History
New Concept MLK Social Service Celebrating 46 Years of Service, 1978 - 2018
In June 1994, New Concept designed the first of its kind “Family Resource Center” to service the needs of men and fathers. Men and their families utilize the center for employment services, parent education classes and social activities.
In June 1976, Milwaukee County Parks and Recreation Department developed the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in the heart of the inner-city to address the lack of recreational services available to low-income families. In 1978, New Concept was selected by United Way of Greater Milwaukee to operate the Social Service Department in order to enhance the quality of life for low income residents. This public private partnership is unique in that community residents are provided social services in the non-threatening environment of a Milwaukee County Parks and Recreational Facility. The MLK Social Services is the foundational program in which other agency programming has been identified to the fill gaps in services to adults, youth and families. The following are a few of the programs:
In 1982, New Concept designed the Each One Reach One (EORO) program to provide mentoring services for girls residing in the Hillside Housing Development.
In 2003, Partnership with MATC to provide GED and Adult Education Classes.
In 2005, Adult Community Education Driver’s Permit Class.
In 2012, New Concept implement the “Wise Guys” male responsibility program that acknowledges young men as “whole” individuals with a variety of needs and desires.
HISTORY OF INNOVATION
The agency started as an outpatient mental health clinic and developed into a nationally recognized multi-service organization that has provided hundreds of employment opportunities and served thousands of families and children. From 1975 through 2018, New Concept initiated 18 uniquely innovative programs now replicated by many other social services organizations throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. These innovative programs include:
In June 1994, New Concept designed the first of its kind “Family Resource Center” to service the needs of men and fathers. Men and their families utilize the center for employment services, parent education classes and social activities.
In June 1976, Milwaukee County Parks and Recreation Department developed the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in the heart of the inner-city to address the lack of recreational services available to low-income families. In 1978, New Concept was selected by United Way of Greater Milwaukee to operate the Social Service Department in order to enhance the quality of life for low income residents. This public private partnership is unique in that community residents are provided social services in the non-threatening environment of a Milwaukee County Parks and Recreational Facility. The MLK Social Services is the foundational program in which other agency programming has been identified to the fill gaps in services to adults, youth and families. The following are a few of the programs:
In 1982, New Concept designed the Each One Reach One (EORO) program to provide mentoring services for girls residing in the Hillside Housing Development.
In 2003, Partnership with MATC to provide GED and Adult Education Classes.
In 2005, Adult Community Education Driver’s Permit Class.
In 2012, New Concept implement the “Wise Guys” male responsibility program that acknowledges young men as “whole” individuals with a variety of needs and desires.
HISTORY OF INNOVATION
The agency started as an outpatient mental health clinic and developed into a nationally recognized multi-service organization that has provided hundreds of employment opportunities and served thousands of families and children. From 1975 through 2018, New Concept initiated 18 uniquely innovative programs now replicated by many other social services organizations throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. These innovative programs include:
- 1982 – Mentoring project for girls started in the Hillside Housing Project
- 1985 – Wrote and published books for parents to teach human sexuality in the home
- 1986 – Authored the Blue Ribbon Report for Teen Pregnancy Prevention for the City of Milwaukee
- 1990 – Developed first Prenatal Care Program that soon became model for Title XIX benefit
- 1994 – Opened city’s first Father’s Family Resource Center at the MLK Center
- 1994 – Founding member of the King Advisory, Inc. providing an annual back to school festival for school-age youth giving away free book bags filled with school supplies
- 1997- Developed First Time Juvenile Offenders Program model for Milwaukee County
- 2005 – Expansion of mentoring program to serve children whose parents are incarcerated
- 2005 – Community Driver’s Education Training
- 2005 – Crisis Counseling to Hurricane Katrina Residents
- 2005 – Member of the Mayor’s Milwaukee Fatherhood Initiative
- 2006 – Southeastern Wisconsin Partnership for Responsible Fatherhood Initiative
- 2007 – Member of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee Teen Pregnancy Prevention Oversight Committee
- 2008 – ABC’s for Healthy Birth Outcomes Project
- 2009 – Amachi Mentoring Coalition Project
- 2010 –The Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families and The Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Poverty Network
- 2011 – Partnered with Sisters Network, Inc. of Milwaukee
- 2012 – Mentoring Coalition Violence Prevention Project
- 2013 – Wise Guys
- 2014 – Healthy Parents Healthy Next Babies Project in collaboration with Aurora Family Services
- 2014 – The Birthing Project in collaboration with St. Marks Church Quality of Life Center
- 2016 – Partnership with Cardinal Capital Management, Inc. – McKinley Gardens, LLC to provide Supportive Services to residents in their Resource Center
- 2016 – Partnership with Rogers InHealth – CAPE (Community Ambassadors for Parent Empowerment)
- 2017 – Parents and Children Partnering for Health
- 2017 – Partnership with Wise Guys Male Responsibility Program and PEARLS For Teen Girls to deliver programming for male and female populations in school and community center settings