ELECTION DAY UPDATE

BLW will still serve as an in-person polling place on Tuesday, April 7. There will be plexiglass shields in place to protect poll workers and voters. There will also be an option for drive-up, curbside voting if people do not want to get out of their cars. In addition, poll workers will be wearing gloves and protective masks.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Thursday, April 2. Step-by-step instructions for how to do this are on the Wisconsin MyVote website: myvote.wi.gov/en-US/VoteAbsentee

You'll need to enter your name and date of birth, verify your address, and upload a picture of a photo ID. It's easiest to do this on a smartphone if you have one.

​Here's a link to videos that walk you through the process: https://bit.ly/2w7lqp0

COVID-19 Update

Since 2004 we have had one driving purpose: to respond to the needs identified by our community members. While the impact of COVID-19 continues to evolve, one thing is certain. We will continue to listen to our community and do everything we can to provide support during this challenging time. We may be without our gathering space right now, but we are still a united community.
 
To ensure the safety of our community members, BLW Center is now closed to the public until further notice. While BLW Center's traditional programming is paused until further notice, we will be serving our community in the following ways:
 
1. Resource referral (bilingual). Contact us at general@blwcenter.org or leave a message at 608-441-6991 to set-up an appointment.
 
2. Food and household staples. Our next drive-through food pantry dates are Thursday, April 9th and Wednesday, April 15th. Contact us at general@blwcenter.org or leave a message at 608-441-6991 to set-up your pick-up time or to request a food delivery.
 
3. Community health office hours. BLW Nurse Niki is available for office hours via phone or video chat on Fridays from 10am-2pm. Contact Niki at niki@blwcenter.org or leave a message at 608-561-3062 to schedule an appointment.
 
4. A listening ear. We know this time can be especially difficult for those of us living alone. Please let us know if you would like to be added to our Community Check-in Call List. If you are a community member who would like to volunteer to help make these calls please let us know! This is a wonderful way to get to know your neighbors.

BLW Center staff are thinking of you during this difficult period and hope you and your loved ones stay healthy.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

211
211 connects you with thousands of nonprofit and government services in your area. If you want personal assistance call the three-digit number 211 or 877-947-2211.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
2033 Fish Hatchery Rd, Madison, WI 53713 | 608-257-0919

Hours:
Mon, Tues, Fri: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Thurs: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Sat: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Meals on Wheels
Click the link to find a Meals on Wheels Program near you.

Online Exercise Videos for Older Adults
Daily Live Online Dance Classes (safe for those with Parkinson's Disease, but suitable for those without PD as well)
Ballroom Basics for Balance Facebook Live – Led by Susan Frikken, BLW Center's Stepping On class leader!

Activities & Education for Kids
Virtual museums, access to the children's magazine of the National Wildlife Federation, quizzes, lessons, videos, and daily schedules for organizing at-home learning for students through Khan Academy...this website has all sorts of ideas and resources!

National Park Virtual Tours
Google Arts & Culture has teamed up with five national parks in the U.S. so people can enjoy the beauty of the natural world while sitting safely on their couch.

Headspace Meditation App
Headspace is offering free meditations that you can listen to anytime called "Weathering the Storm". It includes meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out, however you’re feeling.

Nightly Met Opera Streams
Each day, a different encore presentation from the company’s Live in HD series is being made available for free streaming with each performance available for a period of 23 hours, from 7:30 p.m. EDT until 6:30 p.m. the following day. The schedule will include outstanding complete performances from the past 14 years of cinema transmissions, starring all of opera’s greatest singers.

Online Education from Ivy League Schools 
Over 400 free ivy league online courses are available.

Online Yoga Videos
Core Power Yoga is offering free yoga videos.

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BLW Center Transforms Lives.

Sometimes that means helping a parent attain a family-supporting job, or tutoring a child to earn straight A’s in school. Other times that means connecting a community member with a volunteer opportunity that brightens the lives of others. Regardless of what brings you to BLW, everyone is welcome.

Since 2004, BLW Center’s mission has been to support its community in addressing the needs identified by its residents.

What we do

How you can help

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