ONLINE: Partners for Change

×

Expand

Unfortunately, many people released from prison end up back in the system. Madison-area Urban Ministry has been working to break that cycle for some four decades. The group assesses the needs, barriers and strengths of returning citizens and provides support services in the areas of housing, employment, education treatment and transportation. This year the organization will livestream its annual awards ceremony and program update on its Facebook page and YouTube channel. It also promises to announce some big news.

press release: At its annual Partners for Change Luncheon, local non-profit Madison-area Urban Ministry (MUM) presents two awards that highlight outstanding contributions local groups and individuals have made to our community.

The Partners for Change Award honors a local entity whose partnership has had a powerful impact to uplift the agency’s values of inclusion, compassion, forgiveness and courage throughout Dane County. The Visionary Award honors a local trailblazer whose influence has inspired others to envision a bright future and take bold steps toward making that vision possible.

This year’s Partners for Change Luncheon will be held virtually from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 24, and be live streamed on MUM’s Facebook page and YouTube channel from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. During this year’s event MUM will be sharing some momentous news! The luncheon, usually attended by hundreds of supporters, has been moved online due to enhanced concern for public health during these times. The general public and MUM supporters near and far are invited to tune in!

CUNA Mutual Group Foundation is the recipient of this year’s Partners for Change Award. Their support, through a $500,000 grant over the last three years, facilitated the opening of Healing House, an initiative of MUM that created the first medical recuperative care shelter in Wisconsin to serve homeless families. In July, Healing House will celebrate its first anniversary and share the many powerful stories of children and parents who found a caring and safe place to be together while a member of the family recovered after hospitalization. Cedric Ellis, CUNA Mutual Group’s Executive Vice President and Chief Enterprise Services Officer, will accept the award. MUM’s Development Director, Kathy Eckenrod, states, “CUNA Mutual Group leads the way for corporate investment in initiatives that address disparities in our community.”

This year’s Visionary Award will be presented to Mike Gannon in honor of his late wife, Amy Gannon, Co-founder of Doyenne, a Wisconsin non-profit committed to expanding the power and potential of women entrepreneurs. Amy dedicated two years working with MUM’s staff and board to create their new strategic plan, which has been a catalyst for tremendous growth and expanded reach for agency initiatives in Dane County. MUM honors Amy for her lasting legacy as one who inspired thousands and was an unwavering advocate for equity and social justice.

For more information about Madison-area Urban Ministry or the Virtual Partners for Change Luncheon, or to lend your support, please contact Kathy Eckenrod at 608.807.9107 or Kathy@emum.org.