From Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service – Over the past three summers, Milwaukee teens have revitalized a South Side community garden as part of Growing Connections, a paid summer internship and community-building program.
The community garden on South and West Becher Street, buzzed with activity as visitors and bees alike explored its flowers and plants during a harvest and garden reveal event on Sept. 30.
From FOX6 News – Seniors in Milwaukee County now have the option to dine out at several delicious, culturally-diverse restaurants. Gayln Reske and Song Xiong-Buck join FOX6 WakeUp to tell us more about the “Dine Out” program.
From WTMJ News – After four long weeks of hard work and dedication, nine Milwaukee teens can officially call themselves muralists. “It makes me feel very happy. I’m very proud of everything that we’ve accomplished,” said Elayna Thompson.
With the help of local mural artist Tia Richardson, nine aspiring artists who were accepted into the community art leaders program worked on designing a mural that best reflected the Kosciuszko Community Center.
“I led them on a guided visualization and out of there different feelings came up on what they would like to see if they saw a big painting on the wall – this is how they would want to feel – this is what they would like to see,” said Richardson.
Two of those aspiring artists included Elayna Thompson and Dana McFarlane, who, after getting feedback from neighbors on what the Kozi center means to them were able to bring those responses to life.
“We see mentorship, we see teamwork and basketball players. It represents a whole community as a whole. The key opens the door to the community telling you that it’s okay, it’s okay to be yourself and it represents you unlocking who you are,” said Thompson.
“It’s like uplifting. We worked on it so long and we just wanted to see how the community takes it. And I saw a lot of smiles on their faces so It was really good,” said McFarlane.
But it’s what Richardson says her students gained along the way while creating this mural that means the most to her.
“Their confidence is growing, they are speaking up more, they are talking to the public,” said Richardson. “I’m watching them grow and it’s just been a real honor to have that opportunity.”
The mural will be moved and hung in the front of the Kosciuszko Community Center for everyone to enjoy.
On Wednesday, May 31, 2023 Milwaukee Christian Center partnered with Clippers & Cops, a nonprofit based in Atlanta along with Gee’s Clippers, Safe and Sound, Ambrose Place MKE and The Office of Violence Prevention in effort to bridge the gap between police and their communities.
See below for the full news coverage:
From Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – Milwaukee police met with youths at a barbershop. Here’s how things turned out
From WTMJ-TV – Haircuts and hard talks: Police, community hold open forum at Gee’s Clippers
From WDJT-TV – Barber shop offers up new twist on conversations with police
From WITI News – On March 22, 2023 Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson $500,000 in funding for six Milwaukee food pantries, one of which being Milwaukee Christian Center. The funding announcement comes at the end of additional FoodShare benefits available during the pandemic.
From WDJT News – Milwaukee leaders are investing in Food Security Programs within our neighborhoods, using funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Food insecurity touches all parts of Milwaukee,” said Common Council President José Pérez. “And it was vital that these funds reflect that citywide need. I look forward to the impact these dollars will make as we seek to improve quality of life for our residents.”
MILWAUKEE CHRISTIAN CENTER complies with the equal opportunity policy and standards of all applicable state, federal and l ocal rules and regulations regarding nondiscrimination in employment and service delivery. Milwaukee Christian Center is committed to equality of opportunity in its employment practices without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, polit ica l affiliation, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, arrest or conviction record, the use of lawful products or military participation.
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