UEDA Community News

August 2025 | View as Webpage

Sep 09

2025 Annual Community Gathering

We look forward to this UEDA event every year! It is our opportunity to connect with our members and network, recognize our supporters, and share our goals and accomplishments from the past year. Join us for food, beverages, and opportunities to network with the UEDA community. We will also be presenting the winners of our Outstanding Community Partner and Extraordinary Volunteer awards!

There is no cost to attend, thanks to the support of our funders and sponsors: Associated Bank, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank, and Goyke and Associates.

We hope to see you there!

Annual Community Gathering

Outstanding Community Partner Award

This year, we are proud to present the Outstanding Community Partner Award to Jeff Langkamp for his commitment and support of UEDA initiatives. Through his leadership and collaboration, Jeff and Bank Five Nine played a pivotal role in launching Bank On Greater Milwaukee's pilot project with the Department of Corrections and the Community Reintegration Center to assist justice-impacted individuals. This helped pave the way for future Bank On initiatives, and we are grateful for his dedication to creating financial opportunities for all.

Extraordinary Volunteer Award

We are thrilled to present the UEDA Extraordinary Volunteer Award to Beth Van Gorp, who has selflessly donated her time and expertise in support of UEDA and its programs. As co-chair of the

Take Root Milwaukee Education & Advocacy Workgroup since 2022, Beth has played a key role in developing advocacy structures, increasing community engagement, and helping advocate for continued investments in down payment assistance. Her leadership has been integral in creating new strategies for engaging members in sustainable homeownership initiatives.

UEDA Member Highlights

The 2025 MANDI Awards! LISC Milwaukee celebrated 30 years of neighborhood impact. Join us in congratulating standout UEDA members!

-Concordia 27 - Near West Side Partners (NWSP) a Husch Blackwell Building Blocks Award Finalist (real estate advancing our communities) 

-Brenda Campbell - SecureFutures, Navigator Award Winner (for individual leadership) 

-Karen Higgins - Milwaukee Christian Center, a Navigator Award Finalist (celebrating leadership and collaboration) 

We’re honored to stand alongside you.

Silver City Fest Saturday September 6th | 12 - 5PM | National Ave between 32nd & 35th St

We commemorate VIA’s 30th Anniversary. Enjoy live music, local vendors, interactive art displays, a children’s area, and delicious food as we honor the past and look toward the future. This event is free and open to all! Learn More Here.

Register to be a volunteer for UEDA and share information at this annual neighborhood festival. Sign up here or email debbie@uedawi.org.

Near West Side Week September 7-13th The 5th "Neighborhood of Neighborhoods” Annual Near West Side Week! Events include the New State Block Party, Rev-Up MKE, a community scavenger hunt, Near West Fest, home repair and financial literacy workshops and more. Live music, food trucks, business showcases and family-friendly activities. Learn More Here.

Community Advocates has office space available in their 728 N. James Lovell Street location. Co-locate with other service providers and access downtown amenities. Contact COO Maudwella Kirkendoll for more info at MaudwellaK@communityadvocates.net.

Wisconsin Economic Development 2026 Program Updates. Updated program guidelines to expand support for small businesses, communities, and high-growth companies. Launching the Small Business Technical Assistance Program, expanding grant eligibility, streamlining Vibrant Spaces Grants, and increasing funding thresholds for Capital Catalyst awards. Learn More Here.

Valley Week September 20-27 showcases ways to experience the nature, destinations, and The Valley’s fascinating history right in the heart of Milwaukee. Proceeds support Menomonee Valley Partners, a nonprofit organization formed in 1999 to revitalize the Menomonee River Valley.

River cruises, Job Fair, Bags Tournament, Electronics Recycling, Fish, Fry, and so much more. Check out the week-long outdoor activities!

Member & Partner Job Openings

Find a listing of current job openings HERE.

There are many opportunities in community development and local government so be sure to take a look! Contact sehiry@uedawi.org if you are a member and have an opening to add.

And, be sure to check out the Jobs That Help website to find or list a nonprofit job opportunities!

UEDA Community

Age-Friendly Community Survey outreach! Calling all 45+ Milwaukee County residents!

Want to make a difference? Your experiences and insights are exactly what we need to shape an age-friendly community where everyone thrives. What works well? What needs improvement?

Your answers could transform how we live, move, and connect. Share & complete this survey!

Curds of Wisdom from BSHA: Hosing Mobility Programs Wednesday September 10th |

12 - 1 PM | Zoom, Register Here

Learn how Opportunity MKE expands housing choices for renters with vouchers, using evidence-based practices to support families and engage housing providers in high-opportunity areas.

Data Day 2025 October 15th hosted by Data You Can Use. Data Day: The Wealth of Data will explore how data can be harnessed to expose and understand persistent racial disparities in wealth and prosperity. Learn more here.

Small Business & Nonprofits

Nonprofit Lift helped coordinate a tech forum for the 2025 WI Nonprofit Summit. Held in July, they asked a few technology consultants for their favorite tech tools for nonprofit clients, lessons they've learned, and more. Read the post here.

Rising Together: A Panel Discussion on Collaboration Leadership with BMO September 4th | 5-7:30pm | BMO Tower,

790 N Water St, Milwaukee, 11th floor cafe

Explore Entrepreneurship Reimagined - a conversation centering the power of cooperation over competition. This event brings together cutting-edge influencers who are redefining what is meant to build, lead and thrive in business.

RSVP Here.

Seeds for Growth with Huntington September 16th 2025 | 8AM -12:30pm | Schlitz Park 1555 N Rivercenter Dr. Engage with experts in a panel discussion, explore a vendor marketplace, and join speed coaching on capital, accounting, marketing, and more. A free resource fair also available. Registration required. RSVP Here.

Upcoming Events

"Nacho" Average Resource Fair Friday August 29 | 11AM - 3PM | 1915 N Doctor MLK Jr Dr.

Hosted by La Casa de Esperanza to connect community members with trusted local resources, provide important updates for the upcoming tax season, and introduce residents to services available in the community. We will also be giving out free nachos! Learn More Here.

Milwaukee Public Library Martin Luther King Jr Branch GRAND OPENING! Saturday September 6 | 11:30AM - 4PM | 2901 N. MLK

Celebrate the grand opening with an afternoon of music, food, performances, and interactive fun. Explore every corner of the space, from the makerspace to the mobile kitchen, and enjoy family-friendly entertainment. Learn More Here.

Rev-Up MKE 2025, Expo-Style pitch Presentations Wednesday September 10 |

5:15 PM | The Rave/ Eagles Ballroom

In addition to the brand-new Rev-Up MKE competition expo-style format, this year’s event will include the crowd-favorite, a “Taste of the Near West Side,” which features local cuisine and live entertainment that reflects the neighborhood’s energy and diversity! Learn More Here.

Home Sweet Home - Save the Date

September 11 | 6-9 PM | 3725 W Juneau Ave

Revitalize Milwaukee's gathering will honor the lives changed, neighborhoods strengthened and the community they are shaping. Save the Date!

Art WORKS: Painting a Bright Future

Thursday, September 11 | 6-9 PM | The Ivy House, 906 S Barclay Street, Milwaukee

A fundraiser & an opportunity to celebrate the power we have as a community to effect change and shape the future. Join us for a celebration of the power of art & local initiatives to effect change in the lives of young people. Get your tickets!

Community Development Alliance

September 16 | 8:30AM - 2PM | 333 W Juneau. Join their annual conference "Protecting Aging Neighbors from Displacement", diving deeper into the Homeowner Bill of Rights. Register Here.

Member Spotlight

August 2025

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) - Mission is to help forge resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families.

Known for hosting the annual MANDI Awards. “MANDI 2025 was a powerful reflection of Milwaukee’s resilience,” said Theodore Lipscomb, Sr., Executive Director of LISC Milwaukee.

“We remain committed to uplifting local voices and investing in the changemakers shaping our city’s future.”

Welcome to these New &

Returning Members!

Matt Melendes

Julia O'Connor

BMO

Community Development Alliance

Cream City South Community Development Corporation

LISC Milwaukee

Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation (MGIC)

Current Members

*Check your email for renewal notices to remain current!

Nonprofit &

Governmental

AARP Wisconsin

Acts Housing

ArtWorks for Milwaukee

Burleigh Street CDC

Cinnaire

City of Milwaukee DCD

CLIMB USA

Community Advocates

Community First

Consumer Credit Counseling Services

Data You Can Use

Ezekiel Community Dev. Corp.

Granville BID

Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS

Guest House of Milwaukee

Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce

Independence First

Lad Lake

Landmark Credit Union

Latino Chamber of Commerce

Menomonee Valley Partners

Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council

Milwaukee Community Land Trust

Milwaukee County Economic Development

Milwaukee County Transit System

Milwaukee Development Corporation

Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity

Milwaukee Public Library

My Choice Wisconsin

Near West Side Partners

Northwest Side CDC

Prime Financial Credit Union

Revitalize Milwaukee

Riverworks Development Corporation

Rooted & Rising-Washington Park

Safe & Sound

SecureFutures

Self-Help Credit Union

Sherman Park Community Association

Sojourner Family Peace Center

Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

Southside Organizing Center

The Business Council (TBC)

The Difference Principle, Inc.

The Gateway to Milwaukee

TMG Wisconsin

UMOS

United Community Center

United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County

UW Credit Union

VIA CDC

Visit Milwaukee

Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority (WHEDA)

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection (DATCP)

Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA)

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)

Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce

Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development (WPHD)

WWBIC

Small Businesses

Community Insurance Information Center (CIIC)

Contexture

Dolomite Marketing

G Consulting, LLC

Good Flow Enterprises

Goyke and Associates

Homeworks Bronzeville LLC

Jobs That Help

LEAD180 Consulting, LLC

Lloyd Consulting, Inc.

Mueller Communications

Narvarte Development

Yes…AND LLC

Corporations &

Funders

Associated Bank, NA

Bank Five Nine

CIBC

Erie Insurance - WI

First Federal Bank

Johnson Financial Group

JPMorganChase

Old National Bank

U.S. Bank

Zilber Family Foundation

Individual &

Students

Amy Turim

Barbara Markoff

Carol Maria

Christine Davies

Cindy Richardson

Daniel Adams

Dan Brophey

Derrick Johnson

Frank Martinelli

George Calaway

Greg St. Arnold

Jazzmon Hughes

Kathryn Berger

Kurt Paulsen

Leo Ries

Mark Dabney

Peter Richardson

Sam Leichtling