In fall 2015, Fr. Timothy Kitzke, Vicar General for Urban Ministry, held multiple listening sessions to brainstorm solutions to a variety of urban problems in our archdiocese. As a direct result of these sessions, Fr. Kitzke communicated that all Urban Ministry actions would be rooted in prayer, illustrating that our efforts flow from who we are, as believing Christians. In addition to the normal liturgical life of the Church, ecumenical and interfaith prayers for peace will be held regularly in our community.
Fr. Kitzke calls us as individuals – and as a faith community – to a loving attentiveness to the sacredness of every person. And taking to heart the admonition of James, we need to be “doers” as well. To make ideas and suggestions concrete, Urban Ministry focuses on seven key areas of service: prayer, dialogue, accompaniment, presence, crisis response, bridge building, and adult and child education.
Prayer
- Coordinate various types of prayer services focusing on Consistent Life Ethic issues
- Plan opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration dedicated to Consistent Life Ethic issues
Dialogue
- Plan and facilitate opportunities for respectful and difficult dialogue about Consistent Life Ethic and social justice issues among diverse groups of people
Accompaniment
- Align and walk with diverse parish human concerns committeess to address issues that disproportionately effect those living in poverty impacted urban communities
Presence
- Be a visible and accessible witness to people in need in order to provide opportunities for growth and to refer them for appropriate services
Crisis Response
- Coordinate a Catholic Emergency Response Team ready to respond to a crisis situation in our urban center
Bridge Building
- Promote relationship and dialogue between service providers and connect them with those who need their services
Education (Adult and Child)
- Provide opportunities for education and healing in our urban center
- In concert with the Synod Committee, inspire and educate those in surrounding parishes on issues facing our brothers and sisters in urban communities, so that they may walk with them, learn from them, and serve them as they are in turn served
- In concert with the Seton Initiative, educate our youth on the social teachings of the Catholic Church through the Tablesetters program
As John Paul II wrote, “The evangelical witness which the world finds most appealing is that of concern for people, and of charity toward the poor, the weak and those who suffer.” Even though we might not solve the problems of poverty, racism, or violence in our community, we must address them as witnesses to Jesus’ mission.
For more information, contact Anne Haines, M.R.S., RespectLife Director for Urban Ministry, hainesa@archmil.org, 262-339-0367.
Prison Ministry & Re-Entry Resources
Milwaukee Transitional Jobs Collaborative
Our overall faithful response should lead us to help those who struggle to fight poverty and find work. We can do our part to advocate for training and help people find gainful employment and an opportunity to help themselves. This is the mission of the Milwaukee Transitional Jobs Collaborative.
For more than nine years, faith, community, and job placement agencies have provided hope for individuals seeking employment by working together on this vital issue. Who comes to the table?
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee
- Catholic Charities
- City of Milwaukee
- Community Advocates
- Employ Milwaukee
- MICAH
- Milwaukee Careers Cooperative
- MATC
- Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee
- Other community groups and leaders
What does the collaborative do?
First, we advocate for funding and expansion of transitional jobs, which are short-term subsidized jobs aimed at getting marginalized workers into the productive workforce. A transitional job is a first step toward permanent employment and economic opportunity for persons 18-64 years of age. Often,
A transitional job can help someone develop good work ethic, confidence, experience, transferable job skills, and a positive work reference. And probably most important, they receive immediate income and a step toward financial security for their family.
Second, we encourage businesses and non-profits to become a host worksite for a “subsidized worker” (SW). Don’t worry – you will interview candidates to ensure a good fit. Do you know of a parish, school, nursing home, bakery, landscaper, warehouse or other small business located in Milwaukee (or accessible via bus route) who might be interested in hosting a subsidized worker?
It’s easy to get started.
- Complete the host worksite agreement form; send completed agreement to Shyrida Townsend, stownsend@ssnc-milw.org, 414-463-7950 ext. 17
- Provide a job description
- Designate a point person to supervise the worker
Need more information?
Review the Worksite handbook below, or contact Shyrida Townsend, stownsend@ssnc-milw.org, 414-463-7950 ext. 17.
Host Worksite Form & Handbook
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is a partner of the Milwaukee Transitional Jobs Collaborative. We advocate for funding and expansion of transitional jobs, which are short-term subsidized jobs aimed at getting marginalized workers into the productive workforce. A transitional job is a first step toward permanent employment and economic opportunity for persons 18-64 years of age.
A transitional job can help someone develop good work ethic, confidence, experience, transferable job skills, and a positive work reference. And probably most important, they receive immediate income and a step toward financial security for their family.
Candidates for transitional jobs are:
- Screened for eligibility;
- Oriented to the program;
- Conduct a personal assessment (WISC Careers Assessment);
- Develop an employability plan to determine the best fit for an employer (from the employer database); and
- Receive in-house training from one of four placement agencies in the Milwaukee area
- UMOS
- Northcott Neighborhood House
- Milwaukee Urban League
- Silver Spring Neighborhood Center
Click here to download the Host Worksite Handbook
Click here to download page 1 of the Agreement Form
Click here to download page 2 of the Agreement Form