Amani community welcomes spring with neighborhood clean-up

After a long winter, the Amani community kicked off spring by coming together to clean up its streets. On Saturday, April 26, 2014, about 75 folks rolled up their sleeves and targeted the blocks between Locust and Auer, 24th Place and 21st Street. According to estimates by the City, approximately 3000 pounds of trash were removed from the neighborhood.
Partners and participating groups include Amani United, Dominican Center for Women, COA Goldin Center, Safe & Sound, Painting with a Purpose, Milwaukee Police District 5, Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, Vincent High School track team, Future Milwaukee, ArtWorks, BNCP, NIDC, and the City of Milwaukee.
Most importantly, Amani residents came out in force — everyone from youngsters to teenagers to parents to elders pitched in and brought their energy to the morning. During lunch, an impromptu series of speakers took the microphone and fired up the group about a peaceful and productive summer. Yard signs proclaiming “I Am Amani” on one side and “Keep Amani Clean” on the other were distributed, two slogans the neighborhood is hoping to catch on.
The cleanup was staged out of a vacant lot on 23rd & Burleigh, across the street from COA Goldin Center and NOVA High School. This site was selected because it overlooks the future site of Moody Park, which the county is projecting to be completed this year. Moving forward, neighborhood organizing efforts will continue to focus on this area — including more cleanups throughout the summer — to help galvanize the community’s energy around the Moody name returning as a positive force in the Amani neighborhood.