MILWAUKEE – On Saturday, August 27, 2016 the City of Milwaukee will host its inaugural “All Things in Common” initiative, a block party taking place simultaneously on the premises of 25 Milwaukee-area churches/organizations. Through the leadership of Common Council President Ashanti Hamilton and Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, one block party will take place at All Saints Parish, 4051 N. 25th Street, Milwaukee, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At this time, All Saints Catholic Church is the only parish in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee currently participating in the event. In the future, the parish is expected to serve as a central city “hub,” where residents will be able to connect with driver’s license recovery, child support mediation, employment counseling, and other critical social service programs expected to be funded by federal, state and local block grants.
The purpose of Saturday’s citywide event will be for members of the All Saints pastoral council and human concerns commission to gather data about community needs from the parishioners, guests and clients the parish serves in zip codes 53206, 53209, 53210 and 53216.
Volunteers will engage neighborhood residents and visitors in a needs assessment survey. Participants will receive free hot dogs and bags of groceries provided by Hunger Task Force and have a chance to win bus passes and gas cards.
Completed surveys will be sent to the Milwaukee Health Department for analysis and will be used in city planning and funding applications. Funds received will be allocated back to neighborhoods to address the community needs identified in the survey and support the churches as resource hubs. Milwaukee residents will be able to receive referrals and apply for social service programs within their own neighborhoods. The “All Things in Common” initiative is expected to continue with future events that advocate for local services and generate data for funding.
If your media outlet is interested in covering this initiative, please contact Rosemary Murphy, (414) 534-5771, rosemary.allsaintsmke@gmail.com.