Grandmother Finds Relief for Granddaughter’s Asthma Through Revitalize Program

MILWAUKEE —Angela Morales of Milwaukee faced a heart-wrenching challenge: her 5-year-old granddaughter, Giana, suffered daily asthma attacks, sometimes so severe they turned her purple and required frequent hospital visits—up to four times a week. "There were times we would leave the hospital, only to return the same night because she was so bad," Morales said.

Concerned health care providers at Children’s Hospital took notice of Giana’s condition and sent a nurse to investigate potential asthma triggers in her home. The inspection revealed issues such as mold on the ceiling from a needed roof repair and old carpeting, which worsened Giana’s symptoms.

The family was then connected with the Department of Health Services and enrolled in the Asthma Safe Homes Program, facilitated by Revitalize Milwaukee. The program aims to improve health and safety for Milwaukee County residents by addressing environmental triggers. “Smoke, old carpeting, and even paint or windows in older homes can all be triggers,” Morales said.

Thanks to the program, repairs—including a roof fix and new carpeting—were completed in just three days. The changes brought immediate relief. Giana has now gone five months without a hospital visit.

Elizabeth Scheuers, Healthy Homes coordinator for Revitalize Milwaukee, emphasized the importance of home improvements in managing asthma. “Real repairs and construction directly affect the symptoms of families and children with asthma,” she said.

Revitalize Milwaukee continues to offer various services for eligible homeowners and tenants to address health and safety concerns. For more information, visit Programs & Services — Revitalize Milwaukee. Revitalize Milwaukee is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to reduce social, economic, and environmental disparities by providing free home repairs throughout Milwaukee and Waukesha counties.

Revitalize Milwaukee in the Media

January 2025

• TMJ4: Grandmother Finds Relief for Granddaughter’s Asthma Through Revitalize Program

December 2024

Fireside Chat with Mayor Johnson:

• CBS 58 News: https://cbs58.com/news/revitalize-milwaukee-seeing-increase-in-home-repair-needs-mayor-johnson-discusses-supporting-programs

• Spectrum News: https://pilot.latakoo.com/asset/19360941?share=fdcvpvmhhkz5wveapbwutqqc7tt6hgbh
  

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• Urban Milwaukee: largest-home-transformation-weekend-is-headed-to-the-amani-neighborhood-august-16-and-17

• Wisbusiness: southeastern-wisconsins-largest-home-transformation-weekend-is-headed-to-the-amani-neighborhood

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• CBS 58: block-build-mke-returns-for-another-year-of-home-improvement-for-neighbors

• Urban Milwaukee: eyes-on-milwaukee-weekend-blitz-of-southside-home-repairs

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• Community Journal: communityjournal.net/revitalize-milwaukee-one-at-home/

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• PRESS RELEASE: NEW FUNDING SUPPORTS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH EFFORTS IN CITY OF MILWAUKEE

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• Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin: Organization providing critical home repairs to population in need

• Yale Climate Connection: Free home repairs in Milwaukee help low-income homeowners save money on energy bills

January 2023

• PRESS RELEASE: BLOCK BUILD MKE 2023 NEIGHBORHOOD ANNOUNCEMENT

• PRESS RELEASE: REVITALIZE MILWAUKEE TO GREATLY EXPAND ITS RANGE OF SERVICES AS A MANDATORY COMMUNITY RESOURCE

• biztimes.com/revitalize-milwaukee-to-expand-services-with-new-funds/

December 2022

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August 2022

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July 2022

• TMJ4: Revitalize Milwaukee granted 500K to help weatherize homes

• WPR: Partnership receives $500K to cut Milwaukee-area carbon emissions and utility bills

March 2022

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Revitalize Milwaukee one of many Milwaukee nonprofits to receive millions in Equitable Recovery Grants