Author: Erin Volland

LOV Inc.’s annual Winter Gathering was held on February 25, 2023. Now in its 15th year, this annual event is a beloved tradition for the LOV Inc. community. The event included a social hour, a dessert bar, an art showcase, and a talent show. The talent show, helmed by long-time emcee and LOV Inc. member Molly Waugh and her father Steve, included a wide variety of performances, including:

• Hannah Cormier, Singing “A Million Dreams” from the film “The Greatest Showman”
• William Paulson, German Yodeling
• Ben Fleischman, Singing “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain
• Abbey Webster, Mad Libs live
• Adam Rowe, Performing “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses
• Rachel Vanderbloemen, Singing “Sentimental Journey” by Les Brown, accompanied by Bob Berger on piano
• Molly & Steve Waugh, Singing “Don’t Go to Strangers” by Etta Jones
• Yasmine Elfarra, Singing “Slipping Through My Fingers” from the film “Mamma Mia!”
• Cara Swedeen, Dance Party to “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake

In addition to performances, the art showcase featured the works of Daniel Ellis, Matt Ward, and Edith Veitch. Daniel’s art featured a range of creative projects, including an Adirondack chair made of cedar. Matt shared a collection of origami, including an icosidodecahedron made with 60 pieces of paper. Edith’s art featured her drawing and coloring work, including a piece entitled Flower Girl. 

Local bakeries provided desserts for the event, including Madison Sourdough, Paleo Mama, and Willy Street Co-op.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has awarded LOV Inc. $422,000 to fund Colectivo de Familias Latinas, a project to address disparities in access to services for Spanish-speaking families with a child with disabilities. The Colectivo is a joint initiative between LOV Inc., the Catholic Multicultural Center, and Dulce Respite Center. This funding is part of a total of $17.3 million awarded to 69 organizations statewide. These grants are intended to improve Medicaid home and community-based services that help older adults or those who have disabilities.

“The Colectivo brings together and increases the efforts of three organizations to provide robust support to Spanish-speaking families that include an individual with a disability,” said Stefanie Primm, Executive Director of LOV Inc. “Whether it is accessing respite care services with Spanish-speaking providers or accessing translated materials, the Colectivo brings together a rich set of resources alongside a deep commitment to community building.”

Spanish-speaking staff will connect with families to identify resources and family support in areas including respite care services, understanding Children’s Long-Term Support, connecting with other families that include a child with a disability and sharing resources, identifying resources for a wide range of needs, from home modifications to food and housing security, and navigating school and educational supports.

“In my role, I have seen the difference that individualized consultations make in families accessing resources and support,” said Alejandra Espejo, LOV Inc.’s Bilingual Resources Specialist.  “As the Colectivo launches, I am excited to increase resources in the Spanish-speaking community.”

Grant funding is made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). To learn more about the statewide grant opportunity and all funded projects, visit the DHS website. Questions about ARPA funding and DHS can be sent to the DHS media team at DHSMedia@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

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El Departamento de Servicios de Salud (DHS) le concede $422,000 a LOV Inc. para financiar el Colectivo de Familias Latinas

El Departamento de Servicios de Salud de Wisconsin (DHS) le ha otorgado a LOV Inc. $422,000 para financiar el Colectivo de Familias Latinas, un proyecto que nace con el objetivo de abordar las disparidades en el acceso a los servicios para las familias de habla hispana que tienen un niño o una niña con necesidades especiales. El Colectivo es una iniciativa conjunta de LOV Inc., el Centro Multicultural Católico y Dulce Respite Center (Centro de Relevo Dulce). Este financiamiento es una parte de un total de $17.3 millones que se concedieron a 69 organizaciones en todo el estado. Estas subvenciones están destinadas a mejorar los servicios de Medicaid, en el hogar y en la comunidad, que sirven de ayuda a los adultos mayores o a aquellos que tienen discapacidades.

“El Colectivo reúne y multiplica los esfuerzos de tres organizaciones para brindar un apoyo sólido a las familias de habla hispana en las que hay una persona con discapacidad”, dijo Stefanie Primm, Directora Ejecutiva de LOV Inc. “Ya sea para acceder a servicios de cuidado de relevo con proveedores de habla hispana o para acceder a materiales traducidos, el Colectivo reúne un amplio conjunto de recursos junto con un profundo compromiso con el fortalecimiento de la comunidad”.

El personal de habla hispana se pondrá en contacto con las familias para encontrar recursos y apoyo en áreas que incluyen servicios de cuidados de relevo, comprender el programa de Apoyo a Largo Plazo para Niños (CLTS), conectar con otras familias con niños con discapacidad e identificar y compartir recursos para una amplia gama de necesidades, desde modificaciones en el hogar hasta seguridad alimentaria y de vivienda, y aprender a manejar y aprovechar los apoyos escolares y educativos.

“En mi función, he visto la diferencia que las consultas individualizadas les trae a las familias que acceden a recursos y apoyo”, dijo Alejandra Espejo, Especialista Bilingüe en Recursos de LOV Inc.  “A medida que arranca el Colectivo, me emociona poder aumentar los recursos en la comunidad de habla hispana”.

La financiación por medio de subvenciones es posible gracias a la Ley del Plan de Rescate Estadounidense (ARPA). Para obtener más información acerca de la oportunidad de subvención estatal y todos los proyectos que han recibido financiamiento, visite el sitio web del DHS. Las preguntas sobre los fondos ARPA y el DHS se pueden enviar al equipo de comunicación del DHS, DHSMedia@dhs.wisconsin.gov.