Youth Empowerment in Action
Youth Forward MKE is making moves to empower young people and equip them with the tools to transform their communities. This year, the coalition’s Strategic Priority Workgroup has advanced three bold initiatives designed to support youth and put them at the center of decision-making in Milwaukee.
Expanding Post-Secondary Pathways
While college is an excellent option for many, it’s not always the right path for every young person. Trades, technical training, service programs and higher education all offer routes to success after high school – and we want students to feel confident choosing the future that’s right for them.
The Post-Secondary Pathways Project is all about connecting young people with opportunities and highlighting the resources and supports available to them. By reducing stigma and shifting the narrative of what success looks like after high school, the project ensures more youth in Milwaukee can confidently pursue diverse futures and secure economic stability.
“Our purpose is simple and powerful,” said Aliyah, an Autonomous Youth Council member placed with Milwaukee Succeeds. “We want to connect Milwaukee youth with diverse post-secondary options, support youth employment and contribute to local economic growth, as well as shift perspective and build community value around nontraditional careers.”
The project team has been mapping programs across the city, reviewing requirements and meeting with local partners to make opportunities more accessible. A resource guide is the first step in defining and opening these pathways - focusing on trades, apprenticeships, technical colleges, professional certifications and higher education - so that more young people in Milwaukee can step confidently into careers that match their talents and interests.
Youth-Led Grantmaking Pilot
Real change happens when young people have a seat at the table and a say in real decisions – and that’s exactly what the Youth-Led Grantmaking Pilot is all about. This initiative will empower youth to direct funding toward the issues and causes they care about in their community.
In the process, youth will gain hands-on experience in everything from proposal writing and project pitching to application review and grant allocation. It’s more than managing money; it’s about building leadership, sharpening critical thinking and developing the confidence to make decisions that have real impact.
Over the past year, the team has been laying the groundwork to make this pilot a reality. They’ve connected with local organizations to share the opportunity and recruit youth participants, studied successful youth grantmaking models with groups like the McGinnity Family Foundation and mapped out a clear timeline for the program launch next year. The small grants awarded through the pilot will go directly to youth-serving projects and organizations, giving participants the chance to support programs that make a tangible difference for their peers.
From Listening to Action: Community Voice Toolkit
When done right, listening sessions can be a powerful tool for change, allowing groups to gather feedback from the community to guide their decisions. Our new toolkit – launching in 2026 – will help schools, youth organizations and community groups get the most from their listening sessions while also providing meaningful ways to turn these suggestions into action.
From Listening to Action: A Community Voice Toolkit emphasizes authentic engagement, ensuring that communities are not just consulted, but are active partners in shaping initiatives and driving systems change. The resource will include templates, planning guides, facilitation tips and tools for analyzing and using community input responsibly.
The project leads have been hard at work researching existing tools, attending local sessions, and speaking with youth and adults to understand what makes dialogue meaningful and effective. These insights are informing the creation of the guidebook, which will support organizations in leading actionable and inclusive conversations.
Centering Youth Voice
Together, these initiatives are putting youth at the center of opportunity, leadership and decision-making in Milwaukee. By exploring diverse futures, guiding resources and shaping conversations, young people are driving real change and building a stronger, more equitable city for all.
