Local 212/matc Believe in Students FAST Fund

04/17/2026

Get your tickets to the FAST Fund at MATC’s Spring Benefit Concert featuring Annie and the Hedonists MKE on May 9th today.
Not only will you thrill to the beat of an award-winning band, but you’ll help students like Natasha Walker overcome basic needs insecurity, graduate and secure middle-class employment
She testified to the importance of the FAST Fund support writing,
“As a nursing student and working, single mother, one of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing financial responsibilities—including rent, transportation, and daily necessities—while staying focused academically. The FAST Fund provided critical support allowing me to focus on studying, attending clinicals, and maintaining strong academic performance without constantly worrying about covering essential expenses. Since receiving assistance, I have successfully earned my degree. I am now focused on advancing my nursing career and continuing my education toward becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). I am deeply grateful for programs like the FAST Fund that recognize how small financial interventions can create life-changing momentum for students working hard to improve their futures.
The Spring Concert is on Saturday, May 9th from 7 PM to 10 pm at the Falcon Bowl, 801 E. Clarke Street.
Tickets are $50 and include entry into a raffle. Buy them here: https://app.aplos.com/.../Directormatcfastfundorg/tickets
Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen food truck will be on site.
Can’t attend. No problem. Every ticket you buy will be given to a MATC student so they can attend. https://app.aplos.com/.../Directormatcfastfundorg/tickets
The FAST Fund at MATC is an 8-year-old independent non-profit organization that provides MATC students with basic needs grants so they stay enrolled, complete their educations and secure middle class employment.

02/25/2026

In case you missed it — WE WERE BACK AT IT.

FAST FUND PRESENTED: MATC Day at Sherman Park Grocery Store to combat food apartheid.

In honor of Black History Month, the FAST Fund partnered once again with the Sherman Park Grocery Store, to host a community food giveaway for MATC students experiencing food insecurity.

Let’s talk about it.

Nearly 50% of MATC students report experiencing food insecurity. Wisconsin technical college students face more than $11,300 in unmet financial need annually.

When there isn’t food on the table, survival comes before studying. And let’s be clear! This is not just a personal hardship.

It’s a workforce issue.
It’s a public health issue.
It’s an economic development issue.

When we invest in students, we are investing in the economic future of Wisconsin.

With major grocery chains closing on Milwaukee’s north side, entire neighborhoods have been left without access to fresh food. Leaders have named it what it is: food apartheid.

And yet in the middle of disinvestment, Sherman Park Grocery Store continues to show up.

They showed up during the historic floods.
They showed up when SNAP benefits were delayed.
They showed up again for MATC students.

Huge thanks to Alderman DiAndre Jackson and his team for continuing to build bridges that matter.

The FAST Fund exists to remove barriers so students can complete their education and secure family-supporting careers and to champion the policies and partnerships that make their success possible.

01/21/2026

💐 Today we pause with full hearts to celebrate two very special FAST Fund volunteers! 💐

This week we are honoring Carol Holley, who just turned 80 years young, and Cathy Thum — two women whose kindness, wisdom, and generosity of spirit have shaped the FAST Fund in ways that can’t be measured.

Carol and Cathy are the kind of people who show up quietly, consistently, and with love. They give their time, their care, and their guidance not for recognition, but because they believe deeply in students, especially when those students are navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives.

The work we do at the FAST Fund is gratifying but certainly not without its challenges. We don’t just offer financial support, we walk alongside students through crisis. We listen. We problem-solve. We hold space. And year after year, as the number of students we support continues to grow, this work would simply not be possible without the steady presence of volunteers like Carol and Cathy.

From the FAST Fund and from me personally thank you!!! Thank you for your time, your patience, your wisdom, and your unwavering belief in our mission. Thank you for reminding us what compassion looks like in action.

🥳🥳Please join us in wishing Carol and Cathy the happiest of birthdays and thanking them for being such an essential part of the FAST Fund village 🎂🎈

12/10/2025

We wrapped up our final laptop distribution of the year with our amazing partners at United Way Techquity, and whew… my heart is FULL. 💛💻

This partnership has been nothing short of transformational for FAST Fund students at MATC. Every device we hand out is more than a laptop — it’s opportunity, access, confidence, and a whole new level of possibility.

And listen… if you ever wonder whether this work matters, here’s your answer ⬇️

💬 A MATC faculty member shared this testimony:
“I had a student in my evening Oral Communication class in Fall 2023 who was incredibly eager to learn but struggled with speaking and listening. She wasn’t completing the online practice because her laptop was broken. We connected her with the FAST Fund, she received a new device, and from that moment she completed every online assignment with intention and consistency.
I ran into her recently, not only were we able to have a full conversation in English, but she STILL has that same laptop and uses it in her more advanced classes. Having access to that laptop helped her build the skills she needed to move closer to her future goals.”

🔥 THIS. RIGHT. HERE.
This is why we do what we do.
This is why access matters.
This is why community partnerships change lives.

Thank you to United Way Techquity, our supporters, and everyone who believes in creating an MATC where students don’t just survive, they THRIVE. 🌱✨

Onward to 2026 with even more impact, more equity, and more student success! 💪🏽🎉

11/25/2025

Yesterday we hosted an incredible, and whew… Milwaukee LOVES its students!

The FAST Fund partnered with Alderperson Jocasta Zamarripa, Common Council President José Pérez, MATC, the amazing folks at the Milwaukee Diaper Mission, Sherman Park Grocery Store, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), El Rey, and Pete’s Fruit Market — plus over a dozen community partners — to bring real support directly to students and neighbors.

And y’all… the generosity was NEXT LEVEL:
100 hams donated through LULAC + El Rey
50 chickens & 50 turkeys (FAST fund)
$5,000+ in fresh produce (FAST fund & Sherman Park grocery store
$1,000 in food cards from Pete’s Fruit Market
$500 in gifts from El Rey
Diapers Milwaukee Diaper Mission,

resources & services from so many community partners
In total, we served 350+ students and community members — giving families what they need before the holiday rush and before Giving Tuesday even arrives.

And listen… the support was so overwhelming that I’m sure I’m missing a partner or two in this post. Just know: your contribution DID NOT go unnoticed. Your kindness showed up in every smile, every grocery bag, and every relieved parent who walked away a little lighter today.

Milwaukee, thank you for proving again that when we move together, we care for each other.
FAST Fund’s CommUNITY Holiday Event at MATC Walker’s Square a HUGE success!

11/24/2025

Great event. The Local 212 FAST Fund and MATC distributed 100 hams, 59 turkeys and 50 chickens, gifts cards from Pete’s Fruit Market and El Rey, and fresh produce to hundreds of students and community members at the Walkers Square campus. Thanks to the Diaper Mission, Milwaukee Turners, the League of Women Voters, Common Council president Jose Perez and Alderwoman Jocasta Zamarripa, the Mexican Consulate and all the volunteers who helped. Support the FAST Fund!

11/07/2025

The FAST Fund partnered with MATC and more than 20 amazing organizations to respond to the looming threat of critical resources being cut off due to the government shutdown. Together, we helped over 500 students and community members access fresh produce, diapers, job opportunities, health services, and family resources. 💚💪🏾

What started as a quick conversation in the salon turned into a full scale response. With the shutdown on the horizon, I called Moe from Sherman Park Grocery, Haley from MATC’s Resource Center, and Meagan from Milwaukee Diaper Mission. It was a Saturday, no blueprint — just heart. The goal was simple: get everyone in the room and make sure people know where to turn.

Special thanks to Alderman DiAndre Jackson and Tiffany Henry from Senator Baldwin’s office for jumping in to pass out produce and for their ongoing support of the FAST Fund.

This is what community was made for. 🫶🏾

11/02/2025

🚨 EMERGENCY COMMUNITY RESOURCE EVENT 🚨

Hey Milwaukee fam 💙 — we’re joining forces with MATC Student Life to host CommUNITY Day this Wednesday, November 5th, from 11AM–2PM at 700 W. State Street (MATC Downtown Campus)!

This event is a direct response to the ongoing federal government shutdown — and for the first time, it’s OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY!

✨ Here’s what you’ll find:
• Free health screenings 🩺
• 10,000 free diapers and period products 👶🏾
• Housing, food & energy assistance 🏠
• Mental health & wellness resources 💬
• Legal services & driver’s license recovery ⚖️
• Employment resources 💼

🧡 Bring your ID and any documents (like SSN or income verification) if you want to access services on-site.

We’re proud to stand alongside incredible partners like Hunger Task Force, Community Advocates, Sojourner Family Peace Center, Legal Action, and many more who are stepping up for Milwaukee during this tough time.

📍 Wednesday, Nov 5th | 11AM–2PM
MATC Downtown Campus – 700 W. State St.

Let’s show what community care looks like when we come together. 💪🏽

09/17/2025

Check out this excellent column by Bria Burris, the FAST Fund's executive director, on the need for the state to increase its support for MATC students and the FAST Fund's flood recovery efforts.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/opinion/2025/09/15/matc-students-technical-college-government-assistance/86064390007/?tbref=hp&fbclid=IwY2xjawM3zIdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFxOFFJWmk5OUNkUTFSQVNMAR7RYL5XthLXYtli4BnxvVpm8czNlpQEhbY0MjoeLl9CtFLpgZ3EyoZFEqJKbA_aem_mutUXat2nvZXWx0TLbFSkg

Higher education is not a luxury. We need to ensure that our students, including non-traditional and parent students, have the resources they need.

09/01/2025

FAST Fund at MATC and Sherman Park Grocery assist MATC student flood victims.

A north side grocery store owner is stepping up to support students affected by historic flooding, even as his own business deals with flood damage.

08/29/2025

Still riding the high of our 4th Annual Garden Party, the heart of the FAST Fund never stops beating. 💙 While planning my first fundraiser as ED, I was also building partnerships—like this one with Sherman Park Grocery. Check it out in the comments!

(And yes… they misspelled my name 😅 but we’re doing this for the students, not the recognition!)

At the FAST Fund, compassion, collaboration, and community are at our core. In moments of crisis, students look to us—and with your support, we step up: innovative, compassionate, and of course, FAST.

That spirit drives us to keep building partnerships because we know we’re stronger together.

We’ve also launched a flood relief fund for students. If you’d like to support, please visit our website or contact me directly at 414-614-4174.