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Healing Spaces Initiative

The City of Milwaukee is launching the Healing Spaces Initiative in the Harambee neighborhood. Milwaukee’s Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC) will lead the city’s effort.

Public spaces are an important part of urban life. They are a relaxing time-out from city-life, recharging your spirit while allowing you to use your neighborhood and enjoy your surroundings. The healing spaces will create a sense of comfort while being accessible to all.

Healing Spaces Initiative will help residents build relaxing natural environments on available city-owned vacant lots while, at the same time, eliminate blighted spaces and engage residents.

Projects will include pathways, benches, flower gardens, Gazebos, solar lights, Little Free Libraries and more.

Would you like to volunteer and support the creation of a healing space? Fill out this form.

Orientation Dates

Wednesday, 4/7 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Thursday, 4/8 | 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday, 4/20 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Thursday, 4/21 | 6:00 pm

Get Started

Qualified Applicants: Harambee Residents or Community Based Organizations who work in Harambee.

Are you a Harambee resident interested in creating a Healing Space in your neighborhood? The first step is to sign up for an orientation or contact us!

Attend a HSI Orientation
Complete the HSI Application
NIDC will review your application.
After approval, meet with our community partners. They will ensure you have all the necessary tools to build a safe, comfortable, and sustainable Healing Space
Plan what dates work best for you to build your Healing Space. Tell your neighbors!
Build!

Important Dates

Application Deadline: April 26th

Grant Award Notification Date: May 21st

Project Start Date: June 7th

Project Completion Date: September 6th

Add birdhouses to attract wildlife

Image of benches designed by an artist

Add benches designed in colaboration with professional artists

Provide support to your neighbhors with a Free Little Library

image of travertine pathway

Create a ADA accessible pathway

Add unique features, like a bee house

Image of neighbors at a picnic table

Relax with neighbors at a picnic table

image of flowers

Add flowers to help beautify the space

Image of shelter

Build a shelter for all weather use

Accommodation Requests

Reasonable accommodations, of an auxiliary aid or service required due to a disability, for a City of Milwaukee event will be provided upon request. Contact the City of Milwaukee ADA Coordinator, 414-286-3475 or adacoordinator@milwaukee.gov as soon as possible but no later than 72 hours before the scheduled event.