County Exec Abele Announces MC Cares Program to Benefit Vets

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele announced today the MC Cares Program, a first-of-its-kind initiative and partnership in Wisconsin to help veterans recently released from incarceration. Beginning this month, all veterans released from the Milwaukee County House of Correction and prisons across Wisconsin who are returning to Milwaukee County will receive an MC Cares package and the opportunity to meet with staff at the County Veterans Service Office and the Department of Workforce Development, Office of Veterans Services.

The MC Cares package, which is donated by the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative, provides personal care items to recently released veteran inmates and information on how they can connect with a wide array of veterans and social service benefits, including health care, dental grants, education, job search assistance, legal consultation, FoodShare and medical assistance appointments.

“As the name of the program says, Milwaukee County cares about our veterans, and this will help some of the most fragile and at-risk veterans get on track and stay that way,” County Executive Abele said. “From record-setting job fairs to the Purple Heart Pass, since I’ve taken office we’ve added and improved numerous programs for veterans. Our goal is simple: to offer as much help as we can for those who have served us.”

“Community partnerships play an important role in the reentry success of offenders upon their release from prison,” said DOC Secretary Ed Wall. “This veterans initiative will connect veterans with resources to help them become law abiding and successful members of society.” An estimated 100 Milwaukee County veterans will be released from prison and the HOC this year; each will receive an MC Cares package.

“Partnerships and programs like this improve veterans’ lives and strengthen our community,” said Kirsten Sobieski, an Army Veteran and Director of the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative. “We truly appreciate County Executive Abele’s continued commitment to veterans.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.