We have a winner of the 2023 Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Jason Waller
Public Relations and Communications Manager
(608) 243-5000 ext. 6862
publicrelations@summitcreditunion.com  

We have a winner of the 2023 Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money program
Cooper Smith from East High School, Madison, wins a $3,000 continuing education scholarship. All 10 finalists receive at least $500 continuing education scholarships

Madison, Wisc. – The votes are in. Cooper Smith from Madison’s East High School is this year’s Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money winner.  

Summit Credit Union’s Project Teen Money is a unique challenge to help young adults achieve financial success – not just the participants, but also their friends and families who viewed their videos. 10 students from Madison’s East, La Follette, Memorial and West high schools were selected as finalists to compete for top scholarships. 

This year, the applicants submitted a short video addressing this question: What are three tips you’d give to other teens to help them protect their money from scams? 

The winning advice from Cooper was to change your passwords frequently and make sure they are strong and complex, don’t share sensitive or personal information over email or the phone, and always call your financial institution to verify they are contacting you. You can watch it here. 

“Congratulations to Cooper and all the Project Teen Money finalists,” said Summit Credit Union CEO and President, Kim Sponem. “What I love about this program is that teens are teaching teens about financial wellness. There was a lot of great advice, all presented in creative ways. Hopefully, everyone who watched these videos learned some tips to keep their finances safer.” 

How does Project Teen Money work? 

Using points-based scoring criteria, 10 finalists were chosen and featured on the Summit Credit Union Project Teen Money web page. Then the public voted for their favorite. All 10 will now receive scholarship money with $3,000 going to the winner, $2,000 to second place, and $1,000 to third. Fourth and fifth placed will receive $750 and all remaining runners-up will receive $500. 

This program is one of many ways Summit Credit Union champions financial wellness. 

Background information on Summit Credit Union 

Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative. Summit holds $6.4 billion in assets and has more than 240,000 members and 945 employees across 55 locations throughout south-central and southeastern Wisconsin. Since 2002, Kim Sponem has been CEO & President of Summit Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union/Great Wisconsin Credit Union.

Recognized for its excellence in employee engagement, Summit was named a Top Workplace in the USA in 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Top Workplaces USA and a Top Workplace in the Madison area for 2021, 2022 and 2023 by the Wisconsin State Journal.  

For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 800-236-5560. For additional media information, visit https://www.summitcreditunion.com/about-summit/press-room or follow Summit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Wisconsin Union: Lake-Facing Concert Lakefront Live to Return as Three-Even Series as Part of Season of Free, Live Music at Memorial Union Terrace

For the second year, a unique free summer concert experience will return to Madison – this time, as a triple concert series. The Memorial Union Terrace series, Lakefront Live, features live band performances from the UW Credit Union Terrace Stage played facing Lake Mendota to be enjoyed by audience members on paddle and watercraft. 

Hosted by the Wisconsin Union’s Outdoor UW, the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) Music Committee and the Hoofer Outing Club, Lakefront Live will take place on the Terrace June 8 at 7 p.m., featuring Birddog Blues Band; July 6 at 7 p.m., featuring country and blues band The Grouvin Brothers; and Aug. 10 at 7 p.m., featuring bluegrass group Cork n’ Bottle String Band.

“Lakefront Live is back again this year, and it’s better than ever with not one, but three outstanding free performances throughout the summer,” said Sean Michael Dargan, Wisconsin Union Directorate advisor. “We are excited to give Madison even more opportunities to come join us and celebrate our community’s incredible music scene and outdoor views!”

Concertgoers can rent single or double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards – including an eight-person stand-up paddleboard called the SUPSquatch – or canoes from Outdoor UW to savor the music from the water. Each person must make a reservation – for $16 – to secure one spot on an Outdoor UW paddlecraft for the entirety of the event (6-9 p.m.). 

The Outdoor UW team encourages patrons interested in a specific rental paddlecraft to arrive early, as patrons with reservations will receive a spot on a craft on a first come, first served basis. Renters may arrive starting at 3 p.m., and all members of a party must be present to select their shared craft. Guests can make online reservations and read reservation details at members.hoofers.org/event/91578 (June 8), members.hoofers.org/event/91579 (July 6) and members.hoofers.org/event/91580 (Aug. 10).

Additionally, the Hoofer Outing Club will offer free canoe rentals on a first come, first served basis to individuals 18 and older.

The presence or consumption of alcohol/drugs is not permitted on Outdoor UW or Wisconsin Hoofers watercraft. Individuals who are believed to be under the influence of alcohol/drugs will not be allowed to board a craft.

Those with their own watercraft may paddle over to enjoy the concert as well. The concert can also be enjoyed from the Memorial Union Terrace, where audience members can savor dishes from Memorial Union’s many dining options and take in the show.

If there are inclement lake conditions on the day of an event, Outdoor UW will refund rentals, and water outings will be canceled, with Lakefront Live transitioning to a Terrace-facing event. In the event of inclement weather, outdoor rentals will be refunded, and the concert will occur inside Memorial Union at der Rathskeller. Details of this series are subject to change. The Wisconsin Union team aims to announce any unanticipated changes to the series by 4 p.m. on the day of each concert. 

With four nights of live music each week on the Terrace, Lakefront Live is one of the many live music events held at the outdoor dining and entertainment destination this summer. Other performances include:

• Every Wednesday, starting on May 17 – Open Mic at 7 p.m.
• May 18 – Johnny Chimes & Natch’l Blues Band at 7 p.m.
• May 19 – The Emmylous at 4 p.m., Bascom Hill at 7 p.m., The Mascot Theory at 8 p.m.
• May 20 – The Hails at 7 p.m., The Moss at 8 p.m.
• May 25 – Gin Mill Hollow at 7 p.m.
• May 26 – Christo’s Novelty Combo at 4 p.m., The Courts at 7 p.m., Oruã at 8 p.m., Soft and Dumb at 9 p.m.
• May 27 – Eric Ryan-Johnson at 7 p.m., After August at 8 p.m.
• June 1 – Mad City Jug Band at 7 p.m.
• June 2 – Stephanie Rearick at 4 p.m., Carrellee at 7 p.m., Stranger Gallery at 8 p.m., The Quilz at 9 p.m.
• June 3 – Pat McCurdy at 7 p.m.
• June 9 – Gin, Chocolate & Bottle Rockets at 4 p.m., The Whiskey Farm at 7 p.m.
• June 10 – Rare Element at 7 p.m.
• June 15 – John Elliott at 7 p.m., The Also-Rans at 8 p.m.
• June 16 – Arielle Silver Duo at 4 p.m., DJay Mando at 7 p.m.
• June 17 – Madison Jazz Festival at 7 p.m.
• June 18 – Madison Jazz Festival: Juneteenth Celebration at 7 p.m.
• June 22 – Frank Martin Busch and the Names at 7 p.m.
• June 23 – Marc Stone at 4 p.m., Josh Harty Duo at 7 p.m., Thompson Springs at 8 p.m.
• June 24 – Buffalo Nichols at 8 p.m.
• June 29 – No Name String Band at 7 p.m.
• June 30 – Mike Cammilleri Organ Trio at 4 p.m., The Sandblasters at 7 p.m., Jason Vargas and the Apollos at 8 p.m., Zeroed Hero at 9 p.m.
• July 1 – Middle Names at 7 p.m., Brett Newski at 8 p.m.
• July 7 – Bill Roberts Combo at 4 p.m., East of Vilas at 7 p.m., Wurk at 8 p.m.
• July 8 – D’funk and the Grease Monkeys at 7 p.m., Adem Tesfaye Band at 8 p.m.
• July 13 – Interlay at 7 p.m., Deerhoof at 8 p.m.
• July 14 – They Talk Too Much at 4 p.m., Sparetime Bluegrass Band at 5 p.m., Lynda & The ZEROs at 7 p.m.
• July 15 – Panchromatic Steel at 7 p.m.
• July 20 – Nate Gibson and the Stardazers at 7 p.m.
• July 21 – Brick Imerman at 4 p.m., Ida Jo and the Show at 7 p.m., Hannah Wicklund at 8 p.m.
• July 22 – Lake Qualm at 7 p.m., The Periodicals at 8 p.m.
• July 27 – The Material Boys at 7 p.m.
• July 28 – Searchlights at 4 p.m., Mark Croft Band at 7 p.m.
• July 29 – maplebrook at 7 p.m., Alairen at 8 p.m., she’s green at 9 p.m.
• Aug. 3 – Big Richard at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 4 – Staci Griesbach at 4 p.m., Grupo Candela at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 5 – Natty Nation at 8 p.m.
• Aug. 11 – Luke Leavitt and the Levitations at 4 p.m., N’achos at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 12 – Son del Atlantico at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 17 – 2^nd Isthmian Highlanders at 7 p.m., Skerryvore at 8 p.m.
• Aug. 18 – Old Oaks Trio at 4 p.m., The Present Age at 7 p.m., … Or Does It Explode? at 9 p.m.
• Aug. 19 – 90 Proof at 7 p.m., Shakey at 8 p.m.
• Aug. 24 – Northern Comfort Bluegrass Band at 7 p.m.
• Aug. 25 – Back2Back Acoustic Trio at 4 p.m.
• Aug. 26 – Grupo Balança at 7 p.m., Handphibians at 8 p.m.

For a full lineup of this summer’s concerts and other Terrace season events, visit terracesummer.com.

SupraNet shares connection between fiber Internet and construction industry at Kids Building Wisconsin

Madison, WI – SupraNet Communications, Inc. joins over 50 other local trades and industry participants on Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Kids Building Wisconsin, an event built to inspire kids’ interest in construction.

SupraNet works with developers across the Greater Madison area, mapping and managing the construction of fiber Internet to new and established apartment and office buildings. 

“We are thrilled to be a part of this family and youth-focused community event for the first time this year,” said Bryan Chan, founder of SupraNet. “The labor shortage in the trades has serious implications for the progress of our community. We are excited to support our building partners and encourage interest in construction by sharing how fiber Internet gets to homes and businesses.”

Kids who visit the SupraNet booth will experience: 

• Hand-on fiber Internet tools
• See maps of where fiber is under our oceans
• Visual aids to understand fiber optic concepts
• See where fiber lies under Madison
• Free SupraNet robot stickers for the first 1000 kids!

SupraNet will be at booth 36, left of the Lumber Jack Show stage at McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg.

About SupraNet Communications, Inc.

Since 1994, Supranet Communications, Inc. has provided cutting-edge Internet solutions to the Greater Madison area. We believe that by helping our clients succeed and our employees to prosper, we enable our community to flourish as a vibrant and competitive entrepreneurial ecosystem that fuels our collective long-term success. 

For more information about Supranet Communications and its services, visit their website at www.supranet.net.

Contact:
Bryan Chan
Founder & President, SupraNet Communications
Phone: (608) 320-4218 – cell; (608) 836-0282 – office
Email: bryanc@supranet.net

WPS Health Insurance adds 1,845 mental health care providers to its networks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-512-5754
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com

WPS Health Insurance adds 1,845 mental health care providers to its networks

MADISON, Wis.—May 15, 2023—WPS Health Insurance answers the call for mental health care providers in response to growing needs. In 2022, it added 1,037 mental health providers to its networks; in 2023, it has added an additional 808 so far for a total of 8,022. These numbers are in addition to the mental health care practitioners available through Teladoc^® telehealth services. Included in these numbers are all types of mental health care providers, from therapists and alcohol and other drug abuse counselors to midlevel nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and psychiatrists.

WPS reports show the need for mental health services peaked in 2021 but remains high. From 2020 to 2021, WPS received 11% more claims for mental health services, a 23% increase in total charges for mental health services and a 15% increase in total customers getting mental health services.  

“WPS has focused on growing our mental health networks by seeking out providers with cultural competency to treat customers who have historically been underserved. We know that we need to offer not only enough providers but also a diverse provider population to meet the needs of our communities,” Heather Oliva, WPS Senior Director of Provider Contracting and Strategy, said.

Oliva added, “WPS takes into consideration the complexity and variety of customer needs. To effectively meet these needs, we are always evaluating whether we have the right mix of providers, including substance abuse practitioners and other types of counselors. WPS further focuses on recruiting providers with the knowledge, expertise, and lived experience to best serve underrepresented and underserved communities, including, but not limited to, people who are LGBTQ+, have limited English proficiency, or are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Hiring culturally and linguistically competent providers coupled with establishing trust leads to better health outcomes, thus making health care easier for the people we serve.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness each year, and more than 50% will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. A Kaiser Family Foundation brief, “The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use,” found 50% of young adults (ages 18–24) reported anxiety and depression symptoms in 2023, making them more likely than older adults to experience mental health symptoms. 

About WPS Health Insurance

As one of the largest health benefits providers in the state, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Insurance) remains not-for-profit and offers high-quality health plans to the public and private sectors. Headquartered in Madison, Wis., WPS Health Insurance offers Preferred Provider Organization health plans for individuals and groups, third-party administrator services, and Medicare supplement insurance plans. Visit wpshealth.com for more information. 

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Mentoring Positives: Muriel’s Place Opening Empowers Disadvantaged Youth to Further a Good Cause That Tastes Great

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 11, 2023
CONTACT: WILL GREEN @ 608-345-1064
will.g@mentoringpositives.org

Madison-based Mentoring Positives is set to open Muriel’s Place, a commercial kitchen where disadvantaged teens gain confidence, develop job skills and build relationships – all while making, marketing and selling Off The Block™ homemade pizza and salsa.

With operations now under one roof, Muriel’s Place is open to the public every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11 am – 2 pm for lunch and 5-7 pm for dinner. Off the Block™ pizzas come in seven varieties. They can be ordered hot or frozen, with dine-in and carry-out options available. Two flavors of homemade salsa are also available. All proceeds go directly back to Mentoring Positives, a transformational program serving youth in the Darbo-Worthington Park neighborhood.

RIBBON CUTTING SLATED FOR THURSDAY, MAY 18 @ 4PM
The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce is hosting a ribbon cutting event for the grand opening of Muriel’s Place, 2844 E Washington Ave, located on the ground level of the new Ella Apartments Building. Guest speakers include Chamber President Zach Brandon and City of Madison staff.

“In the throes of the pandemic, standing outside, physically distanced, Will laid out his vision for a new space for Mentoring Positives,” said Zach Brandon, President of the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. “It is exciting to see the official opening of this space, which serves as a monument to Will and Becky’s unrelenting commitment to inspiring, guiding and serving as champions for young people in this community.”

MORE SPACE MEANS MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
Previously, Off the Block™ products were produced in a shared commercial space leased at FEED Kitchens on Madison’s north side. They are sold at several Madison area locations, including Willy Street Co-op, Metcalfe’s Market and Regent Street Market.

“FEED Kitchens has been a nurturing space as our youth have built and grown the Off the Block™ brand,” said co-founder Becky Green. “Our success there has been a springboard for our kids to further stretch their entrepreneurial skills.”

“At Muriel’s Place, they can see, learn and touch every aspect of the business, from sourcing Wisconsin ingredients to managing a pizza assembly line, taking care of equipment, marketing their products and delivering excellent customer service,” Becky Green said.

With more ways to buy Off the Block™ products, the group hopes to increase sales and invest even more in the people who will eventually become adult leaders of the Darbo-Worthington neighborhood and beyond.

MURIEL’S PLACE NAMED AFTER BELOVED MOM
Founded in 2004, Mentoring Positives utilizes group mentoring, athletics and entrepreneurial opportunities to guide and empower disadvantaged youth. A former star UW-Eau Claire basketball player, Will Green uses the basketball court as his meeting place for building relationships with young people.

With backgrounds in psychology and social work, the Greens first met while working at the Eau Claire Academy, a residential treatment center for youth with emotional and behavioral problems. It was there that Will and Becky, both raised by devoted single moms, cemented their collective passion for helping young people chart their path to adulthood.

Muriel’s Place is named after Will’s mom, Muriel Pipkins, who died at age 46 of breast cancer.

“She is my hero and my motivation for helping kids”, said Will Green. I turned my pain into passion after her death.

“I grew up without a father and my mom made heroic sacrifices so I could succeed. I want to give that same love and affection she showed to our family, friends back home in our community in Gary, Indiana,” Green added. Our youth in the Madison community face monumental challenges. If we mentor and wrap them in love and support, while equipping them to succeed, I believe they will have a bright future.”

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