and Revitalize Projects that bring community partners and volunteers together to complete critical repairs. Melanie also shares powerful stories illustrating the housing challenges facing neighbors throughout Milwaukee and Waukesha counties and explains why experiencing these conditions firsthand can change the way people understand the need.

Listeners will learn how Revitalize Milwaukee is working to preserve safety, independence, and dignity for vulnerable homeowners, along with ways individuals and businesses can support the mission through donations, volunteering, advocacy, and hands-on service.

0:24 | What “home” means and why safety and independence matter
4:59 | Who Revitalize Milwaukee serves and its critical home repair mission
6:42 | The Older Adult Home Modification Program and identifying safety hazards
8:21 | A homeowner story illustrating the consequences of deferred repairs
10:43 | The high cost of roofing and other critical home repairs
12:36 | Serving homeowners throughout Milwaukee and Waukesha counties
14:18 | Revitalize Projects and completing critical repairs with community volunteers
16:12 | What Milwaukee’s “Year of Housing” means for Revitalize Milwaukee
18:34 | The real-life housing challenges facing local seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities
21:04 | The biggest challenges facing homeowners and limitations of available resources
24:21 | How individuals and businesses can support Revitalize Milwaukee
26:00 | A vision for Milwaukee as a model for helping vulnerable homeowners stay safely at home
27:25 | How to connect with Revitalize Milwaukee and get involved

Revitalize Milwaukee is a nonprofit organization providing critical home repairs for low-income seniors, veterans, and people living with disabilities in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Through home safety modifications, critical repairs, trusted contractors, volunteers, and community partnerships, the organization helps homeowners remain safely and independently in the homes and neighborhoods they know and love.

Website: Visit Revitalize Milwaukee

Presenter of the MPC Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.

Website: Visit Ellenbecker Investment Group

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group

This episode of Milwaukee’s Philanthropic Community explores the role art can play in preserving cultural heritage, building connections, and creating a sense of belonging. Host Jill Economou is joined by Jacobo Lovo, Managing Artistic Director of Latino Arts, a Milwaukee nonprofit that has spent more than 40 years providing accessible arts programming while showcasing the work of Hispanic and Latino artists.

Jacobo shares how Latino Arts approaches its mission through two complementary goals: preserving and celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of Hispanic and Latino communities while building cultural bridges that invite people of all backgrounds to experience and learn through the arts. Through visual art exhibitions, live performances, cultural workshops, and educational programming, Latino Arts creates opportunities to experience the breadth and diversity of Latino culture.

The conversation highlights the organization’s commitment to artists at every stage of their careers, from emerging local artists to national and international performers. Jacobo also discusses signature programs and events, including the Latino Arts Strings Program, the annual Día de los Muertos celebration, Noche de Gala, student matinees, cultural workshops, and virtual programming.

Listeners will also hear how these experiences can create meaningful connections to cultural heritage, particularly for young people, and why Latino Arts wants the broader community to know that its programming is for everyone. Jacobo shares ways to experience the organization firsthand, support its mission, and celebrate the artists and cultures that enrich Milwaukee and beyond.

0:23 | Introduction to Latino Arts and its more than 40 years in Milwaukee
1:24 | Latino Arts’ mission and its role in Milwaukee’s near south side
2:09 | Preserving Hispanic and Latino cultural heritage while building cultural bridges
2:49 | Showcasing visual and performing artists from Milwaukee and around the world
3:18 | What a typical year of performances, exhibitions, workshops, and programming looks like
4:27 | The diversity of artists featured by Latino Arts
5:28 | Supporting emerging artists and providing opportunities to showcase their work
7:14 | Celebrating more than 40 years of Latino Arts in Milwaukee
8:05 | Serving an intergenerational community and helping people connect with their cultural roots
9:09 | The Latino Arts Strings Program and combining classical training with cultural traditions
9:57 | Classical Guitar Fest and opportunities for young musicians
10:37 | The annual Día de los Muertos celebration and honoring its cultural roots
12:04 | How Día de los Muertos creates opportunities for healing, remembrance, and community
13:51 | Educational programming, student matinees, artist workshops, and community engagement
14:36 | Noche de Gala and supporting music education for more than 200 students
15:25 | The impact of private and group instruction through the Latino Arts Strings Program
16:35 | Why access to culturally relevant arts programming matters
16:48 | A student’s powerful experience connecting with her Mexican heritage
18:51 | Extending Latino Arts programming beyond Milwaukee
19:23 | Using virtual programming such as Lotería to connect audiences around the world
20:20 | How community support and philanthropy sustain Latino Arts’ work
21:56 | Why Latino Arts isn’t just for Latinos and welcomes the entire community
22:34 | An invitation to experience Latino Arts through a show, exhibit, workshop, or event
23:04 | How to connect with and support Latino Arts

Latino Arts is a Milwaukee cultural arts nonprofit dedicated to celebrating and preserving the diverse cultural heritage of Hispanic and Latino communities while building cultural bridges through the arts. Through visual art exhibitions, live performances, music education, cultural workshops, community celebrations, and other programming, Latino Arts provides opportunities for people of all backgrounds to experience and connect through culture and creativity.

Website: Visit Latino Arts

Presenter of the MPC Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.

Website: Visit Ellenbecker Investment Group

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

This episode of Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community explores how nonprofit leaders and teams can continue serving others without sacrificing their own well-being. Host Jill Economou is joined by Jen Marr, founder of Showing Up and bestselling author of Showing Up and Lifting Up, for a thoughtful discussion about burnout, workplace culture, leadership, and the human need for connection.

Drawing on more than a decade of research and experience supporting communities through times of crisis and change, Jen shares insights into how people respond to stress, overwhelm, and suffering. Beginning with her work in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy, she explains how even the most well-intentioned support can miss the mark and why organizations must develop practical skills for showing up effectively for one another.

The conversation explores the unique challenges facing nonprofit professionals, who often dedicate themselves to serving clients, donors, and communities while neglecting their own needs. Jen discusses the growing impact of workplace stress, the erosion of personal connection in a screen-driven world, and the critical role leaders play in creating supportive environments where employees feel seen, heard, and valued.

Listeners will learn practical strategies for recognizing burnout, improving communication, conducting meaningful check-ins, and shifting from transactional leadership to relationship-centered leadership. Jen also shares actionable ways organizations can strengthen workplace culture through simple, intentional behaviors that foster trust, connection, and resilience.

0:23 | Why caregivers, nonprofit professionals, and helpers often struggle to care for themselves
0:56 | Introduction to Jen Marr and her research on support, stress, and human connection
2:01 | How Jen's work began in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy
3:34 | Why nonprofit professionals are especially vulnerable to burnout and exhaustion
4:06 | Understanding the difference between caring and carrying
4:26 | How technology and screen-based work have reduced meaningful human connection
6:17 | The "barbell" concept and balancing clinical care, self-care, and organizational support
7:32 | Why organizations and leaders share responsibility for employee well-being
8:47 | What gets lost when mission-driven work overshadows human connection
9:31 | The critical role leaders play in supporting overwhelmed employees
10:58 | Signs that high-performing team members may be experiencing burnout
11:55 | Understanding the "awkward zone" and common leadership blind spots
13:24 | Why compassion alone is not enough without practical leadership skills
14:58 | Why caring people often struggle to ask for help themselves
15:25 | The three biggest reasons people avoid seeking support
16:41 | The difference between a kind culture and a truly supportive culture
18:08 | Practical first steps for nonprofit leaders who want to create healthier workplaces
19:39 | Simple daily behaviors that help people feel valued and appreciated
20:38 | The power of fast, frequent check-ins between leaders and employees
22:07 | Creating space for honest conversations without making them overwhelming
23:32 | Helping employees prioritize work during periods of stress and overload
25:23 | Supporting the mission without sacrificing the people behind it
27:03 | How board members, donors, and community partners can help strengthen nonprofit teams
29:14 | The one conversation every leader should be having with their team
30:15 | What organizational data reveals about stress, burnout, and employee well-being
31:30 | Recognizing leadership blind spots and becoming intentionally attentive

Founded by Jen Marr, Showing Up helps organizations, leaders, and teams develop practical skills for supporting people through stress, change, uncertainty, and difficult life experiences. Through research, training, speaking engagements, and bestselling resources such as Showing Up and Lifting Up, the organization equips individuals and workplaces with evidence-based strategies to strengthen relationships, improve communication, and build cultures of meaningful support.

Website: https://showing-up.com

Presenter of the MPC Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.

Website: https://www.ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

This episode of Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community explores the power of redemption, recovery, and second chances. Host Jill Economou is joined by Praxedes Reyes-Burgos, Founder of Casa Segura de Dios, whose remarkable personal journey transformed him from a life of addiction, crime, and incarceration into one dedicated to helping others overcome similar struggles.

Praxedes shares his story of growing up in Puerto Rico, where violence, drugs, and crime became a normalized part of daily life at an early age. Drawn into the streets as a child, he eventually became involved in drug trafficking and addiction, leading to multiple prison sentences and a federal indictment in 2013. What seemed like the end of his story became the beginning of a profound transformation.

While incarcerated, Praxedes witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of addiction, hopelessness, and overdose among fellow inmates. Through his faith and personal reflection, he discovered a new purpose: helping individuals trapped in addiction find healing, restoration, and hope. That calling ultimately led to the creation of Casa Segura de Dios, which translates to "Safe House of God."

The conversation highlights the organization's mission to provide transitional housing, mentorship, recovery support, and practical life resources for individuals struggling with addiction and life-controlling challenges. Praxedes discusses the importance of addressing the root causes of addiction, extending grace instead of judgment, and helping people rebuild their lives with purpose and dignity.

Listeners will learn how Casa Segura de Dios is working to create pathways to recovery for individuals who often feel forgotten, as well as how volunteers, donors, and community members can support the organization's growing mission.

0:56 | The importance of second chances and refusing to let past mistakes define the future
1:23 | Praxedes' early life and growing up surrounded by violence, crime, and addiction
3:48 | How environment and circumstance shaped his path into the streets
6:30 | The federal indictment that became a turning point in his life
7:55 | Who Praxedes was before becoming a pastor and community leader
8:43 | Addiction, emptiness, and realizing the need for change
11:07 | The experiences in prison that inspired the vision for Casa Segura de Dios
12:34 | Witnessing addiction, overdoses, and hopelessness behind prison walls
13:19 | Receiving the vision for a "Safe House of God" during incarceration
14:22 | Returning to the community and launching a ministry focused on recovery and restoration
15:47 | The mission of Casa Segura de Dios and helping individuals rebuild their lives
16:59 | Supporting people struggling with addiction, hopelessness, and life challenges
18:12 | Becoming a "hope dealer" and the impact of offering second chances
19:03 | Why many people facing addiction are carrying unseen pain and trauma
19:33 | A powerful story illustrating the importance of compassion over judgment
22:38 | What makes Casa Segura de Dios unique, including bilingual support services
23:51 | Transitional housing, mentorship, financial accountability, and long-term recovery support
25:05 | Plans to launch the organization's first recovery house
26:01 | Volunteer opportunities and ways the community can get involved
27:44 | A message of hope for families and individuals affected by addiction

Casa Segura de Dios is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals overcome addiction, rebuild their lives, and rediscover hope. Through mentorship, recovery support, transitional housing, faith-based guidance, and practical life-skills development, the organization works to create lasting transformation for people facing substance use challenges and other life-controlling struggles. With a focus on restoration, accountability, and spiritual growth, Casa Segura de Dios seeks to provide a safe pathway toward healing and a brighter future.

Website: https://www.casaseguradedios.org

Presenter of the MPC Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.

Website: https://www.ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

This episode of Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community addresses one of Wisconsin's most pervasive yet often hidden challenges: human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Host Jill Economou welcomes Krista Hull, Founder and Executive Director of Redeem and Restore, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women heal from trauma, reclaim their identities, and build lives of dignity, purpose, and hope.Krista shares her deeply personal story of overcoming childhood abuse, abandonment, rejection, and trauma. Those experiences ultimately led her to create Redeem and Restore, an organization that walks alongside women who have experienced exploitation, trafficking, addiction, and profound emotional wounds. Through safe housing, mentorship, community support, life-skills training, and trauma-informed care, the organization helps women move from surviving to thriving.The conversation explores the realities of trafficking in Wisconsin, challenging misconceptions that these issues only occur in large cities or faraway places. Krista explains how trafficking impacts communities of every size and socioeconomic background, often hiding in plain sight. She discusses the importance of awareness, compassion, and recognizing that many individuals struggling with addiction, mental health challenges, or destructive behaviors may be carrying the weight of unresolved trauma.Listeners will learn how Redeem and Restore's residential program and outreach efforts are creating pathways toward healing and restoration. Krista also shares how volunteers, donors, educators, businesses, and community members can become part of the solution through advocacy, education, service, and simple acts of kindness.Episode Highlights:0:46 | Understanding the scope of human trafficking throughout Wisconsin
1:34 | Krista's personal story of trauma, abuse, and finding purpose through service
4:34 | Why Krista chose to focus on helping women impacted by exploitation and trafficking
5:19 | The mission of Redeem and Restore and its relationship-centered approach
6:22 | Why trafficking remains hidden despite its prevalence in communities statewide
7:28 | How family relationships are often connected to trafficking and exploitation
8:57 | Why awareness matters and how trafficking can affect families and neighbors
10:17 | Recognizing that exploitation can happen closer to home than many realize
11:52 | How celebrity trafficking cases help bring broader awareness to the issue
14:15 | Inside Redeem and Restore's residential healing program for women survivors
15:57 | The lasting effects of childhood abuse and trauma on adult survivors
18:20 | The importance of compassion, understanding, and authentic human connection
19:55 | Working with schools and educating youth about exploitation and online dangers
21:11 | A survivor success story and the power of long-term healing support
22:33 | How paying attention, asking questions, and showing kindness can make a difference
24:09 | Volunteer opportunities and ways community members can share their skills
26:06 | The role financial support plays in sustaining recovery programs
27:02 | Community education, speaking engagements, and awareness initiatives
28:23 | Stories of resilience, hope, and transformation among program participants
29:26 | How to volunteer, donate, and support Redeem and Restore's missionREDEEM AND RESTORERedeem and Restore is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women impacted by exploitation, trafficking, abuse, and trauma. Through residential recovery services, outreach programs, mentorship, life-skills training, and community support, the organization helps participants heal, rebuild confidence, and discover lasting hope. By partnering with volunteers, donors, churches, schools, and community organizations, Redeem and Restore works to raise awareness, prevent exploitation, and create pathways toward restoration and healing.Website: https://redeemandrestore.org

This episode of Milwaukee’s Philanthropic Community explores the power of connection, belonging, and authentic community. Host Jill Economou is joined by Kelly Lemens, founder of A Place to Be, a spirituality center dedicated to creating welcoming spaces where people can gather for fellowship, meaningful conversations, personal growth, and fun.

Kelly shares her personal journey of overcoming rejection, isolation, and the search for belonging, and how those experiences inspired her vision for A Place to Be. She discusses the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments where people can show up as their authentic selves, build genuine relationships, and find support through life's challenges. The conversation highlights how meaningful connection goes beyond simply being around others and instead focuses on creating spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, valued, and accepted.

Listeners will learn about the organization's diverse offerings, including book studies, Bible studies, art nights, drumming circles, game nights, potlucks, and virtual programming that connects participants from across the country. Kelly also discusses how spirituality can be expressed through everyday relationships and activities, the importance of accessibility and inclusivity, and why reducing barriers to participation is central to the organization's mission.

1:03 | Introduction to A Place to Be and its mission of connection and belonging
2:30 | Kelly's personal story and the experiences that inspired the organization
3:57 | Creating a safe space where people can simply be themselves
4:39 | The impact of isolation and the importance of community connection
5:29 | Why being surrounded by people doesn't always eliminate loneliness
6:20 | What it means to be an authentic community
7:00 | Supporting members through life's challenges and changing needs
8:28 | What attracts people to A Place to Be
9:09 | Creating safe spaces for difficult conversations about world events
10:02 | Understanding spirituality beyond traditional religious frameworks
11:29 | Inclusive approaches to faith, spirituality, and personal beliefs
12:24 | Partnerships with faith communities and local organizations
14:50 | Programs that bring people together through learning, creativity, and fun
15:18 | Popular book studies and opportunities for deeper discussion
15:18 | How art nights help participants discover creativity and confidence
16:10 | The contemplative practice and community experience of drumming circles
18:43 | Social activities, potlucks, game nights, and community-building opportunities
19:20 | How virtual programming connects participants across the country
20:42 | Building meaningful relationships and vulnerability through online communities
22:04 | Ensuring financial barriers never prevent participation
23:47 | The organization's annual fundraiser and celebration of local artists
24:51 | Ways community members can get involved, volunteer, and participate
25:34 | The importance of simply showing up and making connections

A PLACE TO BE

A Place to Be is a nonprofit spirituality center that creates welcoming, inclusive spaces for people seeking deeper connection, belonging, and purpose. Through book studies, discussion groups, art experiences, drumming circles, social gatherings, spiritual exploration, and community events, the organization helps individuals build meaningful relationships while fostering personal growth and authentic community. With both in-person and virtual programming, A Place to Be works to reduce barriers and ensure everyone has access to opportunities for connection, fellowship, and support.

Website: https://www.aplacetobesc.org/

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP

Presenter of the MPC Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.

Website: https://www.ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities often face a difficult transition after leaving the school system, navigating complex services, funding programs, and community resources with little guidance. This week on MPC, host Jill Economou is joined by Dr. Samantha Bear, Executive Director of Blossom ID, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities build lives filled with connection, purpose, independence, and belonging.

Drawing from her background as a special education educator, Samantha shares the inspiring origin story behind Blossom ID and explains how one family's search for answers after their daughter graduated from a post-secondary program led to the creation of an organization that helps individuals and families bridge the often overwhelming gap between school-based services and adulthood. She discusses the challenges families face when navigating disability resources, the importance of community integration, and why belonging is just as important as participation.

The conversation explores misconceptions about independence for adults with disabilities, the organization's innovative approach to creating social, recreational, wellness, and travel opportunities, and the power of partnerships that help participants connect more deeply with their communities. Samantha also shares inspiring stories of individuals who have built meaningful, independent lives through the support of Blossom ID and their broader community.

Episode Highlights:
2:38 | The origin story behind Blossom ID and the family that inspired its mission
5:43 | Samantha's personal connection to the disability community
7:26 | Understanding the size and diversity of the disability community
8:47 | What happens when students with disabilities leave the school system
11:58 | How Blossom helps families navigate the "transition abyss" after graduation
13:26 | Where support systems break down the most for adults with disabilities
17:02 | Common misconceptions about independence and intellectual disabilities
20:01 | Why choice and self-determination matter for adults with disabilities
21:13 | How Blossom's brand personality reflects its values and mission
25:42 | What makes Blossom unique among disability-serving organizations
27:33 | "We don't compete, we complete" and the power of collaboration
29:05 | Blossom's vision for a world filled with purpose, meaning, and connection
31:19 | A day in the life of a Blossom participant
32:43 | Building community through partnerships and inclusive experiences
33:20 | Travel opportunities and supporting independence through real-life experiences
35:12 | Liam's story: from isolation to independent living and community connection
38:34 | How partnerships expand opportunities for participants
41:11 | The difference between participation and true belonging
43:43 | What's fueled Blossom's growth over the last five years
44:25 | Why community celebration is at the heart of Blossom's annual fundraiser
46:01 | Plans for sustainability and growth over the next three to five years
48:25 | Current needs and opportunities for business and community partnerships
51:07 | The best ways to connect with Blossom ID

BLOSSOM ID
Blossom ID is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities create fulfilling lives through connection, community, and ongoing support. By providing resource navigation, social and recreational programming, wellness opportunities, travel experiences, and meaningful community engagement, Blossom ID helps individuals and families navigate the transition to adulthood while fostering independence, belonging, and personal growth. The organization believes every person deserves access to opportunities that support a life filled with purpose, choice, and meaningful relationships.

Website: blossomid.org

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP
Presenter of the MPC Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.

Website: ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.

Strong, confident, and connected girls become strong, confident, and connected women. This week on Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community (MPC), host Jill Economou welcomes back Tina Jones, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Southeast Wisconsin, to discuss the ongoing youth mental health crisis and how early intervention, positive relationships, and physical activity can help girls build the resilience they need to thrive.

Tina shares how the conversation around youth mental health has evolved since her first appearance on MPC in 2019, what research is teaching us about anxiety, loneliness, confidence, and belonging, and why protective factors like caring adult mentors, movement, and community support are more important than ever. She also explains how Girls on the Run goes far beyond running by combining evidence-based social-emotional learning with physical activity to help girls in grades 3-8 develop confidence, healthy habits, and life skills that last well into adulthood.

The conversation explores powerful findings from a new Girls on the Run alumni study, the importance of keeping sports fun for young participants, inspiring success stories from program graduates, and the many ways volunteers, donors, coaches, and community members can help empower the next generation of leaders.

Episode Highlights:
2:19 | Protective factors that help girls navigate today's mental health challenges
3:02 | Tina's personal connection to the Girls on the Run mission
4:14 | Parenting lessons and the importance of caring adult role models
5:30 | Why Girls on the Run is about much more than running
6:35 | Mental health awareness versus prevention and early intervention
7:37 | Why the program focuses on girls in grades 3 through 8
8:14 | The link between physical activity and emotional well-being
10:58 | How Girls on the Run plants the seeds for lifelong healthy habits
11:06 | Inside the eight-week after-school program experience
12:11 | Goal-setting, teamwork, community service, and training for a 5K
13:08 | The powerful life lesson behind finding your "happy pace"
14:48 | One of the biggest reasons girls drop out of sports today
16:06 | What Girls on the Run learned from its new alumni study
16:46 | Alumni data showing the program's lasting impact
18:04 | Skills former participants still use years later
19:48 | Ava's story: building confidence and finding her voice
22:05 | How the organization serves more than 150 schools across southeastern Wisconsin
24:52 | Recruiting, training, and supporting volunteer coaches
27:11 | What Tina has learned during 14 years of leading the organization
29:37 | What greater community investment in girls could mean for the future
30:49 | Volunteer opportunities, fundraising events, and ways to get involved
31:40 | The SoleMates program and combining fitness goals with philanthropy
32:16 | How to connect with Girls on the Run Southeast Wisconsin

GIRLS ON THE RUN SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN

Girls on the Run Southeast Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization that inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident through a research-based program that integrates running and physical activity with social-emotional learning. Serving girls in grades 3-8 across seven counties in southeastern Wisconsin, the organization helps participants build confidence, develop healthy relationships, strengthen emotional well-being, and discover their limitless potential. Through caring coaches, supportive teammates, and meaningful life lessons, Girls on the Run equips girls with the skills they need to thrive both now and in the future.

Website: gotrsewi.org

ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP

Presenter of the MPC Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations.

Website: ellenbecker.com

This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies or organizations do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.