Search Results

Standing up to a powerful utility like We Energies—the only major electric utility in the region—and Wisconsin’s largest philanthropic institution is an especially bold and risky move for Walnut Way. These entities hold considerable influence over public investments, policy decisions, and the flow of resources in Milwaukee and across the state.​ Challenging such dominant organizations can be dangerous for a community-based group. It risks future funding, stakeholder relationships, and the organization’s ability to participate in critical decision-making. Yet, Walnut Way’s willingness to challenge these giants reflects a commitment to genuine accountability and real community representation—actions that are rarely taken in a landscape as segregated and unequal as Wisconsin’s. Their stance is a necessary, courageous step to ensure that community voices are heard and that new projects truly serve local residents, even when facing serious institutional pressure. What’s happening: Major utilities are proposing new tariffs—complex energy pricing rules that could shape who pays for Wisconsin’s data center boom, how much, and what our communities get in return. Yet, without strong voices for equity at the table, these decisions risk leaving neighborhoods like ours behind. See Clean Economy Coalition A “tariff” is simply the set of rules that utilities use to decide how much everyone—families, businesses, and big companies—have to pay for electricity. Right now, utility companies and new data centers want the state to approve a plan to spend more than $16 billion building power plants and infrastructure just to supply these data centers, which could use more energy than all the homes in Wisconsin combined.​ Take a survey The problem? We energies wants regular people and small businesses to help foot the bill—by raising everyone’s rates—while the data centers and utilities profit. All this while making energy truly affordable for everyone in Wisconsin would cost less than $500 million. That means the resources exist to help families struggling with their bills, but the current plan puts corporate profits ahead of affordability and community needs. Why it matters: Tariffs have a direct impact on every household’s electric bill, the affordability of keeping the lights and heat on, and whether new money from tech giants will help or hurt frontline neighborhoods. Decisions made now will shape utility rates, infrastructure, and fairness for decades. Why Walnut Way intervened: Walnut Way is stepping up as an “intervenor” in the Public Service Commission (PSC) tariff docket—joining legal proceedings, submitting testimony, and fighting for our seat at the table. Intervenors have the power to cross-examine utility proposals, demand community benefits, and require utility transparency. If we don’t speak up, policies may be set that overlook equity, workforce development, local hiring, and bill assistance for those most in need. Across Wisconsin and the country, community benefits agreements (CBAs) are increasingly being implemented by tech companies, institutions, and utilities to ensure that major projects deliver tangible benefits for local residents—like workforce development, affordable access, and community investments. In Wisconsin, tech sector projects and utilities are beginning to include CBAs as part of new data centers and broadband infrastructure, promising collaboration with local organizations and direct investment in education, workforce, and housing.​ Elsewhere, tech giants such as Google and Microsoft have pioneered major CBAs tied to data centers and renewable energy projects. For example, Microsoft’s solar and data center agreements have included commitments for workforce training, supplier diversity, local hiring, educational partnerships, and millions in community funding. Google has also made similar investments in community infrastructure and broadband where it operates large technology campuses and data centers. These models are being adapted to Wisconsin’s landscape, offering new opportunities for local communities to shape the future benefits of tech and infrastructure development. What we’re fighting for: Community Benefits Agreements: Ensuring large energy users, like data centers, pay into funds that will support local renewable energy, weatherization, and job training. Ratepayer Protection: Making sure new utility infrastructure isn’t just a blank check that sticks residents with higher bills or stranded costs if data centers leave. Equity and Affordability: Advocating for targeted bill credits and affordability programs so low- and moderate-income families share in the benefits—not just the burdens—of these big energy deals. Transparency: Demanding that decisions about customer costs and utility profits are made in the open—not behind closed doors or via confidential deals with tech giants. How we do it: We join forces in coalitions with partners, attorneys, and advocates who share our commitment to justice and fairness. We submit direct testimony, participate in hearings, and file public comments. We push for settlement agreements that guarantee lasting benefits and system-wide improvements for all Milwaukeeans. The bottom line: By intervening, Walnut Way is ensuring that community voices are not only heard, but matter, in shaping Wisconsin’s clean energy transition and making sure the economic benefits reach those who need them most. Order Now

In Lindsay Heights, faith and innovation have come together to spark a new era of health and digital opportunity. Driven by a partnership between Walnut Way Conservation Corp, Marquette University, neighborhood residents, and leaders from local churches—including the active engagement of Pastor Teresa Thomas-Boyd organizing congregations—this study reveals how deep-rooted community trust can unlock lasting change.​ Study Findings Through wearable health monitoring devices and technology-centered health education, African American residents saw improved chronic disease management and better mental health outcomes. The effort was grounded in trusted faith spaces, with churches hosting learning sessions and empowering residents to track their health, ask questions, and receive culturally responsive support from leaders they know.​ The Team and Their Commitment Pastor Teresa Thomas-Boyd’s leadership, alongside Cassandra Flagg, Dr. Nilanjan Lodh, Dr. Aleksandra Snowden, Dr. Praveen Madiraju, Mr. Antonio Butts, Walnut Way staff, and dedicated church volunteers, was critical. Their patient, sustained involvement built bridges across faith, health, and technology—ensuring that digital tools served real neighborhood needs, not just abstract goals.​ Outgrowth: Digital Literacy and Affordable WiFi The faith community’s involvement illuminated a new need: digital literacy and access. By teaching residents to use technology for self-care in familiar, supportive church and neighborhood environments, and launching affordable WiFi, Walnut Way and its partners have begun closing the digital divide. Church events and trusted gatherings made learning accessible, while new connectivity now enables ongoing virtual support and broader opportunities for families.​ Emerging Initiatives With digital literacy growing and affordable WiFi reaching more homes, Lindsay Heights stands ready for the next generation of community health, education, and faith-based empowerment. This collaboration demonstrates that, when faith leaders, trusted nonprofits, academic partners, and residents unite, they not only solve today’s problems—they set a trajectory for future generations to thrive. See more on affordable wifi here: Resilient Resident Affordable WIFI Open Monday - Friday 10am - 2pm

May brings fresh momentum to Walnut Way as we nurture roots of change in the neighborhood. From garden prep to tech access and café innovations, we're planting seeds that uplift community resilience and equity. Catch up on recent wins, events you won’t want to miss, and how you can get involved in shaping a vibrant, thriving Lindsay Heights.

The challenge of digital literacy in today's information-rich world is indeed a complex and pressing issue, intertwined with broader literacy concerns that affect millions of Americans. At the national level, the statistics paint a sobering picture. Approximately 54% of U.S. adults read below a sixth-grade level, with 21% reading below a fifth-grade level. This translates to about 130 million adults who struggle with basic literacy tasks, such as reading a simple story to their children. The economic impact is staggering, with low literacy costing the U.S. economy up to $2.2 trillion annually. Zooming in on Wisconsin, the local data reflects these national trends. One in seven Wisconsin adults struggle with low literacy, while nearly one in four have only basic numeracy skills. This means about 1.5 million people in Wisconsin need help building literacy skills. The situation is particularly dire in Milwaukee County, where 25% of adults read at or below the lowest literacy level. The digital divide exacerbates these challenges. In an increasingly technology-driven world, digital literacy has become as crucial as traditional literacy. Yet, 16% of U.S. adults are not digitally literate, and 40% of adults who use computers at work have low digital problem-solving skills. This digital literacy gap creates additional barriers for those already struggling with basic literacy. For many individuals, the combination of low literacy and limited digital skills creates a daunting challenge. Navigating the vast sea of online information requires not just the ability to read, but also to critically evaluate sources, understand context, and effectively use digital tools. This can be overwhelming for those who struggle with basic reading comprehension. Walnut Way Conservation Corps in Milwaukee is working to address these interconnected issues. They recognize that improving both traditional and digital literacy is fundamental to community empowerment. Their approach includes providing computer skills workshops and internet access to bridge the digital divide, alongside traditional literacy programs. The consequences of low literacy and digital illiteracy ripple through all aspects of life. It affects employment opportunities, health outcomes, and even civic participation. In Wisconsin, the impact is particularly pronounced in the education system, where the state consistently shows the largest Black-white gap in reading performance for fourth and eighth graders nationwide. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. It's not just about teaching people to read, but also equipping them with the digital skills necessary to navigate our increasingly online world. This includes understanding how to access and evaluate information, use digital tools effectively, and participate in online communities safely and productively. The path forward involves community-based initiatives, policy changes, and a recognition that literacy in the 21st century encompasses both traditional reading skills and digital competencies. By addressing both aspects simultaneously, we can hope to bridge the gap and create more equitable opportunities for all. https://www.walnutway.org/

Walnut Way Conservation Corp, has become a champion for energy affordability in Milwaukee. Their commitment to addressing economic disparities and housing inequities has led them to push back against proposed rate increases by WE Energies. WE Energies sought to raise gas and electric rates for residents in Milwaukee, a move that Walnut Way saw as a failure of That would disproportionately impact low-income households' ability to afford their monthly utility bill. Walnut Way believes in the power of communities to drive their own change and felt that this increase would further burden the community they serve. In response, Walnut Way became involved in the rate case, reflecting its 20-year history of working to improve and support the community. This advocacy work resulted in the preservation of the LIFT Program by WE Energies, a significant victory for energy affordability in Wisconsin. Walnut Way's efforts illustrate the importance of community-led initiatives in the face of systemic challenges. Their work continues to impact all of Milwaukee, ensuring that all residents have access to affordable energy. The future of WE Energies' LIFT program, a pivotal initiative for forgiving low-income customer arrears, was recently under scrutiny by the Public Service Commission (PSC). The possibility of discontinuation loomed large. However, thanks to the concerted advocacy efforts by community organizations like Walnut Way, the program has been preserved and will continue to provide essential support through winter 2024. Advocacy in Action Walnut Way's intervention was instrumental in influencing the PSC's decision to keep the LIFT program operational. Their advocacy ensured this critical service, which helps customers clear outstanding balances, will persist. The LIFT program will now act as a companion to the forthcoming Percentage of Income Payment Program, a docket that is still active in proceedings. Walnut Way remains at the helm of these endeavors, representing the community's voice effectively. This effort included partners like Metcalf Park Community Bridges, Citizens Utility Board Sierra Club and Citizen Action Wisconsin, led by community organizer, Keviea Guiden and their grassroots initiative to address energy burden, "Fight for our Lights." Detailed Overview of the LIFT Program The LIFT program by WE Energies is a vital resource for customers burdened with significant overdue bills. It allows eligible individuals to eliminate their arrears, thereby preventing potential service disconnections and easing financial stress. In addition to the continuance of the LIFT program, the PSC has also directed WE Energies to lower the current $600 reconnection fee. The revised amount will be determined in the spring following discussions with PSC staff. Despite Walnut Way's proposal to lower the eligibility threshold for the LIFT program from $300 to $120, the PSC decided to retain the original threshold. However, they have allowed for discretionary reductions on a case-by-case basis. Looking Ahead As we approach 2024, Walnut Way plans to engage directly with the Commissioners post the appeal period for this decision. Advocacy for low-income customers will remain a priority, with a strong emphasis on aligning actions with declared intentions. Walnut Way will continue to leverage the data and opportunities provided by the community to justify the need for this support. The preservation of the LIFT program is a testament to the impact of community engagement and advocacy. Walnut Way will continue to lead these efforts, ensuring that vital programs like LIFT remain accessible to those who need them most. Upcoming Events and Opportunities