Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Washington Park Neighborhood of Milwaukee is one rich with history. A community that came to be through the development of both a city park and industrial growth, Washington Park carries a legacy of a diverse community of people from all walks of life, with the city park as a cornerstone of the community.
But Washington Park faces challenges too, and they are ones that reflect many other parts of the city of Milwaukee. With an unemployment rate of over 15%, and almost 50% of the population living below the poverty line, families in this neighborhood struggle with finding a sense of stability and hope
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Low Income Housing and Supported Services
UMCS has 72 units of housing ranging from 2 to 3 bedrooms and 1 to 2 bathrooms in three apartment buildings and 20 townhomes. 53 of these units are designated for low-income families that are heading for self-sufficiency. 15 units are designated for those in the county’s mental health supportive program. 4 units are reserved for families moving out of homelessness.
Residents at UMCS are supported through additional services to ensure that their social, mental, physical and other needs are met. Through social work and supportive services residents are provided with crisis intervention & mental health monitoring, community building activities & classes, mediation & conflict resolution, and other important family services that help support the wellbeing of families. Additional services include key fob access to ensure safety, a fitness center, computer room, community room, receptionist, and community meals
Growing Tree Children's Center
The Growing Tree Children’s center is a state-licensed, 3-star quality child care program that serves children in the UMCS housing program and the surrounding community. We offer first shift care for children aged 6 weeks to 12 years old.
The Growing Tree Children’s Center is open from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM and offers a variety of programming throughout the day. We focus on creating a safe, learning environment for children where they can participate in age-appropriate activities and early literacy curriculum
Family Resource Center
The Family Resource Center is located on the Northeast corner of 39th Street and Lisbon Avenue. It includes an Emergency Food Pantry, Stockbox Program, and Clothing/Hygiene product distribution. We also have community events/information available, Food Share representatives, health care workers, and other community partnerships that are in the Resource Center on a rotating basis to help with applications, questions, and concerns.
Community Engagement
Community engagement at UMCS focuses on two areas:
Neighborhood Engagement
Our Community Organizer uses door-to-door outreach, relationship building, and a network of partners to bring cohesion, trust, and additional resources to the Washington Park neighborhood.
Community Health Outreach
The UMCS Community Health Worker supported by our community partner, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, uses her trusting relationship with area residents to educate, inform, and connect them to heath care and other resources that help improve their whole lives.
As an anchor institution of the neighborhood, we provide space and time during our food pantry to our community partners that can bring additional resources to the residents we serve.
Where we work
External reviews

Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We understand the interconnected nature of poverty and use a multi-faceted approach to address the struggles families face. UMCS reduces barriers to basic needs so that families can focus on developing roots in the community, building capacity, and meeting their individualized goals.
Through housing, childcare, resources, and community engagement, we act as a stepping stone for families on their way towards stability
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
United Methodist Children's Services of Wisconsin, Inc.
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
Rev. Ellen Rasmussen
Brown Deer United Methodist Church
Term: 2021 - 2023
Darryl Davidson
City of Milwaukee Health Department
Wayne Foster
The Foster Group
Monique Graham
Froedtert & the Medical College of WI, Inc.
Gwen Johnson
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District
Victoria Pryor
Univ. of Wisc - Milwaukee
John Grisson
Milwaukee Public Schools
Kevin Stewart
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
Lamont Davis
KLD Construction Management Services
Anthony Kazee
KG Development Group
Tina Itson
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Jamilah Monroe
BMO Harris Bank
Bess Earl
Milwaukee County
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 02/07/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.