The Zilber Family Foundation announced today that it had awarded a three-year grant in the amount of $600,000 to United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM) to continue its work in support of the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative. The initiative was established by the late real estate developer and philanthropist, Joseph J. Zilber, to, in his words, “…improve Milwaukee’s challenged neighborhoods and provide opportunities to those who live, work and play in the neighborhoods who seek to fulfill their potential.”

In making the announcement, Foundation president Marcy Zilber Jackson credited UNCOM with developing strong health and human services programs that are being carried out in the Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, and Layton Boulevard West communities served by the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative. “Through its member agencies, UNCOM has played a significant role in supporting the delivery of basic human needs and social services to thousands of Milwaukeeans. With additional funding from the Foundation, UNCOM will have the opportunity to expand and enhance that role,” stated Jackson.

Created in 1996, UNCOM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with community centers throughout Milwaukee to create model programs, build organizational capacity, and share expertise and best practices across agencies. UNCOM members are: Agape Community Center, COA Youth & Family Centers, Journey House, Milwaukee Christian Center, Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Next Door Foundation, Northcott Neighborhood House, Silver Spring Neighborhood Center, Latino Community Center, and Neu-Life Resource Center. Together these UNCOM organizations assist more than 63,000 Milwaukee area residents each year.

“The Zilber Family Foundation board of directors has been very impressed with the results of its initial grant to UNCOM, and is pleased to extend its support of the organization for an additional three years,” said Susan Lloyd, executive director. The Foundation also awarded grants to other nonprofits, including:

• Allied Churches Teaching Self-Empowerment (ACTS) to establish a loan fund for resident owners who buy and renovate foreclosed homes in ZNI sites;
• Community Warehouse to open a north side location on 30th Street;
• Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative to support its newly formed governing Council and hire an executive director;
• Layton Boulevard West Neighbors to support a retail market analysis of Layton Park, Burnham Park, and Silver City;
• Word of Hope Ministries to support substance abuse treatment services on the north side of Milwaukee.