Resources

Experts advise against using substances such as marijuana or alcohol to help reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Marijuana and other inhaled substances including cigarettes and e-cigarettes or vaping devices can be acutely dangerous because of the stress they place on the pulmonary system. Alcohol use can affect the general health of the body, leading to potential outcomes like sleeping less, and a weakened immune system.

Quit Smoking Resources
Substance Abuse: SAMHSA’s National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357) and TTY 1-800-487-4889
Treatment Services Locator Website
Interactive Map of Selected Federally Qualified Health Centers
Live Another Day - Extensive information on mental health and substance use resources for People of Color. Their mission is equal access to life-saving resources.
Detox Local - An excellent resource that features abundant information including mental health and substance use resources specifically for the AAPI (American Asian and Pacific Islander) community.

Community Closets

Community Closets are a resource available to all West Allis-West Milwaukee community members. The Community Closets are filled with many items (e.g., non-perishable food, clothing from birth through adults, school supplies, etc.) to help families in need. All items have been donated by the community, staff, and parents.

Horace Mann Elementary School Community Closet: Call Maria Garcia at 414-604-3912 for further information or complete the request form here.

Dottke High School Community Closet: Call Meg Holzhauer at 414-604-3561, email holzm@wawmsd.org or complete the request form here.

Requests will be filled as soon as possible.

Complaint

Food Pantries

Crimson Way Church

6125 W. National Avenue

Feeding His Flock
2828 S. 76th Street

First Lutheran Church
7400 W. Lapham Street

First United Methodist Church Of West Allis
1574 S. 76th Street

Good Samaritan Outreach
5924 W. Burnham Street

Holy Assumption - St. Augistine
1525 S. 71st Street

Mother of Perpetual Help
1121 S. 116th Street and 1414 S. 93rd Street

Mount Hope Lutheran Church
8633 W. Becher Street

St. Florian Church
1210 S. 45th Street

St. Johns Lutheran Church
8633 W. Becher Street

St. Matthias Catholic Church
9306 W. Beloit Road

St. Peter's Episcopal Church
7929 W. Lincoln Avenue

St. Rita's Catholic Church
2318 S. 61st Street

Woodlawn Lutheran Church
2217 S. 99th Street.

Homelessness

Hunger Task Force

Hunger Task Force has created a list of confirmed, trusted sites that are providing food safely and reliably. The map below lists public senior sites, school meal sites and outdoor emergency food distribution sites in Milwaukee. Search by zip code in the upper left hand corner to see a list of all the sites in your area. Then, click on individual sites to see details: days and times of service, type of program, etc. This resource is updated daily. Check with your local community food pantry directly for hours of operation. Click here to view the interactive Google map

Stress & Anxiety

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for people of all ages. Fear and anxiety about a new disease and what could happen can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can sometimes cause the following:

Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on.
Changes in sleep or eating patterns.
Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
Worsening of chronic health problems.
Worsening of mental health conditions.
Increased use of tobacco, and/or alcohol and other substances.

Take time to actively manage stress:

Take care of your body– Try to eat healthy well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Connect with others– Share your concerns and how you are feeling with a friend or family member. Maintain healthy relationships, and build a strong support system.
Take breaks– Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Try taking in deep breaths. Try to do activities you usually enjoy.
Stay informed– When you feel that you are missing information, you may become more stressed or nervous. Watch, listen to, or read the news for updates from officials. Be aware that there may be rumors during a crisis, especially on social media. Always check your sources and turn to reliable sources of information.
Avoid too much exposure to news– Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories. It can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Try to do enjoyable activities and return to normal life as much as possible and check for updates between breaks.

Suicide Prevention

Look out for these common signs of distress:

Feelings of feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
Changes in appetite, energy, and activity levels
Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
Physical reactions, such as headaches, body pains, stomach problems, and skin rashes
Worsening of chronic health problems
Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

If you experience these feelings or behaviors for several days in a row and are unable to carry out normal responsibilities because of them, talk to someone -- parents, teachers, counselors, clergy members, or doctors can help. You are not alone.

Teen Crisis Line: (414) 271-9523
Suicide Prevention 24-Hour Crisis Line: (414) 257-7222
Suicide Helpline: (800) 273-8255

Violence in the Home

With heightened levels of stress and more time at home, incidents of family violence may increase. If an incident begins, try to remove yourself to a safe place and call for help. Dial 911 for immediate help for you or someone else.

If the incident is over, call 414-933-2722 for 24/7 support through Sojourner Family Peace Center: HERE

If adolescents need a safe place to stay, and there are no options with other family or friends:

City of West Allis

Village of West Milwaukee

City of Greenfield

City of New Berlin

211

3 To Get Ready

Alcohol and Substance Use