Starting Monday, April 12, HealthyMKE – a broad coalition of local government, non-profit, health care, public health and community organizations – will begin TV, radio and print campaign ads as part of a $900,000 multi-faceted effort aimed at building vaccine confidence across the county.
The campaign has been specifically designed to help empower local residents to make an informed choice when it comes to getting vaccinated. Efforts will include a focus on North and South Side communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and are undecided about receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.
“Getting vaccinated is a personal choice, but our intent is to make sure it’s also an informed choice,” said Mara Lord, chair of the Milwaukee area vaccine communications and community mobilization efforts.
The first phase of the multi-media ad campaign, dubbed “Authentic Voices,” includes TV, radio, digital outdoor billboard, online digital and social media advertising featuring diverse members of the Milwaukee community.
Beyond the visible advertising push, organizers are also significantly increasing community mobilization efforts to reach people where they are and share vaccine information in an authentic and personal manner. More than 200 individuals will be trained to engage in door-to-door canvassing, with a particular emphasis on 15 ZIP codes identified as having the highest vulnerability in the Milwaukee area based on guidance from the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index.
The grassroots efforts also include outreach to community-based organizations, faith-based leaders and other community leaders to reach networks of individuals.
"This campaign recognizes the importance of hearing authentic, relatable stories from local members of the community, from schoolteachers to retired veterans, healthcare workers, clergy, small business owners and more. The mission is to both honor their unique perspectives and show how getting vaccinated is a way to express personal strength and commitment, so that we can all get back to the people, places and things we love," says Lord.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
