Walnut Way Conservation Corps is a non-profit organization based in the Lindsay Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our mission is centered around "Community-Led Comprehensive Development." This approach aims to empower community members to drive their own change, with Walnut Way serving as a facilitator and supporter. Our Community-Led Comprehensive Development approach recognizes the interconnectedness of wellness, work, and wealth. By fostering community wellness, we encourage active engagement. By linking work to environmental stewardship, we promote sustainable practices while providing meaningful employment. And by driving economic development, we enhance community wealth. Together, these elements create a resilient, self-sustaining neighborhood where every resident can thrive.
Community Engagement
Wellness is a foundational aspect of our community engagement work. We understand that a healthy community is an engaged community.
We foster wellness through various initiatives such as our Wellness Commons space, senior home repair program, and advocacy for fair energy policies. By creating a safe and healthy environment, we empower residents to actively participate in decision-making processes and community activities.
Enviornmental Stewardship
Work, in our context, goes beyond just job creation; it's closely tied to environmental stewardship. Through initiatives like our green infrastructure programs, residential and commercial energy efficiency pilots, and our green jobs initiative, we provide opportunities for meaningful work that also contributes to a more sustainable environment.
This approach is embodied in our businesses like Blue Skies Landscaping, where we generate revenue while enhancing our community's green spaces.
Economic Development
Wealth, in our view, is not just about individual prosperity, but about collective economic development. We support small businesses, administer a neighborhood improvement district, and rehabilitate residential foreclosures into affordable homeownership opportunities.
These initiatives contribute to community wealth by enhancing economic mobility, increasing access to resources, and promoting local entrepreneurship.