Edgar Mendez

1 month ago | onmilwaukee.com | Devin Blake |Princess Byers |Dakota Barnes-Rush |Edgar Mendez

Andron Lane sees similarities between his past trauma and others in his North Side community, and he’s written a book he hopes will help. Lane, who believes his past sexual abuse and drug addiction were serious risk factors in his eventual incarceration, completed his parole and was “off paper” as of January 2024. Since then, he has worked to better both himself and others like him.

1 month ago | onmilwaukee.com | Princess Byers |Dakota Barnes-Rush |Edgar Mendez |Meredith Melland

The Hunger Task Force’s nutrition education program teaches Milwaukee County seniors how to eat healthy on a budget. The free program trains seniors to make meals with foods they can find in a Stockbox or food pantry. Carmen Baldwin, Hunger Task Force’s community nutrition manager, takes nutrition education on the road and travels to various senior centers across the city using the Hunger Task Forces curriculum to provide interactive cooking demonstrations.

1 month ago | onmilwaukee.com | Dakota Barnes-Rush |Edgar Mendez |Meredith Melland |Devin Blake

Brian D. Litzsey remembers growing up in Chicago, his days filled with activities. “Sports were everything,” Litzsey said. “We played basketball in the winter, shoveled snow off the courts and learned how to swim at the park.” Years later, while attending Illinois State University, he discovered parks and recreation as a field of study. “Once I took my first class, I was hooked,” he said.

1 month ago | onmilwaukee.com | Edgar Mendez |Meredith Melland |Devin Blake

It’s been over seven years since the release of the Blueprint for Peace, a novel plan to help reduce violence in a city long plagued by it. “If we don’t own this, if we don’t make this a part of our DNA, part of our fabric as a community, it’s not going to succeed,” then-Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said during a news conference to announce the plan. “But I believe we can do this.” Years later, leaders have begun plans to update the Blueprint for Peace.