The Inaugural Blueprint Breakfast is an event that celebrates with pride the accomplishments and support of the many individuals who choose to support the mission we lead.
Humanitarian of the Year
Presented to an individual for either their personal contribution, advocacy through their church and/or civic organization and for their great synergy in support of affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization.
For more than 20 years Patrick Schoen, an Attorney at Quarles & Brady has provided pro bono legal representation for the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity affiliate. As a believer and active participant, he has done substantial legal work and provides education and training to the staff.
Pat concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and post-judgment collections, consumer litigation, including evictions and foreclosures, and creditor’s rights/bankruptcy. He is an active member in the Milwaukee Bar Association.
He and his wife Valerie, are strong advocates for affordable housing and have supported Milwaukee Habitat for over 10 years. His professional recognitions include:
- State Bar of Wisconsin – Pro Bono Honor Society (2013)
- Milwaukee Bar Association Distinguished Service Award for work as Chair of the Courts Committee relating to 2006 Budget for the Milwaukee Circuit Courts
Corporate Partner of the Year
Awarded to a corporation that has gone above and beyond in supporting affordable housing through either financial support, sponsorship, in-kind donations and for investing in a volunteer work experience for their employees.
At Johnson Controls, a vibrant spirit of volunteerism is alive at all levels of the organization. Part of the company’s support comes from matching their leaders with community and non-profit organizations, and they have been recognized as one of Corporate Responsibility magazine’s “Best Corporate Citizens”.
Since 2010 Johnson Controls has donated furnaces and thermostats for every Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity home built throughout the city. Over the years, this has added up to more than 130 new and rehabbed homes receiving HVAC equipment from Johnson Controls. In 2014 they expanded their partnership to include air conditioning units.
Beyond annual financial and in-kind support, over 300 Johnson Controls employees have come out for Blitz Build weeks over the past 5 years, displaying their community spirit to build and renovate homes. In 2010 alone, more than 100 Johnson Controls employees volunteered through their Community Involvement Program. One home was called the “Building Efficiency House.” The other one, built by a team of 30 female employee volunteers, was called the “Women Build House.”
The commitment from Johnson Controls has been a vessel for change outside the work arena. We extend our thanks to their employees and their leadership for striving to make the world a more comfortable, safe and sustainable place – one project at a time.
Community Builder of the Year
Presented to an individual or group whose commitment to reinvigorate and stabilize neighborhoods has not only strengthened Milwaukee Habitat, but has also impacted the greater Milwaukee community as a whole.
Opportunities to serve others through partnerships and friendships with local ministries began in the year 2000, when Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church began a partnership with other local churches.
It called itself Carpenters for Christ encompassing participation from both Methodist and Catholic based faiths. Working to inspire those in need, they came together after Ann Neafie and her husband, Terry moved from Texas to Wauwatosa. They had volunteered through their church in Dallas for two years and after moving they wanted to continue this type of experience, first with their church and then with their church partners.
Each year Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, Emmanuel Community United Methodist Church and Christ King Parish come together to help build a Habitat house, in addition to providing lunches for the Habitat volunteers during one of the Blitz Build weeks. Through the generosity of volunteer builders, each congregation joins with the other in raising funds and providing the labor to build the fully completed homes.
This year we recognize their 15th Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity house and salute them for their Faith in Action. We recognize the volunteers who work weekends throughout the summer and fall, all on various steps of the build process, and their outreach to our homeowners. The fact that this group blends Methodist and Catholic Churches, as one member states, shows that “we are all in this together regardless of faith. We all need to find our ow
n spot or niche within the life of a faith community”.
Presented to: Carpenters for Christ; Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, Christ King Parish, and Emmanuel Community United Methodist Church.