community

Local Spotlight: Islands of Brilliance

Do you ever feel (every once and awhile) there comes across something awesome in your path?! For me, it was nearly 5 years ago when I was first introduced and volunteered with Islands of Brilliance.

Furthering my love of community and empowering all people to make an impact, I hooked onto donating photography to Islands of Brilliance.

Started by parents of a son on the autism spectrum, Mark and Margaret created the organization to pair autistic kids with design professionals to create an opportunity to instill confidence. As someone who had babysat an autistic neighbor, then volunteered at the Brookfield Indoor Soccer complex with special ed students, my heart quickly became attached to the organization.

In my undergrad at Marquette University, there was a service learning component (where again I chose disabilities as a focus…) The Milwaukee Center for Independence (MCFI) became the organization I would work again with disadvantaged members of the Milwaukee community.

Furthering this love of community and empowering all people to make an impact, I hooked onto donating photography to Islands of Brilliance. The annual event, this year is celebrating the 5th Anniversary is at Turner Hall in Milwaukee on November 22, 2019 at 6:00 p.m.

See some photos from previous ‘Colors and Chords’ here:

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Radio Milwaukee: #noemptybackpacks

Radio Milwaukee: #noemptybackpacks

How many of you remember at the end of summer getting ready to go into a store and find your school supply list? Back in the day, there were lists for all different schools, in the area where the supplies were to purchase new things for a year. Maybe (if you were really lucky) you would even walk home with a new lunch box...or the latest backpack too! A typical school supplies list for a kid might consist of a few of these basic items: 

  • Backpack 
  • Pencils 
  • Erasers 
  • Folders 
  • Scissors 
  • Glue
  • And more!

However, not everyone in the city I'm in closest proximity to... can afford these 'basic' things. Without hesitation, I knew I wanted to get involved in using my photography talents to create awareness of a wonderful opportunity I heard of via Radio Milwaukee.  

Sneak Peek: Flowers for Dreams: Journeyman's 1st B-day

Sneak Peek: Flowers for Dreams: Journeyman's 1st B-day

Have you ever had one of those moments where something spoke to you? Recently, Instagram was displaying a sponsored ad for 'Flowers for Dreams' and reading their blog inspired me. (Check out more about this awesome Chicago-Milwaukee company here: https://www.flowersfordreams.com/) The company makes contributions to charities in the Midwest. In Milwaukee during August 2017 all of the proceeds of flower sales go to get backpacks and school supplies for MPS students.