Helping individuals successfully return to the community after incarceration in prison or jail is the mission of Circles of Support.* Through weekly meetings or individual contacts, volunteers from all walks of life meet with men and women who have been incarcerated to provide support and help to them in dealing with everyday challenges they face in returning to the community. The meetings provide a positive, non-judgmental environment which focusses on individual strengths and the future.
Information about community resources is provided by the participants and volunteers. Discussions about challenges focus on problem-solving and helping individuals explore effective options that might work for them. Participation is voluntary and there is no cost. Success is celebrated.
A variety of meeting times and places are available in Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, and Neenah-Menasha. Participants describe the groups as a “caring family environment,” a place to get useful community resource information, and a non-judgmental, trusting and respectful setting that gives them hope.
Anyone interested in being involved as a participant or volunteer can connect by calling (920) 840-2918 or emailing circlescanhelp@gmail.com. A volunteer will contact you personally to answer any questions.
*ESTHER is the fiscal sponsor of Circles of Support.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has just re-released (in HD video) its 2008 documentary on efforts of Native nations and the denomination’s National Indian Lutheran Board to secure sovereignty, justice, and civil rights for American Indians. Much of this collaboration and struggle took place in Wisconsin, involving—among others—the Lutheran Church of the Wilderness on the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Reservation in Bowler. Rev. Joel Schlatenhaufer (d. 2019), pastor of that congregation at the time, and later a founding member of ESTHER and its first president, is interviewed.
The history the video recounts is very interesting, and it would be useful for all of our members to know about the things that the video talks about.
ESTHER celebrated Appleton Juneteenth 2023 on Sunday, June 11, with African Heritage, Inc. and many other community organizations supporting diverse groups, causes and community challenges. ESTHER gave away over 100 books for all ages. Members had contributed books by and about Black history, heroes, strengths and struggles.
ESTHER also raffled off four bikes, including one donated by Chain Reaction Cyclery in Appleton (Thank you, Nikki!), and another purchased by ESTHER to give away. The four free raffle winners were thrilled with their bike wins.
Join People of Progression, STAR, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Fox City Flix and the Appleton Public Library to celebrate the end of the school year.
Free Event
Friday, June 9, Houdini Plaza, Appleton
7:45-8:30 pm - Community Activities
Fox Cities PAC Listening Session
Public Library Summer Programs
8:45 pm - Outdoor Movie: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
St. Joseph Catholic Church, 404 W Lawrence St, Appleton
This event is on both Thursday, May 11 from 10 am - 6 pm and Friday, May 12 from 10 am - 6 pm
To schedule a group or class to experience the cell, contact us at 920-843-8083 or office@esther-foxvalley.org
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 - 8:00am - Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - 8:00pm
Location:
Various venues in Fox Cities
Here are some area celebrations of Black History Month. Not a complete listing. . . but a good start. Please continue to do additional searches. Some have already passed, but there remain many for you can explore.
African Heritage Presents:
Saturday Feb 11, 2023, 11 am - 2 pm, Black History Program,
Fox Valley Technical College, 835 Bluemound Drive, Appleton Campus Door is C190ACB, Door 15
Movie Screening: 11:30 The Exchange of white America--Kaukauna & King: 50 Years Later
Soul Food Lunch; Keynote Address-12:30 pm
Also features “A Stone of Hope: Black Experiences in the Fox Cities” travelling museum.
Feb 25 Black History and Afro Hair Fair hosted by People of Progression Admission and more info here
10 am - 4 pm, Poplar Hall 141 Riverhealth Way. This event is an opportunity to increase access to education for blended or adoptee families, shelters, group homes, local salons and cosmetology students on proper care for 2c-4c hair types.
Appleton Area School District, collaborating with other organizations is hosting celebrations of Black History
Public transit provides basic mobility for many in our communities. It is also essential urban infrastructure–just like roads, bridges, tunnels and utilities–that is crucial to the economic, social and environmental well-being of all our regions.
Everyone has a right to a public mass transit system that includes:
Safe, reliable, environmentally-sustainable and affordable transit that is accessible to all, regardless of income, national origin, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ability.
An affordable public transit system that reliably connects people in all communities to the places we need to travel: home, work, school, places of worship, shopping, health, and recreation, in as efficient, and timely a manner as possible. We must ensure that all communities have access to transit; no community should be left behind. Public transit in rural, less densely populated communities should be provided in any master transportation plan despite the special challenges that may present.
Living wages, benefits, safe working conditions, and union rights for transit workers, including those who manufacture transit equipment, and access to family-sustaining transit jobs and training opportunities for people from underserved communities.
A just transition for workers and communities who are dependent on our current automobile and highway-centered transportation system, to ensure that no one is left behind as we transition to a more public, accessible, and cleaner transit-based system.
Rapid transition of our transit and school bus systems to electric, non-polluting buses powered by electricity from renewables.
Safe, healthy and livable neighborhoods that are connected by public transportation and by bicycle pathways and sidewalks, and that are planned to expand safe access to transit and reduce single occupancy vehicle miles traveled.
Dedicated and sustainable public funding for public transit.
Sponsored by Lawrence University, City of Appleton, United Way Fox Cities, Appleton Area School District, Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley, People of Progression, Pointers Community Initiaties, Covey
Helping individuals successfully return to the community after incarceration in prison or jail is the mission of Circles of Support.* Through weekly meetings or individual contacts, volunteers from all walks of life meet with men and women who have been incarcerated to provide support and help to them in dealing with everyday challenges they face in returning to the community. The meetings provide a positive, non-judgmental environment which focusses on individual strengths and the future.
ESTHER celebrated Appleton Juneteenth 2023 on Sunday, June 11, with African Heritage, Inc. and many other community organizations supporting diverse groups, causes and community challenges. ESTHER gave away over 100 books for all ages. Members had contributed books by and about Black history, heroes, strengths and struggles.
ESTHER also raffled off four bikes, including one donated by 
Join People of Progression, STAR, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Fox City Flix and the Appleton Public Library to celebrate the end of the school year.
Keynote speaker: Henry Sanders, Madison365
