District 13 Updates for the Week of October 1st

HI Everyone,

I trust you are enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend. It's a good time to get outdoors to do yard work or visit one of the city's many parks. It won't last long, so enjoy!

Here are this week's updates:

Welcome Corps -- A New Volunteer Opportunity

Join the Welcome Corps, a movement that matches everyday community members with displaced persons around the world, creating new pathways to safety in the U.S.

The Welcome Corps is a new movement that expands our country’s capacity to support displaced people from around the world who have fled violence and persecution. The program creates new pathways for those who have been awaiting resettlement in the U.S. by matching them with groups of "welcomers" who are stepping up to help them navigate their new community and achieve self-sufficiency and who are providing a sense of belonging, welcome, and inclusion.

Welcomers (also known as “Sponsors”) receive customized support and training every step of the way from the Alight team, a global nonprofit with decades of experience working to build a meaningful life for and with those who have been displaced.

 To learn more about this exciting opportunity to stand alongside someone as they rebuild, contact your District 13 neighbor Kathi Seiden-Thomas at kathis@wearealight.org. She looks forward to answering your questions and would be happy to schedule an information session for your group (e.g. faith community, work colleagues, book club, etc

Learn to Fish with WI DNR, Wednesday, October 4

Learn to Fish with Madison Parks and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources! There is no cost to attend (advanced registration is required), however, anglers ages 16 and older will need a Wisconsin fishing license, which can be purchased online at Go Wild . For first-time license buyers, the cost is just $5 for an annual permit. See license options . Wisconsin DNR's Fishmobile will be onsite with all the fishing equipment needed to participate. This event is open to adults and children and is ideal for persons aged 7 years and older. Children must be supervised by a parent or adult guardian. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver for themselves and their children, upon arrival.

Cyclocross Practice Ride | Sycamore Park, Wednesday, October 4
 

We've partnered with Capital Off-Road Pathfinders in offering a free, temporary cyclocross course to practice your biking skills. Each event is open from 5-7pm at the designated location. You will need a bike with knobby tires, such as a mountain bike style and a good-fitting helmet. Some parks do not have restrooms, please plan accordingly. Cyclocross is a form of bicycle racing similar to cross country running but on a bicycle. Courses feature wooded trails, grass, pavement, steep hills, and obstacles.

Fall Home Maintenance with ULGM, Wednesday, October 4
 

Discover Winter Ready Homes: Join Us to Learn How to Prepare Your House for the Season Ahead. For more information or to get help registering contact the Urban League of Greater Madison 608.729.1200 or by email at info@ulgm.org.

HUD-Approved Homebuyer Education "Your Path to Homeownership" Three Part Hybrid Class
 

"Your Path to Homeownership" is provided by La Casa de Esperanza, a Non-Profit HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency dedicated to assisting individuals and families to increase income, build savings and gain assets. The focus on financial wellness is supported by the Center’s programs and services which include; home buyer education and counseling, free tax services, employment coaching, financial coaching and access to financial workshops. This people-centered approach supports the belief that everyone deserves an opportunity to work on their financial wellness.

WRIGHT DESIGN SERIES Sustainable Design: What are we Missing in our Efforts to Curb Global Warming?, Thursday, October 5
 

Global warming due to human activities has been well established in the scientific and government communities for decades and has been identified as the greatest crisis of our time. Nevertheless, despite the attention and press given to this topic, very little has been done to slow the increase in global warming gases being released worldwide. What are we missing? Presenter Eric Truelove will provide ideas, based on his 40+ years in the energy and construction industries, as to why the current approach in the United States is failing and how an alternate approach can yield results.

Co-op Connection, Saturday, October 7

Free exhibitor fair celebrating local cooperatives, including giveaways and kids' activities.

Bird & Nature Adventures | Tenney Park, Saturday, October 7

Art in the Park with Kacy Zander ~ Join Nature Artist Kacy Zander with ReCreate for a free welcoming family friendly nature walk to enjoy the beauty of fall colors and migrating birds along Lake Mendota and the Tenney Park Lagoon. Have fun doing an art activity and create some nature art of your own!

Dane County Fire Truck Parade, Sunday, October 8

 Join the Madison Fire Department and other Dane County fire departments on State Street and the Capitol Square to help kick off Fire Prevention Week! The parade begins on lower State Street (near Lake Street) and proceeds to the Capitol Square.

Bird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point, Sunday, October 8

Seeds and Leaves with Stephanie Briand ~ Join Master Naturalist Stephanie Briand for a free nature walk or take a walk on your own any day in October. Fall is the season of leaves changing colors and seed dispersal! Enjoy a free, fun and family-friendly fall hike where we will learn about the reasons leaves change color and fall from deciduous trees and the five main modes of seed dispersal.

A New Way to Get Your Collection Schedules from the Streets Division

The City of Madison Streets Division is happy to share we are testing a new map-based lookup for learning your collection schedules.

Digital Inclusion

To build more connected communities, everyone needs internet. The federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has been a monumental tool offering a $30 monthly discount (among other benefits) to lower-income households. The program has enrolled over 20 million American households, with 16,000 in Madison alone. However, without action to continue funding for the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, experts warn the ACP could be out of money by the spring of 2024. This means thousands of Madisonians may lose this vital benefit that keeps them connected.

In light of National Digital Inclusion Week (Oct. 2-6), we want to affirm that the City of Madison is dedicated to bridging gaps in access to and adoption of digital devices and internet connectivity. The Affordable Connectivity Program is central to this endeavor. We encourage you to reach out to your congressional representative, asking them to support continuing to fund the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. We also encourage you to share this program with others who might be eligible. Together with Madison Public Library and all our community partners, we can help preserve internet access so all residents can live, learn, work, and thrive.

ACP participants receive up to $30/month discount on internet service and a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying tribal lands. Participants can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50). Participants qualify based on household income; if you, your child, or a dependent participate in certain government assistance* programs; if you, your child, or a dependent already receive a Lifeline benefit; or if you qualify through a participating internet provider’s existing low-income program.

Enroll today at www.affordableconnectivity.gov.

Don’t currently have email, computer or Wi-Fi access to enroll?

You can contact the ACP Support Center by phone at (877) 384-2575.

The Madison Public Library offers free computer and Wi-Fi access. Call (608) 266-6300 for a list of library locations and computer use hours.

Need bilingual support?

You can contact the ACP Support Center at (877) 384-2575.

* If you or someone in your household participates in one of the following programs, you are automatically eligible for ACP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools, or if you received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year.

The Affordable Connectivity Program is administered by USAC with oversight from the Federal Communications Commission.

That's all for now.

Take care and stay safe,
Tag