Sustaining a youth corps program through diverse funding

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Abstract

By diversifying their funding sources, the Milwaukee Community Service Corps has been able to offer its members a variety of experiences and enhance its sustainability. The key to the program's success has been exhibiting flexibility and initiating new programs while still accomplishing its mission. This program is a 2000 PEPNet awardee.

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Issue

AmeriCorps programs that rely solely on Corporation funding face extinction once the grant expires.

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Action

The Milwaukee Community Service Corps has funding support from local, state and national government agencies, private foundations, corporations and public agencies. A full-time development coordinator writes and monitors grants, and a full-time program administrator assists the coordinator. The executive director also plays an important role in development activities. MCSC also brings in a significant number of individual donations through its involvement in ACHOICE, a workplace giving campaign of forty Milwaukee-based community organizations. MCSC also has a fee-for-service component working with the City of Milwaukee and several community-based organizations.

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Context

The Milwaukee Community Service Corps serves youth ages eighteen to twenty-three. Members primarily live at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level and are at-risk of becoming dependent on some form of public support.

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Citation

National Youth Employment Coalition. PEPNet '00 Profiles: 10 Effective Youth Initiatives. Washington, D.C.: 2000.

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Outcome

The Milwaukee Community Service Corps (MCSC) has been able to diversify its funding services by dedicating staff time to resource development.

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September 18, 2001

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For More Information

Diane Conrad
Milwaukee Community Service Corps
Youth Development Coordinator
1150 E. Brady Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: (414) 276-6272
Fax: (414) 276-7330

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Related Practices

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Related sites

National Youth Employment Coalition

Topic Areas

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