Rafael Smith is Helping Restore his North Side
Rafael Smith
âMy passion comes from being a Black man born in the city of Milwaukee during a period of time where deindustrialization was destroying all our institutions that we held dear,â says Rafael Smith, the Civic Engagement Program Director at Citizen Action of Wisconsin. Smith is deeply committed to moving Milwaukee forward on climate action and equity by helping his North Side, community understand how climate change impacts their lives.
For Smith, taking action on climate is personalâitâs not just about saving the planet, itâs also about building back an economy and restoring middle class jobs to areas, like the North Side that were left behind when the industrialization boom ended.
The house in San Ignacio was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday night. Rafael Smith informs The Guardian that his house burnt down as a result of a Christmas tree. The fire started at around 7:00 p.m. and arose from connected adapters.
Smith estimates that he lost some $20,000.00 as a result of the fire and neither his house nor belongings were insured. So far, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has responded with a gas tank and stove. Neighbors have also donated some groceries, but his family is in a need of a place to stay. The family continues to be in need of clothes for a four-year-old and a fifteen-year-old female.