A Win Not Only For Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, But For The Entire City!
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Program Director, Norm McGee and ECP Manger, Phanomsavanh accepting their award
For over the last 80 years, the non-profit organization Neighborhood House of Milwaukee has brought a new meaning to the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child.” From creating health initiatives, international learning programs, early childhood and teen programs, and even a year-round food pantry, they have exceeded communal expectations. Neighborhood House of Milwaukee’s mission to become a cornerstone in a safe and nurturing community is constantly being executed and carried out in a number of ways, making their mission statement more than warm words that will comfort families, children, and new explorers throughout the community. Educating, inspiring, and strengthening each and every one throughout surrounding neighborhoods plays a pivotal role in how the NH team approaches all who walk through their doors needing support and guidance.
Bridging the gap between innovating communities is more than providing childcare and after-school programs to parents who seek additional help. The creative murals, block parties, and fundraisers are only the aftermath and results of the planning, hard work, and dedication all happening behind the curtains that nobody sees. These are all beautiful depictions of communal connection and unity; however, Neighborhood House, just as many other impactful non-profit organizations, cannot achieve their mission alone. Ideas, programs, and resources that will transform the future of children, families, and international learners cost a pretty penny to come to life. Fortunately, help was recently granted to this cutting-edge communal hub.
On Monday, October 13th, 2025, it was publicly announced that philanthropic and women-owned organization, Impact100MKE, selected Neighborhood House of Milwaukee as one of the 2025 grantees for their continuous and inspiring impact. The neighborhood unicorn was granted $100,000 by Impact100MKE in support of their next creative and bold move, NH would like to implement in the city.
“Our $100,000 Impact100 grant will support their Children’s Playground Project (CPP) to transform their outdated and unsafe outdoor play and garden area, making it more engaging and inclusive for children ages 2-12 in their Early Childhood and School-Age Youth Programs. This will fill a gap for many program participants who live in under-resourced neighborhoods and lack access to safe outdoor spaces, ensuring that they have abundant opportunities to explore, play, and learn in a secure, interactive outdoor area at NH.”
Every child, family, and even adult is not afforded the same access to necessities, let alone recreational experiences. Neighborhood House of Milwaukee does not only want to teach the fundamentals of life, but also to open the door to living life and not just simply existing. The highly anticipated implementation of the Children’s Playground Project (CPP), has all the confidence, support, and engagement behind it since NH has had much success in the past with their other outdoor resources. For example, their nature center, located on W2650 County Road MM, Ashippun, WI 53059, has been serving as an innovative educational resource as well as a physical building that represents exploration and the benefits the outdoors has to offer for decades. Many who have experienced the nature center have found motivation, passion, and intense intrigue in the outdoors that has led to lifelong careers and hobbies.
The Children’s Playground Project (CPP) is expected to be utilized by over 1,000 children located near the west side communities in Milwaukee that surround Neighborhood House. It is more than a playground for a 30-minute to 1-hour time slot allocated for recreational time for children. CPP will take on the role of becoming a foundation and symbol between outdoor and interpersonal connectivity. Neighborhood House, a community center serving Milwaukee’s near west side since 1945, strives to inspire discovery in children and families of all backgrounds, so they become lifelong learners and confident leaders. With this latest project, along with their impressive resume of other thought-provoking initiatives, strengthening the community one member at a time, /CW sees no signs of them slowing down anytime soon.
I am honored to have attended this special place throughout the majority of my childhood. It’s amazing to have thousands of memories and lessons learned that I now apply in my adulthood. Neighborhood House of Milwaukee’s impact is immeasurable and is being traced all throughout the city of Milwaukee. I am proud of the consistent and unique work the non-profit organization carries out year after year. NH is more than field trips, photo-ops, and programs- it’s the heart of Milwaukee’s strength and growth! To learn more about them or experience the long-lasting impact they pour onto others, visit their website at https://neighborhoodhousemke.org/. I also challenge each of you to pass through their space with a smile, located at 2819 West Richardson Place, Milwaukee, WI 53208. Follow Milwaukee’s unicorn @neighbormke on all social media platforms.
Desriana Gilbert | Entertainment & Social Journalist for /CW
