[Lekooks] Make a difference in Milwaukee

[Kerry Duma]

Dear LCUUC friends,

I imagine that many of us are happy to live near Milwaukee, with our Great
Lake, and a lot of great sports, parks, restaurants and cultural
attractions.  But I think we are all aware that Milwaukee is one of the
most segregated cities in the country, with the highest black male
incarceration rate, huge challenges with the schools, and some
neighborhoods that are filled with crime.

You probably also know that the City of Milwaukee recently gave $80 million
to the Bucks to build a new stadium.

Common Ground is an organization that works to develop solutions to the
toughest problems in our area through Issue Campaigns.  They partner with
churches and community groups to determine what people care about, and then
create ways to tackle those problems.

Common Ground has a platform to ask the City of Milwaukee to invest $80
million to rebuild and invest in its neighborhoods - repair deteriorating
infrastructure, revitalize the business district in the central city, build
and improve athletic facilities, and create community gardens and public
art.

Phil Smith and I are the new co-chairs of LCUUC's Social Justice
Committee.  We recently attended a gathering of 250 people where Common
Ground laid out a platform called "Milwaukee Neighborhoods Now" - a plan to
get Milwaukee to commit to investing in the city.  They need people like us
to help out.  They are looking for people to go on Neighborhood Walks to
talk to people in the city and make them aware of this platform, and to get
them involved.  Residents of Milwaukee will be encouraged to register to
vote in the mayoral and aldermanic election on April 5.

Phil and I are looking for a few people to join us to commit to a 4-hour
shift on a Saturday or Sunday in Feb /March to talk to people in
Milwaukee.  There will be training and lots of support.

If you recognize that people in the city of Milwaukee could use some help
in being inspired to vote and take charge of their neighborhoods, email
me.  We'll get a few groups together from LCUUC and help make a difference!

In action,
Kerry
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