If you are interested in supporting our mission of enhancing pedestrian safety and making Milwaukee County a better place for everyone who walks and rolls, we want you to get involved!
Although the majority of our volunteer opportunities occur from May through September, we are continuously adding more special events and programs to keep engagement opportunities going all year long. Whether you are interested in volunteering solo, for a school project, or as a part of a larger group, we’d love to talk to you!
If this interests you, please complete our Volunteer Application, and a staff member will follow up with you soon! If you are part of a group that is looking for volunteer activities, please check out our Group Volunteering section below.
Volunteer Opportunities
Below are some examples of typical volunteer opportunities to give you an idea of what we’re all about. That said, we always love to hear your ideas, so if there is a certain intersection that has been bugging you or an event in your neighborhood that might be a good fit, let us know!
Crosswalk Actions
When there are intersections, crosswalks, or other areas with high pedestrian traffic that feel unsafe or challenging to cross, we like to show up with a couple of our friends, high-vis vests, and signs reminding drivers to slow down and yield to pedestrians. We are not crossing guards, but we do like to help people get safely across the street. In summer, you may see us around the city at weekly concert series.
Crosswalk Actions are a great introduction to volunteering with the MilWALKee Walks Program! They are frequent, flexible, and fairly short-term (usually lasting about 1-2 hours). You can show up for one or come for a weekly series. Who knows, maybe you’ll even want to lead one in your own neighborhood!
Walk/Roll Experience
What is a Walk/Roll Experience you ask – it can take nearly any form, anywhere in the County, and become anything you want! We use the term “Walk/Roll Experience” as an umbrella term for an assortment of events ranging from a neighborhood walking group to a park clean-up to an accessibility audit. Policy makers, partner organizations, and community members come to us with goals like getting community feedback for a new infrastructure project, assessing an intersection or stretch of road for possible safety or accessibility improvements, celebrating a new path, or building a community and walking/rolling culture in their area. We design and lead a walking/rolling route for the intended goal and target audience while teaching pedestrian advocacy along the way. It can be as simple as a walk in the park!
The majority of our Walk/Roll Experiences are about 0.5 – 3 miles, and last about 1.5 – 2 hours. As a volunteer, you are welcome to join most of our Walk/Roll Experiences, and we can even assist you in facilitating your own!
Placemaking and Public Art
A couple of times per year we are lucky enough to participate in placemaking and public art projects where we help to make a street safer and more beautiful! These projects are the culmination of months of planning and collaboration with local artists and community groups. In the span of one or two days, we may fill in an artist-designed mural on a traffic circle, paint a crosswalk with a church group, or construct a small parklet. Drop by and lend a helping hand for an hour or the whole day, it’s up to you! Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, and we’ll supply the rest.
Social Media & Content Creation
Are you a whiz on Instagram and other social media platforms? Know how to cultivate an audience while relaying a targeted message? How about creating original art and designs for flyers and event posters? Do you enjoy photographing events? Send some of that talent our way! This is an extremely flexible role that requires lots of independence and creativity. Dedicate as much or as little time as you’d like, and help us keep our social media active and engaging with your ideas!
Want to volunteer with a group?
We are usually able to accommodate groups of around 3 – 15 people at various events throughout the year! Occasionally, there may be opportunities for larger groups. Due to the nature of our work (often near busy roadways or engaging with the public), our volunteer opportunities are best suited to older youth and adults; however, the number of available chaperones and maturity of the youth may be considered.
If you are thinking about volunteer opportunities for your school, corporate group, or service organization, please complete the Group Volunteer Request Form. Providing detailed responses on the form can help our staff effectively and efficiently assess if we have available opportunities to meet your group’s needs and interests. Please keep in mind that scheduling activities with larger groups takes more time, and it is best to complete the form as far in advance as possible.