Email from 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Milwaukee office updates and more As we head into the new year I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for your continuing interest and trust. Your involvement is integral to the success and vibrancy of our organization, and we are truly grateful for your ongoing support. What we do now will determine the life and landscape we leave for future generations. Thank you for being a friend we can count on! Deb We are very excited to welcome three new board members! John Johnson is a research fellow in the Marquette Law School’s Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education, where his research focuses on public opinion, housing, demographics, and elections in Wisconsin. John’s particular interests include changing household sizes and the policy solutions necessary to meet future housing needs. He lives on the west side of Milwaukee.  "I first encountered 1000 Friends of Wisconsin through their advocacy of new transportation options and infrastructure in Milwaukee. Wisconsin has a proud environmental tradition, and I was pleased to find a nonprofit in this sector with an active, affirmative vision for urban living. Creating dense, walkable cities with a high quality of life is part and parcel of conservation. As a board member, my goal would be to support and promote the organization's existing work, particularly in Milwaukee, where I am closely involved in zoning and land use debates." Peter Skopec is director of advocacy at Secure Democracy USA. In this role, he helps lead SDUSA’s state-level work to build confidence in our elections and improve voter access across the United States. Prior to joining SDUSA, Peter was director of the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG), a nonpartisan grassroots organization that advocates for public health, a fair economy, and a strong democracy. During that time, Peter often partnered with 1000 Friends’ staff on efforts to strengthen communities and equitably prevent and mitigate the impacts of climate change in our state. Peter lives in Madison, WI. " During my time at WISPIRG, from 2014 to 2020, I came to know first-hand the effectiveness of the organization's work to strengthen communities and equitably prevent and mitigate the impacts of climate change in our state.1000 Friends' staff and members were tremendous coalition partners to me and many others, and I quickly grew to appreciate the organization's impactful approach that combines advocacy, research, education and litigation." Brooke Frizzell is a disability attorney in Milwaukee. She developed an interest in land use and housing policy while helping lead St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Milwaukee’s East Side through a building project. She has also developed an interest in transportation and climate change from biking through Milwaukee with her family, and she leads a weekly walking bus at Milwaukee French Immersion School." "I want to support 1000 Friends’ mission of creating more equitable and sustainable communities through land use and transportation policy. A few years ago,I participated in the process of getting a parcel of land in an already-dense neighborhood rezoned to allow for dense infill housing and it was eye- opening. Biking around the city while convincing city leaders that parking concerns should not be used to kill much-needed housing clearly showed me the extent to which land use, transportation, and housing policies are interconnected, particularly regarding climate change. I have been deeply grateful to 1000 Friends for their work on the Fix at Six campaign, as I live only a few short miles north of the planned freeway expansion." New VRUSA Report We’re thrilled to announce the release of the Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment Report, created through a collaborative effort by 1000 Friends and other Midwest nonprofits in the RE-AMP Network! This report dives into how state Departments of Transportation in the Midwest are evaluating their efforts to address the safety of people who walk, bike, and roll on our streets. Take a look! Join us February15th in Madison to talk about strategies for supporting TRANSIT in 2025 Carl Glasemeyer, 1kfriends Transportation Policy Director. will be sharing updates from our Milwaukee Office. "We are busy working with Montavius Jones, Narvarte Development, to build support for increasing housing options in Milwaukee. The City of Milwaukee is developing a citywide policy plan and zoning code update. We are connecting with residents to help them advocate and participate during rounds of public engagement." Growing MKE To learn more, visit the engagement site. To Contact Carl: Carl Glasemeyer News from our Milwaukee office We are so excited for the coalition of community organizations that was awarded a 2024 Reconnecting Communities planning grant for Milwaukee’s 30th St corridor trail. Led by Willie Kardis at Rails toTrails, the coalition is working to develop a trail within an active rail corridor to provide much needed trail access on Milwaukee’s north side. This planning grant will help strategize how to couple a trail with anti-displacement and community wealth building opportunities to ensure existing residents benefit from this important trail. "We are thrilled to have additional resources to support this important work! While the infrastructure is important, how we lay the foundation for this project with the voices of the residents, and for the benefit of the community is critical as well.” Cheryl Blue, Executive Director, 30th Street Industrial Corridor Corporation _____________________________________________ As part of our “Fix at Six” campaign to stop the expansion of I-94 through Milwaukee, we also call for the redesigning the Wis-175 freeway spur into an at-grade boulevard. WisDOT is conducting their Reimagining 175 Study to evaluate this change and just announced that they will be presenting final alternatives at a public meeting in April 2025. In addition, the Milwaukee Department of City Development will be analyzing how the opened up parcels could be redeveloped. For WisDOT Reimagining Study Journal Sentinel article To contact Susan: Susan Gaeddert Community Transportation Academy Susan Gaeddert, Community Programs Director, developed the Community Transportation Academy (CTA) program in 2023 and has conducted four academies across the state and has two more planned for 2025. The Community Transportation Academy is designed to help bridge the gap between community advocates and transportation planning entities. Over nine or ten weeks, participants learn about the fundamentals of transportation planning, hear from guest speakers with local and national expertise, and have the opportunity to propose a solution to a local transportation problem. Community members will come away from the Academy with skills and knowledge to advocate for safe and accessible transportation networks that work for everyone. To learn more about the Academy An article in collaboration with the Feature Storytelling Workshop This is a great lecture series offered by our friends at UW-M School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Sign up today! An invitation from David Liners, WISDOM Executive Director - "Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to advocate for change effectively. Together, we can shape a better future." These sessions are open to everyone—community members, advocates, and leaders alike. Feel free to invite your friends and family to join! More sessions coming soon. Learn how to navigate the state budget process and make an impact in your community! Join us for FREE State Budget Training sessions to discover key insights, connect with others, and empower yourself to advocate effectively. [link removed] WISDOM offering State Budget Advocacy Training Are you ready to make a difference in your community by understanding and influencing the state budget process? Join us for one of our free State Budget Training sessions! Learn how to navigate the state budget process and make an impact in your community! Join us for FREE State Budget Training sessions to discover key insights, connect with others, and empower yourself to advocate effectively. Eau Claire: Tues, Feb 25 | 6:00-8:00 PM Location: UW-Eau Claire Davies Center (Council Oak Room) 77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54702 Register Here Green Bay: Thurs, Feby 27 | 6:00-8:00 PM Location: The Mauthe Center 418 Leon Bond Dr., Green Bay, WI 54308 Register Here Milwaukee: Sat, March 1 | 12:00-2:00 PM Location: Welford Sanders Enterprise Center (Conference Room) 2821 N. Vel R. Philips Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53212 Register Here The 2025 AARP Community Challenge is accepting applications in three grant categories. Local governments and nonprofits with ready-to-go projects are eligible to apply. Follow the links below to learn about the grant program's history and the achievements of past grantees. Click here for details about this year's application period. 2024 Highlights - take a look! Take a look at our 2024 highlights! We're excited to share what we've been up to this year. 2025 is filled with even bigger plans for a busy year! We appreciate your support and helping us make this all happen. 1000 Friends of Wisconsin | 608-259-1000 | 1kfriends.org We work remotely so please contact us via email at Deb Nemeth Carl Glasemeyer Susan Gaeddert Robin Wagner Address: 1000 Friends of Wisconsin 820 W. Wingra Drive - PO Box 259704 Madison, WI 53725 Follow 1000 Friends Online: Stay active and stay safe. DONATE NOW Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email 1000 Friends of Wisconsin | P O Box 259704 | Madison, WI 53725 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice