Announcement from Groundwork Milwaukee’s board of directors
After intentional discussion and planning, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Damien DeBuhr as the incoming Executive Director of Groundwork Milwaukee, effective immediately. We extend our sincere appreciation to Young Kim for his dedication during his service as Executive Director and are grateful for his continued work with the organization to support a seamless transition. Under Damien's leadership, we anticipate continued progress in advancing the Groundwork Milwaukee mission.
a letter from young kim
Dear Groundwork Milwaukee Community,
It has been an honor serving as Groundwork Milwaukee's fourth Executive Director. In my 18+ years as a nonprofit CEO I've learned that the best solutions to our city's problems come from residents most affected by them. Milwaukee-born and bred Damien DeBuhr is the right person to amplify these voices to create real change.
I am proud of the progress that we've made during my time here. We've made significant strides in increasing the diversity of the staff and board, alongside raising staff salaries and benefits packages. Additionally, we have built meaningful relationships with Milwaukee neighborhoods like Metcalfe Park.
The reality remains that those who have contributed the least to climate change will be hit the hardest. I look forward to continuing my service with the organization and supporting during this transitional time in order to change that reality.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to the entire Groundwork Milwaukee community for its support and commitment to our mission.
A Letter From Damien Debuhr
Dear Groundwork Milwaukee Community,
I write to you with humility, sincerity, happiness, and drive as I step into the role of the next Executive Director of Groundwork Milwaukee. I express deep gratitude to the Board of Directors for their faith in my vision and for their volunteer service. Special acknowledgment is due to my predecessors: Young Kim, whose operational improvements have strengthened the organization and whose mentorship prepared me for this role, and Deneine Powell, whose focus on neighborhood-based climate adaptation paved the way for our current successes.
Four years ago, when I joined the team at Groundwork Milwaukee as Deputy Director, I had no idea just how much our mission would change and drive me personally and professionally. I have witnessed the power of what we do as a community, dedicated to uplifting and championing our voice and our work in the movement for environmental and economic justice. We blur the line between who is served and who is serving, and highlight our power by recognizing we are all in need, but more importantly, we all have something to give.
In preparation for my new role, I considered the direction of civil and human rights leader Dr. Dorothy Height:
"We have to improve life, not just for those who have the most skills and those who know how to manipulate the system. But also for and with those who often have so much to give but never get the opportunity."
As I narrow in on the vision I have for our work at Groundwork Milwaukee during my tenure, I see us investing in our neighbors, our community members, and ourselves to build an environmental and economic future where we can all thrive. I see:
More young leaders, families, and elders in Milwaukee joining our Climate Action Group, dreaming about converting vacant industrial brownfields into recreational and congregational amenities.
Neighbors equipped with tools, support, and resources needed to steward the over 100 community gardens in our Milwaukee Grows Garden Network.
More of our Ground Corps members building environmental leadership and economic stability by earning wages while taking ownership of building and expertly maintaining invaluable community green space.
In addition to growing the number of people we work with and the capacity we have to do the work, I also see us expanding our influence and authority at tables where local, state, and national decisions are made. I envision our community in action, using its power to make deeper improvements for our environment and our economy, thus improving life for our community.
I'm excited to embark on this journey as the next Executive Director of Groundwork Milwaukee with you all. And thrilled to be doing it with the community that makes up this organization. Surely, our path will be full of joy, wins, tears, and growth. I invite and urge you to join us. Expect even more invitations and opportunities to contribute. We need it, and hopefully, you do too.
In service,
Damien DeBuhr
Give to community in action
This year at Groundwork Milwaukee, we've been able to activate our community in deeper and more meaningful ways. As we wrap up the year, we invite you to join our community and donate funds that will sustain and grow the people, places, and partnerships that make up our community.
In 2023, our intergenerational Climate Action Group explored environmental and climate issues affecting their neighborhood of Metcalfe Park. In 2024 your contribution will support the Climate Action Group as they advance solutions to these issues, and advocate to local, state, and national officials for developments that put neighborhood health and voices first.
In 2023, the Milwaukee Grows Garden Network grew to support over 100 gardens and constructed over 70 garden beds. In 2024, your contribution will further activate community gardens by funding more community gatherings, gardening and cooking workshops, and volunteer workdays.
In 2023, the young men who make up our Ground Corps built 6 Healing Spaces garden sites. These sites were designed through a resident driven process and resulted in gardens with features that reduce heat and flooding, are ADA accessible, and that provide native plant-filled environments for neighbors to come together and heal. In 2024, your contribution will support Ground Corps as they put more effort on stewarding the community gardens so they can be places of joyful community gatherings for decades to come.
By funding our work, you are a critical part of our community - and a critical part of our journey to build environments and economies where we can all thrive.