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. (Check out our new Q&A series for a more in-depth discussion with each team!)

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.