Youth Services

Meeting the needs of Milwaukee County’s youth.

The Social Development Commission (SDC)’s Youth Services offers several programs for Milwaukee County youth and their families. These programs help young people make positive life choices that build character and strengthen families as a whole.

SDC uses an integrated case management approach when working with youth and families.

This means that when a case manager works with a young person, all the important people impacting the child’s life work together to help the child reach established goals.

Case managers assess the needs of each young person and make appropriate internal and external referrals.

SDC staff also use an assessment tool to addresses the following:

  • Mental Health and Substance Abuse
  • Legal, Education, Nutrition Needs
  • Parenting and Financial Education

Once a case manager completes an assessment, staff creates an Individual Service Plan to address short- and long-term goals.

SDC Youth Services offers recreational activities including flag football and basketball leagues. SDC staff conduct workshops at schools or at SDC sites to focus on the following topics: Conflict Resolution, Anti-Bullying, Communication, High Risk Behavior and Parenting.

SDC also administers the Youth and Family Services program funded by the Department of Justice. This program is a preventative tool for youth, ages 8-19, who are at risk of gang involvement. Other Youth Services programs include job trainings and job placement.

Download SDC’s Youth Services Flyer

Over 200 youth, parents and schools collaborated virtually and in person at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee during the Social Development Commission (SDC)’s 2022 Youth Empowerment Summit on Friday, March 25, 2022.

SDC and our Youth Advisory Board would like to thank everyone who attended the 2022 Youth Empowerment Summit this past Friday, March 25th! We enjoyed a powerful day filled with amazing discussions and great energy. Check out the recap of the event.

Let’s continue to be inspired and determined to work together and repair the cracks in our community.

Community Service Alternatives Program

Participants in the Community Service Alternatives Program are referred by Milwaukee Municipal Court, Milwaukee Children’s Court, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office and parents and guardians.

Community service options for youth are offered in lieu of citations, fines, detention or jail. Family advocates monitor youth closely and provide weekly school updates and/or home visits. Enrolled youth are required to complete various workshops including alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse (ATODA) prevention, anger management, gang prevention, communication and community service projects.

Job Readiness

In partnership with the City of Milwaukee’s Earn & Learn Program, SDC provides paid on-the-job work experience for high school students during their summer break. Earn & Learn students receive assignments across various SDC programs based off of their interest.

Youth receive training in job readiness skills, soft skills, financial literacy and information on advancing their education. Participants also gain on-the-job training experience through an SDC approved location. Upon completion of the program, participants receive a certificate and an employment portfolio which they help create.

Teen Talking and Listening Circles

Our Youth Advisory Board Teen Talking and Listening Circles provide peer-to-peer support so youth can learn from one another, share coping skills, and make healthy choices.  

Small groups of male and/or female young people gather to openly discuss topics including peer pressure, media influences, violence, family and relationships.

Youth Advisory Board

The Youth Advisory Board offers the opportunity for youth to develop and practice leadership skills.

The board members learn to develop ideas and action plans and, working together, they gain knowledge of executing plans through Team Service Projects. Through each project, organizational and collaboration skills are developed resulting in an increase in confidence.

Examples of projects include educational field trips, a youth podcast, and organizing SDC’s Youth Summit.

Youth Empowerment Workshops

SDC’s Youth Empowerment Workshops promote healthy habits for youth ages 7-19. The 6-week workshop covers mental health, self-esteem, gang prevention, stress management, and more.

Sign up for the next workshop!

If you are interested in our Youth & Family Programs, fill out the form below, or click this link: https://forms.office.com/r/tpK9ZAGsRV

Let’s Talk Mental Health | SDC Youthology Podcast

SDC Youthology Podcast  Episode 1: Let's Talk Mental HealthTalking about mental health is not always easy. How do you approach others when discussing mental health or asking for help? How do you spot symptoms of depression in your friends or even in yourself? In this...

Meet SDC’s Poverty Warrior of the Week: Jesse Vail

Meet the Social Development Commission (SDC)’s Community Health Educator Jesse Vail: How long have you worked at SDC? I have worked at SDC for three months. What do you do at SDC? I am a Community Health Educator. What motivates you? Why do you do this work? Knowing...

SDC’s 2022 Youth Empowerment Summit Recap

The Social Development Commission (SDC)'s 2022 Youth Empowerment Summit was a huge success. Check out the photos and video recaps from the Summit below. Over 200 youth, parents and schools collaborated virtually and in person at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee during the...

Meet SDC’s Poverty Warrior of the Week: Maya Marion

Meet the Social Development Commission (SDC)’s Youth and Family Services Case Manager Maya Marion: How long have you worked at SDC? I have worked at SDC for nine months. What do you do at SDC? I am a Youth and Family Case Manager. What motivates you? Why do you do...

Meet SDC’s Poverty Warrior of the Week: Sheila Sampton

Meet the Social Development Commission (SDC)’s Youth and Family Services and Mental Health & Wellness Manager Sheila Sampton!: How long have you worked at SDC? I have worked at SDC for five years. What do you do at SDC? Manager of Mental Health & Wellness and...

Meet SDC’s Poverty Warrior of the Week: Gabrielle Pazos-Baumann

Meet the Social Development Commission (SDC)’s Youth and Family Services Community Health Educator Gabi Pazos-Baumann: How long have you worked at SDC? I have worked at SDC since November of 2021. What do you do at SDC? I am a Community Health Educator. What motivates...

Meet SDC’s Poverty Warrior of the Week: Thomas Hines

Meet the Social Development Commission (SDC)’s Youth and Family Services Case Manager Thomas Hines: How long have you worked at SDC? Though I was officially hired at SDC in December of 2021, I’ve been affiliated with the agency since 2017, which has involved various...

Meet SDC’s Poverty Warrior of the Week: Lorinda Volzer

Meet the Social Development Commission (SDC)’s Prevention Specialist Lorinda Volzer: How long have you worked at SDC? I have been with SDC since October 2021. What do you do at SDC? I’m the Prevention Specialist at the SDC. I do substance misuse and mental health...

Meet SDC’s Poverty Warrior of the Week: Shaune Malone

Meet the Social Development Commission (SDC)’s Youth & Family Services Interim Supervisor Shaune Malone: How long have you worked at SDC? I have been with SDC for 14 months. What do you do at SDC? I am the Youth & Family Services Supervisor. What motivates...

Youth Services Impact | SDC Annual Report 2020

Youth Advisory Council Today’s youth have something important to say. And by partnering with SDC, young people are leading important discussions that positively impact teens in our community. SDC’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is created for teens and is run by teens....

Partners & Funders

Wisconsin Department of Justice Logo
United Way Thumbnail logo
2022 CSBG logo

Supportive Services

We are here to help those individuals and families find their pathway to success. We encourage you to check out some of our other services that may help you find your path, especially during these troubling times.

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

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9155 North 76th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53223

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9004 West Lincoln Avenue
West Allis, WI 53227

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6850 North Teutonia Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53209
414.963.2684

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