Design Your Future Proposals

The Design Your Future Fellowship grouped youth into 6 teams, who each produced a proposal on what they would like to see changed in Milwaukee schools in order to improve outcomes for Black male youth. All 6 proposals identified mental health support and resources as a critical area of focus, with 4 explicitly stating the need for an in-school curriculum.

In 2022, David Emmanuelle Castillo of Equitable Systems Consultants consolidated their ideas into three proposals. Now, the Coalition and its current cohort of youth ambassadors are in the process of putting these plans into action, with Proposal 1 already underway at North Division and Pathways High Schools.

The 3 Proposals

  • Proposal 1 aims to make mental health a standard practice in schools. To achieve this, SKY Schools has created targeted mentoring and mental health curriculum, which was rolled out at two schools this fall. MENTOR Greater Milwaukee and the Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement will assist these efforts by expanding mentoring and peer-to-peer support networks. Finally, training from the Coalition of Anti-Racist and Restorative Educators will help teachers and staff develop their own cultural and racial competency.

  • Proposal 2 involves after-school mental, physical and spiritual wellness programming for students who need additional resources. To be housed in the makerspace at the ThriveOn King building, this wraparound support will include access to such partners as Vertical Essences Dance Company, Brazilian Joy Yoga and Fort Farms, all of whom youth named as important stakeholders. Youth will also have the opportunity to shape what the makerspace looks like as the build-out continues.

  • Proposal 3 will establish an Autonomous Youth Council to recruit, develop, and place youth representatives on local community governance structures. The council aims to empower youth with the knowledge and skills needed to actively participate in shaping the decisions that impact their lives. It will begin with a 4-week training academy in the summer of 2024, followed by a yearlong placement on a local community governance structure.

 
 

Become a Partner

If you’re inspired by these proposals, then we’ve got some great news! We’re currently seeking partners to help us put these plans into action. Contact Clintel Hasan, strategic initiatives manger, to learn how you can be part of this amazing mission.

Help Fund a Proposal

Youth Forward MKE is currently fundraising $600,000 to implement these youth-generated Design Your Future proposals. Your donation - big or small - will help make these incredible ideas into reality.