Milwaukee Christian Center

What Milwaukee Christian Center does

Milwaukee Community Crossroads (formerly Milwaukee Christian Center) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit social service and neighborhood development agency founded in 1921 in Milwaukee's Walker's Point neighborhood, headquartered at 807 S. 14th St. The organization delivers wraparound community programming across six focus areas: Youth Development (ages 4-17 after-school and summer programming at Kosciuszko Community Center and Forest Home Avenue Safe Place), Violence Prevention (Violence-Free Zone in five Milwaukee high schools, Credible Messengers, and the 2024-launched Advance Peace Peacemaker Fellowship), Housing (Neighborhood Improvement Project home repairs, YouthBuild construction training, and Housing Production including 40 planned homes for Early Childhood Educators), Community Building (the Muskego Way Forward neighborhood revitalization initiative), Basic Needs (an Emergency Food Pantry serving over 1,100 adults and families monthly), and Older Adult Wellness (Older Adults Center plus a Meal Program serving over 1,100 county seniors monthly at 20+ locations).

The operating model is service-delivery based rather than technology based: programs are free to participants and funded through a mix of foundation grants (notably the Zilber Family Foundation, Bader, Catholic Community Foundation, Northwestern Mutual), federal and state pass-through funding (CDBG, AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Public Allies), Milwaukee County contracts (Department on Aging, DHHS, Children Youth and Family Services), and individual/corporate donations. The organization's go-to-market is community-led through referrals, MPS school partnerships, faith and civic institutions, and direct outreach across Milwaukee County, with marketing supported by a website, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), email newsletters, and an annual Celebration of Strong Neighborhoods fundraising event.

Governance is provided by an independent Board of Directors (chaired by Erica Reib, with board seats held by representatives from Northwestern Mutual, C.G. Schmidt, City of Milwaukee, Brookdale Senior Living, The Boldt Company, Milwaukee County, and others) led by Executive Director Terrell Johnson, with six program-level directors. The organization has no parent company, no private equity or venture backing, and a recent deliberate rebrand from Milwaukee Christian Center to Milwaukee Community Crossroads to signal an explicitly community-wide, secular mission.

Name

Milwaukee Christian Center

Legal name

Milwaukee Community Crossroads

Website

https://mccwi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Milwaukee Community Crossroads (formerly Milwaukee Christian Center) is a Milwaukee-based nonprofit, founded 1921, delivering wraparound youth development, violence prevention, housing, food security, and older-adult wellness programs to residents across Milwaukee County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Community Food Services (62421), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Community-Based Senior Centers with Adult Day Services (HLADAIAJ), Special Education Vocational & Transition Programs (18–22) (EDAKAAAG), Wraparound & Community-Based Behavioral Support (ABA-Adjacent) (EDAKAHAO)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Nonprofit community programs
• Violence prevention services
• Affordable housing support
• Emergency food assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grants: MCC receives grants from foundations such as Zilber Family Foundation ($3.7 million distributed to 21 nonprofits including MCC) to support affordable housing, community economic development, and basic human needs programs.
2. Federal/State Government Funding: MCC receives federal and state funding through programs like AmeriCorps (for YouthBuild), CDBG (Community Development Block Grant), and Milwaukee County Department on Aging to fund various community programs.
3. Individual and Corporate Donations: MCC accepts donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations through one-time and recurring donation options, in-kind donations, and planned giving programs.
4. Program Service Fees: MCC programs are largely free to participants, funded through grants and donations rather than participant fees. Some programs like the Older Adults Meal Program are operated in partnership with Milwaukee County Department on Aging.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Milwaukee Community Crossroads (formerly Milwaukee Christian Center) is a nonprofit social service organization delivering free community-based programs across six focus areas: Youth Development, Violence Prevention, Housing, Community Building, Older Adult Wellness, and Basic Needs. Programs include YouthBuild workforce training, Violence-Free Zone school-based mentoring, the Emergency Food Pantry, the Older Adults Meal Program, and the Neighborhood Improvement Project for low-income homeowners.

Product overview

Milwaukee Community Crossroads (formerly Milwaukee Christian Center) operates as a multi-service nonprofit offering a portfolio of community programs across six focus areas. The organization provides youth development programming at community centers, violence prevention through school-based and street-level intervention programs, affordable housing support via home repair and construction, community building initiatives focused on neighborhood revitalization, older adult wellness with meal programs and social activities, and emergency food assistance through a choice pantry. Programs include Youth Development, Violence Prevention (VFZ, Credible Messengers, Advance Peace), Housing (NIP, YouthBuild, Housing Production), Community Building (Muskego Way Forward), Older Adult Wellness, and Emergency Food Pantry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Muskego Way Forward: A neighborhood revitalization initiative launched in 2014 connecting residents, partners and resources through asset-based development and a resident-driven advisory team to advance revitalization of the Muskego Way community.

Products and services

• Youth Development Out-of-school programs for young people ages 4-17 providing mentoring, academic enrichment, civic engagement, and career exploration at Kosciuszko Community Center and Forest Home Avenue Safe Place.
• Violence Prevention Comprehensive violence intervention programs including Violence-Free Zone in five high schools, Young Professionals Academy, Credible Messengers, and Advance Peace program for gun violence interruption.
• Housing Affordable housing initiatives including Neighborhood Improvement Project for home repairs, Housing Production for new construction, and YouthBuild construction training program.
• Community Building Neighborhood revitalization through Muskego Way Forward initiative, block watch groups, asset-based development, and resident-driven advisory teams.
• Older Adult Wellness Programs for adults 60+ including Older Adults Center with meals and activities, Meal Program serving 1,100+ seniors monthly, Dine Out Program, and Senior Stockbox commodity food distribution.
• Emergency Food Pantry Full-choice food pantry serving over 1,100 adults and families monthly with culturally appropriate emergency food, commodity supplemental food program, and infant needs supplies.
• YouthBuild Free workforce training program for Milwaukee residents aged 18-24 teaching carpentry and construction skills through Cream City YouthBuild partnership with Employ Milwaukee.
• Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP) Home repair assistance for low-income Milwaukee homeowners who meet income, ownership, and residency requirements, with forgivable loans for code violation corrections.
• Violence-Free Zone (VFZ) School-based mentorship program serving students at five Milwaukee high schools, connecting youth with advisors to build conflict resolution skills, improve attendance, and succeed academically.
• Advance Peace Gun violence intervention program begun in 2024 providing Peacemaker Fellowship with intensive case management and wraparound services using the Seven Touchpoint Model.
• Credible Messengers Community violence intervention program pairing at-risk young people with mentors in the community.
• Muskego Way Forward Neighborhood revitalization initiative for Muskego Way area between 16th-27th Streets and Becher/Greenfield, with asset-based development and resident-driven advisory team.

Quantifiable outcome

• Emergency Food Pantry serves over 1,100 adults and families monthly
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hunger Task ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHunger Task Force is the supplier of free and healthy food for MCC's Emergency Food Pantry. They also administer the Senior Stockbox waitlist for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). This is a core partnership supporting MCC's food security programs serving over 1,100 families monthly.
• United Way WorldwidecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUnited Way Worldwide provides support and partnership for MCC's community programs. MCC is listed on United Way's volunteer platform for volunteer opportunities.
• Milwaukee County Department on AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOlder Adults programs are operated in partnership with the Milwaukee County Department on Aging. This includes the Older Adults Center, Meal Program, and Dine Out Program serving over 1,100 seniors monthly.
• Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Milwaukee County DHHS on the Older Adults Dine Out Program, Credible Messengers violence intervention program, and the Advance Peace Peacemaker Fellowship program.
• Employ MilwaukeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMCC's YouthBuild program is part of the Cream City YouthBuild through Employ Milwaukee. Employ Milwaukee is the workforce development board that oversees YouthBuild programming in the region.
• YouthBuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouthBuild is the national organization that MCC's local YouthBuild program is affiliated with, providing brand, curriculum, and network support for workforce training programs.
• CDBG (Community Development Block Grant)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Development Block Grant funding through Milwaukee County supports MCC's Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP) for home repairs to low-income homeowners.
• Milwaukee County Children, Youth and Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners on Credible Messengers community violence intervention program and Advance Peace Peacemaker Fellowship program, providing intensive case management for individuals involved in gun violence.
• Advance PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvance Peace provides the Peacemaker Fellowship model that MCC implements in Milwaukee to interrupt gun violence through transformational opportunities for young individuals involved in firearm offenses.
• Milwaukee Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPS partners with MCC for Violence-Free Zone programming at 5 high schools, Youth Programming at Kosciuszko Community Center, and other youth development initiatives.
• Froedtert Med CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFroedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin provide support for Older Adults wellness programming and health-related community initiatives.
• American Baptist Home Mission SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical partner - MCC originated in 1921 in partnership with the American Baptist Church. American Baptist Home Mission Society continues as a board member and community partner.
• United Community CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Community Center is a partner location for Older Adults Meal Program and a collaborative partner in the Muskego Way Forward neighborhood revitalization initiative.
• Milwaukee County ParksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilwaukee County Parks supports community programming and events including the Muskego Way Forward neighborhood activities and farmers markets.
• Marquette UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarquette University is a community partner supporting MCC's neighborhood revitalization and community development initiatives.
• Muskego Way Forward PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMuskego Way Forward is a collaborative initiative with TakeRoot MKE, UEDA, and United Neighborhoods working on asset-based development and resident-driven advisory teams for neighborhood revitalization.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Milwaukee Urban League: Affiliated with the National Urban League, providing workforce development, youth programs, housing counseling, and civic engagement in Milwaukee. Comparable as a multi-program community development nonprofit serving similar demographics.
• Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin: Regional Goodwill affiliate operating workforce training, youth mentoring, and community reentry programs across greater Milwaukee. Comparable as a multi-program nonprofit combining construction trades training (YouthBuild-style), food/resale social enterprises, and youth services.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee: Youth development nonprofit operating after-school, mentoring, and teen programming in Milwaukee. Directly comparable to MCC's Youth Development program serving ages 4-17 with academic enrichment and after-school care.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee: Youth mentoring nonprofit pairing adult mentors with at-risk youth in Milwaukee. Comparable to MCC's Violence-Free Zone, Credible Messengers, and youth mentoring components targeting similar school-age populations.
• Hunger Task Force: Milwaukee anti-hunger nonprofit operating food pantries, farm programs, and senior meal delivery. Direct peer and active operational partner to MCC's Emergency Food Pantry serving 1,100+ households monthly in the same geography.
• United Community Center: Milwaukee-based multi-service nonprofit offering youth, senior, education, and community programs on the South Side. Directly comparable as a Hispanic-serving community umbrella organization operating in the same Milwaukee neighborhoods with similar wraparound services.
• COA Youth & Family Centers: Milwaukee-based nonprofit offering early childhood, youth, and family services with community-based programming. Comparable to MCC's youth development and family support programs using similar school-linked and community center delivery models.
• Journey House: Milwaukee nonprofit providing education, workforce, and family services with focus on the Latino community. Comparable to MCC's YouthBuild workforce training, family services, and community development programs operating in adjacent South Side neighborhoods.

Others

• Employ Milwaukee: Regional workforce development board overseeing YouthBuild and adult training contracts. Not a competitor but a key operational partner and funding intermediary for MCC's YouthBuild program, included as a relevant ecosystem stakeholder.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee: Large regional YMCA association operating wellness, childcare, and youth programs across Milwaukee County. Comparable in scope to MCC's Older Adult Wellness and youth development programming, but operates as a much larger established network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MilwaukeeChristianCenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/milwaukeecommunitycrossroads
• Instagraminstagram.com/mccprograms
• Xx.com/mccwi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Milwaukee Christian Center