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Burke Foundation Awards over $3 Million in Grants to Eight Organizations Serving Milwaukee’s Youth

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Grants support transformative projects in urban education and youth development

MILWAUKEE, July 23, 2019 – The Burke Foundation today announced it has awarded eight grants totaling more than $3 million to local nonprofit organizations providing programs and services in the foundation’s focus areas of urban education, youth and leadership development.

 

“Dick Burke’s vision was to make a difference in the lives of Milwaukee’s youth by ensuring that more young people have access to high-quality educational opportunities. We are excited to continue his legacy with new grants that provide innovative opportunities and programs that we believe can make a transformative impact on the lives our youth and on the long-term viability of our changing community,” said Kathy Burke, Board Director of the Burke Foundation, and daughter of Dick Burke.

 

The eight organizations receiving grants are:

  • Messmer High School, a challenge grant to support the creation of a new STEM-focused student productivity center
  • Milwaukee Academy of Science, a leader in STEM education whose mission is to graduate urban students prepared to compete successfully at the post-secondary level, for general operations including instructional technology, support staff and administrative support in the organization’s high school
  • Milwaukee Excellence Charter School, a 6th through 12th grade school committed to putting all students on the path to college, for general operations including support to expand student programming, staff training and leadership support
  • Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation, dedicated to supporting MPS and the academic achievement of its students, a challenge grant to support the Greener, Healthier Schools project, providing five MPS schools with outdoor classrooms within their redeveloped schoolyards
  • City of Milwaukee MKE Parks initiative to support the renovation of play areas at 29th and Melvina and 30th and Cawker streets
  • Silver Spring Neighborhood Center to support the Opportunity Youth Re-Engagement Program that connects unemployed individuals 16-24 years old with educational and employment resources
  • St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, providing health and educational day services to all ages and abilities, for the creation of an Intergenerational Play Garden
  • United Community Center, providing programs to Hispanics and near south side residents of all ages, challenge grant to support the organization’s Early Learning Academy

 

“Three of the new grants – to Messmer High School, Milwaukee Public Schools Foundation and United Community Center – are challenge grants to help these organizations obtain additional support to advance their mission,” said Tina Quealy, Executive Director of the Burke Foundation.

“Through our open grant process, we had the opportunity to learn about the incredible and challenging work being done in Milwaukee to alleviate achievement gaps and to support young people. We are inspired by the number of well-run organizations and passionate leaders we met who are providing much-needed services to young people and are doing impactful work in our city,” she added.

 

About the Burke Foundation

The Burke Foundation is named in honor of Richard Burke, former Chairman of Trek Bicycle Corporation headquartered in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Dick Burke dedicated his life to investing in others. The Burke Foundation is committed to enhancing and improving the character, quality and access to education, the personal, social and intellectual development of children and youth, and the educational and social quality of community life. For more information, please visit: www.theburkefoundation.org.

 

Registration underway for WHEDA Conference 2019

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Madison –Registration is now underway for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) Conference 2019. The conference takes place at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

“We have enlisted a wide range of highly skilled experts who are equipped to share the very latest industry information with attending developers, syndicators, asset managers, and property managers,” said WHEDA Executive Director Joaquin Altoro. “This highly-anticipated event brings together WHEDA’s amazing partners who are dedicated to expanding housing opportunities and small business growth all across Wisconsin.”

Speakers and panelists will discuss important items like WHEDA’s new State Housing Tax Credit program, expanding rural community development, Opportunity Zones, combatting NIMBYism, a Washington D.C. update, and much more.

There will also be a full day Tax Credit Compliance workshop that provides an overview of housing tax credits and related compliance requirements. As space is limited, individuals interested in this workshop must reserve a seat at the time of conference registration.  In addition to the Tax Credit Compliance workshop, there will be many other topics of interest for asset managers and property managers.

Cofounder and CEO of Team Rubicon Jake Wood will deliver the keynote address. As a leading veteran advocate, Wood speaks around the country on the issues facing returning veterans. He played football for the Wisconsin Badgers for four years and was twice selected to the Academic All-Big Ten football team.

Our special guest, President and CEO and majority shareholder of Ross Business Development Mary Ross will discuss how to successfully manage properties set aside for low-income families.

 

To learn more and to register for the conference, go to https://www.wheda.com/theconference/.

 

For over 45 years, WHEDA, as an independent state authority, has provided low-cost financing for housing and small business development in Wisconsin. Since 1972, WHEDA has financed more than 73,000 affordable rental units, helped more than 129,600 families purchase a home and made more than 29,000 small business and agricultural loan guarantees. For more information on WHEDA programs, visit wheda.com or call 800-334-6873.

The Salvation Army Teams Up With Walmart To “Stuff the Bus”

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UzbekIL / Pixabay
Milwaukee County volunteers and community members support local children with school supply donations

MILWAUKEE COUNTY – Walmart and The Salvation Army are joining forces to provide new school supplies to local children in need during a “Stuff the Bus” campaign event on Saturday, August 3, 2019.

As part of a nationwide effort, the “Stuff the Bus” campaign event in Milwaukee County is one of nearly 3,000 similar events taking place at Walmart stores across the country. In-store shoppers on August 3 will receive lists of supplies needed, and all they have to do to participate is purchase and drop off the requested items at The Salvation Army collection bins located at the front of each store.

The following locations in Milwaukee County will be participating:

  • Walmart: 10330 W. Silver Spring Dr., Milwaukee
  • Walmart: 401 E. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee
  • Walmart: 3355 S. 27th St., Milwaukee
  • Walmart: 4140 W. Greenfield Ave., Milwaukee
  • Walmart Market: 7025 W. Main St., Milwaukee
  • Walmart: 5301 S. 76th St., Greendale
  • Walmart: 10600 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield
  • Walmart: 222 N. Chicago Ave., South Milwaukee
  • Walmart: 6701 S. 27th St., Franklin – Only location for video/sound opportunities from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

“There are thousands of kids heading back to school this year, and many of them will need assistance to start the school year off right,” said Major Steve Merritt, Divisional Commander of  The Salvation Army of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. “By donating school supplies for a child in need, you’re easing the burden parents experience at the start of the school year, and helping set the right tone for these kids as they head back to school. It’s the boost of confidence they need to have a successful year.”

For those unable to make it to the store that day, there is an online registry.

Walmart and The Salvation Army have collaborated for more than 30 years in an effort to meet local community needs. Supporters like Walmart help The Salvation Army serve more than 23 million Americans each year through a range of social services, helping them overcome poverty and economic hardships.

All donations made at “Stuff the Bus” campaign events will remain in the local community and will help The Salvation Army provide back-to-school support to thousands of local children in need. To learn more and find out how you can get involved with your local Salvation Army, visit SAMilwaukee.org.

Northpoint Parking Lot to Close for the Weekend

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skeeze / Pixabay
The Annual Air & Water Show will be held at the Lakefront along Lincoln Memorial Drive from Veterans Park to Ravine Road.
The MIlwaukee County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the motoring public that beginning Friday morning (July 26th) through Sunday evening (July 28th) the Northpoint parking lot will be closed due to the Air & Water Show.
Motorists should expect traffic delays.
Please direct inquiries to MCSO Director of Public Affairs and Community Engagement Faithe Colas at (414) 639-5506 or [email protected]milwaukeecountywi.gov.

Take It EZ Milwaukee initiative set to launch Saturday, July 27 at 60th & Capitol

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The Take it EZ Milwaukee anti-reckless driving initiative is set to launch TOMORROW – Saturday, July 27 at 11 a.m. at the intersection of  N. 60th St. and W. Capitol Dr. There will be activities to mark the intersection by community members and residents are invited to attend to support the initiative.

Operation Take it EZ Milwaukee is a pilot project that will leverage Milwaukee Police resources and private donations to target reckless driving at four city intersections: N. 60th St. and W. Capitol Dr.; N. 27th St. and W. Center St./W. Fond du Lac Ave.; S. Cesar Chavez Dr. and W. Greenfield Ave./W. Muskego Ave.; and S. 35th St. and W. National Ave. The intersection of N. 60th St and W. Capitol Dr., the site of the initiative launch, is where Milwaukee Police Officer Kou Her was killed by a reckless driver on June 18. Officer Her was driving southbound on N. 60th St. after his shift when he was struck by a driver traveling westbound on Capitol Dr. who ran a red light while traveling at high speed.

Alderman Bob Donovan will be joined Saturday at the intersection by Steve O’Connell, president of the Grasslyn Manor Block Watch (GMBW), several members of the GMBW, as well as members of other neighborhood organizations and neighborhood residents. Mayor Tom Barrett and several Common Council members have also been invited to take part.

The project will stretch over three months and will include increased monitoring by Milwaukee Police, a public information campaign and strong involvement by members of the community, including neighborhood groups, associations and youth organizations

Police in the city of Brookfield are investigating the placement of a noose hung from a tree between the home of Milwaukee St. Matthew CME pastor Rev. Richard Shaw, Sr. and his wife, Dr. Toni Shaw; and an Asian family

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as church members and concerned citizens listen, Atty. Roy Evans talks about the need for a thorough investigation by Brookfield police of the noose found in a tree near the home of Rev. Richard Shaw, Sr. (seated far left next to Evans). Shaw’s son Richard Shaw, Jr. is seated far right. He discovered the noose—Photo by Yvonne Kemp

Compiled by MCJ Editorial Staff

Calling the placement of the ultimate symbol of racist terrorism to Black Americans a “crime of hate,” the Shaws want answers as to who hung the noose from a tree between their and the Asian family’s residences on West Bluemound Road.

The noose was discovered a week ago by Rev. Shaw’s son, Richard, Jr. while walking with a friend near his parent’s home. In shocked disbelief, the young Shaw called his father, who immediately came home and took a photo of the incredible image of racism and intimidation.

“It was a world of emotion, I didn’t know how to feel,” said the younger Shaw during a news conference held Monday at St. Matthews with his father and Milwaukee Attorney and activist Roy Evans, who is representing the family.

“I never in my life thought I would see something like that,” the 24-year-old Shaw said.

“That noose became personal to us because we know the historical context of a noose,” said Rev. Shaw.

The family is outraged and fearful after the racist, unlawful and cowardly act of intimidation, viewing it as an act of terrorism.

Brookfield police took the noose down from the tree as part of the investigation. The noose photo by Rev. Shaw has been posted on social media and has attracted local, national and some international attention.

Last week Monday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported a Brookfield police captain told reporters the noose was found in front of the Asian family’s home, not in front of the Shaw’s as was previously reported.

The captain noted a member of the Asian family had previously died by suicide by hanging. Police were not immediately able to confirm if the noose was directed at a specific family or not.

However, Evans in a recent interview with the Community Journal, said the noose was discovered by Shaw Jr. hanging from a tree between the Shaw and Asian family’s respective homes. The Asian family was reportedly out of town at the time of the noose discovery.

Evans said the Shaws strongly believe the noose was put there to intimidate them. The Shaw family has lived in their Brookfield neighborhood for over three years and have been the only family of color in the neighborhood.

The Asian family had moved in next to the Shaws only recently, and both families feel targeted by the racist act. Evans said the police captain’s comments were meant to deflect from the seriousness of the incident in the growing suburban community west of Milwaukee.

“The (noose) was aimed at an African American family (the Shaws),” Evans said. “A false narrative was put in the news report to reduce the gravity of the situation.”

Upon learning of the Journal Sentinel report, Evans and Rev. Shaw met with Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto and Brookfield Police Chief Daniel Tushaus to tell them the Shaws feel the incident was a hate crime directed at them. Evans said after the meeting, he, Rev. Shaw, and Shaw, Jr. held the St. Matthew news conference to set the record straight as to what happened.

To African Americans the image of a noose hanging from a tree symbolizes a long historic struggle against the racist brutality endured by countless numbers of innocent Black people who were intimidated and terrorized by lynchings associated with hate and slavery.

“The fear and trauma caused by this act is a direct form of violence that should not go unrecognized or unpunished for what it was intended to accomplish,” said Evans in a press statement.

“Hatred and bigotry of any kind should not be tolerated. The St. Matthew (church) family would be just as outraged at the dehumanizing vandalism of a swastika defacing Brookfield’s Chabad Synagogue or Sikh Temple if any such incident were to occur.

“Racism and bigotry has no place in race, religion or any other form in our American culture,” stated Evans. Recently released national data shows there has been a 30% increase in race-based hate crimes and religious intimidation.

Evans said it’s unfortunate the nation’s current climate of tolerance is undermined by “a racist, xenophobic leadership that supports and promotes acts of intimidation and intolerance.”

The attorney said the family is calling on Brookfield police to conduct a complete and thorough investigation of the incident by using all legal means available to locate, identify and bring the perpetrator(s) of this act of terror to justice.

“No unlawful acts of race or religious based threats of harm or intimidation should be and will not be tolerated.”

Brookfield police say they take this incident very seriously and detectives are pursuing all leads and are open-minded to all potential motives.—Sources for this article:CBS58.com and jsonline.com

Alderwoman Coggs to host 6th District Office Hour Today

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Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs will hold Office Hour in the District at Pete’s Fruit Market located at 2323 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. on Thursday, July 25 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

“I encourage residents to attend this Office Hour in the District event to voice any comments or concerns they may have,” Alderwoman Coggs said.

 

What:                         Office Hour in the District with Ald. Coggs

 

When:             Thursday, July 25 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

 

Where:           Pete’s Fruit Market,

                        2323 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. D

Lunch & Learn Summer Series again offers helpful training for developers

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The first FREE 2019 Lunch and Learn Summer Series session focused on City Financing will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, July 29 in the first floor board room of the 809 Building, 809 N. Broadway.

Now in its second year, the series – centered on providing knowledge of the permitting processes of the City of Milwaukee – is geared toward emerging developers in Milwaukee.

The Monday, July 29 session on City Financing has several topics to be covered including RACM (Redevelopment Authority) and Brownfield funds, commercial corridor and façade grants, and NIDC (Neighborhood Improvement Development Corp.).

All Lunch and Learn sessions are free and attendees should bring their own lunch. Please see the full schedule below and on the attached flyer.

Alderwoman Coggs, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey and Alderman José G. Pérez – ACRE (Association of Commercial Real Estate) alumni – developed the concept for the series to allow those interested in development to explore current development opportunities and challenges. The sessions are free and open to the public and offer valuable insights into a variety of subjects that are critical to any developer working in the City of Milwaukee.

Seating is limitedand prospective attendees are encouraged to go to milwaukee.gov/LunchAndLearn  to sign up.

Additional series sessions scheduled: Tax Increment Financing (TIF) – special during Bronzeville Week meeting on Monday, August 5 at Jewels Caribbean Restaurant, 2230 N. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. (complimentary light lunch will be served); HPC and ARB– Monday, August 19; Special Enforcement and Permits– Monday, September 16; Landscape and Zoning Code Updates– Monday, October 7.

Partners/supporters in the Lunch and Learn Series include the Office of Mayor Tom Barrett, the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS), the Department of City Development (DCD) and LISC Milwaukee.

Reduced rate parking is available at the Milwaukee Center (SW corner of N. Water St. and E. Kilbourn Ave.). Parking is validated at the first floor rotunda information booth at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St.

Council committee moves fireworks legislation forward

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The Judiciary and Legislation Committee on Monday, July 22 recommended for approval legislation that seeks to make it tougher for Milwaukee residents to purchase fireworks at Wisconsin locations where fireworks are sold.

The committee Monday voted 5-0 to recommend adoption of Common Council file #190580, a resolution directing the Department of Administration – Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of legislation relating to the sale of fireworks to residents of communities in which their possession and use are prohibited.

Currently, fireworks are routinely sold in Wisconsin municipalities outside of Milwaukee (and other Wisconsin communities where fireworks are illegal) and there is no requirement for the seller to check where the buyer resides. If passed by the full Council, file #190580 would direct the city’s Intergovernmental Relations Division to push the Legislature to change state law to require fireworks sellers to first check whether a buyer resides in a community where the possession and use of fireworks are prohibited.

Additionally, file #190580 – sponsored by Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Michael J. Murphy andAlderwoman Nikiya Dodd — would also direct the city’s Intergovernmental Relations Division to push the Legislature to make the requirements of obtaining a fireworks distributor license more stringent.

The file is expected to go before the full Common Council when it meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30 in the third floor Council Chamber at City Hall, 200 E. Wells St.

The full Council meeting on July 30 will be televised live on the City Channel (Channel 25 on Spectrum Cable and on AT&T U-Verse Channel 99) in the City of Milwaukee. It can also be viewed via streaming video on the City website atmilwaukee.gov/Channel25.

Brooklyn Harris Funeral Information

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Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 23, at New Pitts Mortuary for Brooklyn Harris, the three-year-old who was fatally shot July 13 while riding in her mother’s SUV, the victim of apparent road rage.

Harris’ death sparked outrage and agony throughout the city and the community.

New Pitts Mortuary is located at 2031 W. Capitol Drive. Visitation is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. The funeral at 11 a.m.