Community Shares of Wisconsin 2008 Annual Awards
Social activists in our midst
Social activists in our midst
(L-R) Nikki Baumblatt; Joe
Lindstrom; Rachel Rodriguez
Lindstrom; Rachel Rodriguez
The 54 groups that comprise Community Shares of Wisconsin and Community CHIP distinguish themselves in the nonprofit sector through their advocacy
and activism. CSW is a nonprofit that supports its member nonprofits through fund-raising (mostly in workplace giving campaigns), visibility, and technical
assistance.
CSW is proud to celebrate the work of three outstanding activists at the 2008 Annual Awards Event on Wednesday, September 17, 5:30–7:30 p.m., at the
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Suggested donation of $35 each person is greatly appreciated. RSVP to CSW by September 15, (608)
256-1066; csw@communityshares.com) Contact Moira Urich at (608) 256-1066 or cell (608)233-5648, or murich@communityshares.com
Sally Sunde Child and Family Advocate Award
Rachel Rodriguez, co-founder of UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence, will receive the Sally Sunde Child and Family Advocate Award.
For over 20 years Dr. Rachel Rodriguez has worked to help end domestic violence and to foster leadership among Latina migrant and immigrant women. She
published the first research in the country on the problem of domestic violence among Latina migrant farmworker women.
Consequently, she worked tirelessly to help establish UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence here in Wisconsin.
The mission of UNIDOS is to end family violence in Wisconsin’s Latino and immigrant communities.
David Duran, a Civil Rights Compliance Officer with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, first met Rodriguez 15 years ago when she was one of
the most compelling speakers at public hearings conducted by the National Migrant Health Advisory Council of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services being chaired by David Duran. Her testimony focused on the lack of domestic violence services available to migrant seasonal farmworker women.
“These women weren’t on anyone’s radar screen,” Rodriguez noted. “I spent years going to every meeting I could think of to build awareness.”
“Her comments resonated with me,” Duran said. “I knew from my own work as the Hispanic and Migrant Liaison for the Wisconsin Department of Health and
Family Services (DHFS) that when Latino migrant seasonal farmworker women were referred to local shelters, they weren’t getting the help they needed.”
Rodriguez noted that identifying a problem is only the first step. “But to get funding and to get policy makers on board, you need data on the incidence of
domestic violence among migrant farmworkers.”
In her home state of Texas Rodriquez was starting to do the first research in the country on that topic. Duran spoke with her at length and convinced her
to expand her research into Wisconsin as well.
“I could see how passionate and committed she was, and I wanted to enlist her in helping us to document the need for domestic violence services. I also
wanted to enlist her to help our migrant seasonal farmworker and immigrant communities by developing culturally appropriate bilingual program in
communities throughout Wisconsin,” said Duran.
It worked—Rodriguez began traveling to Wisconsin’s migrant camps to obtain the needed research. In addition she worked with a health clinic in
Wautoma on providing domestic violence services, and she did trainings and workshops.
Then based upon her initial research, Rodriguez worked tirelessly to help establish UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence here in Wisconsin, while at the
same time helping to found a migrant worker group in California, Líderes Campesinas (Farmworker Women Leaders).
Her commitment was phenomenal: she used her own money and frequent flier miles to travel to Wisconsin for the preliminary research, slept on friends’
floors, and helped to find funding.
“She really made personal sacrifices to accomplish all that she has to date,” said Duran.
Reasons to Get — and Stay — Involved
Why did this topic resonate so much with her? “I did my master’s thesis on battered women in the 1980s,” Rodriguez said. “I felt I couldn’t hear their stories
and walk away from them. I couldn’t just publish my findings about them and move on.
“What I was doing was what we now call social action research. But because this type of research wasn’t well known, I always felt that my way of
addressing social issues just didn’t fit within the academic framework.
“Of course I didn’t know where this was going to lead at the time.”
When she reflected on how her work has affected women’s lives, she talked about one older woman, Maria, in particular. “She had been in abusive
relationship for long, long time.
Some women never leave their abusers, and even though we continue to work with the women on many issues, including self-esteem, we always want to
respect their wishes.
“A young and attractive woman joined the ESL class that Maria was attending. The men were ogling her and making obnoxious comments, which made
the young woman very embarrassed and uncomfortable.
“After a few days of this Maria stood up in middle of class. She said, ‘This is sexual harassment. If you don’t stop it I will file a lawsuit against all of you who are
harassing this woman.’
“To the teacher Maria also said, ‘And if you put up for this in your class, I’ll file a lawsuit against you too.’
“It was a transformative moment. In standing up for this young woman she was really standing up for all women — and for herself. She simply was not
going to put up with it anymore. It was so great to see her fully embrace the dignity in each of us, including herself.”
Rodriguez has been closely involved with the work of UNIDOS since her days as cofounder, and for the past two years she has been its Executive Director. She
recently left the organization for Edgewood College, where she is on the faculty in the School of Nursing. She also currently serves on the Governor’s Council
on Domestic Abuse.
Though her commitment to this cause is phenomenal, she said, “There are so many days when I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything. Women still
encountering domestic violence and dying from it.”
Yet Laura Martinez, a Community Outreach Advocate at UNIDOS, said that Rodriguez’s work has made a difference, and that we should “thank her for
that. Thanks for her endless efforts to eliminate violence in our communities. Thanks for her compassion that motivates her to protect children and women.
And thanks to her for speaking out on behalf of those who don’t have a voice.”
Quote from Rachel Rodriguez
“All the people and groups that make up Community Shares really live the values and the philosophy that I share too, and they fully support us and our
work at UNIDOS. They also understand the kind of change that a small group of people can create. So it makes it so meaningful to be recognized by
Community Shares — I’m very honored.”
Quotes about Rachel Rodriguez
“Rachel’s work has helped open doors for some of our most invisible neighbors in Wisconsin — immigrant and migrant women, and their children. They
often face barriers of language, culture, and immigration status in attempting to attain one of the most basic human rights: a life free of violence.
“From Rachel’s research in the field through her role on the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse, her work has had a lasting impact not only on the lives of
these women and their children, but on the entire field of anti-domestic violence work in Wisconsin and nationally.” —Julie Andersen, Program
Director/Directora del Programa, UNIDOS Contra la Violencia Domestica; (608) 256-9195
“We have been so lucky to have had Rachel come to Wisconsin to help found UNIDOS, and equally lucky to have her stay with the program for this
length of time.”—David Duran, Civil Rights Compliance Officer, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, (608) 266-9372
Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award
Nikki Baumblatt, with OutReach, will receive the first annual Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award.
Baumblatt has long been involved in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, the Madison Jewish community, political
campaigns, and anywhere else that social justice work calls. She has always gone to great lengths to help those dealing with discrimination, advocating on
their behalf.
Baumblatt routinely helps people wind their way through the system—whether it involves navigating medical and insurance issues for someone who is
seriously ill, helping someone who’s been the victim of gay bashing, or assisting those facing discrimination based on sexual orientation. With her know-how
and persistence, she’s able to connect others with officials or with her friends and allies as needed.
As for Baumblatt’s political activism, it began even before she was born. When her mother, Sue, was pregnant, she went door to door campaigning. Later
as Sue worked for Rep. Bob Kastenmeier, Nikki was sometimes a toddler in tow.
Among her numerous political activities over the years, Baumblatt chaired Tammy Baldwin’s County Board re-election committee, and she was an
active volunteer in Baldwin’s run for Congress.
Her work on LGBT issues began in college, when she came out, in the early 1980s. It wasn’t easy to do on the UW-Madison campus without LGBT
support. The struggles she faced at that time later guided Baumblatt to active involvement in the LGBT community. For instance, Baumblatt is a long-time co-
chair of the Madison Pride event. She and her partner, Cris Derrick, were founding members of the Madison LGBT Business Alliance.
In 2003 she joined OutReach, a nonprofit organization in Madison that serves as an advocacy, support, and resource center for the LGBT community.
Baumblatt was hired first as Community Relations Director and then as Development Director.
“I love my work in political campaigns and at OutReach,” said Baumblatt, who has long served as the OutReach representative on the board of
Community Shares of Wisconsin. “Like Linda Sundberg, in whose memory this Award was established, I want to make a difference in people’s lives. OutReach
has allowed me to do that.”
Those who know Baumblatt note that it’s her passion for justice that motivates her to go to such lengths to help others. OutReach volunteer Linda Keyes
noted that “Nikki is a master at reaching out and involving people from diverse communities: those from a variety of age groups, different races and ethnicities,
and all LGBT individuals and their allies. In every situation, she works effectively and far beyond the ‘regular’ hours.”
In part, Baumblatt credits her Jewish heritage for inspiring her commitment for justice.
When she was growing up her heritage helped her realize the importance of speaking up for what was right. She said those early lessons led her, as an
adult, to “never stay quiet if I saw unfairness or mistreatment of some kind.”
Since then she has at times been a public voice for the LGBT community, and her family has supported her in that. “I remember the first time I was
interviewed for the local news. It was in response to a fundamentalist pastor/firefighter’s comments about a local LGBT entertainment complex, the Hotel
Washington, that burned down in 1996.
“I called to tell my mom that she would see me on the news, and at first she tried to talk me out of taking such a public role. I asked her, ‘Who taught me
to not keep quiet, and to keep fighting as long as it takes?’ She hasn’t complained since,” Baumblatt said.
Baumblatt added, “My whole life I’ve been a behind-the-scenes kind of worker. So getting this award is, unequivocally, a tremendous honor.”
As Baumblatt’s health recently deteriorated and she was placed on the organ transplant waiting list, she described the situation as “having my feet firmly
planted in mid-air.” Now that she has undergone a double organ transplant at UW Hospital and is recuperating, she is looking forward to getting back to work.
Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award
Joseph Lindstrom, a volunteer with Tenant Resource Center, will receive the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award.
Tenant Resource Center Executive Director Brenda Konkel, who nominated Lindstrom for the award, noted that “at the age of 27, Joe has been more involved
in our community than many people are in a lifetime.”
Lindstrom got involved in housing and homelessness issues very soon after arriving at UW-Madison as a freshman. After doing volunteer and fundraising work
with various campus organizations, Lindstrom said that in one sense he was gratified at what he was able to accomplish with direct service work.
But when looking at the big picture, “it can be extremely discouraging to work with homeless individuals every day and to know that a ‘success’ is to help
someone find a minimum-wage job or move into a dilapidated apartment. For every person or family who is getting off the street, there’s another being
evicted.
“It became clear that a real solution to homelessness would have to come from legislative action and community activism.”
That led him to involvement with Poverty Action Network (PAN). Lindstrom played a key role in successful campaigns to establish an inclusionary zoning law
and to prohibit rental discrimination against Section 8 recipients.
The PAN group also advocated for W-2 reform, increasing participation in school breakfast programs, and developing a curriculum to teach elementary
school students about poverty. In addition to his volunteer work supervising 35 interns for PAN, Lindstrom taught classes on grassroots organizing, coalition
building, and public speaking.
At the same time Lindstrom developed and coordinated the Madison Fair Wage Campaign. Konkel said that although this ordinance was eventually
superseded by a lower statewide minimum wage increase, “Madison’s efforts, led by Joe and others, still resulted in a minimum wage raise for the entire state.
In order to accomplish this, Joe collaborated with the Brennan Center for Justice in New York to draft the legislation and coordinated about 80 volunteers to
gather 13,500 signatures. Joe also participated in much of the media work surrounding the campaign and helped to organized a coalition of organizations in
support of the ordinance change.”
In addition, Joe has been Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County. The committee has been
implementing the Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in Dane County. In last year’s budget cycle, the committee’s efforts resulted in an
additional quarter-million dollars in new funding for homeless programs and, according to Joe, “this year’s efforts seem similarly promising.”
All of these volunteer efforts supplemented Lindstrom’s professional work in social services with Tellurian, the Salvation Army, Neighborhood Intervention
Program, and Housing Initiatives, as well as the Tenant Resource Center.
His help was essential to the Tenant Resource Center, said Konkel. “When an employee left us, Joe was fully equipped to walk right into a temporary job
with us — at a time when it was critical for our organization. He had such a vast amount of experience that he didn’t really require training. It was incredibly
helpful to us and the people we serve.”
Beyond that, Konkel said that “Joe has been actively involved in so many issues, despite his detour to active duty in Iraq in 2005. “Moreover, Joe has
been a tremendous asset to this community,” she added. “He has been responsible for organizing around many issues, and he has been key to many of the
victories in the housing field.”
Lindstrom noted that “it’s easy for well-meaning people to be overwhelmed by the complexity of the problems they see. Community Shares of Wisconsin
makes it easier to take part in important community work. If you can’t devote lots of volunteer hours each week, CSW gives people an easy way to contribute to
nonprofits working on essential issues.”
Lindstrom is especially committed to one CSW member group — Tenant Resource Center. “It’s a fantastic group. They’re providing renters and landlords
with the information that they need to be advocates for themselves. I really appreciate the impact they have on our community.”
and activism. CSW is a nonprofit that supports its member nonprofits through fund-raising (mostly in workplace giving campaigns), visibility, and technical
assistance.
CSW is proud to celebrate the work of three outstanding activists at the 2008 Annual Awards Event on Wednesday, September 17, 5:30–7:30 p.m., at the
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Suggested donation of $35 each person is greatly appreciated. RSVP to CSW by September 15, (608)
256-1066; csw@communityshares.com) Contact Moira Urich at (608) 256-1066 or cell (608)233-5648, or murich@communityshares.com
Sally Sunde Child and Family Advocate Award
Rachel Rodriguez, co-founder of UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence, will receive the Sally Sunde Child and Family Advocate Award.
For over 20 years Dr. Rachel Rodriguez has worked to help end domestic violence and to foster leadership among Latina migrant and immigrant women. She
published the first research in the country on the problem of domestic violence among Latina migrant farmworker women.
Consequently, she worked tirelessly to help establish UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence here in Wisconsin.
The mission of UNIDOS is to end family violence in Wisconsin’s Latino and immigrant communities.
David Duran, a Civil Rights Compliance Officer with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, first met Rodriguez 15 years ago when she was one of
the most compelling speakers at public hearings conducted by the National Migrant Health Advisory Council of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services being chaired by David Duran. Her testimony focused on the lack of domestic violence services available to migrant seasonal farmworker women.
“These women weren’t on anyone’s radar screen,” Rodriguez noted. “I spent years going to every meeting I could think of to build awareness.”
“Her comments resonated with me,” Duran said. “I knew from my own work as the Hispanic and Migrant Liaison for the Wisconsin Department of Health and
Family Services (DHFS) that when Latino migrant seasonal farmworker women were referred to local shelters, they weren’t getting the help they needed.”
Rodriguez noted that identifying a problem is only the first step. “But to get funding and to get policy makers on board, you need data on the incidence of
domestic violence among migrant farmworkers.”
In her home state of Texas Rodriquez was starting to do the first research in the country on that topic. Duran spoke with her at length and convinced her
to expand her research into Wisconsin as well.
“I could see how passionate and committed she was, and I wanted to enlist her in helping us to document the need for domestic violence services. I also
wanted to enlist her to help our migrant seasonal farmworker and immigrant communities by developing culturally appropriate bilingual program in
communities throughout Wisconsin,” said Duran.
It worked—Rodriguez began traveling to Wisconsin’s migrant camps to obtain the needed research. In addition she worked with a health clinic in
Wautoma on providing domestic violence services, and she did trainings and workshops.
Then based upon her initial research, Rodriguez worked tirelessly to help establish UNIDOS Against Domestic Violence here in Wisconsin, while at the
same time helping to found a migrant worker group in California, Líderes Campesinas (Farmworker Women Leaders).
Her commitment was phenomenal: she used her own money and frequent flier miles to travel to Wisconsin for the preliminary research, slept on friends’
floors, and helped to find funding.
“She really made personal sacrifices to accomplish all that she has to date,” said Duran.
Reasons to Get — and Stay — Involved
Why did this topic resonate so much with her? “I did my master’s thesis on battered women in the 1980s,” Rodriguez said. “I felt I couldn’t hear their stories
and walk away from them. I couldn’t just publish my findings about them and move on.
“What I was doing was what we now call social action research. But because this type of research wasn’t well known, I always felt that my way of
addressing social issues just didn’t fit within the academic framework.
“Of course I didn’t know where this was going to lead at the time.”
When she reflected on how her work has affected women’s lives, she talked about one older woman, Maria, in particular. “She had been in abusive
relationship for long, long time.
Some women never leave their abusers, and even though we continue to work with the women on many issues, including self-esteem, we always want to
respect their wishes.
“A young and attractive woman joined the ESL class that Maria was attending. The men were ogling her and making obnoxious comments, which made
the young woman very embarrassed and uncomfortable.
“After a few days of this Maria stood up in middle of class. She said, ‘This is sexual harassment. If you don’t stop it I will file a lawsuit against all of you who are
harassing this woman.’
“To the teacher Maria also said, ‘And if you put up for this in your class, I’ll file a lawsuit against you too.’
“It was a transformative moment. In standing up for this young woman she was really standing up for all women — and for herself. She simply was not
going to put up with it anymore. It was so great to see her fully embrace the dignity in each of us, including herself.”
Rodriguez has been closely involved with the work of UNIDOS since her days as cofounder, and for the past two years she has been its Executive Director. She
recently left the organization for Edgewood College, where she is on the faculty in the School of Nursing. She also currently serves on the Governor’s Council
on Domestic Abuse.
Though her commitment to this cause is phenomenal, she said, “There are so many days when I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything. Women still
encountering domestic violence and dying from it.”
Yet Laura Martinez, a Community Outreach Advocate at UNIDOS, said that Rodriguez’s work has made a difference, and that we should “thank her for
that. Thanks for her endless efforts to eliminate violence in our communities. Thanks for her compassion that motivates her to protect children and women.
And thanks to her for speaking out on behalf of those who don’t have a voice.”
Quote from Rachel Rodriguez
“All the people and groups that make up Community Shares really live the values and the philosophy that I share too, and they fully support us and our
work at UNIDOS. They also understand the kind of change that a small group of people can create. So it makes it so meaningful to be recognized by
Community Shares — I’m very honored.”
Quotes about Rachel Rodriguez
“Rachel’s work has helped open doors for some of our most invisible neighbors in Wisconsin — immigrant and migrant women, and their children. They
often face barriers of language, culture, and immigration status in attempting to attain one of the most basic human rights: a life free of violence.
“From Rachel’s research in the field through her role on the Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse, her work has had a lasting impact not only on the lives of
these women and their children, but on the entire field of anti-domestic violence work in Wisconsin and nationally.” —Julie Andersen, Program
Director/Directora del Programa, UNIDOS Contra la Violencia Domestica; (608) 256-9195
“We have been so lucky to have had Rachel come to Wisconsin to help found UNIDOS, and equally lucky to have her stay with the program for this
length of time.”—David Duran, Civil Rights Compliance Officer, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, (608) 266-9372
Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award
Nikki Baumblatt, with OutReach, will receive the first annual Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award.
Baumblatt has long been involved in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, the Madison Jewish community, political
campaigns, and anywhere else that social justice work calls. She has always gone to great lengths to help those dealing with discrimination, advocating on
their behalf.
Baumblatt routinely helps people wind their way through the system—whether it involves navigating medical and insurance issues for someone who is
seriously ill, helping someone who’s been the victim of gay bashing, or assisting those facing discrimination based on sexual orientation. With her know-how
and persistence, she’s able to connect others with officials or with her friends and allies as needed.
As for Baumblatt’s political activism, it began even before she was born. When her mother, Sue, was pregnant, she went door to door campaigning. Later
as Sue worked for Rep. Bob Kastenmeier, Nikki was sometimes a toddler in tow.
Among her numerous political activities over the years, Baumblatt chaired Tammy Baldwin’s County Board re-election committee, and she was an
active volunteer in Baldwin’s run for Congress.
Her work on LGBT issues began in college, when she came out, in the early 1980s. It wasn’t easy to do on the UW-Madison campus without LGBT
support. The struggles she faced at that time later guided Baumblatt to active involvement in the LGBT community. For instance, Baumblatt is a long-time co-
chair of the Madison Pride event. She and her partner, Cris Derrick, were founding members of the Madison LGBT Business Alliance.
In 2003 she joined OutReach, a nonprofit organization in Madison that serves as an advocacy, support, and resource center for the LGBT community.
Baumblatt was hired first as Community Relations Director and then as Development Director.
“I love my work in political campaigns and at OutReach,” said Baumblatt, who has long served as the OutReach representative on the board of
Community Shares of Wisconsin. “Like Linda Sundberg, in whose memory this Award was established, I want to make a difference in people’s lives. OutReach
has allowed me to do that.”
Those who know Baumblatt note that it’s her passion for justice that motivates her to go to such lengths to help others. OutReach volunteer Linda Keyes
noted that “Nikki is a master at reaching out and involving people from diverse communities: those from a variety of age groups, different races and ethnicities,
and all LGBT individuals and their allies. In every situation, she works effectively and far beyond the ‘regular’ hours.”
In part, Baumblatt credits her Jewish heritage for inspiring her commitment for justice.
When she was growing up her heritage helped her realize the importance of speaking up for what was right. She said those early lessons led her, as an
adult, to “never stay quiet if I saw unfairness or mistreatment of some kind.”
Since then she has at times been a public voice for the LGBT community, and her family has supported her in that. “I remember the first time I was
interviewed for the local news. It was in response to a fundamentalist pastor/firefighter’s comments about a local LGBT entertainment complex, the Hotel
Washington, that burned down in 1996.
“I called to tell my mom that she would see me on the news, and at first she tried to talk me out of taking such a public role. I asked her, ‘Who taught me
to not keep quiet, and to keep fighting as long as it takes?’ She hasn’t complained since,” Baumblatt said.
Baumblatt added, “My whole life I’ve been a behind-the-scenes kind of worker. So getting this award is, unequivocally, a tremendous honor.”
As Baumblatt’s health recently deteriorated and she was placed on the organ transplant waiting list, she described the situation as “having my feet firmly
planted in mid-air.” Now that she has undergone a double organ transplant at UW Hospital and is recuperating, she is looking forward to getting back to work.
Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award
Joseph Lindstrom, a volunteer with Tenant Resource Center, will receive the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award.
Tenant Resource Center Executive Director Brenda Konkel, who nominated Lindstrom for the award, noted that “at the age of 27, Joe has been more involved
in our community than many people are in a lifetime.”
Lindstrom got involved in housing and homelessness issues very soon after arriving at UW-Madison as a freshman. After doing volunteer and fundraising work
with various campus organizations, Lindstrom said that in one sense he was gratified at what he was able to accomplish with direct service work.
But when looking at the big picture, “it can be extremely discouraging to work with homeless individuals every day and to know that a ‘success’ is to help
someone find a minimum-wage job or move into a dilapidated apartment. For every person or family who is getting off the street, there’s another being
evicted.
“It became clear that a real solution to homelessness would have to come from legislative action and community activism.”
That led him to involvement with Poverty Action Network (PAN). Lindstrom played a key role in successful campaigns to establish an inclusionary zoning law
and to prohibit rental discrimination against Section 8 recipients.
The PAN group also advocated for W-2 reform, increasing participation in school breakfast programs, and developing a curriculum to teach elementary
school students about poverty. In addition to his volunteer work supervising 35 interns for PAN, Lindstrom taught classes on grassroots organizing, coalition
building, and public speaking.
At the same time Lindstrom developed and coordinated the Madison Fair Wage Campaign. Konkel said that although this ordinance was eventually
superseded by a lower statewide minimum wage increase, “Madison’s efforts, led by Joe and others, still resulted in a minimum wage raise for the entire state.
In order to accomplish this, Joe collaborated with the Brennan Center for Justice in New York to draft the legislation and coordinated about 80 volunteers to
gather 13,500 signatures. Joe also participated in much of the media work surrounding the campaign and helped to organized a coalition of organizations in
support of the ordinance change.”
In addition, Joe has been Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County. The committee has been
implementing the Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in Dane County. In last year’s budget cycle, the committee’s efforts resulted in an
additional quarter-million dollars in new funding for homeless programs and, according to Joe, “this year’s efforts seem similarly promising.”
All of these volunteer efforts supplemented Lindstrom’s professional work in social services with Tellurian, the Salvation Army, Neighborhood Intervention
Program, and Housing Initiatives, as well as the Tenant Resource Center.
His help was essential to the Tenant Resource Center, said Konkel. “When an employee left us, Joe was fully equipped to walk right into a temporary job
with us — at a time when it was critical for our organization. He had such a vast amount of experience that he didn’t really require training. It was incredibly
helpful to us and the people we serve.”
Beyond that, Konkel said that “Joe has been actively involved in so many issues, despite his detour to active duty in Iraq in 2005. “Moreover, Joe has
been a tremendous asset to this community,” she added. “He has been responsible for organizing around many issues, and he has been key to many of the
victories in the housing field.”
Lindstrom noted that “it’s easy for well-meaning people to be overwhelmed by the complexity of the problems they see. Community Shares of Wisconsin
makes it easier to take part in important community work. If you can’t devote lots of volunteer hours each week, CSW gives people an easy way to contribute to
nonprofits working on essential issues.”
Lindstrom is especially committed to one CSW member group — Tenant Resource Center. “It’s a fantastic group. They’re providing renters and landlords
with the information that they need to be advocates for themselves. I really appreciate the impact they have on our community.”