Community

The Upper Room Bible Church held its 16th Annual Fall Church Celebration Banquet. Quest Behavioral Healthcare donated the use of its annex space for the event. Quest Behavioral Healthcare works to improve Wisconsin communities by addressing issues such as poverty, discrimination, and other challenges people face. They actively participate in community efforts to promote fairness, equality and support other organizations with similar goals through financial assistance and resources.

Over 100 people attended the banquet, including members from local churches and businesses. Special guests included Michell Pitts and her husband from Pitts Mortuary, as well as the Bells from Grace Music School. The event had a fashion show, great food, live entertainment, a comedian, a raffle, and an icebreaker activity.

By providing their annex space, Quest helped bring together local churches, businesses, and residents to support one another. The event allowed people to connect, have fun, and discuss ways to improve the community. It also highlighted the importance of giving back and how everyone’s contributions—whether time, space, or resources—can create a positive impact.

The Upper Room Bible Church is committed to helping the community, especially during the holidays. In 2024, they focused on supporting families in need by providing assistance during the holiday season. As part of their outreach, the Church set a goal to give out at least 100 turkeys to families struggling with food insecurity this Thanksgiving. They believe everyone deserves to enjoy a warm holiday meal.  On November 16, 2024, the Church held a turkey giveaway.  We donated 40 turkeys towards the Church’s goal of 100.  Along with the Church, we were pleased to help bring joy and comfort to families in need, making their holiday season brighter, offering hope and smiles during a time that can often feel difficult for many.   

On October 24th, 2024, we took our friend Sherwin for a walk at the Kinnickinick house. With help from the on-site OC, we supported Sherwin, who has mobility challenges, as he made his way around the block. It took some effort for him, but with gentle encouragement, a few breaks, and the promise of a green tractor toy he’s been wishing for, he completed the walk. Moments like these show us how small actions can bring so much joy to our clients, helping them feel valued and supported every step of the way. Great job, Sherwin!

Rock Da Block is an annual event in Milwaukee designed to support youth, adults, and families in need. Recognizing the economic challenges many families face, they strive to offer meaningful assistance. The event takes place every September, coinciding with the back-to-school season. This year, it will be held on September 14th from 1-5 pm at N. 35th & W. Center Street.

The event features a musical concert and a giveaway of free book bags and school supplies for children, primarily for elementary and middle school students. There will be live entertainment from local artists, a cookout with hotdogs and burgers, free groceries, and informational tables from various organizations. Attendees can also enjoy bouncy houses, games, free haircuts and hair braiding, face painting, horseback riding, and an animal petting zoo.

Additional highlights include a Milwaukee Fire Department engine for children to explore and learn about fire safety, a jail on wheels replica, guest speakers, and much more. All activities and items are provided for free to ensure that families can enjoy the event without any financial burden. Stay tuned for more updates.

On behalf of Matt Talbot and Horizon Healthcare, a community organization focused on mental health and substance abuse support, we reached out to one of Milwaukee’s homeless communities on July 27, 2024. During our visit, we distributed essential items such as hygiene products and food. We also encouraged several individuals to consider joining our Detox program and accessing Horizon’s services.

We prepared bagged lunches with sandwiches, fresh fruit, snacks, water, and juice. Additionally, we provided clothing items like socks, undergarments, t-shirts, shorts, and jogging pants. The hygiene kits included razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissues, wipes, and deodorant. Each hygiene bag also contained business cards and pamphlets with information about our detox program, mental health counseling services, and medication management offered through American Telepsychiatry.

Residents learned about the available support services for mental health and substance abuse recovery. They were informed about the detox program, mental health counseling, and medication management options, which can help them take the first steps towards improving their well-being and rebuilding their lives.

May 27th, 2024, while many of us were celebrating Memorial Day, Belwood was mourning the loss of a beloved friend and family member. Edward passed away on May 27th, 2024, after a long struggle with cancer and mental illness.

Edward joined us five years ago after spending time in prison. He courageously faced schizophrenia and learned to manage it. Edward was kind, very funny, quick-witted, outspoken, and delightfully sassy. He enjoyed listening to music and attending events. Despite his poor health, he always showed his sweet side with kind words. Edward was part of our family, and we were his. His life reminded us of the reality of mental illness and the importance of proper medication and care. Everyone needs to feel loved.

In his honor, we took Edward’s closest friends to the movies. His best friend, Chris, made a toast as we enjoyed snacks and watched “The Fall Guy” on the big screen.

We supported a resident of Fairfield Home in the Angelman’s Syndrome Walk on May 18th, 2024. With Angelman’s Syndrome as his primary condition, he relies on caregivers for daily needs. To ensure his participation, we provided comprehensive support, including physical assistance, emotional encouragement, health monitoring, and post-event care. This enabled him to safely and comfortably join the event, promoting awareness for Angelman’s Syndrome.

On December 20th, 2023, the organization hosted its annual holiday dinner, and the accompanying photos clearly capture the joy and enthusiasm of the youth who actively participated in the event.  We are a proud supporter of All 4 Kidz and we were pleased to make a financial contribution for this event.

 

This year, on 12/23/23, Belwood organized a Christmas Church Service to bring the holiday spirit to our community. We welcomed Bishop Brooks, along with his wife, Mrs. Iris, and a group of exceptionally talented individuals who sang, praised, and spread joy. Our residents thoroughly enjoyed having these uplifting services brought directly to them.

Belwood is organizing a special event—an afternoon devoted to worship—to mark the onset of the holiday season. Bishop Brooks will be spreading the word of God during this festive period, and all are welcome to join for a beautiful Christmas service featuring live music and more. Save the date: Saturday, December 23rd, 2023, at 11:00 am. Stay tuned for more updates on this

Recently, our contributions have benefited All 4 Kidz Inc., an organization established to create secure environments for young individuals in the foster care system, fostering emotional healing and enhancing mental health awareness. All 4 Kidz is committed to offering essential support services to children navigating the complexities of the child welfare system and dealing with trauma. The organization conducts life skills training and workshops, equipping foster youth with vital skills to navigate adulthood. We derive great satisfaction in our contribution to their success and are pleased to have played a role in supporting their mission.

Nurturing Compassion: Extending Support to a family in need.

We were recently approached by a local Church about one of their parishioners, a family of a mother and six children who had been without a stove and refrigerator since Thanksgiving.  One of our managers is involved in the Church ministry on a volunteer basis.  We arranged to buy and donate these needed appliances to the family to ensure that they do not endure the holiday season without these essential appliances.

On September 30th, 2023, our team and clients participated in the 15th Annual Walk for Recovery. We contributed to the walk by buying food tickets for about 30 clients. This support helped the Alano Club and the recovery community to continue to have meetings and future recovery events.

Additionally, Matt Talbot Recovery Service donated backpacks with hygiene and food items to clients who attended the walk and are currently in treatment. These items were meant to assist clients who may be going through a tough time during their recovery journey. We were pleased to provide books bags through our affiliate Matt Talbot Recovery Services, Inc. for the River Walk.

Join us on Friday, October 13th, 2023, as elected officials, community leaders and families gather to celebrate the 70th birthday of iconic community advocate, organizer, and non-profit leader Mr. James Nelson. Expect a night of delicious food, live entertainment, a dance contest, door prizes, and the company of wonderful guests.  We are pleased to pay for the food for this event.

The Back-to-School event organized by the Upper Room Bible Church took place on September 2nd, from 11 am to 4 pm at 2025 West Fond du Lac Avenue. This gathering featured dedicated volunteers, including barbers and nail technicians, who provided haircuts for boys and nail painting for girls. Additionally, those who attended were offered tasty meals, and backpacks loaded with school materials were given out. The children and their parents showed deep appreciation for our donation. To add to the fun, they had a bouncy house for the kids to enjoy while they waited for their turn with the barbers and technicians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are pleased to sponsor the food at the upcoming annual community celebration on October 13, 2023 in the heart of Milwaukee’s Central City at Garfield’s 502 – https://www.garfields502.com/ – a neighborhood bar featuring “live music, great food and amazing atmosphere”.  Garfield’s 502 is the premiere social gathering place for Milwaukee’s political and community leaders, elected officials, and families.  Our sponsorship is a testament to our commitment to the community and our love for our beautiful City of Milwaukee.

 The October 13 event is led and coordinated by the well-known community advocate Mr. James Nelson, formerly of Milwaukee’s iconic Career Youth Development https://www.facebook.com/Careeryouthdevelopment/ and principal assistant to its founder Ms. Jeannetta Robinson.  Ms. Robinson , who passed away in 2008 and her mother, the late national civil rights leader Ms. Claretta Simpson (affectionately known as “Mother Freedom”), founded Career Youth Development (CYD) as the premier social services organization in Milwaukee that assisted thousands of children and indigent families escape the plagues of drugs, poverty, homelessness and mental illness for over forty years. Many of Milwaukee’s leaders in the public sector today received in their youth education, nurturing, inspiration and leadership training from Jeannetta. The motto of CYD was “love in action”.  (Note: Our own CEO – Karl – was CYD’s “Man of the Year” 2002.)

Sister Jeannetta Robinson –  fondly remembered with love and affection, greatly missed and forever in our hearts.

 

We are pleased to have recently contributed to the upcoming St. Francis Parish’s Golf Outing on September 20, 2023. Father Mike of St. Francis of Assisi Parish allocated $35,000 in scholarship funds from the previous year’s Outing to 9 young individuals who dedicated their time to community service. The combined efforts of our support and that of others significantly impact the lives of these young individuals. We are grateful for the opportunity to extend our help and make a meaningful contribution to this noble cause.

“Bishop Willie Brooks of the Upper Room Bible Church in Milwaukee has just published a very important book – “A Journey of Faith” available at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Path-Servant-Leadership-Journey-Faith/dp/

B0CD94ZTMQ/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2IKL2BJ8BBDQX&keywords=

a+journey+of+faith+brooks&qid=

1694378164&sprefix=a+journey+of+faith+brooks%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-5

The book is a philosophical reflection by the Bishop of what it means to be a servant leader.  At the same time, it is a practical guide on how to be a leader.   We purchased 300 copies of this book and distributed it within the community in order to get the Bishop’s message out about topics such as “humility”, “compassion”, ”empathy”, “listening”, “healing” and “stewardship”.  We have also made the book required reading for our Executive Team Members and key managers. 

Our Company values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  We are committed in all we do to be supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.

Jubilant Juneteenth: A Flavourful Celebration at Belwood and Other Group Homes

Belwood and our other homes rejoiced in a vibrant Juneteenth celebration on June 19th, 2023, a true feast for the senses.

Our kitchen manager prepared an exquisite lunch, featuring mouthwatering roasted Cajun turkey, candied yams, sweet cornbread, and fresh green beans.

With our bellies filled and hearts content, we gathered in the common area, where the empowering movie “Harriett” inspired us with tales of courage and triumph.

 

 

 

 

 

Unleashing our creativity, we embraced freestyle painting, using vibrant African American colors to express our individuality. And to quench our thirst for delight, we savoured slices of juicy watermelon.

Juneteenth at Belwood and other homes was an unforgettable fusion of flavors, art, and community.

We are pleased to have recently provided our support to the Rock Da Block Concert and Book Bag Giveaway. This event is scheduled for Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, from 12 noon to 5 pm on 35th Center Street (the entire lot on the northwest corner). The music concert will be complemented by various organizations setting up information tables, offering children’s games, providing reading and coloring books, setting up bouncy houses, distributing book bags and school supplies, offering free food and refreshments, and of course, presenting a lively music concert.

As proud sponsors of this event, we are continuing our tradition of wholehearted support as we’ve done before. Our contribution will go towards providing school supplies that will be placed inside the book bags.

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe that “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.

We are a proud sponsor of the “Youth Empowerment Fundraiser”, helping to create a brighter tomorrow for our youth.

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe that youth and family are key to building strong communities.  We are proud to sponsor “Agape Love Ministries Youth Outreach Event”.

 

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe that families getting together to share food and have fun makes for strong, vibrant communities.  We were proud to provide financial support for “Hood Love Community Pop-Up Event”.

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, in our programming we seek to educate men about the scourge of domestic abuse and empower women to free themselves from their abusers. We are proud to support www.ExposedThePodcast.com

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe that children are our future.  We are proud to sponsor and participate in “Rock da Block Concert and Bookbag Giveaway.

For 21 consecutive years in a row, during the months of November and December we reached out to all the neighbors in our block and provided them with holiday gift cards for Thanksgiving and for Christmas.  At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe in being good corporate citizens.

         

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we celebrate the rich diversity of America.  Freddie Smith, Member of our Executive Management Team, represented us and participated in the 2021 Juneteenth Day celebrations of Washington County.

We are committed to working with our neighbors to keep our neighborhood litter-free, clean and beautiful.  Our employees participated in the Blitz the Block Clean Up on Friday, August 26, 2022.

Our Company is committed to being a good corporate citizen.  We distributed gift cards to all our immediate neighbors in order to allow them to buy turkeys and other items to celebrate Thanksgiving 2022.

 

 

 

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, Neighbors and neighborhoods help make communities and families strong.  We are a proud supporter of Neighborhood House.

 

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, We believe that kidz are our future. Proud supporter of All 4 Kidz 2022.

 

We were pleased to make a recent contribution towards the repair of the charter bus at Upper Room Bible Church. The charter bus holds immense importance for the church as it facilitates the congregation, volunteers, and various ministry groups in coming together for worship services, events, and more. Unfortunately, unexpected repair needs had placed the bus in a critical situation, requiring urgent financial assistance.  We were happy to be able to help.