Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

1 week ago | milwaukeenns.org | Meredith Melland

The Dominican Center’s new executive director is no stranger to Milwaukee’s Amani neighborhood. Britney Roberson, who joined the organization in May, has experience living in Amani and working at Dominican Center and with community organizations. She previously served as the community engagement coordinator at Froedtert Health. “I think she just has an incredible approach of building strong relationships,” said Robert Sullivan, president of the Dominican Center’s board of directors.

1 week ago | milwaukeenns.org | Devin Blake

As Wisconsin’s prison population climbs toward pre-pandemic levels, Senate Bill 153 seeks to expand alternatives to incarceration. Wisconsin’s Treatment Alternatives and Diversion program was established in 2005 to provide counties with funding to create programs to divert adults with nonviolent criminal charges into community-based treatment for substance abuse. Senate Bill 153 would formally expand the scope of these programs to explicitly include individuals with mental health issues.

1 week ago | milwaukeenns.org | Devin Blake

As the Milwaukee Police Department moves to expand its use of facial recognition technology, a June report from the federal government finds this technology continues to disproportionately misidentify people of color. Elected officials and civil rights groups have been raising this concern as a clear reason why MPD’s plan should be paused or rejected entirely.  MPD says there are ways to address this limitation.

2 weeks ago | milwaukeenns.org | Princess Byers

Editor’s note: We published this guide in April and are running it again to help those interested in summer programs for youths. From sports to nature, there are free and affordable summer camps and programs available throughout the city to help keep your kids busy. Here’s a roundup. (Did we miss anything? Please let us know in the comments or email us.)The Urban Ecology Center is now taking registrations for more than 100 summer programs at the organization’s locations in Menomonee Valley;  3700 W.

2 weeks ago | milwaukeenns.org | Princess Byers

After years of urging the City of Milwaukee to launch a participatory budgeting process, members of the African American Roundtable have a reason to celebrate. In April, the Milwaukee Common Council approved a $600,000 participatory budgeting program. Here’s what you need to know. Participatory budgeting is a democratic process in which community members decide how public dollars are spent.