This morning, City on a Hill CEO Art Serna appeared on FOX6 WakeUp News to discuss the organization’s response to Chief Jeffrey Norman’s recent open letter addressing the critical issue of youth crime in Milwaukee. The segment, which aired Friday, August 30, 2024, can be viewed online here.
City on a Hill, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit dedicated to community transformation, stands in solidarity with Chief Norman’s urgent call for community engagement. As leaders in this community, we recognize the gravity of the situation and join Chief Norman in urging citizens, organizations, and institutions to come together to address the underlying issues contributing to the rise in youth crime.
In his heartfelt letter, Chief Norman expressed deep concern over the involvement of Milwaukee’s youth in violent crimes, including car thefts and shootings. He emphasized the need for community intervention, stating, “The kids we are arresting are reoffending. The community must intervene.” His plea is not just a call for increased policing but for a broader, unified effort to address the root causes of this behavior.
At City on a Hill, we understand the historical context behind these current challenges. From decades of redlining and segregation to the lasting impacts of Jim Crow laws, the structural inequities that have shaped Milwaukee’s neighborhoods are at the root of much of this violence and despair. These issues are compounded by public health crises like lead poisoning and access to unhealthy food, which further damage the cognitive and emotional development of our children.
Yet, we believe in the power of hope, community, and personal accountability. In response to this moment, City on a Hill is committed to being the bridge between concerned residents, business leaders, and local government. Our approach to community transformation is holistic, rooted in evidence-based solutions that tackle the root causes of these challenges while equipping individuals and families to take ownership of their future.
In a personal letter to Milwaukee’s community leaders, City on a Hill CEO Art Serna offers a detailed response to Chief Norman’s letter. Art writes, “We cannot fix a problem we don’t understand, and we can’t understand it from a distance. Solutions to these complex issues require proximity – staying close to the problem and working alongside those most affected. Our Family Mobility Initiative and integrated Health & Wellness Center do just that – they help families heal, provide pathways to economic mobility, and offer tools for lasting transformation.” The full letter from Art Serna can be accessed here.
Through our Family Mobility Initiative, we focus on providing families with the tools they need to thrive, from health and wellness services to financial literacy and workforce development. Our integrated Health & Wellness Center addresses both physical and behavioral health, helping families and individuals recover from trauma while improving their overall quality of life. And through our Removing Racial Residue (R3) Workshop, we equip individuals and organizations to responsibly engage in the work of dismantling systemic racism and rebuilding trust in our community.
We invite the entire Milwaukee community to read Art Serna’s full letter and Chief Norman’s original letter here, and to consider how they can be part of this transformation. Change requires all of us – individuals, philanthropists, business leaders, and community groups – to unite with purpose and intention. Together, we can create a new narrative for Milwaukee, one that offers every child the opportunity for a brighter future.
About City on a Hill
City on a Hill is a nonprofit organization with over 23 years of experience transforming the lives of individuals and families in Milwaukee. Our mission is to break the cycle of generational poverty by providing comprehensive programs in health, wellness, soul care, and economic mobility. We are committed to working alongside those in our community who are most affected by social and economic inequities, creating lasting change, one family at a time.
Contact: Ruthie Barrie, Communications Lead
Email: [email protected] | Phone: (414) 614-0850
