UNITED WAY OF GREATER MILWAUKEE &

Grantscommunity schools the milwaukee community schools partnership (mcsp) is a strategy implemented by milwaukee public schools and united way to transform the way a school interacts with its students, their families and the surrounding community to better support all the needs of a child.the community schools model works to increase a school's capacity to grow strong partnerships with its surrounding community and better engage and align resources centered on the self-identified, real-time needs of communities. Our strategy places the focus on the whole child, with the understanding that a child belongs to a family, and that family lives and interacts within a larger community.current mcsp may have different focuses and activities to improve their schools and communities, but all share core characteristics:a shared vision that integrates into the work of the school and all partners.demonstrated long-term commitment and shared ownership as evidenced by a partnership agreement signed by the school, district, and lead partner agency.a full-time community school coordinator hired by a non-profit partner and placed in the school to assess, align, and support programs and resources to achieve the shared vision.local decision-making regarding the shared vision and priorities of the community school.this decision-making happens through a school-level advisory committee, facilitated by the community school coordinator and school principal.use of diverse knowledge to inform the shared vision and local decisions. This knowledge is obtained through implementation of the mcsp scan, a multi-component tool that combines academic, health, and safety data with an asset map and lived-experience narrative from students, school staff, parents, and community members.cultural relevance within and outside of the school day that responds to the self-identities of students, parents, school staff, and community members.a focus on equity that permeates all activities of the community school to ensure that students, parents, school staff, and community members all have the same opportunities and access to resources to help them succeed.successful implementation of a community schools' model has been proven across the country to improve climate and culture, academic achievement, and investment in local neighborhoods. Here in milwaukee, we are directly working to improve:student attendance and academic engagement.levels of trust between school, family, and broader community.aligned school and community partnerships to support student success. A $2.5 million, 5-year grant (beginning in october 2020) was awarded to community schools from the us department of education, full-service community schools grant. Right to counselright to counsel is a three-year pilot that will provide free housing attorneys for every family under 200% of the federal poverty guideline facing an eviction case in milwaukee county small claims court. Legal action of wisconsin's eviction defense project data shows that 90% of eviction cases are dismissed or delayed when a tenant has legal representation, but only 3% of the 14,000 milwaukee families facing an eviction in a typical year will have legal representation.right to counsel addresses racial inequities in housing stability. Milwaukee county small claims court data indicates families at-risk for evictions are mostly black and latino residents in low-income areas. Black women, families with children, and latino families in mostly white neighborhoods are disproportionally evicted in milwaukee county. State shelter subsidy grantthe state shelter subsidy grant (sssg) provides up to 50% of an emergency shelter or voucher program's annual operating budget. The safe shelter and homeless grant funds are available to shelter programs with additional funding needs like renovation/expansion of an existing shelter, development of an existing building into a shelter, the expansion (or development) of shelter services, or to continue an existing level of service. Sssg participants were surveyed to identify funding needs for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 winters as well as funding needs for critical capital investments. The wisconsin department of administration (doa) used information collected to determine the proportion of funding that each emergency shelter and voucher program would receive through the safe shelter and homelessness grants.public service commission universal service funda grant was awarded to support devices, internet services and digital literacy training for low-income community members and their families. Margaret a. Cargill philanthropies safe & stable homesa $2 million grant was awarded for calendar years 2024 and 2025 to support programmatic investments and staff efforts towards safe & stable homes: ending family homelessness.

Volunteer engagementunited way provides multiple ways for community members to engage by inviting individuals, businesses, and community organizations to live united by giving, advocating and volunteering. Volunteering through united way of greater milwaukee & waukesha county is a great way to give back, while getting involved in supporting many of the most important issues facing our community today. We believe strategic volunteerism multiplies the positive impact of united way's financial investments and has the potential to improve results in the areas of education, financial stability, and health. Volunteer opportunities also support our key initiatives including safe & stable homes, reducing barriers to employment & advancement, empowering minds, and techquity.available opportunities include:*supporting united way's signature events including project homeless connect, backpack coalition, diaper bank, winter bites and our martin luther king jr. Dayof service.*on-site projects: volunteers can do good without even leaving their office by sponsoring and hosting kit packing events to prepare care packages for individuals and families such as personal care kits; snack packs for youth and adults; teen mental wellness kits; and house and home kits. *in the community: volunteers can roll up their shirt sleeves at a united way funded program by reading books to local children, playing board games with older adults, helping to harvest a community garden, or preparing and serving meals at a local shelter. United way's staff helps facilitate the outreach and logistics of these group volunteer events.*large scale volunteer experiences: adding an engagement activity to corporate annual meetings, company picnics, or corporate anniversary celebrations will not only make an impact in our community but also help attendees connect with each other. *skill-based volunteers can serve on a united way committee to support our marketing and communications efforts, funding and impact strategies, community engagement work; and financial accountability practices.*supply drives: community groups and workplaces can host a collection drive to mobilize the most needed resources of local nonprofits. Requested items rotate seasonally and include school supplies, winter apparel, and health and hygiene items. United way also mobilizes diapers and baby wipes year-round for families in our four-county region.family engagement efforts: volunteering as a family builds traditions of caring, offers quality time together, and helps create positive change in our community. United way coordinates several family friendly weekend events at our volunteer center throughout the year.