Milwaukee has garnered three MetLife Foundation Community-Police Partnership Awards, the most any city has received since the national awards program began in 2002.
The awards, distributed by the MetLife Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corp., honor effective partnerships between community groups and police who share a goal to enhance neighborhood safety and advance community revitalization.
This year’s awards program, comprised of 11 awards, drew applications from more than 560 police departments and community organizations across the country. Milwaukee winners, who each will receive a $15,000 grant, are the Riverworks Development Corp., the Holton Youth and Family Center, and United Methodist Children’s Services of Wisconsin on behalf of the Washington Park Partners.
The RDC, a nonprofit organization that works to stimulate economic prosperity for residents and businesses in the Riverworks neighborhoods, received the Excellence in Neighborhood Revitalization award for its collaboration with key stakeholders to redevelop much of Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood and reduce crime. RDC has facilitated much of its community work through a safe neighborhood team, which includes area residents, the Milwaukee Police Department, the Community Prosecution Unit, the City Attorney’s Office, Safe & Sound and LISC Milwaukee.
The Holton Youth and Family Center received the Gang Prevention & Youth Safety award. The center houses a collaborative comprised of service organizations and institutions, including Wisconsin Community Services, Running Rebels, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, Safe & Sound and Above the Clouds. Together, the organizations have reduced poverty, unemployment, school dropout rates and crime by providing programming focused on academic support, mentoring and positive interactions with Milwaukee police, according to LISC.
The United Methodist Children’s Services of Wisconsin earned the Excellence in Civic Engagement award. UMCS, which accepted the award on behalf of Washington Park Partners, leads the Washington Park Partners Sustainable Communities Initiative. The collaborative effort has largely centered on enhancing public safety and engaging area residents with help from a range of community groups including the Milwaukee police.
