About Us
Our Mission & Values
Milwaukee Community Crossroads cultivates a vibrant Milwaukee community by helping individuals, families and neighborhoods access basic needs, overcome barriers and connect to opportunities.
Community
We are stronger with the commitment of the diverse people, partners and systems of our community, making opportunities grow.
Collaboration
We are empowered when we work closely together with many partners and people to make communities thrive.
Adaptability
We are effective when we continuously improve in response to the needs and strengths of our communities.
Endurance
We are committed to delivering reliable, high-quality programs led by dedicated individuals because consistency matters.
Foundation
Our foundation is in the communities we serve. Individuals who deeply understand the communities we serve provide invaluable leadership to the broader MCC community.
Our Focus Areas
To build a multifaceted, thriving community, we offer an all-encompassing range of programs with the breadth and depth to help all types of people. After all, a community is built one person at a time.
Youth Development
We can’t build community without a future to continue the building. Our programs for young people encourage well-rounded learning and growth.
To stop a threat as strong and pervasive as violence requires wide-ranging solutions, like our host of programs aimed at preventing, mediating and eradicating violent conflict.
This program with a holistic view of community can see opportunities for development and revitalization that a more focused view could miss. Then, we take action.
It’s not a community without a place to live. Whether it’s building new homes, improving old homes or providing access to affordable homes, we have a program for it.
Health. Safety. Food. Without the building blocks of life, the community won’t grow. These programs ensure those basics are covered.
Older adults deserve to have the opportunity for their golden years to shine. Our Older Adults Programs offer the opportunity for support, connection and healthy living.
Our Impact & Results
There Is No End To Community
Just as our programs impact people of all demographics, they also build a sense of community in all types of neighborhoods. Click on a hotspot to learn about a program or success story from Milwaukee Community Crossroads. Maybe there’s one by you.
Transparency of Results
We value transparent reporting on how your generous contributions affect our programs and how our partnership impacts Milwaukee. Download the reports below to get real numbers and results on our impact.
Why Milwaukee Community Crossroads?
Our mission, values and focus areas all center around community. Our people, passion and pride rely on it. It’s why we gather together every day and why we help others, build others and collaborate with others. Milwaukee Community Crossroads is the place where people come together to cultivate their community. Learn more about the origin of our name and logo.
Our History
From the start, we were all about community.
It’s 1921. In the back of the Southside Baptist Church in the Walker’s Point neighborhood of Milwaukee, a missionary named Mamie Passolt MacKinnery helps newly arrived immigrants adjust to a foreign land, full of opportunity. Mamie was tasked by the Women’s American Baptist Church Home Mission Society to help those immigrants, along with other neighbors throughout the Southside of Milwaukee. She not only did that, but started the first Head Start-style program over 40 years before the Federal Government followed suit.
From there, the impact and accomplishments spread throughout the Southside. Milwaukee Community Crossroads, then called Milwaukee Christian Center, started the first Golden Age Club, a social club for seniors, as well as the first Elderly Nutrition Program in Milwaukee county. Then, came community programs at United Church on 29th street, a coffee shop for teens on 6th street, a leading role in creating the Bayview Community Center and the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center. The more neighborhoods and people we helped, the more we wanted to do.
A move of our headquarters to a new location when the freeway was built allowed us to expand our offerings both there and directly in the community itself, widening our focus to include youth programs and housing. In 1975, the Neighborhood Improvement Project helped low-income people repair their homes, while simultaneously training young people. We’ve been adding programs that enrich community ever since.
Today, our programs, and their effect, are spread throughout the city of Milwaukee and beyond.
1921
MCC Founded
Started in 1921 as outreach efforts based out of the Old Southside Baptist Church in Milwaukee’s Walkers Point neighborhood.
1937
Transition to Social Services
MCC shifted focus from traditional church-based programming to a social service center, serving people of all faiths and backgrounds.
1946
Golden Age Club Started
The first Golden Age club in Milwaukee is created, one of the first in the nation.
1951
Youth Outreach Expanded
New youth programs reaching teens are introduced, including “The Spot” youth center, which would later form the beginnings of United Community Center.
1975
NIP Established
The Neighborhood Improvement Project (NIP) is established to provide home repairs for low-income residents.
1977
Food Pantry Developed
The emergency food pantry is developed to help families in need.
1996
Hmong Outreach Programs Begin
The Hmong Elderly Independence/Interdependence Program is initiated and grows to include more than 175 participants.
1997
OAMP Created
The Older Adults Meal Program is created.
2004
YouthBuild Program Created
MCC YouthBuild Program begins at MCC in partnership with Americorps.
2005
Youth Development Program Relocates
The Youth Development Program, providing after school activities and homework assistance for children ages 6-18, moves to Kosciuszko Community Center.
2013
MCC Relocates
MCC moved operations to it’s current building at 14th and National.
2014
Muskego Way Forward Initiative Founded
Violence Free Zone programming joins MCC. Muskego Way Forward neighborhood revitalization initiative is founded.
2020
COVID Response
Older Adults Dine-Out Program is created to support local restaurants while increasing access to meals for seniors during the COVID pandemic.
2021
Credible Messengers Launched
Credible Messengers, community violence intervention program is launched in partnership with Milwaukee County Children, Youth and Family Services to pair at risk young people with mentors in the community.
2024
Advance Peace Program Begins
Advance Peace Program, a violence prevention effort for young people involved in firearm offenses, begins at MCC in partnership with Milwaukee County Children, Youth and Family Services
Our Leadership Team
Executive Team
Karen Higgins
Executive Director
Andrea Grittner
Director of Development and Communications
Jessica Reese
Director of Programs
Andre Robinson
Director of Violence Prevention Programming
Song Xiong-Buck
Director of Older Adults Center
Jake Weiler
Director of Housing
Mary Hintz
Director of Finance
Board of Directors
Eric Wynn
Board President,
The Boldt Company
Betty Ulmer
Board Vice President,
Community Volunteer
Craig Schedler
Board Treasurer,
Northwestern Mutual
Eduardo Santiago
Board Secretary,
Milwaukee County
Dennis Stappas
Northwestern Mutual
Rev. Jose Encarnacion
Iglesia Evangelista
Patrick Roberts
First Baptist Church of Kenosha
John Alvis Jones IV
American Baptist Home Mission Society Community Volunteer
Eric Elfner
CG Schmidt, Inc.
Brandon Rule
Rule Enterprises, LLC
Jade Phelps
Gerhard’s Kitchen, Bath & Lighting
Erica Reib
O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing S.C.
Joel Peterson
Speak Life Agency
John Newland
TerraNova Real Estate
Montavius Jones
Narvarte Development
In The News
Milwaukee Community Crossroads
Milwaukee Community Crossroads(formerly known as Milwaukee Christian Center) works to cultivate a vibrant Milwaukee community by helping individuals, families, and neighborhoods access basic needs, overcome barriers, and connect to opportunities. Join us!
