People’s Choice Award Encourages the Public to Vote For Milwaukee Improvement Projects and Leaders
Awards Recognize Innovative Projects Improving Milwaukee Neighborhoods
People’s Choice Award Encourages the Public to Vote For Milwaukee Improvement Projects and Leaders
MILWAUKEE (March 27) – Today, through April 5th, the public can learn about and vote for outstanding community projects in Milwaukee. The Wells People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Wells Fargo, is an online voting campaign highlighting fifteen projects nominated and selected by a volunteer Selection Committee. Three People’s Choice Award winners will be announced at the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation on April 6, at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino. Winners will receive $1,000 and the People’s Choice Award.
The Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDIs) recognize individuals, organizations, and projects that enrich central city neighborhoods. The awards pay tribute to the people and organizations working tirelessly to make Milwaukee a great place to live, learn, work and grow.
“We need more opportunities to learn about and recognize the passionate, talented people working to improve Milwaukee neighborhoods. The stories are remarkable, and the People’s Choice Award allows the broader public to show support for these unsung heroes,” said Dawn Hutchison-Weiss, Communications Director, of LISC Milwaukee.
The online voting campaign will run from March 27th to April 5th, and is hosted by the Neighborhood News Service at http://milwaukeenns.org/mandivote2017/ . The three top entries will each receive $1000. Each entry is featured with an article and video on the voting site.
Since 1999, LISC Milwaukee has hosted the Milwaukee Awards for Neighborhood Development Innovation (MANDI). The MANDIs highlight the unsung heroes working hard to revitalize Milwaukee’s most distressed urban neighborhoods. This Oscar-style event is attended by 800 civic leaders including neighborhood residents, nonprofits, private sector leaders, and elected officials. The MANDIs have grown into the premier event for the community development world, and it tells the much-needed story of what’s positive in Milwaukee’s neighborhoods. The MANDI Selection Committee includes a panel of 40 volunteers.
Hosted by US Bank, the MANDIs will be held on Thursday, April 6, at the Potawatomi Event Center. A cocktail hour will be held from 4:30-5:30pm followed by dinner and awards from 5:30-7:30pm. The evening will close with a Neighborhood Dessert Reception from 7:30-9pm.
MANDI 2017 Finalists (Descriptions are Attached)
The “Brewers Community Foundation Public Space Award” recognizes a public space that helps build the community. Finalists include:
- Green Tree Community Garden
- Johnson Park Revitalization
- Journey House Community Garden
The “BMO Harris Cornerstone Award” recognizes an organization for their commitment and effectiveness over time. Finalists include:
- City on a Hill
- Milwaukee Christian Center
- Silver Spring Neighborhood Center
The “Northern Trust Navigator Award” recognizes an individual for leadership and collaboration. Finalists include:
- Diane De La Santos, City on a Hill
- Gretchen Mead, Victory Garden Initiative
- Darryl Johnson, Riverworks Development Corporation
The “PNC Bank Trail Blazer Award” recognizes an innovative approach to a community problem. Finalists include:
- Wally Schmidt Tavern Redevelopment
- Arts@Large Fill The Gaps
- LBWN Home Improvement Matching Grants
The “State Farm Building Blocks Award” recognizes a real estate project that advances the community. Finalists include:
- Innovations and Wellness Commons Phase I
- Milwaukee TechForce Training Center
- Milwaukee Asian Public Market Phongsavan
About LISC: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is the recognized leader in neighborhood development. Since 1980, LISC national has marshaled $9 billion from 3,100 investors, lenders and donors to foster the revitalization of more than 300 urban neighborhoods and rural communities. Since 1995, LISC Milwaukee has invested $130 million in the central city by mobilizing resources for neighborhood revitalization and investing these funds through grants, loans and technical assistance to neighborhood-based community development efforts.
More information is available at www.lisc.org or www.lisc.org/milwaukee.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
