Vanguard Community Development Corporation

Vanguard's Community Engagement Program is designed to organize community residents and stakeholders. We serve as an information clearing house and education to optimize community engagement in a rapidly changing neighborhood. We organize residents to create change. The purpose is to transmit critically needed information so that residents will be actively engaged in redeveloping their neighborhood as well as making good strategic decisions about such. Included in this activity beginning in 2021, Vanguard completed the beautification of East Grand Boulevard from Woodward Ave to I-75. This project lasted three (3) years. It included art, placemaking, storytelling about the Historic area, clean and safe activities, festivals and more. It was funded by the Knight Foundation with a $1.5 million grant over three (3) years. Vanguard has started a home repair program funded by Cummins Care Foundation.

Vanguard operates a comprehensive economic development program which is centered on the North End commercial district including Milwaukee Junction. Vanguard implements proven economic development strategies and provides technical assistance to district businesses, residents, and stakeholders. Vanguard serves as the North End/Milwaukee Junction Commercial District Manager. As such, we provide a full array of services that the community identified as essential. These include: commercial district branding and promotion, building and staffing the district business association, expanding and developing workforce development opportunities, supporting district businesses, creating a stronger sense of place through physical development, leveraging resources, creating green space, preserving and elevating the district's rich, unique, African-American history and ensuring economic equity and racial justice in all district development.