We Got This, a nonprofit organization that teaches urban gardening to youth, is expanding its operations by purchasing three city-owned lots on N. 9th Street in Milwaukee. The lots, totaling about 14,000 square feet, will be used to enhance the group’s existing gardening program.
The organization pays young participants, from 4th to 12th grade, $20 each Saturday for four hours of service. Last year, approximately 315 kids took part, with an average of over 112 participants each week during the 12-week summer program. However, due to high demand, up to 35 kids were turned away each week.
Most participants live nearby and walk to the program, which began in vacant lots at N. 9th and W. Ring streets and has since grown to include 15 lots. In 2023, We Got This distributed $30,000 to the young gardeners.
The newly acquired lots will be improved with new garden beds, fencing, orchard trees, a rainwater collection system, and a shed. The purchase price for each lot is $1. Alex Bruzan, the organization’s leader, emphasized that proximity to homes and access to fire hydrants are key factors in selecting sites.
We Got This was founded by Andre Lee Ellis in 2013 but is now led by Alex Bruzan and his wife Megan. The organization aims to drive positive change in the 53206 ZIP code, one of Milwaukee’s most impoverished areas. The city council will review the land sale proposal next week, following unanimous endorsement from the Zoning, Neighborhoods & Development Committee.
