Project Kindred: MKELove Summer Kickback
At Project Kindred, a team of young leaders – Yori Toliver, Karina Morales, Tristan Latona, Asaya Thurmond and Gigi Cooks – are kicking off summer with a dynamic celebration centered on youth. The MKE Love Summer Kickback brings together music, resources, organizations and wellness supports so youth can see what’s possible - and where they can plug in. Their project was selected as one of five winners in the Youth-Led Grantmaking Project, receiving $4,000 to turn that vision into a high-energy kickoff where young people can find opportunities, get supported and start the summer with momentum.
What is your project?
The MKELove Summer Kickback is a youth-led summer kickoff event that brings young people from across Milwaukee together to connect with opportunities, resources and each other. The event is designed to make it easier for youth to find programs, internships, activities and support systems that often feel scattered or hard to access.
Held on June 13, 2026, at Kosciuszko Community Center, the event will include local organizations, youth participants, families and community partners. Alongside music, food and activities, young people will be able to learn about summer opportunities, ask questions and sign up for programs on the spot.
Participants will also receive health and wellness kits with supplies and resources to support physical and mental well-being, along with MKELove Field Guides that help them explore opportunities and track their experiences beyond the event.
The goal is simple: turn information into action so young people leave with something real they can use for their summer.
How does this project benefit the community?
This project benefits the community by making opportunities easier to access and more visible for young people. Instead of searching across different places for programs and resources, youth can connect directly with organizations in one shared space.
It also supports overall well-being by providing health and wellness kits and creating a welcoming environment where young people feel supported, informed and engaged. By bringing together organizations and youth in a single event, the project helps build stronger connections between resources and the people they are meant to serve.
What are your goals?
This project supports multiple Milwaukee Succeeds priority areas:
Youth Leadership
Young people play an active role in planning the event, inviting peers, shaping activities and helping run the day-of experience. Youth voices help define what the event looks and feels like.
Mental Health
The event creates a supportive environment where young people receive wellness resources, connect with organizations and feel encouraged to take care of their physical and mental health.
Systems Change
By bringing programs and opportunities into one space, the project reduces barriers and helps young people connect directly to resources without having to navigate them alone.
Data & Research
The team will track attendance, participation, sign-ups and feedback from both youth and partner organizations to understand our impact and improve future efforts.
What does success look like?
Success means 150 to 250 young people attending the event, with strong participation from 12 to 20 community partner organizations. It also includes 40 to 60 young people signing up for programs or opportunities during the event.
The team also hopes to distribute 150 to 250 health and wellness kits and 100 to 150 MKELove Field Guides. Beyond numbers, success looks like young people staying engaged throughout the day, asking questions, making connections and leaving with clear next steps for their summer.
How are young people involved?
Young people are involved in every stage of the MKELove Summer Kickback. They help design the event, decide what resources to include, invite peers and promote the event across schools and community spaces.
During the event, youth support check-in, welcome participants, guide attendees to activities and help create a positive and engaging environment. Their leadership shapes both the planning process and the experience on the day of the event.
Adults from Project Kindred support logistics, safety, partner coordination and follow-up, ensuring the event runs smoothly while keeping youth leadership at the center.
How will the funding be used?
The $4,000 grant will support food for participants, supplies and activities for the event, promotional materials and health and wellness kits for young people. It will also fund MKELove Field Guides that help youth explore opportunities beyond the event, along with DJ services to create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere.