ABOUT

Vision • Mission • Impact

Cultivating Strong Communities

VIA envisions a world where all places equip all people to reach our full potential.

The zip codes where we live and work shouldn’t determine the trajectory of our lives. Generations of policies, however, have created unequal starting points for all of our communities. But by working together, cultivating fertile ground in our neighborhoods – with tools like housing development, economic development and grassroots leadership development – we can ensure that everyone has access to the things we all need to thrive.

VIA Community Development Corporation (VIA CDC) acts like a puzzle-master, putting together the puzzle pieces for a great quality of life – pieces like a healthy built environment, equitable economic opportunity and grassroots community leaders. Together we grow stronger & healthier Milwaukee neighborhoods by nourishing wellbeing and cultivating community in our neighborhoods.

 

Our Mission 

VIA is a partner in building strong, healthy neighborhoods where all of us can thrive.

BUSINESSES

COMMUNITY

HOUSING

Our Impact

Working alongside neighbors and other stakeholders, we have leveraged over $50 million in neighborhood investment since 1995. Our direct initiatives focus on three puzzle pieces for strong people and places: safe, healthy and well-maintained housing for all; jobs and businesses that provide economic opportunity; and connected, grassroots leaders working together to create the neighborhood they envision. Since 1995 VIA has:

    • Developed over 50 units of affordable housing
    • Supported entrepreneurs to create over 150 jobs and 40 new businesses
    • Partnered with homeowners to leverage over $9 million to improve over 1,000 homes
    • Participated alongside over 30,000 neighbors to host nearly 550 community events
    • Leveraged over $2.7 million in streetscaping and other community improvement initiatives like park renovations, public art and more
    • Had 23 graduates of our Neighbors In Action leadership program

OUR HISTORY

Founded in 1995 by the School Sisters of St. Francis (SSSF), VIA’s existence is grounded in the importance of making it so that all people and communities can flourish by having access to the things we all need to thrive. Since our founding, VIA’s work has been rooted on Milwaukee’s near south side on ancestral lands of the Potawatomi, Menomonie and other indigenous people who still live here today. Today most call it the Silver City, Burnham Park and Layton Park neighborhoods. You can learn more about the history & characteristics of our anchor neighborhoods here.  

Learn more about our origin & evolution

In the early ‘90’s, after over 100 years of being headquartered in the neighborhood, the SSSF decided to make a commitment to the neighborhoods surrounding their “motherhouse.” They organized volunteers to knock on doors and organize ice cream socials. Together with neighbors they talked about what they envisioned for our community and began to cultivate connections for a stronger neighborhood.

Over time, they hired staff and the organization grew into the comprehensive CDC we know today. While the approach and tactics have evolved with changing times, VIA has seen success come to fruition by remaining grounded in these principles:

 

    • Building from strength: In the mid-2000’s, VIA adopted an asset-based approach to community development, building from existing strengths in people and in our communities to grow investment in the neighborhood. There is a wealth of knowledge and experience in all of our communities that may be channeled into collective action towards a common vision.
    • Following the leadership of those who are most affected: In 2011, neighbors first partnered with VIA to create a Neighborhood Quality of Life Plan, which serves as a vision for a strong and healthy neighborhood and a guiding framework for local community development strategies. This process, and others we facilitate, create opportunities for folks in the community to work together and generate solutions to common problems.
    • Planting justice at our roots: As we see signs of gentrification and displacement approaching our community today, we acknowledge that our collective history and systems have led to inequalities that impact all of us. By tending to opportunities where community ownership can grow, we will all be enriched when we can share together in economic, social and political power to produce change in our communities.
School sisters of St. Francis gathered in from of a building

The organization was originally founded as VISION Ministries and was later known as Layton Boulevard West Neighbors (LBWN). In 2020 the organization rebranded as VIA Community Development Corporation (VIA, or VIA CDC) as a response to ongoing community feedback, emphasizing its role as a connector and making the name accessible for speakers of any language. To learn more about the change to VIA, visit our FAQs page.