About 840 friends, partners and advocates of LISC Milwaukee joined the organization Wednesday at Potawatomi Bingo Hotel & Casino to not only celebrate its 16th annual MANDI Awards program but also congratulate Leo Ries, who is exiting the organization at the end of the month after 15 years of service as its executive director.
LISC Milwaukee – Local Initiatives Support Corporation – is part of a national organization working to transform struggling urban neighborhoods into prosperous and sustainable ones.
In honor of the imprint Ries has made on the organization, LISC Milwaukee saluted him with the Vision Award, which historically has been given to corporations who act as role models for others by investing in neighborhood revitalization.
To be included in the award lineup and be commended as a role model is “very flattering,” said Ries, who accepted the award from Mayor Tom Barrett.
“It’s a form of affirmation and appreciation,” he said.
His transition out of the organization, effective April 30, is a bittersweet one.
“I feel like I’m surrounded by love and affection, and so that’s…very affirming,” Ries said at the MANDI Awards. “But at the same time, I recognize that life goes on, and I think LISC is in a good place and I think LISC would benefit from someone with a fresh perspective and a little more energy.”
Following Ries’ farewell address and a round of standing ovations by LISC Milwaukee’s supporters, several community organizations and projects focused on revitalizing central city neighborhoods were honored with MANDIs (Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation).
The U.S. Bank-sponsored program, whose very first celebration drew a crowd of no more than 50, recognizes significant strides made by area stakeholders in neighborhood development. The awards fall into six categories:
*HOME GR/OWN’s Ezekiel Gillespie Park was honored with the Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award, which calls out a public space that re-energizes a neighborhood.
*Rotary Club of Milwaukee received the BMO Harris Cornerstone Award, which highlights an organization effectively impacting the city.
*Venice Williams of Alice’s Garden took home the Northern Trust Navigator Award, which salutes an individual for excellence in leadership and collaboration.
*Sisters Diversion Project, facilitated by Benedict Center, won the PNC Bank Trail Blazer Award, which recognizes an innovative strategy to a community issue.
*The Zilber School of Public Health was given the State Farm Building Blocks Award, which praises a real estate project that adds value to the community.
Award winners were selected from a pool of finalists by a designated selection committee of 40 private, public and government volunteers.
Additionally, LISC Milwaukee introduced a new award to this year’s program the relied on the input of the broader community. The People’s Choice Award, facilitated through an online social media voting process, allowed the public to vote for their favorite award finalists. Winners were the Benedict Center’s Sisters Diversion Project, the Guest House of Milwaukee’s Cream City Gardens and Rain Harvesting Project, and Express Yourself Milwaukee. Each organization received $1,000.
Moving forward, Ries said he hopes the MANDI Awards continue to grow in scope and impact as they recharge the city and refocus attention on neighborhood progress.
“I think that anything that has such a positive effect on people draws more and more people to it inevitably, and I think that’s what we’re seeing,” Ries said. “Every year this program has grown.”
