Our Leadership
A Message from Our CEO
At the Social Development Commission (SDC), we have one goal – to empower people with the resources to move beyond poverty. Poverty isn’t a life sentence. Circumstances change. People change.
At SDC, we help people help themselves.
We take people – right where they are – and wrap services around them. We’re helping our clients reach their goals. With more than 50 years of service in Milwaukee County, few agencies have touched as many people or can offer our diverse portfolio of services.
Our strategy or how we conduct business is based on several core beliefs:
We believe in strengthening families with a two-generational approach; one that addresses the needs of an individual while also considering the needs of the family. This also includes providing unique services to seniors in the community.
We believe in supporting the dreams of our youth while encouraging their families to be involved in the process.
We believe in supporting Milwaukee County’s economic growth by developing a skilled workforce to reduce labor shortages that are impacting a variety of industries.
We offer GED, competency-based diploma programs and encourage continued education.
Our residential services division is creating economically strong neighborhoods by providing neighborhood improvement, weatherization and financial literacy programs.
We’re building healthy communities by encouraging the expansion of wellness, preventive, primary care and mental health services.
As CEO of the Social Development Commission, I am committed to building partnerships that leverage our community resources. I’m also committed to leading an organization that has the courage to be an advocate for all low-income residents. This means we must have candid and sometimes difficult conversations about policies and other factors contributing to the high-level of poverty in our community.
My early experience living in poverty fuels my desire to help the families we serve. Please, join us in this effort.
Executive Team
Abra Fortson
Government Affairs & Executive Support Manager
Pamela Johnson
Director of Human Resources & Program Services
Patrick Kirsenlohr
Director of Finance
Managers
Diane Robinson
Senior Services and VITA Manager
Earl Guyton
Nutrition Services Manager
Jennifer Harris
Research & Policy and IT Manager
Michael Gorgas
Facilities Manager
Shyrida Lane
Workforce Development, Education and Training Manager
Ofelia Mondragon
Residential Services Healthy Home Lead Abatement Manager
Ron Klafka
Residential Services Manager
Sheila Sampton
Mental Health & Wellness Services and Youth Services Manager
LaSonda Buck
Home Services Manager
Veraunica Ruffin
Early Childhood Education Program Manager
Ella Dunbar
Community Outreach Manager
Ivan Mejias
Comptroller
Team Members
Barbara McKillop
Grant Writer
Bryant Lewis
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Chantell Sain
Marketing Supervisor
Nichole Pettigrew
Human Resources Supervisor
CR-Social Development Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Service Provider and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you need this information interpreted to a language you understand or in a different format, please contact Jennifer Harris, Equal Opportunity Officer, at 414-906-2784 or jharris@cr-sdc.org. Callers who are deaf or hearing or speech-impaired may reach us at Wisconsin Relay Number 711.
SDC-Main Office
1730 West North Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53205
414.906.2700
SDC-Chase Avenue
CLOSED
SDC-Northwest
9155 North 76th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53223
SDC-Southwest
9004 West Lincoln Avenue
West Allis, WI 53227
SDC-Teutonia
6850 North Teutonia Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53209
414.963.2684
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