History:
HeartLove Place programs began humbly 18 years ago through the inspired volunteer ministry of dedicated individuals who recognized the huge challenges facing Milwaukee's low-income population. Fractured families, debilitating unemployment, struggling schools, increasing crime and violence, and record teen pregnancy rates plagued our urban families and youth. To overcome these challenges, the leadership of HeartLove Place relied upon Christian values and teaching to build capacity within Central-City Milwaukee residents. HeartLove Place was established in 1999, continuing and building on the success of the Partners for Youth program that began in 1989. Like its predecessor, HeartLove Place is a grassroots, neighborhood-based organization located side by side with, and committed to, the residents of Central Milwaukee and the Harambee Neighborhood. In order to provide a superior level of quality services, HeartLove Place works with several Supported and Collaborative Organizations.

Mission Statement:
"Through the influence and knowledge of Jesus Christ, assist Milwaukee's central city families by teaching, encouraging and mentoring individuals to accept responsibility, incorporate good judgment and fairness in their work ethic, and build positive character."

Vision Statement:
"A community transformed by healthy Christian families." The goals of HeartLove Place are consistent with its mission to build stronger individuals, families and communities through comprehensive educational and social programming that are built on, and try to instill, convictions based on the Christian faith. Some of these goals are as follows: * Provide services and programming to all community residents who request them. * Encourage collaboration between public and private agencies to supply needed services. * Strengthen families through education, nurturing information and access to resources. * Illustrate compassion through Christian principles without passing judgment. * Provide employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for community members.

Area Served: Specifically, HeartLove Place is located in the Harambee North Neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- one of the most troubled central city neighborhoods in Milwaukee. Harambee North is bounded by Capitol Drive on the north, I-43 on the west, Center Street on the south, and on the east, Holton St. and the Rail Corridor between Keefe and Capitol. The 2000 US Census found 11,671 persons living in 3,935 households within the neighborhood which encompasses 1.06 square miles, or about 114 city blocks. Reliable data indicates that poverty, segregation, general low educational achievement and all the associated evils plague this community. African Americans make-up 88% of the population with an average median income of $18,737, almost 50% less than the City of Milwaukee's average income of $32,596. In addition, 44% of residents have no high-school diploma and 38% of families are living well below the poverty level. Crime is also extremely high in the community, reporting one of the highest levels of violent crime in the city. This far exceeds the overall rate of indexed crimes experienced citywide. Combining these statistics it is clear that without intervention on the part of a compassionate organization like HLP, the Harambee North Neighborhood along with many other neighborhoods in Central City Milwaukee are in danger of continuing the cycle of poverty and hopelessness experienced by so many.