Who Are We?
In 2012, Amani United was formed in response to the Building Neighborhood Capacity Program (BNCP) as part of the White House’s Revitalization Initiative. The Dominican Center was the BNCP grant recipient that helped establish Amani United as the resident neighborhood association. For 12 years (and counting), Amani United and Dominican Center have worked closely together to implement the BNCP mode and foster more resident involvement in Amani.
Keeping Each Other Safe
After Moody Park’s opening, Amani United established a Safety Committee, now the Ambassadors Council. In response to a fatal fire on 25th Street, the committee, alongside the Milwaukee Fire Department, installed new smoke alarms and batteries in homes on the street. Ten committee members received Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and Safety Audit training from LISC for their efforts. They also spearheaded the “Light Up Amani” campaign, adding porch lights, motion detectors, and lighted address plaques around the park.
Revitalizing The Neighborhood
One of the first Amani United projects was the revitalization of Moody Park. In 2002 the Moody Park pool was closed, and the park became a public nuisance and crime site. For years local organizations and elected officials worked to restore the park to no avail. The newly formed Amani United, supported by Dominican Center and COA, worked collectively and collaboratively to reopen Moody Park. Construction started in March 2015 and the park re-opening was August 20, 2015. The Dominican Center, Amani United and Friends of Moody Park organized the opening event.
In the summer of 2021 there was a community effort led by the Friends of Moody Park and Active Co. to revitalize the basketball courts. Artist Jamahl Turner, founder of Art Fu Yung, created the community-minded design and volunteers from the community helped paint the court.
Improving Block by Block
The Amani Block by Block housing pilot, which was launched in 2019, aims to take a comprehensive and community-engaged approach to improve housing on one block at a time in Milwaukee’s Amani neighborhood. The pilot involves partnerships between Dominican Center, Amani United, Ezekiel Hope Community Development Corporation, Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Christian Center, LISC Milwaukee, CDBG Milwaukee, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and the Northwestern Mutual Foundation. Members of Amani United have been paramount in facilitating relationships between residents and partners and engaging families within the project blocks.
Empower Our Community
We cannot build a strong community alone. Check out our volunteering events calendar to get involved in the Amani community!