Committed to the Community

VIA begins its fourth decade of engagement with neighbors

VIA Community Development Corporation had its beginnings in 1995 when the School Sisters of St. Francis set out to connect with their neighbors and strengthen Milwaukee’s near south side. Thirty years later, that mission continues to guide the organization’s work.

One of VIA’s earliest traditions remains an important part of its community engagement today. Executive Director JoAnna Bautch noted that the organization still hosts an annual ice cream social, an event first organized by the sisters as a way to meet neighbors and start conversations about the community.

“The School Sisters started by handing out flyers saying, ‘We’re going to give out free ice cream. Come get free ice cream and talk about the neighborhood,’” JoAnna said. “We still do that today, and I think it’s a huge accomplishment that we’ve been able to continue that tradition.”

Over the past three decades, VIA has expanded its impact across Milwaukee’s near south side through housing development, economic initiatives, and community partnerships. Deputy Director Lisa King shared that the organization has developed more than 50 units of affordable housing, supported entrepreneurs in creating more than 150 jobs and 40 new businesses, and partnered with homeowners to improve more than 1,000 homes by leveraging over $9 million in resources.

VIA has also brought neighbors together through hundreds of community events. Since its founding, the organization has hosted nearly 550 events, including Silver City Fest, which has welcomed more than 30,000 attendees to celebrate the neighborhood’s cultural diversity.

The organization’s move to an office on National Avenue marked another milestone in its history. The location has helped strengthen relationships with residents by making VIA more accessible to the community.

“We have many neighbors come in to speak with staff,” said Brisa E. Van Galen, VIA’s economic development director. “It’s been incredible to see how neighbors spontaneously show up.”

VIA has also continued to grow its service area. In 2025, the organization officially expanded its work to include the Clarke Square neighborhood, building on partnerships that had already been developing there.

Throughout its growth, VIA’s partnership with the School Sisters of St. Francis continues to shape its approach to community development.

“VIA began as a way for the sisters to get to know their neighbors,” Brisa said. “We carry that same mission in creating trusting relationships to better understand what neighbors want to see take place in their neighborhood.”

Looking ahead, VIA remains focused on projects that strengthen neighborhoods and support residents. One recent initiative includes building new affordable homes for early childhood educators across Milwaukee, helping support an essential workforce while investing in stable communities.

As the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary, leaders say its success reflects the partnerships it has built with neighbors and community organizations along the way.

“We know our accomplishments are not ours alone,” Lisa said. “They are truly a result of our partnerships with our neighbors and community assets like the School Sisters of St. Francis.”