MILWAUKEE — Over 650 volunteers gathered in Milwaukee’s Muskego Way neighborhood on Saturday for a cause that’s touching hearts and transforming homes.

The event, Block Build MKE, was orchestrated by Revitalize Milwaukee. It aims to provide free home repairs to families in need.

What You Need To Know

  • Block Build MKE, orchestrated by Revitalize Milwaukee, aims to provide free home repairs to families in need with the help of volunteers and 45 sponsors on site

  • More than 600 volunteers repaired homes for families in Milwaukee's Muskego Way neighborhood

  • Eighteen homes were selected for this year's revitalization project

  • The initiative has touched the lives of 48 community members

Edgar Mendez, along with his wife and eight children, live in one of the 18 homes selected for this year’s revitalization project.

“I’m just really grateful for this opportunity to have all these people here to do some repairs that wouldn’t have been done otherwise,” said Mendez.

A bathroom overhaul, fresh coats of paint and porch repairs were just some of the changes that were set in motion. Beyond the aesthetics, the transformation represents a new chapter for the family of 10.

“With 10 people, it’s a lot of wear and tear,” said Mendez. “Some repairs have been needed for a while.”

Lynnea Katz-Petted, CEO of Revitalize Milwaukee, has been a driving force behind this project for nearly two decades and gives families a better life and a place to call home.

“At the end of the day, this is just a massive community effort that I’m really proud to lead,” said Katz-Petted.

Supported by 45 sponsors on site, the project invests in the heart of the community.

“There’s a lot of money and a lot of time that goes into this on-site,” said Katz-Petted. “We are actually doing half a million of actual repairs and all the logistics that went into it make it a huge investment for this neighborhood.”

The initiative has touched the lives of 48 community members.

Jasmine Lopez, a niece to Edgar Mendez, expressed excitement.

“It’s amazing,” said Lopez. “Feels kind of surreal. I can’t believe this is really happening.”

Her room, once a familiar space, is now a canvas for transformation, reflecting the spirit of change that’s sweeping through the neighborhood.

“I’m just so excited for the result because I know it’s going to be super amazing,” said Lopez.

Witnessing the number of volunteers helping her family Saturday has given her motivation to do the same someday.

“They took the time out of their day and it’s all volunteer work,” said Lopez. “It inspires me to do something with my life and help the community like that.”