CHTFWI, in partnership with Bader Philanthropies and the Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, is hosting a conference regarding the state of housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Wisconsin. Join us on Tuesday, October 31 from 8:30am-1:00pm at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee! This conference will create awareness about Wisconsin’s current housing needs for individuals with IDD, inform those who are crucial stakeholders in the development of this resource, and share what other states have done, and are doing, to pave the way for a variety of successful housing models.

Please see below for event details. Please register by Friday, October 13. Registration is required. Registration is free and lunch is included.

Schedule of Events

8:30am-9:00am - Registration

9:00am-9:50am - Keynote Speaker: Tom Toronto, President of Bergen County United Way

10:00am-10:50am - Panel Discussion: IDD Housing in Wisconsin

• Kathryne Auerback, CEO of Movin’ Out

• Héctor Colón, President & CEO of Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

• Ian McCain, Design Construction Manager at Ansay Development Corporation

• Mary Wright, President of the Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp.

11:00am-11:50am - Panel Discussion: Sharing Successes, Self-Advocates & Families

• Cindy Bentley, Self Advocate: Cindy Bentley is the Executive Director of People First Wisconsin (PFW) and one of Wisconsin’s most inspirational leaders and activists

• Andrew and Madie Gerbitz, Self Advocates: Andrew and Madie are married, live in their own apartment, work in the community, and happen to have Down syndrome

• Jordan Luhr: Executive Director/CEO of Balance, and parent to a child with IDD

• Mary Anne Oemichen: Executive Director of Home of Our Own, Attorney, and parent to a child with IDD

11:50am-1:00pm - Lunch & Networking

About the Keynote Speaker

Tom has 41 years of experience working for local United Ways in Bergen, Burlington, and Hudson counties in New Jersey.

Since 2005, Tom has led Bergen County’s United Way efforts to build homes people can afford in partnership with Madeline Housing Partners as co-manager of BCUW/Madeline Housing Partners LLC. The partnership has constructed 36 projects providing affordable homes to over 500 individuals with special needs, families, seniors, and veterans. Another 26 projects are in the organization’s pre-development pipeline.

Tom is a board member of the NJ 2-1-1 Partnership, driving implementation of the 2-1-1 helpline on behalf of New Jersey’s local United Ways and New Jersey State Government and the Supportive Housing Association of New Jersey’s Investor Council.

Tom has been active in his local community having served as a member of the Leonia Governing Body, the Leonia Library Board, and chair of the town’s Planning Board.

Thank You to Our Partners

These organizations have signed on to support this event and its purpose. Check out their important work!