Milwaukee Courier

UWM Coach Baldwin Shares the Lessons of Working Through Adversity

MILWAUKEE COURIER — Anyone who plays a sport at any level is going to have to fight through adversity at some point.

Published

7 years ago

February 24, 2019

By Pat Baldwin, Head men’s basketball coach, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Things have been difficult for the Milwaukee Panthers over the past month or so. We had a tough five-game road trip and our team has been dealing with some adversity. It’s not the first time our players and coaches have had a rough stretch, and it won’t be the last.

Anyone who plays a sport at any level – and especially at the NCAA Division I level – is going to have to fight through adversity at some point, whether it’s a heartbreaking loss or an injury or a slump. With that experience come lessons that can help not only with basketball, but also other areas of life.

I can draw from some things in my past to help me, our coaches and our players get through this. As a sophomore at Leavenworth High School in Leavenworth, Kansas, I was the starting point guard. I was the youngest player on the varsity and, in our first league game, I played poorly. I put up a couple air balls, turned the ball over a bunch, and we lost the game.

Later, when we were watching film, I could hear someone in the crowd – a really good friend of mine – yelling, ‘Get Pat Baldwin out of there!’ That was tough. I don’t know if I ever lost confidence, but you’re second-guessing yourself. My coaching staff was really good in that situation, reassuring me that I was a good player. It’s just one game, they told me. There will be many more, and you’ll improve and get better, which I did.

Then, at Northwestern University, I faced the most challenging thing I’ve ever gone through athletically, because I wasn’t used to losing. My freshman year, we didn’t win a single Big Ten game. So, dealing with adversity and learning how to overcome it was something that was forced upon you.

Later, as an assistant coach under Chris Collins at my alma mater, we had to scrape our way up from the bottom of the barrel again. The first couple years were tough. We played Wisconsin when the Badgers had Sam Dekker and Frank Kaminsky, and the score at halftime was 40-14. But we helped our players develop Teflon skin and learn how to fight and overcome things, and in my fourth year as an assistant, we made it to the NCAA Tournament.

So, I’m not discouraged. Don’t get me wrong – I want to win. I want us to have all the success we can possibly have, but I’m not discouraged because I haven’t seen even one second of quit in our players.

The litmus test, after tough losses or a stretch like we’ve just gone through, is practice. I see our guys working extremely hard. Guys are texting me: “Coach, can I come in and watch film?” “Coach, can I get up some extra shots?” I look in their eyes and I can see the commitment. They’re 100 percent invested in the process and in each other.

That doesn’t mean it’s been easy. We talk all the time about the big picture, and for young adults, that’s sometimes hard to see. They’re impatient for success, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The thing we’re impressing on them is development, getting better, and that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

But we also stress the urgency of today. That’s the reason we work so hard. That’s the reason we do skill development every single day in practice. We’re working to get better.

We talk about hammering away at the rock. At some point, that rock is going to crack. And when it does, we are going to do some great things.

This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Courier.

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Under My Wing Mentors Milwaukee’s Young Women

MILWAUKEE COURIER — Under My Wing is an all-girls mentoring organization whose mission is to foster a safe environment for young ladies where they can cultivate leadership through life coaching. They offer numerous amounts of mentoring workshops that are designed for character and relationship building and life-skills management, according to the CEO and founder, Lea Hortman. @UnderMyWingINC

Published

6 years ago

December 29, 2019

Courier Admin

The target population for this non-profit is girls ranging from the ages of 11-18.

By Evan Casey

A mentor is defined by Merriam-Webster as “an experienced and trusted adviser.” At Under My Wing Inc., that term is taken very seriously as this Milwaukee non-profit has been positively impacting young women’s lives across Milwaukee for years.

Under My Wing is an all-girls mentoring organization whose mission is to foster a safe environment for young ladies where they can cultivate leadership through life coaching. They offer numerous amounts of mentoring workshops that are designed for character and relationship building and life-skills management, according to the CEO and founder, Lea Hortman.

Hortman started this organization after she was helped by various individuals throughout her own life, including her own Aunt, Erin Breen.

“Spending time together through community events, family outings, and educational conversations, Erin became the guardian angel I always needed,” says Hortman. “Erin was a safe place, a place where I could gain wisdom from, and develop as a young lady.”

Hortman looks to mirror the ways that her Aunt helped her through her own life. Under My Wing focuses on mentoring middle and high school girls. They provide life coaching through the form of educational settings, such as group or one-on-one mentoring sessions.

The target population for this non-profit is girls ranging from the ages of 11-18.

Makayla Jefferson, a senior in High School, has been involved with Under My Wing since the summer of 2017. Being a victim of bullying, Under My Wing helped overcome that.

Under My Wing, Inc. CEO and founder, Lea Hortman

“Ms. Hortman inspires me to become a stronger leader, and to strengthen my relationship with not only myself, but with God,” said Jefferson. “Under my Wing always creates a safe space to share my story and not once are you judged.”

Under My Wing mentored more than 200 girls, completed more than 50 workshops and 12 conferences.

They hope to mentor more young women across the city.

Brianna Nimox used to be a volunteer but has since become a full-time partner with Hortman. She echoes Hortman’s goals for the organization.

“Lea and I have done a lot of volunteer work in the community doing what we love to do: mentor,” said Nimox. “I think it’s time that we start promoting and making ourselves accessible to the government, the community, and other agencies who could use our services.”

Hortman has been helping the community since 2012 and she hopes to continue her work well into the future. She will be graduating from UW-Milwaukee in the spring with a degree in social work.

“I believe in doing the grassroots work here and ultimately leading by example,” says Hortman. “This organization has become my way.”

This article originally appeared in The Milwaukee Courier.

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Government

Julia Means Appointed to the City of Milwaukee’s Board of Health

MILWAUKEE COURIER — Mayor Tom Barrett appointed Julia Means, Registered Nurse, to the City of Milwaukee’s newly created Board of Health last month on June 27. The nine-member commission will advise the Health Department on policy and advocate for public health practices that improve health outcomes for all Milwaukeeans. The citizen oversight board was created by legislation adopted by the Milwaukee Common Council and signed by the Mayor in February of 2019.

Published

7 years ago

July 17, 2019

Courier Admin

By The Milwaukee Courier

Mayor Tom Barrett appointed Julia Means, Registered Nurse, to the City of Milwaukee’s newly created Board of Health last month on June 27. The nine-member commission will advise the Health Department on policy and advocate for public health practices that improve health outcomes for all Milwaukeeans. The citizen oversight board was created by legislation adopted by the Milwaukee Common Council and signed by the Mayor in February of 2019.

Means, a Community Health Ministry Nurse with Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital, part of Ascension Wisconsin, touches countless lives everyday through her faith-based work promoting education around chronic disease management, food security, infant mortality in our community and health navigation. Through Mean’s tireless work and dedication, she has made an incredible impact on many in the community.

“I don’t know Julia Means personally, but when I hear her name, the first word that comes to my mind is mentor,” said Kymm Robinson, Sherman Park neighborhood.

The importance of maternal and infant health cannot be overemphasized because it determines the health of the next generation and can help predict future public health challenges for families and our community.

“My cousin was a participant in the Blanket of Love Program and my auntie isn’t around to help her, so the program was important,” said neighbor Justin Patterson. “Julia Means is a teacher, a protector, a rescuer and a second mother. She’s a guardian angel. Without her, I don’t know where my baby cousin would be right now.”

Means is an instrumental mentor to young women and men because she had powerful mentors in her own life.

“I would never be where I am today without someone pushing me,” Means said. “I can help others because I had help.

By combining her nursing skills and her faith, Means has made an impact on Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s and across Ascension Wisconsin. She created an innovative collaboration with church congregations, city officials, homeless shelters, neighborhood centers, community partners and programs to create the “Blanket of Love” program in 2004. The program connects participants to resources that can help lower stress, support wellness and eliminate the two most preventable causes of infant death in Milwaukee: premature births and unsafe sleeping environments.

In 1996, Means became the first Parish Nurse at Ebenezer Church of God Christ. As a Parish Nurse, Means connected the church with the community.

“I’m blessed to work for an organization that fosters and encourages people to have faith in God. Ascension Wisconsin not only allows but encourages me to do my work and not hide my faith,” said Means. “If you take care of God’s business, He’ll take care of your business.” Means truly believes this is due to the countless examples of how God continues to work in her life and the lives of her participants.

“I see myself as the bridge between the community and the hospital. I’m an advocate for people in the community that feel they have no voice,” she added.

While Means is out and about, people always approach her and tell her how she’s impacted their lives. Children even run to her and call her grandma. “I have a new grandchild every day,” Means said.

Means is honored and thankful to wake up every day and do this work. Although people give Means recognition for the work she does daily, Means credits God.

“It’s not my work, It’s God’s work. I am grateful He chose me,” said Means.

Ascension St. Joseph Hospital is holding their 22nd Annual Concerts in the Park Series, Celebrating 140 years of service to the community. All concerts run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ballpark food will be on sale at all concerts, with proceeds benefiting a different neighborhood school each concert. There will also be free blood pressure and diabetes screening, fresh farmer’s market, courtesy of Mount Cavalry, and fun activities for children.

July 24 Eddie Butts Band August 7 Christopher’s Project
August 21 Joe Richter Band

This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Courier.

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Economy

New Report Ranks Milwaukee #72 Out of 100 Cities in Affordable Housing

MILWAUKEE COURIER — According to the RealtyHop Housing Affordability Index, when it comes to being able to afford a house, Milwaukee ranks 72 out of 100 cities in the U.S.—last month’s report ranked Milwaukee at 76. Every month, RealtyHop analyze their data alongside comprehensive U.S. Census data to find out if homeownership is affordable or accessible for the average family, according to their site.

Published

7 years ago

July 16, 2019

Courier Admin

By Nyesha Stone

According to the RealtyHop Housing Affordability Index, when it comes to being able to afford a house, Milwaukee ranks 72 out of 100 cities in the U.S.—last month’s report ranked Milwaukee at 76. Every month, RealtyHop analyze their data alongside comprehensive U.S. Census data to find out if homeownership is affordable or accessible for the average family, according to their site.

Los Angeles is at the top of the list of least affordable homes with a 1.44 percent increase in homeownership burden, according to the index. L.A.’s median price range for a home is $899,000, which means the average L.A. household would have to spend 91.4 percent of their yearly income to own a home.

Only about six hours away, Detroit is the most affordable city to own a home, according to the index. The index reported that a household in the city would only need to spend $302 a month to own a home, or 13 percent of their annual income.

Along with that data is the medium income of the 100 cities. Milwaukee’s median income is $38, 289.