Power of the Partnership - Part 1: Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is one of the many partners supporting the work of the Near West Side Partners, Inc. (NWSP). Providing support to grow staffing capacity, connecting with potential funders, and supporting city wide efforts are just some of the many ways LISC is assisting NWSP.

Andrew Trumbull and Barb Scotty are LISC/AmeriCorp members who are supporting NWSP. Andrew handles all Department of Neighborhood Services reporting, building evidence against negative properties, the Near West Side Landlord Compact, and Near West Side clean-up efforts. He is been a tremendous asset to NWSP.

Barb Scotty, a Concordia neighborhood resident, connects with local residents and community organizations, and is leading the monthly Neighborhood of Neighborhood (NeON) meeting and some health initiatives in the Near West Side. She is also a tremendous asset.

Both NWSP positions are owing to the LISC partnership and are partially supported by a grant from U.S. Bank.

The support from LISC has allowed NWSP to move quickly in growing the organization and tackling important projects such as Block Build, a home improvement competition by Revitalize Milwaukee that could lead to a large investment in Miller Valley. It has also helped NWSP to identify and address liabilities like negative impact property owners.

LISC has also been involved with the preliminary work of MKE United, an initiative designed to make dramatic change the City of Milwaukee through resources and funding not seen in community development in quite some time.

The objective of MKE United is to connect the communities adjacent to downtown, including the Near West Side, to the growth and development of downtown. This could lead to a major commitment from organizations across the city and even the nation, through potential engagement by the Kresge Foundation. NWSP is working with LISC, the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and many others to make this possibility a future reality.

NWSP owes a great debt to LISC. Without their support NWSP could not do the everyday work that makes the Near West Side neighborhoods a better place to live, work, and play.