Amani Neighborhood Community Action Day
“Amani” means “peace” in the East African language of Swahili. The Amani neighborhood truly demonstrated a sense of community at its best in the neighborhood around 20th and Locust on Saturday the 21st. The Amani Community Action Day was sponsored by the Milwaukee Police Department and held on Saturday, May 21st from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. The event was based at the Bethesda Baptist Church, 2909 N. 20th Street, with the Milwaukee Police Command post on site, but covered the neighborhood from Center to Burleigh, 20th to 27th Street. Over 350 people came out for the day with a great deal being accomplished before the rain came pouring down. Even with the rain, residents congregated at the Church for food, refreshments and camaraderie, as well as resource information from local community based organizations.
Walking around the neighborhood it was easy to see the efforts underway. COA Youth and Family Center’s Intergenerational Group was out in force conducting an alley identification project. Youth and seniors affixed reflective garage identification numbers for increased safety. If you dial 911 or City services the first thing you need is the address. Many of the alleys in the area are all but void of address numbering. Minister Brown is part of the group and comes to talk about life experiences and listen to the perspectives of youth. He was on hand to assist the project on Saturday and he and several of the other members of the group saw the value of the effort and discussed continuing the alley identification on upcoming Saturdays. The project was part of a longer term project with Safe & Sound which builds youth led Crime Strategy Initiatives.
Just around the corner Sister Ann of the Dominican Center and the new Executive Director Patricia Rogers were rolling up their sleeves with a community gardening project. Dave Mangin, Ground Works Field Supervisor, was on hand to provide the assistance needed to get the garden beds installed properly. Residents, landlords and area youth installed several new raised beds, adding the six beds installed last year with MSOE students and the help of Safe & Sound. A clean-up took place to spruce up the alley and the street. Food and fun were mixed with the planting of the garden.
Even with the rain, it was a great day with many residents bringing their own tools to take ‘action’ on the numerous vacant lots. Parents came with children. The Hoops sports group, COA, Boys & Girls Club, Hephatha Lutheran Church and more brought their own work groups. The resource presenters, such as WE Energy, had to move inside because of rain. Even so, Running Rebels and other organizations recruited area youth for after school programming. Michelle of the Brew City Bully Club and Jill with Battle Against Dog Fighting provided services for pets.
Before the day was over several bikes that were donated by MPD and fixed up by our own Tim Schermetzler, were given away as door prizes. Tim also provided free helmets from the Winners Wear Helmets project. A DJ was on site to keep things moving. Mike Miller represented the Mayors Office and was pleased with the days activities. All in all, everyone walked away with a little more “amani na upendo” or “peace and love” and a renewed inspiration for a safer, friendlier neighborhood.
