Riverwest Organizations

COA Youth and Family Centers
909 E. Garfield
414/263-8383
Director: Tom Schneider
COA was established in 1906 and offers a full range of youth and family programs; child care; after school programs; summer camp; Family Center activities; and adult education.
Web: www.coa-yfc.org

CREAM CITY MENTORS
2438 N. Bremen St.
414/372-7584
Contacts: Supreme Solar Allah & Self Wise Allah
Cream City Mentors, a nonprofit organization established in 1999, enhances the lives of youth ages 12 to 17 through three main goals: Citizenship, Exposure, and Empowerment. The mentors provide positive guidance, homework tutoring, field trips, and sharing of wisdom to help youth expand their self-confidence, creativity, and individual talents. Call the number above to enroll or inquire about their programs.

YMCA HOLTON YOUTH CENTER (HYC)
510 E. Burleigh St.
414/264-9622
Director: Delayzio Amerson
Started in 1992 under the auspices of ESHAC and transferred to the YMCA in 1997, HYC provides after school programming, weekend activities, and summer camp for youth ages 5 to 17.

LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER
315 W. Court St.
414/271-2656
Director: Neil Albrecht
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 AM-10 PM, Saturday 6-10 PM
The LGBT Center was established as a nonprofit organization in 1997. It is home to the Project Q program for young adults and 13 tenant organizations including SAGE for seniors and Bi-Definition (see Calendar for listings). More than 35 nonprofit groups utilize the LGBT Center facilities.
Membership: $30 (membership not required for services)
Newsletter: Quarterly “Talk of the Town”
Email: pflaherty@mkelgbt.org
Web: www.mkelgbt.org

NMIDC & RIVERWORKS BID
303 E. Vienna Ave.
414/906-9650
Director: George Christiansen
Business Support Specialist: Don Sargent
Job Training & Placement Coordinator: Vanessa White
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5PM
Established in 1992, the Northeast Milwaukee Industrial Development Corp. hosts a bimonthly business meeting on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 9 AM. Its mission is to attract and retain industry and create jobs for residents of Riverwest and Harambee neighborhoods. For more info about business assistance or job training and placement, call NMIDC. Membership fee is based on the number of employees and is open to all Riverwest business owners. Under 25 employees, $100/year. 26-100 employees, $150/year.
Email: georgec@nmidc.org

PEACE ACTION (PA)
1001 E. Keefe Ave.
414/964-5158
Program Director: George Martin
Hours: 11AM-6PM, Monday-Friday
Peace Action, a nonprofit organization established in 1977, is the place that helps give peace a chance, locally and globally. Milwaukee Coalition for a Just Peace is a coalition of Milwaukee groups and individuals working for real solutions for a safer world, not war; meets bi-weekly. PA sub-committees: Peace Action Committee, Disarmament Committee, Middle East Peace Committee, Columbia Committee. Call PA for meeting dates and times. Also available – unique peace gifts: T-shirts, greeting cards, bumper stickers, and more.
Membership: $30 single, $40 family, $10 student/low income.
Newsletter: The Mobilizer, monthly
Email: pamilw@execpc.com
Web: http://www.peaceactionwi.org/

RETHINKING SCHOOLS (RS)
1001 E. Keefe Ave.
414/964-9646
Editor: Catherine Capellaro
Rethinking Schools is the leading grassroots journal of education reform. Founded in 1986 by activist teachers, RS is a nonprofit independent publisher of educational materials. RS advocates for the reform of elementary and secondary education, with a strong emphasis on issues of equality and social justice. (From the RS website.)
Journal: A one year subscription, published quarterly, is $15.
Email: rethink@execpc.com
Web: www.rethinkingschools.org

RIVERWEST ARTISTS ASSOCIATION (RAA)
PO Box 510168, Milwaukee, 53203
414/374-4722
President: John Richards
Riverwest Artists Association is a diverse collection of individuals who share the common belief that everyone should have the opportunity and support for expressing, experiencing, and sharing their ideas, visions, and talents. RAA’s goal is to foster reflective, innovative, and proactive art to enrich and stimulate our community. RAA originated when a group of artists revived the Riverwest Artists Studios Walking Tour. The original tour was sponsored by the Milwaukee Art Museum and ran biennially from 1979-1983. The revived tour (renamed Artwalk) organized the art community and gave birth to RAA, a nonprofit organization. (From the RAA website.)
The board meets monthly at various locales.
Membership: $35 individual, $20 student & senior, $40 household, $60 business
Newsletter: Quarterly “News”
Email: info@riverwestart.org
Web: www.riverwestart.org

RIVERWEST CO-OP
733 E. Clarke St.
414/264-7933
Volunteer Coordinator: Gibson Caldwell
Hours: 10AM-8PM, Daily
Riverwest Co-op opened its doors in November, 2001 and is solely operated by volunteers. A meet and greet spot for neighbors, natural food enthusiasts, mothers, and others, volunteers are always welcome to help cashier, stock shelves, take inventory, or plan special events. The Co-op Committee meets every Tuesday, rotating at 6 or 7 PM. For more info, call the Co-op and ask for Wendy. Membership is very affordable at $100, payable at $20 per year over a five year period.
Email: GibsonC@riverwestcoop.org and info@riverwestcoop.org
Web: www.riverwestcoop.org

RIVERWEST EMAIL NETWORK
Gatekeeper: Tess Reiss
The network was started in 2001 by Shawn Smart as a free service of the Riverwest Neighborhood Association. As of year’s end, 2002, it has grown to 200 members. The “Gatekeeper” sends out notices of interest to folks in Riverwest, such as upcoming meetings, safety alerts, issues, and events; general political info – like candidate info, upcoming forums, or reminders to vote, since many here feel it’s important to vote. “For rent” notices are also sent out to encourage referrals to family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors who are looking to rent in Riverwest – making such referrals can help to stabilize our neighborhood. To join the network, send an email with your full name, address, and SUBSCRIBE as the subject to rnamail@yahoo.com. Name and address info is confidential and for list management purposes only. (Update 1/15--the list is now "RWmail" rwmail@riverwestcurrents.org.)

RIVERWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Co-Chairs: Shawn Smart and George Singleton
RNA was established in 2000 and meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month. Meetings are open to all interested Riverwesters. RNA Sub-Committees:
Development Group, Chair: Jerry Patzwald.
RISE (Riverwest Initiative for a Safe Environment), Chair: Brad Montgomery.
Holton St. Revitalization, Chair: George Singleton.
Guardians of Green Space (Kilbourn/Reservoir, Gordon, Garden Parks; Bike Trails), Chair: Vince Bushell.
Email: rnamail@yahoo.com
Web: www.riverwestcurrents.org/rnainfo.htm

RIVERWEST RAINBOW ASSOCIATION
1001 E. Keefe Ave.
414/562-2344
Contact: Liz Miller
Established in 1996, RRA is a neighborhood group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents. The group meets quarterly, engages in political activism, and hosts a monthly Book Club, Annual Picnic, and other social events.
Membership: $12 individual, $18 household (membership not required for participation)
Newsletter: Quarterly
Email: tricycle@uwm.edu

Resident for Off-leash Milwaukee Parks (ROMP for Dogs)
Meets third Tuesdays of each month at the Urban Ecology Center.
Web: www.romp4dogs.org.

WOODLAND PATTERN BOOK CENTER
720 E. Locust St.
414/263-5001
Director: Anne Kingsbury
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11AM-8PM, Saturday-Sunday, Noon-5PM
Poetry, book clubs, writer’s classes, gallery showings, kids classes, movies, music, song, and more. A hub of literary activity and creative energy for all ages. Established as a non-profit in 1979, WPBC is the only Milwaukee area arts organization presenting contemporary literature to the general public on a continuous basis.
Membership: Starts at $25/year. $15 for students & seniors. Includes 10% off on books, $1 off event tickets, $5 off class fees, and monthly WP newsletter.
Email: woodlandpattern@execpc.com
Web: www.woodlandpattern.org

YMCA CDC-RIVERWEST
604 E. Center St.
414/263-1380
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9AM-5PM
Established in 1998 after ESHAC folded, the YMCA Community Development Corp. is funded mostly through the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Programs include Neighborhood Planning, Holton Street INRS program, TIN oversight (in conjunction with Harambee), and Community Organizing. Staff provide technical assistance for Block Clubs, Riverwest Neighborhood Association, RISE, Riverwest Currents, Riverwest Co-op, Annual Spring Clean Up, and other projects and groups. As of this writing, the future of the office remaining open is in doubt pending the impact of 2003 CDBG funding cuts.

Compiled by Tess Reiss

Disclaimer: to the best of our knowledge, these are the main active organizations in Riverwest. If we missed your organization, please let us know!