Milwaukee Youth Council funding recommendations highlight important needs

The City of Milwaukee Youth Council recently announced recommended allocations totaling $63,916 in Community Development Block Grant funding to support programming from three organizations – Wisconsin Community Services, the Milwaukee LGBT Center and the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center – related to youth mental health. The allocations were recommended following agency presentations that took place Wednesday, July 8, 2020 during a virtual meeting of the Youth Council.

I applaud the Youth Council members for their thoughtful allocations. All of the organizations recommended to receive funding do great work within our community. Specifically, the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center in my Aldermanic District has been working to help young people learn to cope with trauma they have experienced. I’ve seen their work firsthand and I know this funding will go a long way toward supporting more young people in need.

It is particularly timely as we combat a global pandemic and deal with issues of racial justice that we pay close attention to supporting mental health. I again want to thank the members of the Youth Council for recognizing this need, taking action, and making sure youth voices are heard.

The Milwaukee Youth Council consists of 17 members (one per Aldermanic District and two at-large members) who are between the ages of 14-18. Those interested in applying to be part of the Youth Council can visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/YouthCouncil/Apply or contact Joanna Polanco at jpolan@milwaukee.gov.