Northwestern Mutual issues grants focused on children with special needs
The Northwestern Mutual Foundation has issued $355,000 in grants to help 14 nonprofits organizations in the area to ensure treatment and innovative therapeutic opportunities for individuals with special needs. “Every person – and especially every child – deserves the chance to embrace their full potential, so we collaborate with best-in-class organizations that serve those with special needs,” said John Kordsmeier, president of the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. “Our goal is to help strengthen the community by enabling nonprofits to provide specialized assistance where it matters most.”
Organization’s receiving grants include ARC Milwaukee, Badger Association for the Blind, Best Buddies, Center for Communication and Deafness, Children’s Service Society, Courage Center, Easter Seals of Southeastern Wisconsin, Grand Avenue Club, IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee Center for Independence, Penfield Children’s Center, St. Francis Children’s Center, United Cerebral Palsy and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
MCW researchers receive grants to focus on improved care for Alzheimer’s patients
The Alzheimer’s Association has awarded New Investigator Research Grants to two distinguished investigators at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Nashaat Gerges, Ph.D. and Dr. Joseph Goveas, were chosen to receive funding for their efforts to advance the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, help identify new treatment strategies, provide information to improve care for people with dementia, and further knowledge of brain health and disease prevention.
Gerges, assistant professor of cell biology, neurobiology and anatomy at the Medical College has received $100,000 over the next two years for his study of the role of retinoic acid in Alzheimer’s disease. Gerges will study the molecular mechanisms by which retinoic acid exerts its function in the brain.
Goveas, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral medicine and the director of the geriatric psychiatry fellowship program at the Medical College, will receive $99,994 over two years for his work on Multimodal Imaging in Depressed Adults at Risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have found a substantial link between adult depression and development of Alzheimer’s disease. Goveas will use multiple imaging techniques including functional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging to identify the changes in memory-associated brain networks in depressed persons at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Rexnord teams up with Hunger Task Force this Thanksgiving
Rexnord Industries has joined forces with Hunger Task Force for the Rexnord Turkey Ticker Challenge. Rexnord will match the number of turkeys donated to Hunger Task Force this holiday season.
Hunger Task Force will be filling Thanksgiving bins with donations of foods to help these families enjoy a home-cooked holiday meal that will include fresh potatoes and gravy, fresh fruits, pie for dessert and turkey.
“As the free and local food bank, working with local leaders is important to Hunger Task Force,” said Sherrie Tussler, executive director. “Having Rexnord step up to create the Rexnord Turkey Ticker Challenge is a great opportunity to make Thanksgiving a special holiday to even more Milwaukee families. Watching the Turkey Ticker numbers go up on the signboard and online really adds to the holiday spirit around town.”
Individuals can donate a turkey online or in person at the Hunger Task Force office located at 201 S. Hawley Court. Each donation made will be matched by Rexnord, Tussler said.
Art Museum to offer free admission
Guests will be admitted to the Milwaukee Art Museum for free on Thursday, Dec. 1 as part of the Museum’s Target Free First Thursday program. The program offers individuals the opportunity to see Impressionism: Masterworks on Paper, Taryn Simon: Photographs and Texts, and Building a Masterpiece: Santiago Calatrava and the Milwaukee Art Museum.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to our visitors,” said Daniel Keegan, Museum director. “In the past year, over 21,000 people have participated in Target Free First Thursdays. The Museum is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, which allows for more families and working professionals to share in the benefits.”
The Museum is also offering free admission to all veterans and their families on Saturday, November 5, and Friday, November 11 in honor of Veteran’s Day. The Museum Store is also giving veterans a special discount on purchases.
“The Museum is honored to participate in the Milwaukee area’s Veteran’s Day activities by offering free admission to these brave men and women who have served our country,” said Keegan.
Wixon supports Make-A-Wish foundation
St. Francis-based Wixon Inc., recently donated $15,000 to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. The money was raised at Wixon’s annual golf tournament held this summer. In the last decade, Wixon has contributed nearly $90,000 to help children with life-threatening conditions. It was the 19th year the company has donated to the charity.
“This is who we are,” said Peter Gottsacker, president of Wixon.
Greater Milwaukee Foundation supports Pregnancy Connection
The Greater Milwaukee Foundation recently awarded a $25,000 grant to Pregnancy Support Connection Inc. to fund the expansion of case management services for its parenting education and support program.
“The Parenting Program addresses a critical need to maintain a consistent support system for many clients working to develop a positive and healthy environment,” said Nancy Major, executive director of Pregnancy Support Connection Inc. “We are extremely grateful to the Greater Milwaukee Foundation for its generous support, its recognition of the Parenting Program’s value, and its acknowledgment of the incredible dedication that the PSC board and staff exhibits on a daily basis.”
The grant will help PSC expand its work in providing parenting education, support and other resources to at-risk teens and young women in an effort to break the cycle of poverty, abuse, neglect and other risk factors that often lead to unplanned pregnancies.
The PSC Parenting Program, launched in January, allows PSC case managers to continue to work with the most vulnerable, “at-risk” moms beyond the prenatal stage, throughout the critical stages of early child development. The program focuses on positive parent-child interaction, building safe, stable environments, and life skills coaching to help these new moms become productive, confident parents.
