Five Youth-Led Projects Selected to Receive Grant Funding

Five youth-led projects have been selected to receive funding through Milwaukee Succeeds’ Youth-Led Grantmaking Project – turning ideas created by young people into real action across Milwaukee.

Over the past several months, these young people have developed project proposals, attended a hands-on grantmaking conference, and worked through feedback sessions and virtual office hours to strengthen their ideas before final submission. Proposals were then reviewed by a panel of youth and adult partners, who selected five projects to each receive $4,000 in funding.

From mental health and wellness initiatives to public art, media and community-building events, the selected projects reflect the creativity, leadership and lived experiences of Milwaukee youth. Behind each project is a team of young leaders working to build safer, healthier and more connected communities across Milwaukee.

Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT) – Youth Podcast

Project Team:
D’Adria Veal
Jackson Thao
Perry Perkins
Amber West

Project Summary:
LIT’s youth podcast is a youth-led media platform where Milwaukee youth ages 14–18 create and host podcast episodes on mental health, civic engagement, and community issues while building media and leadership skills through paid training and hands-on experience.

Walker’s Point Center for the Arts (WPCA) – YardWork

Project Team:
Aisha Ayinla
Hla Kha
Kat Gutierrez
Zoe Rios

Project Summary:
YardWork is a youth-led public art project where young artists in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood will turn community artwork and affirming messages into public yard sign installations that promote mental well-being, storytelling and neighborhood identity.

Project Kindred – MKELove Summer Kickback

Project Team:
Yori Toliver
Karina Morales
Tristan Latona
Asaya Thurmond
Gigi Cooks

Project Summary:
MKELove Summer Kickback is a youth-led summer launch event that connects Milwaukee youth to programs, internships, wellness resources and community opportunities through a day of activities, resource sharing and youth-driven engagement.

Neighborhood House – Keep a Clean Mind

Project Team:
Sequoia Hardin
Emani Perkins
Abaigail Wilson

Project Summary:
Keep a Clean Mind is a community hygiene initiative that provides hygiene kits, self-care resources and outreach support to individuals experiencing hardship while promoting physical well-being, dignity and mental wellness across Milwaukee communities.

Your Move MKE - Break Through Your Trauma

Project Team:
Nevaeh Basema
Iveliz Hope
Cledor Bomba
Bianca Valleaz
Grant Reed

Project Summary:
Break Through Your Trauma is a two-day youth wellness event that uses physical activities, reflection and community support to help Milwaukee youth process trauma, build healthier coping strategies and reduce violence through mental health-focused engagement and restorative practices.