West Side neighbors have been busy building a stronger neighborhood by creating block clubs, hosting community events, bringing resources to the residents, and working with local organizations. Each year, UW-Extension connects with hundreds of residents through activities in the West Side Neighborhood (located around Waukesha Memorial Hospital). Were you one of those residents? You can strengthen your neighborhood by getting involved.  

How can you get involved?

• Attend Neighborhood Events
• Volunteer at Blair After School
• Become a Block Club member
• Join the West Side Steering Committee

What's happening on the West Side?

Upcoming Events:

West Side Tree Trimming - Dec. 5, 2009 at 10 a.m.
Want to get into the holiday spirit with your neighbors over some hot chocolate and cookies? Why not come to the 4th annual West Side Neighborhood Tree Trimming Event and Gathering on December 5, 2009! Meet at the West Side Community Garden located on Lawndale Avenue across from Waukesha Memorial Hospital visitor’s parking ramp. Santa will be there decorating trees with “nature friendly” ornaments created by the Blair After School children. Free and fun for the whole family!
For more information contact Laura Dombrock at (262) 548-7782.

Neighborhood Involvement

For more information on the following community involvement opportunities, contact:
Laura Dombrock, Community Educator
(262) 548-7782
laura.dombrock@ces.uwex.edu

West Side Healthy Neighborhood Initiative

• Want to boost the exterior look of your home? Could your house use some structural improvements? Or are you feeling overwhelmed trying to manage finances? UW Extension received a $35,000 grant from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation's Elinor Gallun Pritzlaff Fund for a Healthy Neighborhood Initiative in the West Side Neighborhood. Funds from this grant will focus on streetscaping and yardscaping, financial management and housing rehab. Contact UW Extension for more information.

Family Wellness Coalition (FWC)

• This group is made up of elected city officials and organizations working together to create awareness and keep the community safe from lead poisoning. This October, the group organized a successful kick-off event to help raise awareness with neighbors. For more information on the FWC, contact Steve Chmielewski at (262) 548-7781.

Blair After School Program

• UW Extension partners with Blair Elementary providing 30 students with quality education, homework help, tutoring, field trips and enrichment activities five days from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., five days per week.  The Blair After School Program begins in mid-September and ends in mid-May. If your child attends Blair Elementary and you would like him or her to participate in the after school program, contact UW Extension.

West Side Neighborhood Block Clubs

• Want to build a stronger neighborhood? Join one of the seven West Side block clubs, or even start your own! The goal of a block club is to improve the living conditions for all of those living in our neighborhood. Other goals include improving the physical environment, stopping crime, working with city officials and increasing social interaction between neighbors.

Click here for more information on block clubs.

West Side Steering Committee

• This committee is made up of residents, community partners, elected officials and school personnel. We are looking for new faces and new ideas to help make the West Side of Waukesha even a better place to live! Come join us in planning events and activities in your neighborhood.

Drug Free Communities Coalition

• The Waukesha County Drug Free Communities Coalition is an organization of individuals and organizations across the county whose goal is to reduce substance abuse in youth, including alcohol and tobacco, as well as illegal and legal drugs, over-the-counter and prescription. The coalition is interested in working with residents to help identify issues specific to each neighborhood and then network to find resources to help solve those issues.
• How can you get involved? Contact Ellen Shiflet, DFC Project Coordinator at (262) 896-8263 or e-mail at DrugFreeCommunities@waukeshacounty.gov.

West Side Community Partners

Our success depends on the following community partners:

• Big Brothers/Big Sisters
• Blair Elementary
• Butler Middle School
• City of Waukesha Police Department
• Humane Animal Welfare Society
• Linden Court Residential Facility
• Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department
• Salvation Army
• St. Mark's Lutheran church
• Waukesha Civic Theater
• Waukesha County Parks & Land Use
• Waukesha County Sheriff's Department
• Waukesha Memorial Hospital
• Waukesha Public Library

 

Funding for the West Side Neighborhood has been provided, in part, by Waukesha County through the use of Community Development Block Grant funds made available by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additional funding comes from the Youth Collaborative of Waukesha County/United Way.

If you have any questions regarding Community Development in Waukesha County, please contact:
Waukesha County - UW Extension
515 W Moreland Blvd
Administration Center Room G22
Waukesha, WI 53188-3869
Phone: 262-548-7770
Fax: 262-548-7787
Office Hours: M-F, 8 AM - 4:30 PM