Harambee - A Great Milwaukee Neighborhood

2011-10-25T10:14:00.003-06:00

RIVERWORKS LOFTS - TAKING APPLICATIONS

The Riverworks Lofts 36-unit housing project is scheduled to open this upcoming spring 2012. Amenities include 10 foot ceilings, fitness center, club room, secure lobby, washer/dryer in units, underground parking, and central heating and AC. The project is located at 3372 North Holton Street with convenient access to bus lines, the Beerline Recreational Trail, and shopping and work opportunities in the Riverworks Center business district.

We are now taking applications for the new units. If interested please call ACC Management Group at 414-372-3372.

HOPE to dedicate new building at Five Points

2009-09-08T09:51:00.006-06:00

HOPE Christian Schools recently completed construction of a $3.27 million learning facility, the first of three buildings planned for their second grade school campus. The building has more than a dozen green features such as solar power, eco-friendly air conditioning, and energy-saving lighting controls. By design, the building’s structure and systems will be exposed and used as educational tools for students. This fall enrollment at the school increased from 70 to 150, as the middle school moved from the former Holton Youth Center and added grades K4-3 in the new building.

Please mark your calendars for the dedication of the new building on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 11 a.m.

For more information on the Hope School's new building, the first new building located in the Five Points redevelopment area of the Harambee Community, visit http://www.thehopeschools.org/articles/newschool.html

Harambee Celebrates Arts and Culture

2009-07-27T10:59:00.004-06:00

Last Friday evening, Harambee continued its foray into Milwaukee's art scene as the storefront and exercise studio in King Commons 2 at the corner of Hadley and King hosted Gallery Night. The event was a forty-year retrospective of the work of artist Reynaldo Hernandez. A crowd of over two hundred--young, old and in-between--came through to see Reynaldo's works from over the years, addressing caustic social issues, while maintaining a sense of idealism, authenticity and progress. A jazz fusion ensemble led by Reynaldo's son on guitar provided entertainment.

The Harambee Committee on Arts and Culture has been lucky to have the active participation of an artist of Reynaldo's caliber. Reynaldo is also the artist behind the Harambee mural on the Clinton Rose Senior Center, and is currently working with youth from Harambee and Riverwest on a mural for the Beerline Trail. The HCAC plans another Gallery Night for October 16.

Mural Project Set to Begin

2009-07-17T08:35:00.002-06:00

The Beerline Trail Mural Project is scheduled to begin this upcoming Monday, July 20 at 11:00 am. Thanks to assistance we received from community partners in promoting the project and spreading the news to youth in the HGNI area, 15 youth applied for 3 available apprentice positions! 10 of these individuals were interviewed on Wednesday, and from the feedback I received from Artworks for Milwaukee and Reynaldo Hernandez, all the kids were terrific. We're confident that this project will be a positive experience for everyone involved, including the general public that will benefit from a piece of community art.

We'll do our best to keep everybody posted through the HGNI blog, but don't hesitate to contact me for any news or updates. You can reach me by phone at 414-906-9650 or by email at chrisg@riverworksmke.org.

If you're reading this message from the Harambee Connections group, you can access more information regarding the project by going to the "Harambee - A Great Neighborhood" blog site at http://harambeegreatneighborhood.blogspot.com/.

Beerline Trail Youth Mural Project

2009-07-01T15:38:00.002-06:00

The Harambee Great Neighborhoods Initiative together with Artworks for Milwaukee, mural artist Reynaldo Hernandez, and Riverworks Development Corporation finalized a project to work with youth in producing a mural this summer. Reynaldo Hernandez will be the lead artist, and we are looking to hire three neighborhood youth to work with him as youth apprentices. Youth will be paid $6.00/hr over a five week program period. All apprentices must be enrolled in high school and live in the 53212 zip code north of Center Street.

The project is scheduled to begin on July 20 at Reynaldo's studio. Applications must be submitted to Meghan Koven at Artworks for Milwaukee by July 13. You can access this application and all the details by visiting the Artworks for Milwaukee website at http://www.artworksformilwaukee.org/. Scroll down to the "Announcements" section where the Beerline Trail Mural Project is highlighted and open the application by clicking on the "Click here" link.

If you have any questions or need assistance accessing the application or filling it out, feel free to contact Meghan Koven at Artworks for Milwaukee at 414-277-8506. You may also contact Chris Grandt at Riverworks at chrisg@riverworksmke.org or 414-906-9650.

Thanks

Partners Join Habitat at Harambee Wallraising

2009-05-18T13:17:00.005-06:00

Last Monday, May 11, Members of the the Harambee Great Neighborhood Steering Committee and joined Mayor Tom Barrett at the symbolic wallraising for ten homes to be built by Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and their volunteers.

This year, Thrivent Builds is providing $704,280 and will mobilize its members and other volunteers to build 10 homes in Milwaukee’s Harambee Great Neighborhood. Since 2006, the first year of the program, Thrivent Builds has mobilized more than 6,000 volunteers who have dedicated more than 50,000 hours to help build 30 homes in Milwaukee, 20 of them in Harambee. Lots for these homes were contributed by the City of Milwaukee and Inner City Redevelopment Corporation.

To learn more about the build, visit Milwaukee Habitat's website. To learn more about the new Harambee neighbors who are helping to build these homes and who will move into them when they are complete, click here.

Community Action Resource Fair - May 30, 2009

2009-05-18T12:43:00.004-06:00

Riverworks, Safe and Sound, the Milwaukee Police Dept., and the Marquette University Restorative Justice Initiative invite you to a resource fair and barbecue.

GET INFORMATION ABOUT…

Summer Activities for Youth

Job Readiness Training

Which Schools are Offering Summer School – How To Sign up

Summer Camps, Day Camps, Playground Openings, Meal Programs, & Community Learning Centers (CLC)

WHEN: May 30, 2009
WHERE: COA GOLDEN CENTER, 2320 W. Burleigh Street
TIME: 11:00 AM UNTIL 3:00 PM

Sounds like a great event for families looking for summer activities.

Harambee Home To Be Improved

2009-05-15T08:52:00.001-06:00

Rebuilding Together Greater Milwaukee Celebrates National Rebuilding Day in Harambee Community

Milwaukee WI - (May 16th, 2009) - On May 16th one Harambee homeowner, along with thousands of low-income homeowners nationwide, will have something to celebrate. Rebuilding Together, the nation’s leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities, will tackle improvements at a home at 429 W. Chambers as part of National Rebuilding Day. Rebuilding Together Greater Milwaukee along with more than 200 fellow Rebuilding Together affiliates across the country and the help of thousands of volunteers will rehabilitate and improve this home at no cost to the owner.

“On this 21st annual National Rebuilding Day the need has never been greater. America’s low-income homeowners are faced with daunting challenges in attempt to mange food and health care along with basic home maintenance, struggling to retain homeownership in neighborhoods where real estate values have plummeted,” said Lynnea Katz-Petted, Executive Director Rebuilding Together Greater Milwaukee.

Continued Katz-Petted, “Rebuilding Together makes it possible for homeowners to remain in safe and healthy homes, keep their independence and dignity and preserve home equity which in many cases is the sole source of personal wealth.”

“We are thankful to all of our Sponsors, Foundation supporters and individual donors, for their incredible support of the community through Rebuilding Together Greater Milwaukee,” said Lynnea Katz-Petted, executive director of Rebuilding Together Greater Milwaukee. RTGM's work on the Harambee home is sponsored by M&I Bank.

Since 2000 RTGM has rehabilitated 210 homes, 5 nonprofits and invested over $4.6 million dollars into Milwaukee area housing. For more information or to get involved please contact Lynnea Katz-Petted at 414-704-1581 or visit www.rtmilwaukee.org.

Online Workshop on Parks, Gathering Places, and Public Spaces

2009-05-13T06:27:00.004-06:00

It's in the Harambee Great Neighborhood plan...Clinton Rose Park is a place neighbors want to improve and enjoy. Join a LISC-sponsored webinar featuring our local Beth Fetterly of the Urban Ecology Center plus other practitioners from around the country to learn how others have transformed parks in their neighborhoods.

Connecting housing, jobs, amenities, schools, and parks and open space is a key part of revitalized communities. Join this webcast to learn more about how neighborhood leaders are identifying natural assets and creating new community spaces. National experts and local practitioners will discuss strategies that involve citizens, local leaders, and local governments in successful models across the country. This will be an interactive session with an opportunity for participant questions and comments.

When: May 20
1:00 – 1:30 pm CST
Panel: Ben Welle, Trust for Public Land Washington DC
Beth Fetterley, Urban Ecology Center Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Beverly Smith, LISC New York, New York
Julia Seward, LISC Moderator

To join the Meeting: click or paste the link below:
https://cc.readytalk.com/r/cz0gow7ur2tv

For more details, download the flyer here.

Buy in Your Neighborhood

2009-05-06T04:45:00.004-06:00

Are you tired of looking at that boarded up house down the street that the bank currently owns and living with all the problems it causes? Why don't you buy it and rent it out?

With Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds from the federal government, the City now provides funding to help homeowners buy a foreclosed property within three blocks of where they live for rental purposes. Both financial and technical assistance is provided. If the property is in need of rehabilitation, homeowners may apply for funds to rehab as well.

Learn more about the programs...

To find out where you the bank-owned foreclosure properties are, visit http://www.mkedcd.org/foreclosures/ There is an interactive satellite map here showing the 1800 properties citywide, and zooming into 53212 and the Harambee Great Neighborhood, you'll see there are over 100. Help recruit 100 neighborhood owners to buy and care for these properties!

Mary Leach-Sumlin of ACTS, a Harambee nonprofit that assists families with homeownership opportunities and rehab projects, knows these and other programs and can answer questions about the qualifying and buying process. Give her a call at 414-372-3543.

Habitat to Build Ten More

2009-05-06T04:29:00.002-06:00

At 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 11, 2009 – during a busy volunteer build day – Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity will kick-off this year’s Thrivent Builds program. The event at 3000 N. Richards Street will celebrate the collaboration between Thrivent and Habitat, as well as the volunteers who are creating hope for, and bringing help to, the neighborhood. Join elected officials Senator Kohl, Senator Feingold, Congresswoman Moore, County Executive Walker, Mayor Tom Barrett and other leaders, who have been invited as well.

This year, Thrivent is providing $704,280 and will mobilize its members and other volunteers to build 10 homes in Milwaukee’s Harambee Great Neighborhood. Since 2006, the first year of the program, Thrivent Builds has mobilized more than 6,000 volunteers who have dedicated more than 50,000 hours to help build 30 homes in Milwaukee alone. In Wisconsin, Thrivent Builds volunteers have constructed 106 homes since 2006, with 32 more scheduled for this year.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity are humbled to be able to put our faith into action by joining together to help build better communities, one home at a time. We hope that you can participate in this special event.

Cluster Two Cleaners Heroic (and Lonely)

2009-04-20T13:11:00.002-06:00

Like a lot of Milwaukeeans, on Saturday morning, April 18, Harambee residents participated in the Great American Cleanup. One group of fifteen heroic neighbors took to the streets of Cluster Two with rakes, shovels and garbage bags. In the picture at the left, you can see a lonely worker giving the gutters a raking.

With only fifteen helpers, they didn't cover nearly all the ground they had hoped to - they had expected fifty people, based on the responses they had received to their flyers, phone calls and personal requests. Still, they were able to gather over forty garbage bags full of winter's leftovers. And, undeterred, they're busy planning their next cleanup (and looking forward to their community garden planting next Saturday).

If you would like to volunteer or bring a community service group to help clean up in Cluster Two, or in any of the other Harambee neighborhoods, please contact Nannette Smith. The next HGNI cleanup is scheduled for May 9 in Richards Hill.

2009-04-20T11:30:00.003-06:00

MAYOR TOM BARRETT CALLS ATTENTION TO NEW STATE LAW THAT PROTECTS TENANT RIGHTS DURING FORECLOSURE

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is promoting a new state law that recently took effect that protects the rights of renters of foreclosed properties.

Under the new state law:

* Landlords must provide written notice to tenants or prospective tenants when foreclosure action begins, and again when the deadline expires for the landlord to repay to avoid foreclosure.

* Banks and financial institutions must provide written notice three times to current tenants of the property in foreclosure: when the foreclosure action begins, when the court issues a judgment, and when the property will be placed for sale. Failure to provide notice carries a $250 fine plus attorney fees.

* Tenants may stay in their rental residence up to two months following sale of the foreclosed property.

* If there is a security deposit, tenants can withhold rent and let the security deposit cover the last month before the foreclosure 'redemption' period expires. This means the time allowed for a property owner to stop the foreclosure from moving forward, a period that lasts between six to 12 months.

* Beginning June 6, the Wisconsin Circuit Court records cannot display information regarding a tenant eviction that was prompted by mortgage foreclosure.

"After hearing horror stories of tenants losing money and being evicted because they were living in foreclosed properties, the City of Milwaukee requested a change in state law," Barrett said. "I am happy to see that changes have been made and that our residents now have greater rights to safe and secure rental housing during these difficult economic times."

Barrett credited members of the Milwaukee Foreclosure Partnership Initiative and members of the Wisconsin State Legislature for working to protect tenants' rights during the foreclosure process. State Senator Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) and State Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) were the lead sponsors of the legislation, which was included in the recent state budget and economic stimulus package. Minnesota and California have passed similar tenant protection laws.

Property owners (and renters) at risk from foreclosure are encouraged to visit http://www.milwaukeehousinghelp.org/ for referral information on housing counseling agencies, legal advice and more.

Beer Line Trail Art Collaboration Exhibition

2009-04-16T11:49:00.002-06:00

Saturday April 18 (10:00-3:00) * King Commons II * 2767 N. King Drive

Red Line Milwaukee has partnered with Raoul Deal and the UWM Peck School of the Arts for an art collaboration featuring student artists, who are creating art instillations on the Beerline Trail. The collaborative art exhibit will document and capture the community building and civic engagement processes inherent in public art-making, which would not be possible without the support of Riverworks Corp., GroundWorks Milwaukee, and our many other supporters.

With Special Guests:

Darrin Reasby - Drawing & Visual Artist
Showcasing 3 Generations: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and President Obama

Rozalia Singh – 3D & 2D Visual Artist

Romero Hernandez – 3D & 2D Visual Artist

Energy Assistance Applications available through May 15

2009-04-14T15:00:00.003-06:00

Do you need help with the cost of heating your home? The Energy Assistance Program helps individuals and families pay their home heating and electric bills during the winter, and pays for improvements to homes and apartments to make them more energy efficient (weatherization). Energy grants depend on family size, income level and energy costs and change each year. Applicants for energy assistance must provide copies of their utility or heating oil bills, proof of income for all adult family members 18 and older and the social security cards for everyone in the household. Energy assistance applications are taken at the 2008-2009 Energy Locations operated by the Social Development Commission (SDC) and are available until May 15th, 2009.

Visit the SDC SDC Richards Street office at 4041 N. Richards Street between Mon. - Fri., 7:30 am - 4:30 pm (doors open at 7:30) to apply.

Driver's License Recovery

2009-03-13T08:19:00.003-06:00

We all know that the lack of a valid driver's license can serve as a significant barrier to many Milwaukee residents looking for employment. To help address this, Riverworks Development Corporation is now helping individuals restore driver's licenses that are suspended or revoked. We are referring Milwaukee residents with these issues to Justice 2000 and its Center for Driver's License Recovery and Employability. Through this program, many individuals are able to recover their driver's licenses, retain and obtain employment, and provide a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

We have referral forms that can be filled out in our offices so that appointments can be arranged with Justice 2000. If you know any Harambee residents who could benefit from having their driver's licenses restored, please have them set up an appointment with Marvele Carter, Benefits Navigator of the Riverworks Center for Family Prosperity. Marvele can be reached at (414) 906-9650 to schedule appointments and answer questions.

Art in the Neighborhood

2009-01-23T12:27:00.003-06:00

Desmond and Ashley, two young Harambee artists, were among those featured in Harambee's first ever Gallery Night event held on January 16. The storefront in King Commons 2 at the corner of Hadley and King came alive as over 100 people viewed posters made by students, saw works by professional artists Cynthia Henry, Reynaldo Hernandez and Kelvin Haydon, and participated in a community art project.

This event, put on by the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative's Committee on Arts and Culture (CAC) in conjunction with Artworks for Milwaukee, is hoped to be the first of many art openings and Gallery Nights on King Drive. The CAC is planning a full range of arts and cultural activities for 2009. Lots of creative minds and helping hands are needed. If you'd like to get involved, contact irembert@uwm.edu.

Market Basket and Growing Power on King Drive

2009-01-23T09:23:00.003-06:00

The Market Basket Program consists of weekly deliveries of safe, healthy and affordable produce to neighborhoods throughout Milwaukee. Customers may also purchase pasture-raised meats, farm fresh eggs, fruit baskets and Urban Clover Honey when in season.

Will Allen, Executive Director of Growing Power (GP) will introduce this program and discuss other GP activities at:

2:00 PM on Friday, January 30, 2009
2775 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
(Southwest corner of King Drive and Hadley Street)

Growing Power is a national nonprofit organization and land trust that works to provide equal access to healthy, high-quality, safe and affordable food, by offering hands-on training, on-the-ground demonstration, outreach and technical assistance through the development of Community Food Systems that help people grow, process, market and distribute food in a sustainable manner.

Market Basket on King Drive is a joint venture of Growing Power and Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation.
For more details call 414-264-5000. We hope to see you on January 30.

Art in the Neighborhood (Harambee's 1st Gallery Night)

2008-12-14T12:13:00.003-06:00

Mark your calendars for a January Gallery Night Event!

In collaboration with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC-Milwaukee), and Milwaukee's Harambee neighborhood, ArtWorks is excited to announce a brand new addition to the Milwaukee Gallery Night experience! Come & join us in supporting the very first Gallery Night in the Harambee Neighborhood, where current ArtWorks Apprentices will be present to unveil the art work they created during our "Milwaukee Posters & Printmaking" program.

When: Friday, January 16, 2009 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Where: 2769 N. Martin Luther King Drive (Just North of Center Street)

Cost: FREE, but bring your checkbooks to bid on and/or purchase pieces of art created by ArtWorks Apprentices and Harambee artists.

RSVP by January 9, 2008 to this exciting event and automatically become an ArtWorks Event VIP!

Call (414) 277-8506 or email coordinator@artworksformilwaukee.org to RSVP.

Our Event VIPs will receive:

· Free and/or discounted admissions to future ArtWorks events

· A complimentary raffle ticket for fabulous prizes at the Harambee Gallery Night event

Thanks!

Milwaukee Health Department/Lead-Safe Properties

2008-10-28T14:53:00.002-06:00

Today it was announced that the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) received $6.9 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to eliminate lead hazards in homes within the city. These grants will enable the abatement of more than 1,100 housing units over the next three years. Because of this news, I thought it made sense to make everyone aware of the City of Milwaukee's Primary Prevention program.

The MHD operates a Primary Prevention program which provides money to abate lead-based paint hazards in windows for eligible property owners. If a property is eligible, a property owner may qualify for assistance to make the property lead-safe. An application can be obtained by calling 414-286-5025. The program guidelines and application form are also available online at http://www.city.milwaukee.gov/router.asp?docid=2828. Considering Milwaukee's north side has substantially higher lead poisoning rates than the national average, this is a program that Harambee property owners should explore.

Volunteer Day - Beerline Recreational Trail Project

2008-10-24T11:08:00.003-06:00

Please note that there is a volunteer community event being organized to assist in implementing Phase One of the Beerline Recreational Trail Project. This project aims to take a section of abandoned and deteriorated railway and transform it into a valued stretch of public space for the Harambee and Riverwest neighborhoods. We encourage all of you to get involved, learn more about the project, and take ownership of the trail through this volunteer event. The event is scheduled as follows:

Date: Saturday November 8, 2008
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Location: Buffum Street & Keefe Ave (At the northern tip of the trail)

Basic refreshments will be served. The day will focus on litter and garbage cleanup, planting trees, mulching, etc. For more information on the project, please visit the Riverworks website at the following link: http://www.riverworksmke.org/rdc/in-the-works.php.

If you are interested and able to volunteer, please RSVP to Chris Grandt at 414.906.9650 or chrisg@riverworksmke.org.

Cluster Two Play and Grow Shows Community Pride

2008-09-17T14:15:00.007-06:00

Donna Handel is celebrating her 92nd birthday today and to mark the occasion posed for a picture in front of the new sign on the future Play and Grow Lot at 3347 N. 3rd Street. The sign doubles as a bulletin board for updates on Cluster Two and Harambee Great Neighborhood happenings to help the garden become a neighborhood gathering place. Stop by to see it grow!

A Play and Grow Lot is a community garden and natural playground, where children can play while older neighbors watch and tend their gardens. In spring, a new garden was planted on this vacant lot. Roberta Lyles and Donna Handel are the Cluster Two residents who live across the street, dreamed up this concept and are working to make it a reality by raising funds for the playground. The Great Neighborhoods program has engaged a landscape architect to begin working with them to design the play area.

More projects like this can be developed throughout the Harambee Community as Community Pride projects. For information on how to plan and apply, resident groups should contact Nannette Smith at 414.264.7822 or smithng@harambeeombudsman.org.

Linear Park/Beerline Recreational Trail Community Stakeholder Meeting

2008-09-08T08:15:00.002-06:00

This is another reminder that this Friday, September 12, Marek Landscaping has scheduled a walking tour of the recreational trail that runs from Buffum and Keefe to Burleigh and Bremen. This tour is open to the public and geared towards residents, business owners, and other stakeholders of the Harambee and Riverwest neighborhoods. Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 10 to Marek Landscaping at mike@mareklandscaping.com or at 414-272-0242.

The details of the meeting date, time, and location are as follows:

Date: Friday September 12, 2008
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: 325 E Keefe Avenue (By Buffum and Keefe where the recreational is)

Thanks,
Chris

"Harambee's Got Talent" and we want everyone to know.

2008-09-08T00:02:00.003-06:00

HGNI, Northcott Neighborhood House, Riverworks CDC, and ABEA, Present:

"HARMBEE'S GOT TALENT"

A talent showcase featuring artists and performers from the great
neighborhood of Harambee.

AUDITION

Singers, Dancers,Musicians, Spoken Word Performers and other artists are
invited to audition Wednesday, September 10, 2008:
Northcott Neighborhood House, 2460 North 6th Street
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Harambee Community residents are encouraged to audition but all
ARE WELCOME. All interested participants must respond no later
than Tuesday, September 9, 2008 by calling (414) 372-3770
for Adriane Griffin and (414) 875-6949 for Andre' Lee Ellis.

Get your talent together and give us a call.

SHOWCASE

"Harambee's Got Talent" Wednesday, September 17, 2008:
Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 North Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Drive
5:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Mark your calendars now and bring all your family and friends!

Community Rummage Sale

2008-09-02T13:02:00.002-06:00

Please note that Solomon Community Temple and Cluster Two Neighborhood Association have a community rummage sale planned for this month. The details are as follows:

Date: Saturday September 27, 2008
Location: Solomon Community Temple

Spaces are open to the public for $5. If you have any questions, please call Ms. Donna Handel at 414-372-4429. These are two great organizations that do a lot of positive work for the Harambee community, so please help spread the word and show them your support.

Thanks!

AUGUST GOSPEL FESTIVAL... Harambee Great Neighborhoods Deserve Great Art

2008-08-11T10:39:00.007-06:00

Harambee's rich and diverse cultural life is widely recognized as one of the community's primary assetts. As such, The Harambee Ombudsman Project Inc, in association with Northcott Neighborhood House, LISC, and other supporters is organizing a series of family freindly festivals and cultural events that will showcase Harambee's talented residents. These festivals are not only about providing the community with safe, fun, local entertainment, but also provide an exciting opportunity for community members and supporters to engage one another and continue fostering Harambbee's cultural heritage.

I hope that you will join us for our next event, which is the Family Gospel Festival on Wednesday, August 20th. Below you will find audition requirements and other details.

Please be on the look out for more information regarding upcoming cultural events in the Harambee community.

I look forward to meeting and working with you all in the near future.

Regards,
Isaiah Rembert

HGNI is seeking talented gospel performers:

Singers, Praise Dancers, Musicians, Quartets, Spoken Word
Artists and other interested artists are invited to audition
Thursday, August 14, 2008 at Northcott Neighborhood House, 2460 N. 6th Street—starting at 6:00pm until 8:00pm

Harambee Community residents are encouraged to audition as well as other gospel performers. All interested participants must respond no later than Tuesday, August 12, 2008 by calling (414)372-3770 and ask for Andre’ Lee Ellis.

Northcott Neighborhood House, RiverWorks CDC, ABEA, and Harambee Ombudsman Project, Inc. will present the Summer Sounds Family Gospel Night Out on Wednesday,
August 20, 2008 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at the Clinton Rose Senior Center located 2900 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

Harambee - A Great Milwaukee Neighborhood: Marketplace 2008 Minority Business Awards

2008-08-01T13:46:00.000-06:00

Harambee - A Great Milwaukee Neighborhood: Marketplace 2008 Minority Business Awards

Marketplace 2008 Minority Business Awards

2008-08-01T13:37:00.002-06:00

I was at a conference this week and Seyoum Mengesha from the State of Wisconsin Department of Commerce was promoting this year's Marketplace Minority Business Awards. He says they are still taking applications for the awards which will be given in October. Applications must be completed and submitted by Monday, August 11, 2008 in order to be eligible.

As stated on the link, please contact Carol Dunn or Kema Williams with any questions. Their contact information is listed on the website.

Are you an entrepreneur?

2008-07-02T08:52:00.001-06:00

If you know of someone who has always considered starting their own business, but is unsure where to start, send them to a free lecture called Are you an Entrepreneur?

This will be held on Thursday, July 31 from Noon to 1:30 pm at the MLK Public Library in Milwaukee, located at 310 W. Locust Street. The discussion will help people decide if entrepreneurship is right for them, as participants evaluate their skills and readiness for business ownership, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of starting a business. The lecture is sponsored by WWBIC.

Mr. Zilber Wants to Know

2008-06-26T04:24:00.003-06:00

Joseph Zilber is the 90-year-old Milwaukee philanthropist who announced last month an ambitious plan to improve the lives of people living in neighborhoods like Harambee. He has pledged $50 million to involve neighbors in planning and implementing solutions to the unique characteristics of where they live.

People are beginning to give their ideas through various channels about Zilber's program. Many people, including a Board consisting of major city leaders, are speaking with Lloyd Consulting, the group hired by Zilber to help him structure a successful charitable investment. The Public Policy Forum and former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin recently commented in the blogosphere. Eugene Kane used his column to chime in with his ideas. If this gift or the donor were like most others, advice would go unheard.

But it's all clearly different. After Kane's column appeared, Mr. Zilber called him.

"Zilber told me he liked some of my suggestions but wanted more, particularly
from 'regular people.'
'Why don’t you ask them what they would do with the
money?' he said."

Mr. Kane has volunteered to collect emails sent to this address with “How To Spend Zilber’s Money” in the subject line. He'll make sure they get to the appropriate people, and he may use them in a story.

This is our chance to let Mr. Zilber know about your hopes and dreams for the Harambee Community. Let him know you're a "regular person" and what work from the Harambee Community Action Plan you are taking on. Or, let him know how you became involved, or why you think organizations and people are pulling together today more than ever in Harambee. Tell him what would be possible with just a few more of those fifty million dollars.

We did it with Thrivent when they put a million dollars on the table. Tell Mr. Zilber why he should invest the next million.

Miller Employees REACH Out in Cluster Two

2008-06-16T10:47:00.002-06:00

Volunteers from Miller Brewing Co. dug in on Friday, June 6, Miller's annual REACHing Out Day, to lay the groundwork for a Play and Grow Lot in Cluster Two. When completed, the lot will feature a community garden and playground, where children can play while older neighbors watch, and tend their gardens.

Roberta Lyles and Donna Handel are the Cluster Two residents who dreamed this place and are working to make it a reality by raising funds for the playground equipment. The lot was contributed by Inner City Redevelopment Corporation. Groundwork Milwaukee put together the logistics and tools. Now, thanks to the hard work of Miller employees, the garden is being planted this week. Stop by for a visit at 3347 N 3rd Street.

Milwaukee Gets Major Gift From Joseph Zilber

2008-05-13T07:56:00.002-06:00

He's giving $50 million to improve life for the people of Milwaukee. This is a lot of money, and it's going to work on making central city neighborhoods better places to live.

A big crowd of people watched the official announcement inside city hall.“This is an unbelievable gift,” Mayor Tom Barrett said.

People on the streets knew about it too, like Sherman Hill. “I was speechless, I mean, because for someone to do that, you know, that's fantastic,” Hill said.Hill runs an agency called Harambee Ombudsman Project. He knows the need and is very glad Joseph Zilber is so generous.

Zilber is a real estate mogul who spends most of his time in Hawaii, but Milwaukee will always be in his heart. Zilber says he hopes his $50 million donation brings new hope for the city.“Every day I get more enthusiastic about the fact that it will work,” Zilber said.

“Don't give up. There’s always hope. I was born in a very poor family and worked hard. It takes hard work, but you shouldn't lose hope,” Zilber said.

Habitat Builds in Harambee

2008-05-09T10:42:00.003-06:00

Volunteers and future homeowners started work Monday on eight homes in Harambee. You can see the action in the 2900 block of North Fifth Street and the 2900 and 3000 blocks of North Seventh Street. Two more houses will start in a few weeks. Homeowners will be presented with the keys to their homes at a ceremony before tonight's Milwaukee Brewers game.

This is all part of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans' investment in the Harambee Community. In addition to the ten houses to be constructed this year, they built ten in 2007, and have put up an additional $1 million to support implementation of the Harambee Community Action Plan.

Link to Journal Sentinel article

Cops, Children Clean Cluster Two

2008-05-07T16:06:00.002-06:00

Saturday, May 3 was a rainy day in Cluster Two, but after nearly 200 people - police recruits, children and other neighbors - picked up bags and bags of trash, by Sunday the area looked much brighter. On another bright note, Fifth District Officer Ray Robakowski shared his knowledge of community policing with the class of recruits that will be graduating from the police academy this month, and which happens to include his son. In the photo at left, a boot camp for boys from Bethany Lutheran Church paused from their work in the parking lot of Solomon Temple on MLK Drive. The ladies from Cluster Two Neighborhood Association served hot dogs, chips, and cookies and HOPI handed out "Harambee Community - I'm In!" hats. Many thanks to all who participated.

That's My Dad Event

2008-05-07T15:21:00.002-06:00

In addition to the "Breakfast With Dad" event, the Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative, Inc. is scheduling it's 7th annual pre-Father's Day event: "That's My Dad". The objective of this event is to:

* Encourage fathers to be more involved in the lives of their children
* Increase the awareness of the services that are provided to fathers
* Provide an opportunity for fathers to spend quality time with both their custodial and
non-custodial children
* To award fathers that have touched the lives of their children

The details of this event are as follows:

Where: Humboldt Park
(event will take place in the park located on Milwaukee's south side)
When: Saturday June 14, 2008
Time: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

FREE Food, games for youth, essay winners, social service vendors, and more!!!

The Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative will be holding raffles, and are asking for donations from organizations that may be interested in sponsoring prizes. Some of these prizes are: iPods, CD players, Boys & Girls Bicycle, Gift Certificates, Board Games, Boom Box, TV, Play Station, Children's Books, Watches.

They will also be hosting a Tug-O-War competition where the proceeds will go towards funding the academic scholarship fund. To enter the competition, teams must have 8 team members and pay a $125 registration fee. Again, all proceeds go toward the academic scholarship fund, and the winners of the competition will receive a trophy and have the scholarship issued in the organization's name. The deadline for signing up for this competition is Thursday, June 5, 2008. Teams must be registered and fee paid by this date.

If you or your organization are willing to help sponsor a raffle prize or join the Tug-O-War competition, please contact Charles Richardson from the Vincent Center (President of the Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative) at (414) 374-0109.

Breakfast With Dad

2008-05-07T15:02:00.002-06:00

Charles Richardson from the Vincent Center passed along the following information about the upcoming "Breakfast With Dad" event scheduled for this upcoming Saturday, May 10. The event details are as follows:

Where: 5600 W Fond du Lac Ave
When: Saturday, May 10th, 2008
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

Breakfast With Dad is a Shared Project with the Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative, the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and Milwaukee County Child Support Enforcement.

Municipal Judges and Court Commissioners have also been invited.

Staff will be available to assist with issues of:

Family Preservation
Health Disparities
Child Support Enforcement
Drivers License Recovery

For More information call (414)374-0109

Summer Programs and Activities for Harambee Youth

2008-04-28T11:42:00.002-06:00

As part of the Harambee Great Neighborhoods Initiative Neighborhood Action Plan, Riverworks Development Corporation is responsible for compiling a database of youth activities available to Harambee residents. If any of you are working with youth this summer through your organizations, churches, neighborhood associations, etc., please send me some information specific to the programs/activities you are providing. If you do not work with youth yourself but know of some programs available to Harambee youth this summer, please let me know as well. I’m hoping to get this database complied sometime in the next month, so if you could get back to me in the next few weeks I would appreciate it.

Thanks,
Chris Grandt

2008 "That's My Dad" Essay Competition

2008-03-12T15:58:00.002-06:00

Charles Richardson from the Vincent Family Resource Center asked us to help promote the annual "That's My Dad" essay competition here on the Harambee Blog. If you have any questions regarding the competition, please contact Charles at the Vincent Center located at 2610 N Martin Luther King Drive.

This essay contest is based on the positive impact fathers have had on the lives of their children.

Contest Rules:

Deadline: May 16th, 2008.

Essay should be based on the positive impact your father or father figure has had in your life.

Each entry form must be filled out completely; attach completed essay to the entry form.
Please write boldly and clearly in pen (May be typed).

Essay will be judged by age of contestants (writer).

Entries must not have been previously published and must be the original work of the contestant.

Please keep essay at 500 words or less.

You must include your name, home address and phone number.

There are four categories, so anyone can enter. Categories Age of Fathers: 16-19, 20-29, 30-42, 43 and up.

Mail all entries to the Vincent Family Resource Center 2610 North Martin Luther King dr. Milwaukee, WI 53212 (Essay, Attention; Charles Richardson).

Entry can be written by the mothers or grandparents of children 5 and under.
ALL essays become property of The Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative.

First place Prizes will be awarded to one Father in each category
Awards will be presented at the That’s My Dad event on June 14th, 2008 at
Humbolt Park 3000 S. Howell Ave (Fathers Must attend event).

The entry form that needs to be mailed along with the essay is shown below.

Name: _____________________Age______________________

Address: ______________________________Phone #: _________

Father’s Name: _________________Phone#___________Age ______

Address: ____________________________________________

Title of Entry ___________________________________________________________

Rise Up Milwaukee

2008-03-12T15:34:00.005-06:00

Jennifer Epps of the Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods Coalition asked us to help promote the Rise Up Milwaukee Event, scheduled for Saturday March 29, 2008. Please check out the attached flyers by clicking on them in order to read the details. For more details on this event and how it will help create the momentum needed to help pass the Good Jobs Ordinance this year, please contact Jennifer Epps at (414) 443-0682 or by email at jepps@communitybenefits.org.

Cluster Two Neighborhood Meeting

2008-02-15T10:02:00.002-06:00

Donna Handel and Roberta Lyles from Cluster Two Neighborhood Association asked me to post the following information to the blog:

Cluster Two has a meeting scheduled to discuss the neighborhood and the changes that are taking place through the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative. The meeting is open to the public and Cluster Two is looking for support from other Harambee stakeholders. The schedule details are as follows:

Place: HeartLove Place, 3229 N Martin Luther King Drive
Date: Saturday March 1, 2008
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Community leaders and organizational representatives will be in attendance to disseminate information to residents about their plans and objectives for 2008. This event provides a great forum for those serving the community to engage and reach out to residents, and the folks at Cluster Two hope you join them at this event.

If you need more details about this event, please contact Donna Handel at dhandel@thepark.net.

Safe Streets Initiative Call-In Session

2008-02-13T14:32:00.000-06:00

Good Day to all. Ron Johnson from the Safe Streets Initiative asked me to pass the following along to folks in Harambee:

The long-awaited Safe Streets/Common Ground Call-In sessions for people caught on tape selling drugs to undercover agents will finally take place on Feb 26 at St. Martin de Porres at 6:00 pm. Law enforcement will be there to do their role and we are encouraging "community" to be present to show solidarity with law enforcement and provide resources and alternative lifestyles for them. We want a minimum of 50 residents, stakeholders, and business people from the Harambee neighborhood to be in attendance.

Ron Johnson is hosting a Pre-Call-In meeting at Northcott Neighborhood House on Feb 20 at 4:00 pm to discuss and actually rehearse for the Call-In at St. Martin de Porres on the 26th. People planning on participating on the 26th should attend the rehearsal meeting on the 20th at Northcott.

Thanks

Ron Johnson
313-8945

Employment Opportunitities

2008-01-31T11:58:00.000-06:00

Please be aware that UMOS is putting on an employment event which was passed along to Riverworks Developoment Corporation for us to share with the community. The following was communicated to us:

Event Date: Thursday, February 7, 2008
Event Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 noon
Location: UMOS Southeast - Job Net Area
2701 S Chase Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207

"Come learn about excellent employment opportunities in a variety of industries. Positions are available in several areas and on all shifts. These employers are looking for candidates to fill positions such as: Customer Service, Cooks, Bartenders, Delivery Drivers, Banquet Services, Laundry Attendants, Room Attendants, Line Cooks, Pastry Cooks, Parking Attendants.

Note: Dress for Success, Have a polished resume, Bring State ID and SS Card

IN ADDITION:
There is an unrelated employment opportunity with CapTel, Inc., and organization that is hiring for Captioning Assistant positions in downtown Milwaukee. CapTel, Inc. will provide three weeks of paid training at $8.00 per hour, and pay will increase to $9.50 per hour, Monday through Friday after training is completed. In addition, pay increases to $10.00 for weekend shifts.

Minimum qualifications are as follows for the CapTel Assistant Position: an individual must be 18 years of age or older, legally able to work in the United States, have earned a high school diploma or GED, able to type a minimum of 35 words per minute in Microsoft Word with very few errors. In addition, the quailified candidate will have excellent articulation, oral reading and spelling abilities.

There are both full and part time opportunities and scheduling is flexible. In addition, Captel provides benefits for full-time employees.

If this position is of interest to anyone, please contact Chris Grandt at Riverworks Development Corporation for more details. He can be reached at 414.906.9650 or by email at chrisg@riverworksmke.org.

Victory Lady Fitness Center Promotion

2008-01-14T12:04:00.000-06:00

Please note that Vicotry Lady, located in the Riverworks Commons Shopping Center at Capitol Drive and Richards Street, is currently offering a membership special.

Bring a printout of the attached flyer with you and receive a FREE Victory Lady gift pack, as well as monthly membership for only $19.

If there are any questions regarding this special offer, please contact Victory Lady at 414-961-2333.

JS Online: Harambee gets an infusion of money

2007-12-21T09:38:00.000-06:00

JS Online: Harambee gets an infusion of money
Thank you to everyone who made yesterday's announcement of Thrivent's $1MM investment in our plan possible. It was a great day. A blessed Christmas to everyone, and a happy new year. We have a lot of really great things to work on together in 2008.

Harambee Great Neighborhood Steering Committee Application

2007-12-18T11:06:00.000-06:00

Over the past week, the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative staff mailed out over 225 letters directly to residents, organizations, and businesses encouraging people to apply for open seats on the Harambee Great Neighborhood Steering Committee. There are 15 seats open for residents and business owners, meaning in order to be eligible, an individual must either live in the Harambee Great Neighborhood target area or own and operate a business in the the target area. The target area is Holton to I-43 east to west and Capitol Drive to Center Street North to South. For more information about the Steering Committee, please see the notes below:

Purpose of the Harambee Great Neighborhoods Steering Committee ( HGNSC )
The HGNSC will include Residents, Business Owners and Community Based Organizations serving the Harambee Great Neighborhoods in a voluntary governing body that will implement the Neighborhood Action Plan ( NAP ). The Steering Committee will make decisions regarding its implementation and takes joint responsibility for carrying it out. The NAP moves the Harambee Great Neighborhoods towards the Neighborhood Vision by working through a structure of Nine Priorities:

(1) Neighborhood Image
(2) Housing Market
(3) Physical Conditions
(4) Health and Environment
(5) Neighborhood Leadership
(6) Community Connections
(7) Employment and Workforce
(8) Public Safety
(9) Arts and Culture

Neighborhood Vision
The Harambee Great Neighborhoods is a community of neighborhoods of choice for a range of stakeholders – residents, potential homebuyers, businesses, institutions, and government. The residential neighborhood clusters of Harambee Great Neighborhoods are places people know of and want to move and remain, where businesses find an attractive market for their goods and services, and where government makes investments similar in size and impact to those in other Milwaukee neighborhoods. Harambee Great Neighborhoods is also a place with a high degree of social connectivity – where neighbors are engaged with each other and with neighborhood development and where institutions are connected to each other and residents.

Who Composes the HGN Steering Committee ( HGNSC )
The HGNSC will consist of a minimum of twenty-five and up to twenty-nine (29) members , which will consist of up to fourteen (14) members representing Organization Partners and up to fifteen (15) residents and business owners ( so long as the majority of members are residents and business owners ) .

The HGNSC will operate under bylaws it will establish for itself. It is expected that the HGNSC will have an Executive Committee and a Nominating Committee and may establish Ad Hoc Committees as it sees fit in order to carry out the work required to focus on the Nine Priorities to move the Harambee Great Neighborhoods towards the Neighborhood Vision.

If you are interested:
If you are interested in applying yourself or know somebody who might have interest and need an application, please contact Steve Adams or Chris Grandt ASAP. They can be reached at Riverworks Development Corporation at 414.906.9650. It is strongly encouraged to complete your application by Friday December 21 or early the following week.

Harambee Great Neighborhood Plan Presentation

2007-11-07T12:19:00.000-06:00

Please join the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative partners for an important open public meeting at the Clinton Rose Center where a Final Draft of the Harambee Great Neighborhood Plan will be presented to the community. This meeting is a follow-up to the Community-Wide Visioning Session that was held at HeartLove Place on February 10, 2007.

Date: Saturday Nov 10, 2007
Location: Clinton Rose Center (3045 N MLK Dr.)
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 noon

Meeting Highlights to Include:

Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative Plan Presentation
Presentation of Awards to Front Yard Garden Contest Winners
Unveilng of Community Mural from Summer Youth Project
Updates of Recent News and Activities from the Harambee Great Neighborhood Initiative
Information on Area Service Providers
Refreshments Provided

Please RSVP to Steve Adams or Chris Grandt at 906-9650 if you are able. This is an open public meeting, so please pass this invitiation on to residents and stakeholders of the target area.

Cluster Two Neighborhood Association Events

2007-10-17T13:37:00.000-06:00

The folks of Cluster Two Neighborhood Association have a couple upcoming events that they want the community to be aware of. Please pass this information along to others in the neighborhood to help promote a great neighborhood organization and the positive activities they have planned.

CHILI SUPPER: Cluster Two invites Harambee residents and stakeholders to fellowship with them at a Chili Supper on Saturday November 3, 2007 at Solomon Methodist Church (3295 N.Martin Luther King Dr.) between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to hang out with friends and get to know your neighbors. Make it a family affair.

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner: On November 17, 2007 Cluster two will have their annual Thanksgiving dinner for the neighborhood at Solomon Methodist Church (3295 N.Martin Luther King Dr.) between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. This dinner has a great track record for being a successful neighborhood event that brings people together. Last year, through their hard work and desire to serve, the Cluster Two Neighborhood Association served over 160 people!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, this meal is provided for free through donations that Cluster Two is able to raise. If you would like to donate to help Cluster Two in their efforts to reach out to the Harambee Neighborhood, please contact Donna Handel or Roberta Lyles by email at dhandel@thepark.net. If you already know about Cluster Two and would like to make a donation, please mail them a check made out to Cluster Two Association to the following address:

Cluster Two Association
PO Box 12323
Milwaukee, WI 53212-1431

4th Annual Restorative Justice Initiative Conference

2007-10-10T15:10:00.000-06:00

MILWAUKEE SAFE STREETS INITIATIVE:

Transforming Community and Building Relationships

Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Alumni Memorial Union
Marquette University Campus

Reserve your spot by November 5, 2007

The conference will feature a keynote address by New York Judge Alex Calabrese describing the success of the Red Hook Community Justice Center. The conference will then focus on the Milwaukee Safe Streets Initiative.

With a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Milwaukee is implementing a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary initiative involving all sectors of the community. This project focuses on the 2nd (south side) and the 5th (near north side) police districts in Milwaukee. The conference will look at what is really happening in these districts—attendees will hear from neighborhood residents, faith-based community leaders, police officers, prosecutors, community-based organization leaders, public school officials, and judges.

Conference details…http://law.marquette.edu/cgi-bin/site.pl?8&template=restorativeJusticeDetails.html

Why Walk to School

2007-09-25T12:16:00.000-06:00

The Harambee Great Neighborhood plan places a high emphasis on housing as a strategy for turning the neighborhood around. "Why so much emphasis on housing, when education needs help too?" some have asked. In fact, many of the housing strategies will have positive impacts in other areas. For example, the plan contemplates the creation of a "Walk to School" program that assists parents, staff and faculty in purchasing a home within walking distance of the Harambee school where they work or are enrolled. True, this strategy will increase owner-occupancy in the neighborhood, and improve the market for homes here. But, to understand what difference that might make in the area of education, read on:

Homeownership may provide a platform for helping children do better in schools
A number of studies have shown that the children of homeowners do better in school. For example, one study found that, for children living in owned homes rather than rental units, math achievement scores are up to 9 percent higher, reading achievement is up to 7 percent higher and behavioral problems are 1 to 3 percent lower. Other studies have found that children of homeowners stay in school longer or have higher high-school graduation rates than their peers living in rented homes. It is possible that the benefits of homeownership are concentrated among certain types of households. For example, one study found a connection between homeownership and educational achievement among the children of households with incomes below 150 percent of the poverty line, but not for higher-income families. While the precise reason for these findings is not entirely clear, the benefit of homeownership for children may be due largely to the fact that homeowners tend to be more residentially stable than renters. To the extent that enhanced stability largely explains the impact of homeownership on education, it is possible that particularly stable forms of affordable rental housing may provide similar benefits. However, to the extent that a neighborhood has poor quality schools or other adverse conditions, homeownership and other forms of residentially stable housing in that neighborhood may have a negative effect by locking families into a poor-quality neighborhood.

from: The Positive Impacts of Affordable Housing
on Education: A Research Summary (full study at link)

Housing improvements can go a long way in improving the health of children in the neighborhood as well. That's why earlier on in the planning process, Harambee Ombudsman Project and Riverworks partnered with the Milwaukee Health Department and Friends of Housing to submit a $1.2 million application to HUD for a lead hazard elimination program focused on replacing windows in housing in the Harambee neighborhood. The houses will be rehabbed, residents will save money on heating costs, and children are healthier and will do better in school: a housing strategy that produces results in health, education, economic well-being, and environment.

What other ways can we leverage the Harambee Great Neighborhood plan to improve educational achievement, financial wellbeing or health among residents? If you have ideas and would like to share and collaborate to explore them, we want to hear them.

Test

2007-09-21T13:55:00.000-06:00

This is a test post. My apologies for the inconvenience.

Chris Grandt
RDC/UW-Milwaukee

Learn to Build Wealth

2007-09-13T15:55:00.000-06:00

Investment Education Comes to You ! Learn how to start an investment club and get your share of the American Dream...
…on Saturday, October 20, 2007 …
at the Mother Kathryn Daniels Center at 38th and Hampton Avenue in Milwaukee!

DON’T MISS THIS EXCITING, EMPOWERING DAY!
Master Educator, Ron Bryun from Los Angeles, CA
The Entertaining CLIMB Knowledge Warriors
The Profound Steven DeVougas
Door Prizes
Continental Breakfast plus Lunch
CD Music from the Intelligent Arts label of Asset Builders of America Inc.
Workshops for youth and adults

Register today for the CLIMB (Investment Education) Rally!
To register, email your name, email address and telephone number to Katie@climbusa.org . For more information call 608.332.4423 or go to www.assetbuilders.org .

Communities Learning to Invest and Mobilize for Business (CLIMB) is an investment education initiative of Asset Builders of America Inc. CLIMB’s goal is to establish 100 investment clubs in the central city of Milwaukee.

Now is the Time … to Start your CLIMB!

Robert Wynn
President
Akamai LLC
P.O. Box 46202
Madison, WI 53744-6202
wynn_r@sbcglobal.net
608.332.4423

Cluster Two Ice Cream Social

2007-09-12T16:42:00.000-06:00

This Saturday, September 15th the second of five ice cream social events is set to take place. All residents from the Harambee Neighborhood and anybody associated with the Harambee Great Neighborhood Plan are encouraged to attend.

Location: New Life Presbyterian Church at 3276 N. Palmer (Concordia and Palmer)
Time: 1:00 PM -3:00 PM

Meet and greet your neighbors, find out what's going on in the area, discuss projects you can do in the neighborhood, and join in activities for the children. Keep in mind that all children must be accompanied by an adult.

And EAT FREE ICE CREAM! Ice Cream and toppings will be served following the session at around 2:00 PM.

If there are any questions regarding this event, please contact Chris Grandt or Steve Adams at Riverworks Development Corporation at 906-9650.

Rose Senior Center celebrates 25 years

2007-09-10T10:16:00.000-06:00

25th Anniversary Celebration at Clinton and Bernice Rose Senior Center

Members of the community are invited to the 25th Anniversary Celebration at Clinton and Bernice Rose Senior Center on Thursday, September 13th from 10:30 – 2:30.

10:30 am Opening Ceremonies - featuring elected officials, staff and participant leaders
11:00 am Talent Showcase – highlighting Rose Center performing groups
12:00 pm Open House and Refreshments

Please RSVP by calling the center at (414) 263-2255.

For 25 years, Clinton and Bernice Rose Senior Center, located in the heart of the Harambee neighborhood at 3045 N. Martin Luther King Dr., has been a key part of many people’s lives in Milwaukee by providing recreational and social opportunities. The center welcomes adults age 50 or better. There is no membership fee to participate at the center.

Clinton and Bernice Rose Senior Center is managed by Interfaith Older Adult Programs, Inc. and funded by Milwaukee County Department on Aging. For more information, please contact the center at (414) 263-2255 or online at www.interfaithmilw.org.

Learn to Build a Great Playground

2007-09-07T12:24:00.000-06:00

The McBeath Foundation and Safe & Sound are sponsoring a Kaboom! Workshop Entirely on Play (WE Play!) in Milwaukee that teaches people how to leverage volunteers to build playgrounds on September 19-20.

Members of the Youth and Recreation Working Group are particularly encouraged to attend and bring their newfound knowledge back to the committee to plan and build a playground in Harambee using volunteers and funds raised during the next few years. Every child needs a great playground in walking distance of home! The youth and recreation work group noted Harambee's shortage of public recreational spaces in their discussions. Please let Chris Grandt know by email if you plan to attend and let him know afterward if you want to get the Youth and Recreation group together to begin planning.

The agenda is posted here. Click on Kaboom's website here for more information and to learn more and/or register. The workshop is free.

Neighbors Gather in Park Hill

2007-08-30T07:31:00.000-06:00

On Tuesday, August 21, neighbors gathered for a neighborhood meeting in the newly-remodeled community room of Park Hill Senior Apartments at 535 W. Concordia. Outside, elder residents looked on as children enjoyed games and a martial arts demonstration led by volunteers from the Harambee neighborhood. Members of Solomon Temple United Methodist Church adjourned Bible class early to come over and participate in the meeting.

Residents and church members committed to working together in Park Hill to implement the main strategies laid out in the Neighborhood Action Plan:

Work with neighbors to do small projects that build community pride and improve the appearance and environment in their immediate area.

Help match homes for sale with homebuyers they know to increase owner-occupancy within their area.

Make efforts to reach out to neighbors, connect them with the organizations that are working together under the plan, and become ambassadors and leaders in making the neighborhood a great place to live.

In addition, residents heard about the new and increased resources the plan calls for:

Loans and grants for home improvements that fit with current residents' financial situation;

Incentives to attract new homebuyers who will live in the neighborhood;

Funds for community pride projects such as landscaping projects, vacant lot clean-ups, house lighting projects, neighborhood identity projects and other activities to connect neighbors and create positive neighborhood image;

More sources of support and information from neighborhood organizations for their positive efforts.

New leaders stepped up and agreed to meet again to plan a community pride project in two weeks. Then they enjoyed some ice cream together, complete with hot fudge, whipped cream and cherries.

Upcoming Northeast Side Plan Meeting

2007-08-23T13:30:00.000-06:00

The following message is from Janet Grau from the Department of City Development that she asked us to forward to everyone from the Harambee Connections group.

To everyone:

We said we'd meet at the end of the summer and the end of the summer is here--well almost here, it's not over yet. The Northeast Side Plan Advisory Group will meet:

Wednesday, August 29th
UWM School of Architecture and Urban Planning Commons--refreshments and light fare, children are welcome but there is no child care
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Browsing/networking/policy review and comment (open house style)/results available from the Image Preference Survey
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Plan update from consultant with opportunity for feedback--to start promptly at 4:00 p.m. in Rm 110 off the Commons

It's okay to park in the lot behind Engelmann Hall (Hartford and Maryland). We're working on free of charge. Bring a friend(s) if you want to. If you have questions about anything please call.

Standing offer for all Plan Advisory Group members--if you have a particular plan-related issue you want to discuss, please call to set up a meeting. Thanks and I look forward to seeing you.

Janet

P.S. Mark Prudom who has been helping out with the plan over the summer will be leaving shortly to fulfill his military commitment. Sarah Horn who is studying abroad, will be coming back.

Janet F. Grau AIA AICP Dept. of City Development, Planning Division 809 N. Broadway Milwaukee WI 53202-3617 phone: 414-286-5724 FAX: 414-286-0730 E-mail: jgrau@milwaukee.gov Note e-mail change to milwaukee.gov

Cluster Two Cookout Fundraiser

2007-08-20T15:14:00.000-06:00

This Saturday, August 25th, Cluster Two Neighborhood Association is having a cookout at Solomon Community Temple (3295 N MLK Drive) to raise money to purchase school supplies for children in the neighborhood. The event starts at 10:00 AM. Brats, burgers and hot dogs will be served along with chips and soda.

Please stop by and buy some food for a great cause. Cluster Two is a great neighborhood group that is very active in the community, and they deserve our support.

National Night Out in Harambee is August 9

2007-08-03T14:49:00.000-06:00

District 5 Police, Milwaukee Fire Department and the Sheriff's Department are hosting a National Night Out Safety Event on Thursday, August 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Gordon Park.

The aim of the event is to:
*Generate support and participation in local anti-crime programs.
*Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.
*Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
*Send a message to criminals that we want our safety back.

Refreshments will be served, and there will be booths for fun and education.

If you'd like to volunteer or donate, please contact Larry Roffers (414-588-9352) or Officer Robakowski (414-935-7258).

Green Initiative project brings in new partners

2007-08-03T08:30:00.000-06:00

Milwaukee Renaissance : DailyAgoraAnnouncements/Home Page

See photos of a new garden in Harambee under "Reclamation Society Launches Its First City Farm in Harambee".

This is a project inspired by the Harambee North Neighborhood Planning initiative by the Green Working Group! I am so gratified to see so many new people involved.

Harambee Teens Take Action with Neighborhood Mural

2007-07-30T15:04:00.000-06:00

Building on the Harambee History presentation by Reuben Harpole back in May, 6 youth will spend their summer researching, designing and constructing a portable mural about the history and culture of the Harambee neighborhood. Local artists Reynaldo and Rozalia Hernandez are coordinating the teens' work. Young people were recruited by active residents from Cluster 2 for six weeks of employment on the project, starting July 9.

If you'd like to stop in and see our aspiring artists at work (and give them your encouragement) on the mural project (they are working every morning), please give Chris Grandt from Riverworks a call at 414.906.9650. The Arts & Culture work group will need to plan a grand unveiling for the mural for late August. Please contact Kathryn Berger (ph. 414.273.1815) if you would like to sponsor or get involved in planning the unveiling program.

First Annual Front Yard Garden Contest

2007-07-30T14:30:00.000-06:00

HIGHLIGHT YOUR GARDENING SKILLS!!!
MAKE HARAMBEE BEAUTIFUL!!!
Announcing the First Annual Front Yard Garden Contest

Have you created or spotted a front yard garden that reflects the gardener's sense of beauty and pride?

Who Can Participate? All homeowners, tenants, and landlords in the area bordered by the streets outlined by the Boundaries below. (If confused by the area, call Riverworks Development Corporation). Nominate yourself or your neighbors!!

Boundaries:
Capitol Drive (north)
Center Street (south)
Holton Street (east)
I-43 (west)

Awards: $500 First Place
$250 Second Place
$100 Third Place

How Do I Participate?
1. Fill out the information in the Nomination Form below.
2. Send it in or drop it off to:

Riverworks Development Corporation
303 E Vienna Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414) 906-9650

When Do I Nominate? Nominate yourself or somebody else by August 10, 2007. Decisions will be made by September 15 and awards given by October 1.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Nomination Form

Name/Address of garden being nominated:

Why does this person deserve an award?

Return this form to Riverworks Development Corporation 303 E Vienna Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212. Questions, call (414) 906-9650.

MMC 2007 - Scholarships for Volunteers

2007-06-05T10:00:00.000-06:00

MMC 2007 Scholarships
Making Media Connections 2007 will be held in Chicago on June 13-14. This conference connects non-profit communicators and journalists. Features include:

Training: the conference increases non-profit communicators’ skills and
understanding of the news process, allowing them to better access the media in
ways that are effective;
Sourcing: the conference provides journalists with leads and sources among
a group that tends to receive ‘spot’ coverage rather than more focused and
influential treatment, and
Relationship-building: the conference builds relationships between
non-profit and news outlet personnel.

Click here for a view of the whole conference agenda. This would be a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in learning how to communicate with the press about the Harambee neighborhood. Scholarships for volunteers and students (only $30 per day) are available. If you are a Harambee volunteer who is interested in attending, and would be willing to share what you've learned with others after you return, please contact Kathryn Berger by email or at 414.273.1815.

Scholarships for Minority Entrepreneurs

2007-05-21T16:05:00.000-06:00

Scholarships are available for minority entrepreneurs to attend the 2007 Entrepreneurs Conference in Milwaukee on June 12-13 from Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation. The cost of the entire conference is $250. MEDC is asking the interested entrepreneurs to contribute only $30 of this cost with MEDC covering the balance.

Please complete this registration form and forward along with $30 to Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation, Attention Marcia Theusch, 809 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Please make check payable to: Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation.

*************************************************************************************
2007 Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ ConferenceScholarship Registration Form
June 12-13, 2007 ---- Hyatt Regency Hotel, 333 W Kilbourn, Milwaukee

Attendee Name:
Business:
Address and Phone:

To help prepare the food order, please let me know each item below that you would like to attend:

□ June 12 lunch
□ June 12 reception (sponsored by Michael Best & Friedrich)
□ June 12 Business Plan Contest Awards Dinner
□ June 13 breakfast
□ June 13 lunch
□ I WILL NOT BE ATTENDING ANY OF THE ITEMS ABOVE.

Clean & Green

2007-05-17T11:41:00.000-06:00

Clean & Green Harambee
The Department of Public Works will be picking up large unwanted items in parts of the Harambee North area over the next two weeks. Find out here when your address is scheduled for your last opportunity to dispose of large amounts of bulky items at no charge. After June 1st, bulky pickups that exceed 4 cubic yards will cost $50.

Contact the DPW CallCenter at (414)286-8282 to volunteer or organize your neighborhood cleanup, and to find out how to apply for your free tree and nominate someone for the Mayor's Landscape Awards.

New Homeowners to Move in Next Thursday

2007-05-15T12:29:00.001-06:00

Gloria Williams (left) is on the fast track to move into her new home in the Harambee Neighborhood. This week, she and her husband are helping a crew from local home contractor Carmel Builders and 35 additional companies donating labor and materials during a "Blitz Build."

Gloria, her husband Bashamba, and their three children are set to have their finished house blessed late Friday afternoon, with move-in scheduled for the following Thursday.

Gloria got help on her path to homeownership from State Senator Lena Taylor, who had represented Gloria in some legal matters before being elected, and who was thrilled to pound a few nails in the house on Monday.

Gloria first learned about Habitat's building efforts in Harambee from her cousin, Carmelita Reed (right). They both put in applications, and both were selected to buy a Habitat home this year. They'll live only three doors apart. Already they are meeting many neighbors on their block, and hope to become actively involved in the Harambee Neighborhood, where things are definitely looking up.

Thrivent Builds with Habitat in Harambee Neighborhood

2007-05-15T12:29:00.000-06:00

Beginning Monday, May 14, Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are hosting “Thrivent Builds with Habitat Week” in Milwaukee, Wis. Hundreds of volunteers are lending a hand to accelerate the construction of 10 Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity homes being built in the Harambee neighborhood in 2007. The build is going on in two blocks just north of Burleigh Street on 6th and 7th. Drive through the neighborhood, see homeowners and volunteers working side-by-side, and hear the hammers pounding.

To see live video of the build...Click Here

Harambee Past Present Future

2007-04-30T13:02:00.000-06:00

One of the Harambee neighborhood's greatest assets is its rich history throughout the years from settlement until today. Did you know these Harambee historical facts?

Williamsburg was the trading center of its farming community in the mid-1800's.

Clinton Rose Park was known as Scheutzen (Rifleman's) Park (1866-1891, with a rifle range, dance hall, bowling alley and saloon), and Pabst Park (1891-1921, owned by the Pabst Brewery with a roller coaster, a carousel and a Fun House), Garfield Park (1921-1982, renamed by new owner Milwaukee County in honor of the 21st US President), prior to being named for the area's long time County Supervisor (in 1982).

The Riverworks area first developed as center of industry in 1920 with the construction of the Seaman auto body plant. The industrial jobs attracted new ethnic groups--Italians, Polish, and African Americans--to live in the neighborhood within walking distance of their jobs.

The first African Americans arrived in the Harambee Neighborhood in the 1930's, and by 1970 were the largest ethnic group in the neighborhood.

Third Street was renamed to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1985.

The steep bluff around First and Locust was once known as Goat Hill.

Former Mayor Frank Zeidler lived in the Harambee Neighborhood from 1946 until his death in 2006.

The Harambee Neighborhood borrowed its name from the Harambee Community School, which had opened in 1969 in the former St. Elizabeth's School on 1st and Burleigh, named for the Swahili word for "pulling together."

The Harambee Ombudsmen Project began over 25 years ago promoting pride and stability through a network of block leaders that had grown to more than 300 in number by 1980.

This information comes from the Department of City Development. What do you know and remember about Harambee's history? Email me with your thoughts, and I will publish them here.

On Saturday, May 5, Riverworks is hosting an event where you can share your memories and historical knowledge about the Harambee Neighborhood, as well as participate in planning for the neighborhood's continued forward progress. Join the Harambee North Neighborhood Planning effort...contact Steve Adams at 414.906.9650 for more information.

Get the Most $$ out of Your Business

2007-04-30T11:33:00.000-06:00

Get Strong & Compete: Taking Your Business to the Next Level
This seminar for minority-owned businesses is being held on Tuesday, May
8th from 3-6pm at the Woodland Dreams Conference Center in the
Potawatomi Bingo & Casino (1721 W. Canal Street). It is sponsored by
von Briesen & Roper and Potawatomi Bingo & Casino.

Please RSVP to kbrunow@vonbriesen.com or (414) 287-1255 by May 4th.
Sessions that will be presented include:

* Getting the Most Dollars Out of Your Business
* Keep More Money In Your Pocket: Better Collection & Lien
Procedures
* Avoiding Problems: Insurance & Risk Management
* Battle of the Forms and Licensing/Contracting Tips
* Minority Business Enterprise Certification Process

Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Work Group Meeting Location

2007-04-17T14:16:00.000-06:00

The Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Work Group is scheduled to meet Saturday, April 21 from 11:00 AM to 1:oo PM, and the location of the meeting has now been set as well. The meeting will be held at 3353 North Martin Luther King Drive, which is located next to QF&H Diner. Please notify Chris Grandt or Steve Adams at 906-9650 if you plan on attending or if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,
Chris

Work Group Meetings This Week

2007-04-16T15:44:00.000-06:00

Recreation & Youth Services Work Group:
Date: Wednesday, April 18
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: Solomon Community Temple

Housing & Neighborhood Marketing Work Group
Date: Wednesday, April 18
Time: 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: Solomon Community Temple

Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Work Group
Date: Saturday, April 21
Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: To be Announced

Contact Chris Grant or Steve Adams at Riverworks Development Corporation (414.906.9650)

Where to Vote--Polls open today until 8 p.m.

2007-04-03T08:21:00.000-06:00

Unsure where to vote? Find out easily by typing in your address on the Election Commision's website.

How to Register and Vote on Election Day
If you wish to register to vote at your polling place, you must complete a voter registration application and have proof that you have lived at your present location for 10 days preceding the election.

If your name does not appear on the voter list at your polling place, you must complete a voter registration application before you will be allowed to vote.

For purposes of voter registration, acceptable forms of proof of residence must include:
A current and valid WI driver's license or a document providing proof of residency. For general voter registration information, visit the Wisconsin Elections Board's FAQ site.

Races affecting the Harambee North Planning area include:

MILWAUKEE

Common Council, District 6 primary

Michael McGee (I)

Jearlean Bradley

Patricia Bridges

ViAnna Jordan

David D. King

Walter Love

Josephine Morris

Una Van Duvall

Municipal Court, Branch 3

Phil Chavez

Jennifer J. Havas

School Board, At-large

Bama Brown-Grice

Bruce Thompson

Milwaukee County
CountyCircuit Court, Branch 26

Bill Pocan (I)

Chris Liegel

Statewide

Supreme Court

Linda M Clifford

Annette K. Ziegler

Leveraging Home-Ownership Promotion as a Tool for Neighborhood Revitalization

2007-03-30T13:31:00.000-06:00

Interesting article on turning a neighborhood around...by attracting buyers who have choices, promoting high exterior maintenance standards, and encouraging homebuyer involvement and leadership.

CAN ‘GENTRIFYING’ CITIES CREATE NEW BRIDGES TO WEALTH

2007-03-28T15:23:00.000-06:00

In Can Gentrifying Cities Create New Bridges to Wealth? Neal Peirce highlights the promise the Harambee neighborhood holds for low income residents, if they are able to buy their own homes.

"[F]or Americans, homeownership is the bedrock of the savings and wealth creation that lets families pass on assets, and a headstart on life, generation to generation."

Habitat for Humanity, ACTS CDC, Select Milwaukee and and Housing Resources Inc. are here to help low-income people buy in the neighborhood ahead of the boom that is spreading northward from downtown and westward from the lake. On Saturday, they're jointly putting on aworkshop for potential homebuyers. Invite people you know to learn how to get in on the American Dream.

Homebuyer Workshop
Saturday, March 31st
9:30-12:30
HOPE High School
3215 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive

Summary of Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Work Committee Meeting

2007-03-28T10:24:00.000-06:00

On March 17th the Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Work Committee met for the first time. Below is a general summary of what was discussed in the meeting:

Vision

* Public Greenspace
* Viable businesses that "buy in" to the neighborhood
* Identify and involve the "creative class"
* Housing Emphasis
* Facade improvements along King Drive to Capital
* Uniquely identify the neighborhood(s) in the HNNP area (i.e. with signage)
* Identify large land sectors in the area for development
* Attract investors that are vested in the neighborhood and eliminate speculative investment that is detrimental to the community.
* Get tenants interested in the neighborhood.
* Manage vacant buildings in ways that are beneficial to the community and its residents - there is much competition from outside interests
* Market the neighborhood to African Americans and other parties that have real interest in helath of the area.

Questions/Opportunities

* Collaborative approaches among faith-based organizations
* Introduction and development of youth-oriented businesses
* Holton Street - What should be the focus?
* Juneteenth Day Festival - How to improve it to best benefit the neighborhood (compare to Garfield St. Blues Festival)
* What is the demand for businesses based on market forces and community benefit?
* How can we develop a "feel" for each neighborhood within the HNNP planning area?
* What is the overall city involvement/commitment to neighborhood development? What can they commit to doing to improve the look of the neighborhood?
* Opportunities to create an artistic and cultural presence in the neighborhood.

Action For Next Meeting (April 21)

* Need a list of vacant buildings and assessments in the planning area - along King Drive initially and then later at other corridors in the area.
* Explore past planning efforts for streetscaping and signage along King Drive.
* Investigate the 10-year Capital Improvement Plan for the HNNP area.
* Invite a commercial broker to one of the next meetings.
* Invite J. Allen Stokes, Welford Sanders, and T. Whaley-Smith to the next meeting.
* Denise Crumble to bring documentation on Brownfields.

Next Meeting - April 21 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM - place to be determined.

Summary of Recreation and Youth Services Work Committee Meeting

2007-03-28T09:05:00.000-06:00

On Wed, March 14th the Recreation and Youth Services work committee met for the first time at Solomon Community Temple. The following is a basic summary of the meeting:

General Discussion

* Discussed the need for more recreational areas in the Harambee Neighborhood, positive places where kids can go. Now, the streets substitute for the lack of these areas.
* There needs to be structured options in recreation and youth services for youth of all ages, especially after school and in the summer. There needs to be more variety in programs as well, as it seems like the majority of the programs for youth are in basketball.
* We need more input from youth themselves about the issues that impact them in the neighborhood.
* Group wants more information on the programs offered by YMCA Holton Street and Heartlove Place. They also discussed taking advantage of/enhancing the Mayor’s Youth Summer Employment Initiative.
* Malcolm X Academy as an example of the poor recreational areas in the neighborhood with no grass, broken-up asphalt, and no playground.

Vision for Improvement

* To have a “place” for youth activities (possibly use current vacant buildings/lots). Could create resource facilities for youth through the use of creative funding/financing.
* Focus on youth of all ages (elementary, middle school, and high school)
* Have programs that focus on health-related issues – especially on prevention (i.e., teen pregnancy, alcohol and drug prevention, etc.)
* Revitalization of Rose Park – better utilization of space and existing senior citizens center.

Action Steps – work to be done for next meeting on April 18th

* Explore what neighborhood churches are doing in youth services and recreation – how could they work together jointly?
* Investigate recreational opportunities and services provided by MPS and Milwaukee County.
* Figure out what programs and services are offered at Heartlove Place
* Put together some basic demographic data for youth.
* Investigate grant sources for youth activities.
* Look to find the amount of acreage dedicated for recreation in the planning area and compare that to other areas.
* Find out if businesses in the area are involved in recreational activities in the Harambee Neighborhood.
* Get ideas and thoughts from youth to include their viewpoints in the plan.
* Make a list of all the people who signed up for the recreation and youth services work committee.

Next MeetingWednesday, April 18th at Solomon Community Temple – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Dreaming of possibility

2007-02-26T12:55:00.000-06:00

A Touch of Finesse, an article in the Dining section of the Feb. 22 issue of the Shepherd Express, highlights the visionary investment of Tatia Jackson in Finesse Jazz Club, located at 2722 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. The article points out that Ms. Jackson is ahead of the curve in her investment in the Harambee neighborhood. It's easy, says the article, after the fact, to wish you had been one of those with the foresight to invest in a once-ailing neighborhood.

"But to dream of the possibility beforehand, to actually gamble on it at the time, takes foresight and, most importantly, risk."

Tatia Jackson has taken a huge financial risk on the Harambee neighborhood, and not even that part of the neighborhood that is now being called Bronzeville. She's following the path laid by Stella Love at the Ponderosa Restaurant right next door, who followed the trail blazed by the Martin Luther King Economic Development Corporation with the King Commerce Center across the street several years before.

Tatia Jackson saw a dilapidated building and dreamed of big plate-glass windows and classy interior finishes. Then she put her time and treasure into making the dream a reality. Please do what you can to support her and other risk-taking dreamers. Stop in and visit Finesse. Lunch at Ponderosa. Take friends. Help Tatia become wildly succesful, and more investment will follow.

You can reach Finesse at 414-263-8972.

Community in Action

2007-02-16T12:40:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, February 10, over 90 people spent five hours talking about their vision for the Harambee Neighborhood.

Left, Alderman Michael McGee, Jr. addresses the crowd, and encourages the residents to get involved and work together.

Right, Facilitator J. Otis Smith from Philadelphia lays the groundrules for engagement. The poster behind him says: "Communication - Can we talk with each other about everything and not protect each other from the truth (as we know it)."

Left, Sharon Mays Ferguson asks how residents can know that the effort they put in to planning (again) will actually produce results.

Residents can make a difference. The seriousness with which investors, funders and policy makers treat this plan depends on each and every person who attended on February 10 to invite at least three more people they know to get involved.

At the end of the day, participants were invited to sign up for any of ten work groups, focused on Seniors, Housing, Youth and Recreation, Greening and Environment, Economic Development, and Workforce Development, to name a few. Watch the blog for updates on these groups. And if you know anyone else who can play a role in devising strategies, building connections, advocating for support, or just rolling up their sleeves and working, please get them in touch with Steve Adams, Neighborhood Development Specialist at Riverworks at 906-9650.

Finding out about Problem Properties

2007-02-14T12:51:00.000-06:00

A recent service request to the Department of Neighborhood Services reports that a property at 3433 N. Richards may have some problems: "Roach and mice infested. House is not weather proof. Closet does not have a ceiling. Water coming through the closet ceiling and in the living room."

By visiting DNS's property database, one can learn who owns this property, as well as the prior history of complaints and orders from DNS. Searching the owner's name on google, one would also pull up HUD News Release 05-063 discussing an agreement reached with the same property owner regarding lead hazards in 39 properties citywide, this one not among them.

What to do with this information is another matter. We hope to discuss in our planning process how neighbors can get involved in identifying these problem properties and keeping tabs on their progress. Keeping houses safe and in good repair is one way to strengthen a neighborhood. Your thoughts are welcome and encouraged.

Eyes on the Neighborhood

2007-02-09T14:31:00.000-06:00

Citizens can now receive email notification of crime activity in their neighborhoods – or in any area of Milwaukee – using the City of Milwaukee's E-Notify system.

Learn how

Crime and Revitalization

2007-02-09T13:10:00.000-06:00

“One of the greatest threats to community revitalization is crime. And the big
generator of crime is community disintegration. Police and grassroots community
builders can and must become greater stakeholders in and defenders of the
investments made by one another. They can do this if they jointly target crime
and blight problems — and then build on those successes to achieve more.”

William Bratton, Chief, Los Angeles Police Department
addresses the LISC National Leadership Conference in
Los Angeles, Calif.
Read full report

Announcement: Investment in Harambee Neighborhood

2007-02-07T10:49:00.000-06:00

On February 14, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and its foundation will announce nearly $1.3 million and hundreds of volunteers to help fund efforts to improve educational opportunities, housing and other community needs in the Harambee North neighborhood in Milwaukee.

Thrivent Builds Neighborhoods and Thrivent Builds Homes are part of the national alliance between Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity International. Thrivent Financial became Habitat for Humanity’s largest ally as a result of a four-year $105 million commitment to help increase the non-profit housing ministry’s home building production. In addition, Thrivent Financial provides volunteers through its national network of nearly 3 million members.

How do we connect?

2007-02-05T13:30:00.000-06:00

A meeting was held on January 24 for individuals and organizations who want to be early leaders in making Harambee one of Milwaukee's Great Neighborhoods. It was a high-energy meeting, where numerous ideas for collaboration among organizations serving the neighborhood--and connecting with residents during the planning process and beyond--bubbled up.

One thing that became clear in the discussion is that there are a lot of committed, creative and hard-working people working to make a difference in Harambee. All agreed that we should strive to get to know one another's work so that we can make residents and the city at large aware of all of the opportunities available here. I volunteered to create this blog to facilitate communication and sharing.

Please start by sharing a short post about yourself, your organization, and/or your work in Harambee. Include a link to your website if you have one.

Plan the Future

2007-02-05T13:11:00.000-06:00

Is your neighborhood all that you want it to be?

Join us for a planning workshop.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

(Lunch provided-rsvp in advance)

learn what's going on in the neighborhood
help identify where resources are needed
invite your neighbors
share lunch and enter to win door prizes

Heartlove Place, 3229 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee

For more information or to RSVP, please call Steve Adams at 414.906.9650 or email Steve at stevea@riverworksmke.org.

Sponsored by Riverworks Milwaukee and Harambee Ombudsman Project.

Welcome to Harambee Blog

2007-02-05T12:05:00.000-06:00

Welcome to a blog about the Harambee Neighborhood of Milwaukee. The blog will contain posts of relevance to the Harambee Neighborhood, in particular the northern section, defined by Center Street on the south, Capitol Drive on the north, I-43 on the west, and Holton Street on the east. The neighborhood began work on a neighborhood plan in late 2006. This planning process will involve local residents and business owners in creating a vision for their community and determining strategic priorities. The plan will include physical, social, and economic improvements that address key quality of life issues. Further, the plan will serve as a blueprint for investment in the neighborhood by public, private, and philanthropic entities.

This blog welcomes and encourages comments from readers. Authors of this blog are participants in the Harambee Great Neighborhood Task Force. If you'd like to get involved, email kberger@lisc.org.