Newsletter September 2026
A Season of Growth, A Season of New Beginnings
Summer brings a different rhythm to UCC. Our hallways are a little quieter and the pace shifts. But while the seasons change, our mission never does. Throughout the summer, we continued creating opportunities for children, families, and neighbors to learn, grow, and thrive. This newsletter highlights just a few of those stories, like the inspiring alumni who return each summer as members of our UCC Volunteer Corps, mentoring their younger peers in the Summer Rec program. As we transition into fall, we're also celebrating exciting new beginnings. Inside, you’ll meet the newest member of the First Time Homebuyer team and learn more about the opening of our new Men's Residential Facility. Community is built in every season. Sometimes that means preparing classrooms for a new school year. Sometimes it means helping someone find stable housing by purchasing their first home, or inspiring the next generation through service. Each step forward reflects the power of people coming together with a shared purpose. Thank you for being part of UCC's story. Your generosity and partnership make every new beginning possible.
Laura Gutierrez Chief Executive Officer
Join us at our September Social on September 29 at Indeed Brewing Company! Reconnect with friends of UCC, celebrate our community, and support the work that continues all year long.
The Alumni Spot: UCC Volunteer Corps More than a Summer Program
The United Community Center Volunteer Corps (UVC), an initiative within UCC’s Pre-College Program, is much more than a traditional summer experience. Once the school year ends, approximately 150 high school students return to UCC as group assistants, proudly wearing their signature grey shirts while supporting nearly 400 students participating in our summer recreation program. The UVC was initially created to provide high school and college students with a safe environment and the opportunity to earn community service throughout the summer months. Over time, UVC has evolved into a valuable and structured leadership development program. High school students strengthen their communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while building meaningful relationships with their peers and younger students. As they grow in their role, UVC members also serve as positive role models for younger students while providing quality care, guidance, and supervision throughout the summer. Their leadership helps create a safe and supportive environment where younger students can learn, explore, and thrive.
Beyond mentoring youth, UVC members also gain exposure to a variety of careers – particularly in education and youth development. Throughout the summer, they participate in hands-on learning experiences and field trips to places such as Urban Ecology Center, Milwaukee Public Museum, and Discovery World. UVC is an investment in our students, our families, and our community. The Program comes full circle as nearly 20 college-aged UCC alumni return as group leaders, or “blue shirts”, who mentor the current “grey shirt” UVC students. Their return is a testament to the lasting impact of the program and the strong sense of community it fosters among participants. By providing high school and college-aged students with opportunities to lead, serve, and grow, UCC is helping young leaders build confidence, skills, and a sense of purpose that will stay long with them after the summer ends!
Did You Know? If you're 70½ or older, you can make a tax-free gift to UCC directly from your IRA!
If you're 73 or older, it can also count toward your required minimum distribution.
This kind of gift, called a Qu Charitable Distribution (QC simple, meaningful way to s brighter futures for the fam students we serve.
with Jordan Villegas Neighborhood Development Coordinator
Can you tell us about the First Time Homebuyer Program and describe your role? UCC’s First Time Homebuyer Program helps individuals prepare to purchase their first home and sustain homeownership. I manage the team of HUD-certified counselors and our administrative assistant, oversee program operations, develop processes and educational resources, and work with lenders and community partners to expand opportunities for first-time homebuyers. What inspired you to pursue this career path? My interest in this work is both personal and professional. Growing up in Milwaukee, I was always interested in helping people and strengthening communities, which led me to pursue a degree in Urban Studies at UW-Milwaukee. Then in 2015, as a first-time homebuyer, I benefited from UCC’s program with Fernando Campos supporting me along the way. When I learned about the opportunity to help others achieve the same goal, it felt like a natural fit. Why is this type of wraparound support important for first time homebuyers? Housing is one of the most important building blocks for a healthy community. Stable housing supports better outcomes for families, children, and neighborhoods. Homeownership also remains one of the most effective tools for building wealth over time.
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Talk to your financial advisor to see if a QCD is right for you. You may need UCC’s Tax ID: 39-1146191
Your program offers seminars to first time homebuyers, can you describe what other types of supports the program offers community members? After completing their homebuyer seminars, participants can work one-on-one with a housing counselor to develop a personalized action plan. We meet people where they are and help them move forward at a pace that is sustainable for them.
Can you share a story of success that reminds you why this work is important in our community? One story that will always stay with me involved a single mother of six with significant obstacles standing in her way. She cried in her intake meeting and said she might just give up and file for bankruptcy. I encouraged her to focus on her action plan, one step at a time and in time, she made progress at an amazing pace. When she finally closed on her home, the significance of that moment went far beyond receiving the keys. It meant stability for her family. It meant having a place where her children could grow up and create lasting memories. That woman is so impressive to me. I keep her thank you card posted in my office.
Scan to learn more about UCC’s First Time Homebuyer Program!
Thank you for being part of the UCC community and for all the ways you make a difference!
FALL EVENTS AT LATINO ARTS A preview of this season’s music, art, and culture.
SAT. 9/19
NOCHE DE GALA
5:00 p.m. I Latino Arts Auditorium
Beats & Baile: A Salsa Social 7:00 p.m. I Ft. DJ Saffiro I Guest must be 18+
FRI. 10/9
FRI. Lunch & Learn 10/23 11:30 a.m. | Sabores Ancestrales – Ancestral Flavors
Pinto con Tinto: Calaveras 5:30 p.m. I Guests must be 21+
FRI. 11/6
THUR. 10/29
Day of the Dead Concert
7:00 p.m. I Ft. El Santo Golpe and Latino Arts Strings Program
Scan here for more Info & Tickets
Behind the Lens: New House – New Hope at UCC!
United Community Center celebrated a major milestone on May 28th with the ribbon cutting and grand opening of our new Men’s Residential Treatment Facility, expanding access to life-saving substance use disorder treatment for men in Milwaukee County. The new facility builds on UCC’s long-standing commitment to providing compassionate, evidence-based care and helping individuals and families move toward healing, stability, and long-term recovery.
During the event, which included UCC leaders, community members, staff, partners, and elected leaders, speakers emphasized the urgent need for expanded treatment options amid the ongoing opioid crisis. Speakers highlighted how timely care can prevent individuals from cycling through emergency departments, jails, and shelters, while creating a pathway toward recovery, housing and employment readiness, and reconnection with family and community. The facility will serve approximately 90 men each year through residential care that includes medical and therapeutic services, recovery support, re-entry assistance, and a welcoming environment designed to promote dignity and hope. UCC recognized the broad support that made the project possible, including state, county, and city partners; the Zilber Family Foundation; construction partners at VJS; Perspective Design; and many others who helped bring the facility to completion. The celebration concluded with a ribbon cutting and tours of the new space, marking an important step forward in UCC’s mission to empower residents and strengthen the community.
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