Milwaukee Council approves $2.4M for community led transformation fund initiatives

The Milwaukee Finance and Personnel Committee convened on March 31, 2025, to discuss a significant funding proposal aimed at addressing various community needs through the Council Led Transformation Fund (CLTF). The meeting was sponsored by Alderman Mark Chambers Junior, Alderman Mille Le Cox, and Alderman Jocasta Zamarripa, who presented a resolution for the allocation of $2.4 million to support multiple initiatives.

The proposed funding includes $230,000 for the Legal Aid Society to assist with asylum applications and work permit issuance, and $100,000 each for Voces de la Frontera and Forward Latino to conduct public education campaigns on immigration law. Additional allocations include $600,000 for the Milwaukee Community Impact Fund, which focuses on resident-led community budgeting, and $75,000 for the Milwaukee Justice Center to provide self-help family law forms clinics.

Other notable allocations include $150,000 for the Fast Fund to assist Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) students facing basic needs insecurity, $400,000 for Safe and Sound to support neighborhood associations, and $300,000 for housing rehabilitation projects through the Rooted and Rising Community Development Corporation.

During the meeting, Alderman Chambers emphasized the importance of community engagement in the funding process, stating that the initiative allows residents to see tangible benefits from city investments. Alderman Le Cox reflected on previous community meetings that informed the funding priorities, while Alderman Zamarripa expressed pride in the collaborative effort that led to the proposal, highlighting its potential to address critical issues such as poverty, homelessness, and mental health.

The committee members expressed their support for the resolution, which is set to be presented to the full council on April 2, 2025. The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to invest in the community and address the pressing needs of Milwaukee residents.