Power of the Partnership - Part 3: Nonprofits

As my eyes darted around a screen full of questions, figures and rows of data, I began to question myself - “Why didn’t I get a law degree and an advanced degree in accounting?” The Form 990 Questionnaire I was trying to complete was not only lengthy and intimidating, I also could not seem to get a grip on my budget calculations. The numbers I had just weren’t adding up. Any executive director who deals with complicated budgets may understand my frustrations.

Realizing I was in need of some serious help, I looked down my list of "lifelines". One option immediately caught my attention, Mr. Mark Rhode. Based on past experiences, I knew he would be able to help me. Mark is the Chief Financial Officer at Penfield Children's Center, a Near West Side nonprofit serving very young children with disabilities. He has been assisting the Near West Side Partners and its staff in a number of different ways for the past year and half.

Prior to supporting NWSP, he served on the Avenues West Association board, meaning Mark has had his foot in our community for quite some time. Mark is much more than a lifeline for NWSP, and in this instance I was reminded of the value in partnerships between nonprofits in the Near West Side.

Penfield Children's Center and their staff have been a major player and very important partner in the redevelopment of the Near West Side. Celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year, Penfield has changed the landscape of 27th Street for the better. Driving through the neighborhood, you may notice the mural being painted on the north side of Penfield Children’s Center in partnership with Radio Milwaukee 88.9.

Mural

Rails to Trails

NWSP Farmer's Market

Artist Working In Education

Near West Side Faith Leaders

In addition to serving children for 50 years and supporting the Near West Side, they opened a school just last year and will be educating children from across the City of Milwaukee at Penfield Montessori Academy, located in the Midtown neighborhood. After working with and getting to know the staff at Penfield, I know that Penfield Montessori Academy will be a model of academic excellence for the City of Milwaukee for a long time to come.

The seven neighborhoods of the Near West Side have historically struggled with the overwhelming number of nonprofits in the area. The variety of non-profit organizations and the different groups they serve speaks to the density and diversity of the neighborhood, but often times their goals would overlap and a lack of cohesiveness between the groups impeded progress. One of the most important goals for Near West Side Partners is to fully embody our name by creating a network of partnerships that serve the Near West Side.

Here are just a few of the nonprofits that have been engaged with the revitalization of the Near West Side:

• Artist Working In Education - Supporter of art in the Near West Side

• Aurora Health Care - Anchor and financial supporter of NWSP

• City On A Hill - Host health fairs and educational opportunities for the local community

• Marquette University - Anchor and financial supporter of NWSP

• Milwaukee Center for Independence - Support of the Near West Side Farmer's Market

• Neighborhood House - Meeting space, planning and community engagement

• Our Saviors Lutheran Church - Hosted Trunk-or-Treat event and landlord compact

• Rail to Trails - Transportation equity

• Redeemer Lutheran Church - Leading equity discussions in the Near West Side and honey provider

In addition to these generous partners, NWSP has great relationships with a number of other nonprofits like Messmer Catholic Schools, Wisconsin Community Services, Neighborhood House, the Nonprofit Center, Artists Working In Education, and City On A Hill. These institutions provide necessary resources like space, promotional materials, and volunteers. On top of physical resources, these organizations provide a willingness to work with one another. The non-profits of the Near West Side may serve different people, but we all have similar goals. Coming together to develop creative strategies to the problems we face is only going to make it easier to serve these communities, and meet our goals.

I commend Penfield Children’s Center, their staff and the many other non-profit partners of the Near West Side who give their time and support to the cause of improving the neighborhood, one step at a time.