Our deepest condolences go out to the family of Neighborhood House friend and intern Joshua Words. “He was a leader, you could tell by the interactions with the staff and others around at the Neighborhood House.” News of Joshua Words’ tragic death appeared on WTMJ-TV4 and in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

From our Executive Director:
This is not a happy holiday posting. It is the polar opposite. Friday night, December 18, just outside his home not far from Neighborhood House, 18-year-old Joshua Words was the victim of a robbery attempt that became a murder.  Joshua was a popular Neighborhood House summer facility intern and had been playing basketball at Neighborhood House just last Tuesday night. When he saw me  in the gym, Joshua stopped playing to come over and offer me a holiday handshake.

At about 8 pm on Friday, Joshua had walked the block or so to walk a friend back from the bus stop at 20th & Highland. Individuals in a car pulled alongside to rob Joshua as he returned to his home. He had nothing of value and tried to flee. Joshua was shot and died at the scene.

Joshua didn’t catch many breaks in life. His parents had both died, his Mom through violence and his Dad from cancer. Joshua and his five siblings had lived with relatives for years. I actually learned his last name only recently when I learned that one of his family members was killed earlier this summer and I wanted to send Joshua a sympathy card. But Joshua was a hard worker and was soon to graduate from high school. In a better world, he would have had the opportunity to remake his life. But not this time, not this holiday season. 

Rest in peace, Joshua Words.