Hunger Task Force Milwaukee
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Robles Center Petition
We need your help! Petition to reopen the Robles Center location. Read the petition, then fill out the form below it to sign it. Take Action Now!
January 21, 2010
Secretary Karen Timberlake
Department of Health Services
1 West Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53702
Phone: (608) 266-1865
Dear Secretary Timberlake:
The undersigned oppose the closure of the Robles Center at 1673 S. 9th Street. We collectively request that the Robles Center be re-opened immediately.
Our reasons for making this demand include:
Failure to communicate with the community: The closure of the Robles site was never publically announced. The Department of Health Services failed to gain an understanding of the community or the diversity of its people. It failed to notify applicants and recipients. Every day people still visit Robles to apply for benefits and other assistance.
Cultural Competence: The Robles Center was named in honor of a Latino leader. Milwaukee County provided translation services on site for people of limited English proficiency. Closing the site resulted in a loss of linguistic and culturally relevant services for Latinos and other ethnic groups. This raises serious legal concerns of "access" and "equity."
Travel barriers for applicants: Applicants for entitlement benefits need an accessible location. They should not be asked to walk 2 miles to UMOS or be sent across town to the Coggs Center on Vliet Street.
Loss of Program Access: Applicants for FoodShare and Medical Assistance need an accessible application site dedicated to their needs. Welfare reform agencies are dedicated to employment placement. Older adults, people with disabilities, undocumented citizens, non-English speakers and working poor people need food, health care and childcare and they should not have to be screened by job center staff to get the help they need. Besides, job center staff is not trained to relate to and assist individuals with these needs.
Economic Impact: The Robles Center is located on Historic Mitchell Street. People conducting business at the Robles Center also frequented the stores and businesses on Mitchell Street. Closing the Robles Center hurts economic development on Mitchell Street and contributes to a less robust south side community.
Petition
