What United Community Center does

United Community Center (UCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social services agency founded in 1970 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, delivering comprehensive intergenerational services to Milwaukee's south side Hispanic community. The organization serves more than 18,000 people annually across ages 6 weeks to 103 years through a vertically integrated portfolio spanning K-8 education (Bruce-Guadalupe Community School with 1,700+ students and Acosta Middle School with STEAM curriculum), early childhood education (Head Start and the forthcoming UCC Early Learning Academy), youth and pre-college programs, substance use disorder treatment (the only bilingual SUD program in Wisconsin, serving ~700 clients annually across three residential facilities plus day and outpatient programs), senior services (Adult Day Center, Senior Center, Memory Clinic, Elderly Housing including Olga Village with HACM), first-time homebuyer counseling (HUD-approved, partnering with the City of Milwaukee for up to $7,000 in down payment assistance), health and athletics programming, and cultural arts via the separate subsidiary Latino Arts, Inc.

UCC's business model is a hybrid nonprofit funding structure combining individual donations, institutional grants (SAMHSA, City of Milwaukee, Housing Authority, Zilber Family Foundation, United Way Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County), capital campaigns (most recently a $12M Bright Futures Campaign), and program-generated revenue (Cafe el Sol restaurant as youth workforce development, conference facility rentals). Services are delivered primarily low-cost or free to community members through a single campus at 1028 South 9th Street in Milwaukee, supplemented by partner-operated senior housing. The technology stack is conventional for a human-services nonprofit: Google Analytics, Formstack for volunteer applications, and Amazon Wish Lists for in-kind donations, with no proprietary platform or AI/ML capabilities disclosed.

The organization is led by CEO Laura Gutiérrez (since May 2020, the first woman and neighborhood native in the role), with a C-suite comprising a COO, CMO, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Academic Officer, and directors across Finance, Youth Programs, Early Learning, Aging & Disability, Human Resources, Latino Arts, and Human Services. Headcount is reported at 251-500 employees, and the operating geography is concentrated in Milwaukee's south side with no expansion into additional markets indicated.

Name

United Community Center

Legal name

United Community Center, Inc.

Website

https://unitedcc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

United Community Center is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 that delivers bilingual education, substance use treatment, senior services, homebuyer counseling, and cultural arts to more than 18,000 Hispanic community members annually on Milwaukee's south side.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (6233), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community-Based Senior Centers with Adult Day Services (HLADAIAJ), Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Community & Senior Center Lifelong Learning Programs (EDAAAMAB), Arts, Culture & Creative Learning for Seniors (Music, writing, crafts) (EDAAAMAI), Active Adult (55+) Independent Living Communities (HLADAAAD)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Hispanic community programs
• Bilingual education services
• Senior care programs
• Substance abuse treatment

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: UCC accepts donations from individuals through its website and in-kind donation programs, supporting the organization's general operations and programs.
2. Grants and Government Funding: UCC receives grants from government entities and foundations, including SAMHSA grants for substance abuse treatment programs and City of Milwaukee partnerships.
3. Program Revenue: Revenue from programs including Cafe el Sol restaurant, conference facilities rental, and various fee-for-service programs.
4. Volunteer Contributions: Community members contribute time and skills through volunteer programs, supporting program delivery.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Community Center is a comprehensive nonprofit social service agency providing intergenerational programs across education (K-8 schools, early childhood education), human services (substance use treatment and recovery), senior care (adult day center, senior housing, memory clinic), community health, first-time homebuyer counseling, athletics, and cultural arts. Founded in 1970 in Milwaukee, it serves more than 18,000 people annually aged 6 weeks to 103 years through a single integrated campus and partner sites, with a primary focus on the Hispanic community.

Product overview

United Community Center is a multi-service community organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of programs across education, human services, health, athletics, and cultural arts. The core offerings include K-8 schools (Bruce-Guadalupe Community School and Acosta Middle School), early childhood education (Head Start and Early Learning Academy), youth and pre-college programs, senior services (Adult Day Center, Senior Center, Elderly Housing, Memory Clinic), substance use treatment programs, first-time homebuyer counseling, health and athletics programs, and Latino cultural arts through Latino Arts, Inc. These services are coordinated through UCC's main campus at 1028 South 9th Street in Milwaukee, serving over 18,000 people annually aged 6 weeks to 103 years old.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bruce-Guadalupe Community School: K-8 charter school operated by UCC, serving over 1,700 students
• Acosta Middle School
• UCC Early Learning Academy
• Latino Arts, Inc.
• Café el Sol
• UCC Human Services
• UCC First Time Homebuyer Program

Products and services

• Head Start Program Early childhood education program preparing low-income children for kindergarten, serving youth and families as part of UCC's community services portfolio.
• Bruce-Guadalupe Community School (K-8) K-8 charter school providing comprehensive bilingual academic instruction to over 1,700 students on Milwaukee's south side.
• Acosta Middle School STEAM-focused middle school providing technology and skilled trades curriculum to middle school students.
• UCC Early Learning Academy Early childhood education center serving children ages 6 weeks to 3 years, ensuring kindergarten readiness for the 53215 zip code area.
• Youth & Pre-College Programs After-School Achievement Program (ASAP), Pre-College Program, and related services supporting over 1,000 middle school, high school, and college-aged students with academic and college preparation support.
• UCC First Time Homebuyer Program HUD-approved homebuyer education and counseling program helping individuals and families achieve homeownership, including partnership with City of Milwaukee Down Payment Assistance Program offering grants up to $7,000.
• Substance Use Treatment Program Comprehensive substance use disorder treatment including intake assessments, day treatment, outpatient treatment, men's residential, women's residential, pregnant and post-partum women programs, and recovery support coordination.
• Adult Day Center Daytime care and activities for older adults providing socialization, daily support services, and engagement for elderly community members and their families.
• Senior Center Community center for seniors offering activities, socialization, and support services including the sewing club and various programs to combat isolation and depression.
• Care Management Program Care management services for elderly and adults with disabilities through the Family Care Program-Care Management Unit.
• Elderly Housing Senior housing including US Bank Village (20-unit apartment complex) and Olga Village in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee.
• Memory Clinic Geriatric assessment services including memory screenings and cognitive evaluations for elderly individuals.
• Athletics & Sports Sports programs including volleyball, soccer, flag football, and basketball for youth and community members across age groups.
• Boxing Program Boxing training program historically producing Olympic athletes, continuing the legacy of Israel 'Shorty' Acosta and providing youth athletic development.
• Community Health & Research Program Health promotion and research initiatives serving the community, providing health education and wellness programming.
• La Hora de Salud Health and wellness programming combining community engagement with health education for community members.
• Student Health Center Health services provided on-site at UCC schools for K-8 students, supporting student wellness and academic success.
• Latino Arts, Inc. Separate 501(c)(3) arts organization within UCC celebrating Hispanic heritage through cultural programming and the Latino Arts Strings Program serving young musicians.
• Café el Sol Restaurant Restaurant providing job training for youth while serving culturally significant foods and hosting community events including Friday Fish Fry.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,000+ people served annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• United Way Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way is highlighted as a key partner enabling UCC to accomplish its mission. UCC's history timeline notes that United Community Services (now United Way) stepped up to help with funding when state grants were not renewed in 1970, and continues to partner with UCC in celebrating 56 years of service.
• City of MilwaukeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCC partners with the City of Milwaukee on the Down Payment Assistance Program, offering forgivable grants of up to $7,000 to help individuals purchase homes in the City of Milwaukee. UCC serves as a HUD-approved Homebuying Counseling Agency for this program.
• Community Development AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Development Alliance helped Beatriz with signing a deed restriction agreement to ensure her property taxes remain affordable after her home purchase through UCC's First-time Homebuyers Program.
• VIA (Partners)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIA helped secure funds and contractors to assist Beatriz with damage repair after flooding to her new home. UCC worked with VIA to connect clients with additional support services.
• Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCC partnered with HACM to open Olga Village senior housing community in 2010, providing housing to seniors with support services at the UCC Senior Center on site.
• Milwaukee Christian Center (Historical)minorOthersThe Milwaukee Christian Center founded the Hard To Reach program in the early 1960s, which evolved into The Spot and eventually became United Community Center in 1970. MCC provided funding and governance during the early years.
• St. John the Evangelist ChurchminorOthersUCC purchased their current building on 9th Street from St. John the Evangelist Church in 1972, marking a new beginning for the organization.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee: Operates community centers across the Milwaukee metro with youth programming, senior services, and family support, directly overlapping UCC's community recreation, youth athletics, and family engagement offerings.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee: Provides youth development programs, after-school achievement, and athletic programming for Milwaukee youth, closely mirroring UCC's youth and pre-college programs and athletics offerings.
• La Casa de Esperanza: Hispanic-serving community organization in Waukesha/Milwaukee offering education, housing counseling, and family services comparable to UCC's bilingual wraparound service model.
• CORE El Centro: Milwaukee-based nonprofit providing community wellness, natural health services, and youth programs to the Hispanic community, overlapping UCC's community health and youth programming.
• Esperanza Health Centers: Federally qualified health center network serving predominantly Hispanic communities in Chicago with bilingual health and social services, comparable to UCC's community health and bilingual care model.
• St. Anthony School: Milwaukee Catholic school where UCC's current CEO previously served as VP of Academic Affairs, offering K-12 education with Hispanic community roots comparable to UCC's charter schools.

Broad incumbents

• United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County: A core funder and strategic partner of UCC, United Way is a broader funder of community services across the region, supporting overlapping nonprofits rather than delivering direct services.
• UnidosUS (formerly NCLR): National Hispanic community advocacy and service organization providing education, housing, and health programs, the macro-level analog of UCC's mission at national scale.

Regional players

• CASA of Milwaukee (Children's Hospital Community Services): Children's Hospital of Wisconsin community programs serving Milwaukee-area youth with health and family services, comparable in youth health, education, and family support scope to UCC.

Emerging players

• Hmong American Peace Academy: Milwaukee-based charter school and community programs serving the Hmong community, a comparable ethnic-community anchor institution with similar service breadth within a different demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uccmke
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitedcc
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedcc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Community Center