2018 Refugee Run Impact!

Because of all of YOU who participated in or donated to last summer's 5k Run/Walk for Refugees, you made it possible for us to help 47 local refugees this past year!

Some funds were used for practical purposes and some funds were used to spoil them!

Here's the impact you had on Milwaukee families this past year:

You helped 5 families pay back a portion of their airfare loan that enables them to fly to America. They had to show us proof of previous payments they've made, which shows us they understand the responsibility in repaying this loan. It is important they pay this loan back because it greatly impacts their credit here in America. They all understand that if they plan on buying a house in the future (which they all do), it's necessary they repay these airfare loans. Not only that, it also teaches them basic financial responsibility.

You provided diapers and wipes to 5 families with babies or toddlers. 

You helped the 13 women of Milwaukee's Newest Artisans participate in 5 craft fairs this year, which has made it possible for them to earn over $10,000! They were also featured in the Milwaukee Independent a few months ago! You can check out that article here:

http://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/articles/local-refugee-women-crochet-plastic-bags-craft-items-earn-income-saving-environment/

Craft and Relic Market

You sent 2 teenage boys to a Milwaukee Wave soccer game for their first time...and even spoiled them with some concession snacks!

We still have a remaining balance from last year's event of $430. This will be used to get the women into more craft fairs and farmers markets and to help with school supplies and uniforms for a number of families.    

We also wanted to let you know that this year we will not have the Annual Run/Walk for Refugees. As for next year, it is yet to be determined as we reevaluate and hopefully find a bit more help! 

As always, thank you for your support!

A Wintry Update!

Winter in Wisconsin can sometimes be a drag...but not this year. We've been busy little bees ...here's what we've been up to!

At the end of January, Milwaukee's Newest Artisans participated in the two day Craft and Relic Market held at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex. It was one of the coldest weekends of the year, but people still came out to support them and for that we are grateful. They sold 62 baskets and earned $1101...which made it worth almost getting frostbite!

Also very grateful for our new, donated banner!

Not only that, we have seven new artisans who have joined the group and started crocheting! Not to mention, one of them includes our youngest member at the age of 10 years old. So far she's learned everything she knows from her grandma and has already sold 3 baskets!

To celebrate Black History Month, Milwaukee's Newest Artisans were invited to Franklin High School for their Black History Celebration. It was an inspiring night with great food, music, and a lot of support. The women sold 12 baskets, 1 mat, and earned $241 in just two hours!

Switching gears a little bit, our 2nd Annual Pub Crawl for Nepal was held during the week of Milwaukee's Polar Vortex! This year we had 33 participants - more than double the amount of people from last year! We had great support from Sugar Maple, Tonic Tavern, and The Highbury and raised $678! All donations will support the children we work with in Nepal. Thank you so much to everyone who came to hang out and show your support. We appreciate it more than you know! :)

Who doesn't love a good ole pub crawl?!

Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner....Stay tuned for our 1st Annual March Madness Bracket Pool coming soon!  All proceeds will support our work in Nepal. 

Our First Holiday Season!

We have been beyond blessed this holiday season and wanted to share with you what's been happening...all because of your support and generosity.

This past November we had our first ever Wine and Nepal Night. We shared pictures and videos to give guests a better understanding of the work we do in Nepal and why we do it. A really big thanks to everyone who came out for the night...even if you were there just for the wine! ;)

Thanks for hosting Katie!

 Two of the women from Milwaukee's Newest Artisans were asked to attend a local event to talk about their project with other refugee women. They taught them the basics of how to crochet using plastic bags. The women love sharing their skills and didn't hesitate when presented with this opportunity!

Demonstrating how to crochet using plastic bags

Another woman recently joined Milwaukee's Newest Artisans who arrived in the States not too long ago. She's picked up the project very quickly!

We are so grateful for a wonderful community member who organized a city-wide plastic bag drive for us. It was a huge help and provided the artisans enough plastic bags to last them quite a while! A big thanks to Classic Slice, The Urban Ecology Center - Menomonee Valley, and Riverwest Public House Cooperative for being kind enough to act as drop-off locations. And of course thank you to all of you, who donated your bags!

And this was only part of them!

During December, Milwaukee's Newest Artisans were welcomed to participate in three holiday craft fairs - they had a blast at all of them! Thank you to the South Milwaukee, Shorewood, and Riverwest communities for coming out to support their work and to show them just how much their skills are appreciated.

Riverwest Random Recycled Arts and Gifts Show

In just three markets, the women sold 176 baskets and earned $3,277. Just in time for Christmas! :)

Shorewood Holiday Craft Fair

Last but not least, let us not forget everyone who contributed so graciously on Giving Tuesday to make it possible for us to continue our mission. Thank you for your support!

We will continue to be great stewards of your gifts and do our best to ensure the people we serve feel God's love and know how much He cares about them.

Join us for our Upcoming Event:

2nd Annual Pub Crawl for Nepal
Friday, February 1, 2019 
Details coming soon!

Don't forget to check out our website!
www.whynotnowmissions.org

Markets and Partnerships!

Hey all!

Here's a little recap of the past couple of events we've had over the last two months. Get excited! :)

For the second time, Milwaukee's Newest Artisans had their own booth at the Wauwatosa Farmer's Market on August 4th. They sold 35 baskets, and made a combined total of $632 . Looks like they are still kickin' booty!

Just crochetin' and chillaxin'

The baskets with the blue bags have been a hit!

The women were also invited to be the Featured Artists at the Silver City International Festival held on September 8th and were even paid a small stipend for participating!  They sold 23 baskets and earned $387!  Thank you to our friends at Layton Boulevard West Neighbors for the invitation. 

It was a great day to be alive!

In other news, we're excited to announce that the women's baskets can now be found in two more local stores... Milwaukee Home, located in the Third Ward, and The Waxwing which is located on the East Side. Both stores are pretty rad and we are grateful for their partnerships.

Yes, we are ALWAYS in need of plastic bags, so please continue to save them for us! The women's number one request is for more and more plastic bags. It keeps them busy, their minds occupied, and fills them with hope. Yes, just a simple plastic bag. :) 

We also just completed our first fiscal year, so we'll have an update soon about the impact you all have made!

As always, thank you for your support!

A Sweet Summer of Updates

When summer in Milwaukee rolls around, we better make good use of it! And so far, we sure have.

On June 2nd, the women of Milwaukee's Newest Artisans ran their first booth at the Tosa Farmer's Market.  They were up and ready to go by 5:30am! Needless to say I think they were quite excited. :)

It was an awesome day, one where I truly believed the women realized their potential and were amazed at how many people loved what they are doing. In just 4 hours, they sold 34 baskets, 1 outdoor mat, and earned a combined total of $792...every single penny going back to the artisans. They left that farmer's market with not only money in their pockets, but with a new hope in knowing the possibilities that lie before them. Thank you to everyone who came out to support them!

Their booth looks pretty good!

The artisans....as always...busy working. :)

On June 10th, thanks to Devon Liebl and Lizzy Bauer, we were able to take some kiddos to see the movie Show Dogs. Not gonna lie, it was a pretty funny movie. Adults you would like it too!

Time to see some Show Dogs!

The women also had a booth at World Refugee Day this year. Here we were able to raise more awareness not only within the refugee community, but with locals of downtown as well. The women sold another 21 items and walked away with $407 in earnings! Boomshakalaka!

Looks like the little man was the boss for this booth!

 The 2nd Annual Milwaukee Run for Refugees was a huge success. For more pictures and details, check out other blog post specifically about the run. We had 72 participants and raised over $1600 which we will be using to help out local refugee families. Not to mention we were blessed with such gorgeous weather!

At the start line!

Explaining the course route :)

The women have continued to meet on Fridays and have been cranking out baskets like crazy! They are also beginning to make tote bags AND backpacks! It's clear they're gearing up for the next Tosa Farmer's Market this Saturday, August 4th. Stop by and say hello...they'll be crocheting and learning how to run this booth on their own one day! :)

Her kitchen is where she clearly does her work!

We're excited to share that we'll be partnering with a few new local stores in the upcoming months. More on that to come....And as always, thank you for all of your support!

2nd Annual Milwaukee Run for Refugees!

We could not have asked for a more perfect day for the Milwaukee Run for Refugees this year. Beautiful weather, delicious food from all over the globe, and a bunch of pretty awesome people...what more could we ask for?!
 
Here are a few pics that captured the day.....

A big thanks to Carly for working the registration table!

On your mark.....get set.....

Goooooooooooo!

This year we had 72 participants which included 30 of our newest American friends. We had a lot of children participate and one of the little guys from the Congo almost ran the entire 3 miles of the race. It was unbelievable!

They were honestly all speedracers!

The women who are a part of Milwaukee's Newest Artisans were able to showcase their baskets and walked away with a few good sales from the day...AND more plastic bags that were brought by all of you!

These baskets were pretty darn quick to sell!  :)

Because of all of YOU, we raised a little over $1600 this year and will be using it to help local refugee families with different needs and for various activities for the children; to give them the opportunity to experience things they may not otherwise have the chance to.

He was cruisin!

 Thank you so much to everyone who supported the event and made this day possible. You know who you are! :) We were so blessed to have such a great turnout and we're already looking forward to next year! Start praying for great weather!

What a bunch of good lookin' people!

                                                www.whynotnowmissions.org

Plastic Bags! They're pretty darn useful....

 Who would have thought collecting plastic bags could be so much fun?! Our newest neighbors have saved over 5,000 bags so far from going into the landfill, AND have had a blast doing it!

We're very blessed to be working with many great people in the community who have opened their doors to us.  In the beginning of April, Cloud 9 Workshop welcomed us into their studio which gave local community members the chance to meet their refugee neighbors and learn more about the work they are doing. The women were awesome teachers and were happy to be using their skills to share with others!

Thank you again to Cloud 9!

At the end of April, the women were the featured artists at Four Corners of the World for the West Vliet Street Art Walk. They were kind of a big deal! They crocheted the day away and raised awareness about how they are doing their part to save the earth and using plastic bags to create something beautiful!

Featured Artists - No Big Deal  :)

Working Hard!

The women also made an appearance at a local Milwaukee school where they demonstrated to the kids the endless possibilities of making different items using plastic bags. We had a lovely interpreter, the kids asked some great questions, and the women were thrilled to be sharing their skills with kids who were eager to learn.

Some of the kids have already made jump ropes and headbands using plastic bags!

 Currently the women have sold 90 baskets for a combined total of $2,078 with every single penny going to the them!

https://www.whynotnowmissions.org/impact-to-date/

In other news, we had our first refugee planning committee meeting to prepare for Milwaukee's 2nd Annual Run for Refugees...we were doing so much planning, we almost walked out without paying our bill! Whoops!

Yes, planning can be fun, but we should still pay the bill!  :)

Thank you so much to everyone who continues to support our mission!
It's been a spectacular spring.......here's to an even better summer!

www.whynotnowmissions.org