Our Daily Bread celebrates 20th anniversary: Rededicated to improving the community
By: Lea Kyle-Lewis CEO and Founder, Our Daily Bread
Even mental health professionals can be overcome by anxiety and stress. For me the underlying trigger was the death of my mother in May 2021. I did not deal with the cause of my grief. Instead, I tried to keep myself busy, hoping that it would keep me from dwelling on my sorrow. It was not until after Our Daily Bread Community Outreach Center, Inc., (ODB) the organization I founded in November 2004, hosted a wellness conference that I realized how my untreated emotional wellbeing was affecting my productivity at work and my ability to enjoy life. I chose to seek counseling. Since then, I feel as though I have been making good progress. I have also learned the importance of keeping appointments with my counselor.
On November 9, 2024, ODB will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its founding. ODB was originally a community organization dedicated primarily to helping individuals who aged out of the foster care system. In the U.S., when foster children celebrate their 18th birthday, they generally lose access to financial support and other resources and this is a really underserved and largely invisible population. The more time that ODB has been around, however, the more we have felt the need to address emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Mental health challenges among students often arise from academic stress including anxiety and pressure to perform well on exams, meet deadlines and avoid falling behind one’s peers. Lack of motivation due to bullying, social isolation and loneliness can also be triggers for a mental health crisis. Students suffering from a lack of mental wellness may exhibit signs of depression, a lack of motivation toward studies, substance abuse and burnout.
In adults, workplace stress, family responsibilities and caregiver stress and even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) brought on by trauma from past events such as abuse, an accident or the loss of a loved one can all affect mental wellbeing. Veterans and survivors of violence are particularly vulnerable.
Mental health does not discriminate against age, creed, race or religion. Early intervention, open conversations about mental health and fostering community support are crucial in promoting wellbeing for both students and adults.
Since November 2023, in partnership with the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, ODB has been tackling mental health challenges through a variety of events in schools and in the community. As a non-profit organization, we strive to be a part of the solution, collaborating with other organizations and boosting mental health throughout our community. With the support of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, individuals are identifying their challenges, scheduling appointments with therapists and making life changes.
ODB will again be offering a number of workshops and community events dedicated to improving the emotional wellbeing of Milwaukee residents in 2025. Check future issues of this newspaper for a list of upcoming dates and locations.
Lea Kyle-Lewis is the founder and executive director of Our Daily Bread Community Outreach Center, Inc. • 9235 W. Capitol Drive, Suite 401 • Milwaukee, WI • 53222 • 414-301-3732 • info@ourdailybreadmil.org
