Strengthening Pathways for our Young People

What does it take to create real pathways for young people – pathways to careers they love and, ultimately, a fulfilling life? That question guided the March 25 Youth Forward MKE meeting, where partners from across Milwaukee came together to explore how we can strengthen the systems that support our youth.

Sebastián Fuentes, Milwaukee Succeeds’ community engagement manager, opened the meeting by grounding attendees in the purpose of our work. “The Youth Forward MKE Coalition, supported by Milwaukee Succeeds, helps bring partners together to align our efforts, resources and strategies. It's a place where ideas turn into action, where organizations work together, and where we make sure our work reflects the priorities and voices of our young people,” he said.

Youth Leadership in Action

The Autonomous Youth Council (AYC) is a prime example of how connecting youth to meaningful roles in their community can spark change and empower the next generation of leaders. Through the AYC, 26 young people stepped into roles across eight organizations, bringing their perspectives directly into the rooms where decisions are made. Six of those organizations extended their placements into 2026 – a clear sign that this work is already making a difference.

During the meeting, several AYC members shared what the experience has looked like for them and how they’ve used their voices to inspire change. At Arts at Large, for instance, youth worked together to create a short film centered on what it means to grow up in Milwaukee. AYC member Max Reyes shared: “Honestly, it’s been a great experience. It’s very youth-led – we’re all working as directors, producers and writers on the film. It’s about how young people in Milwaukee experience growing up, bringing together writing, poetry and cinematography.”

Over at Lad Lake, AYC members have helped elevate the voices of the girls and young women, empowering them to call for change. Their input ultimately led the organization to update and modernize their dress code while opening the door for stronger youth leadership moving forward.

AYC member Kaylee Marsh reflected on her experience: “My favorite part was helping lift up youth voices, especially for those who might not feel as comfortable sharing how they feel.”

Within Milwaukee Succeeds itself, AYC member Layla Johnson has played a key role in shaping our Youth-Led Grantmaking Project, laying the groundwork for what it could – and should – look like. Her work came to life with a dynamic grantmaking conference on March 28, bringing together youth and adult partners to explore how funding decisions are made and begin building their proposals.

The influence of this work is still growing, with ripple effects seen across the city. After hosting two AYC members on its board, for example, Data You Can Use has begun building a youth advisory council, creating even more opportunities for young people to shape projects and guide decisions. One council member was even invited to serve as secretary of the board, embedding youth leadership directly into the organization’s governance.

Once the current AYC cohort concludes this June, our data team will gather feedback from the youth and community partners – which will, in turn, shape the second iteration of the council.

Expanding Career Opportunities

Milwaukee Succeeds and Youth Forward MKE are also opening doors to meaningful careers through a new Pathways to Economic Mobility Project. The initiative is focused on connecting young people across Milwaukee to high-demand jobs, with a particular emphasis on the health care sector.

The work came about through a partnership with the Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN), a national group of health care systems working to advance collaboration across the sector. This year, HAN launched their WorkAdvance Program, aiming to develop a model that connects job seekers to positions in the health care industry.

Milwaukee is one of seven communities across the nation to join this unique initiative. The work will be driven by Froedtert ThedaCare, with implementation support from Milwaukee Succeeds. Thanks to a generous $150,000 investment from our national network partner StriveTogether, we hope to train and hire 50 young people into targeted positions – including certified nursing assistants, medical assistants and patient access representatives – over the course of 18 months, with ongoing support and guidance after they’re hired. The program will open doors for young people to grow, thrive and build careers that can last a lifetime.

Preparing the Next Generation of Educators

In a parallel effort, the Teacher Pathway Program, led by Teach for America-Milwaukee, gives high school students a hands-on introduction to careers in education while opening doors to new opportunities.

“Education is a powerful social and economic opportunity for youth, particularly those from low-income communities. And we know that the vast majority of teachers do not represent underserved communities,” said TFA’s Franz Meyer. “And so Teach for America- Milwaukee over the last three years has been working with five local high schools to introduce youth to education.”

The Teacher Pathway Program, supported by capacity-building grants from Milwaukee Succeeds, currently serves 120 students, combining college-level courses, conferences and mentorship. Students explore subjects like Intro to Teaching and Intro to Children’s and Young Adult Literature, gaining hands-on experiences while earning college credit. Meanwhile, mentorship continues beyond the classroom, helping students transition from high school to college as they continue to explore careers in education.

By connecting students with coursework, mentorship and real teaching experiences, the program builds skills, confidence and pathways into education, helping build a workforce that better represents the communities they serve.

Opening Doors to College Credit

Dual enrollment is another way our partners are helping students get a head start on college and careers. By taking courses that count for both high school and college credit, students gain early exposure to higher education while exploring the fields that interest them.

Recent research has found that dual enrollment is growing in popularity – both across Wisconsin and across the nation – but it's not happening evenly. In order to better understand the local landscape, Marquette University’s BLEST Hub set about conducting their own analysis, diving into state report cards to generate insights. One clear takeaway was that dual enrollment still remains low in many Milwaukee schools, falling well below the state average – and failing to serve some of the students who could benefit most.

The BLEST Hub is complementing this work with additional projects aimed at capturing student experiences, including barriers to participation and the impact on their college years. Beyond research, the BLEST Hub is also engaging in statewide conversations about policy, sharing findings and youth perspectives to inform efforts that expand access and equity. By combining local insights with broader policy work, they hope to ensure that dual enrollment can serve as a meaningful pathway for more students across Milwaukee.

Pathways to a Brighter Future

When we invest in our young people and provide pathways that reflect their goals, the results can be transformative. From leadership to education to health care, Milwaukee’s youth are gaining the guidance, experience and support they need to build strong careers and meaningful lives. These programs are more than opportunities – they are the foundation of a stronger, more equitable community. We’re excited to continue building these pathways together.