The concept is simple: Gather people from throughout the city who share a passion for a specific topic and get them talking over a meal. And from there, search for solutions. That’s the idea behind On the Table MKE, which took place last week in various locations across the city and was created by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in 2017. During the initiative’s first year, more than 160 topics were discussed, said Laura Glawe, the vice president of marketing and communication at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation. In 2018, On The Table MKE introduced Ideas to Action to fund projects generated from the discussions. Do you have feedback on Milwaukee NNS's reporting? Take our survey to let us know how we're doing! The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service decided to catch up with some of the 16 projects to find out what’s happened since the table discussions. Clarke Square Parents and Friends was a direct result of talks that stemmed from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s On The Table MKE. (Photo provided by Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative) Clarke Square Parents and Friends (formerly Mothers on a Mission) Organization: Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative Received $550 to help fund neighborhood cleanups The idea was to get parents talking to each other about the community, their goals and what could be done to improve the situation, said Ian Bautista, the executive director of the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative. One of the main topics that came up during the conversation was how to support one another. Bautista said the ideas and solutions talked about were implemented immediately. “They are not the type of individuals who wait,” he said. One of the group’s ideas was to walk students home from school. It seems like a simple concept, but it’s a very neighborly thing to do, Bautista said. This group of parents walks with neighborhood kids to and from school and ensure they get home safely. They also try to keep the neighborhood clean. Since the group’s inception, more parents have shown interest in getting involved. School officials and leaders are also in conversation with Clarke Square Parents and Friends. The funding of $550 provided a means to buy cleaning supplies. Clarke Square Parents and Friends also hired a local artist to create a logo, which leaders put on a T-shirt. –Ana Martinez-Ortiz Islands of Brilliance received funding to continue discussing employment and independence for individuals living with autism. (Photo provided by Islands of Brilliance) Neurodiverse MKE Organization: Islands of Brilliance Received $1,000 to create a series of conversations on employment and independence for individuals with autism Islands of Brilliance is a neurodiverse talent incubator, which works with children as young as 8 and older who fall on the autism spectrum, said Mark Fairbanks, its executive director. The idea is to help children living with autism acquire skills, which can increase their chance of independence. Last year, during its On The Table discussion, Islands of Brilliance focused on how to transition young adults with autism into the world of employment. People who work in HR were invited to expand their understanding of what it means to hire a person who is neurodiverse or disabled. Fairbanks said the initial conversation didn’t spark any major changes, but it opened the door to more discussions. Relationships between individuals and organizations were formed because of the conversation. Fairbanks said employing people living with autism is a topic of conversation at a lot of organizations and companies. Now, there’s more active dialogue between organizations such as Islands of Brilliance about hiring diverse talent. Through the funding provided, Islands of Brilliance was able to jump-start a series of conversations on employment and independence for individuals living with autism. In April 2019, which is Autism Awareness Month, Islands of Brilliance held its first event for Neurodiverse MKE. More organizations were able to participate in the conversation. -Ana Martinez-Ortiz Menomonee Valley Partners wants to launch a shuttle pilot program to help the valley workforce. (Photo provided by Menomonee Valley Partners) Developing a Valley Workforce Shuttle Pilot Organization: Menomonee Valley Partners Received $2,000 award to support planning for a shuttle pilot program In 2018, the Menomonee Valley Partners, a nonprofit organization, which began 20 years ago as a way to revitalize the Menomonee River Valley, held its second On the Table conversation. Corey Zetts, the executive director, said the main topic was the workforce, with one table focusing on workforce transportation and the other on bridging cultural gaps on age and race in the workforce.