Youth programs help keep kids safe & off the streets

The Holton Youth and Family Center  in Milwaukee offers programs to keep youth safe and off the streets. Its on East Burleigh Street.

Above the Clouds is an arts educational program at the center that offers ballet, cheerleading, hip hop, step, theater and music classes to kids from 5 to 17 years old for free. This program has 9 location throughout the city. 

Linda Wade, president of Above the Clouds, said about 200 students will perform what they learned at the end of the month.

\"We want to make sure that our children have the opportunity to experience life outside of their neighborhoods as well as don't have to worry about crime,\" Wade said.

Wade said students gain skills and confidence through their programs.

\"In their speaking abilities and they are able to handle difficult situations whether they are being bullied or made fun of,\" Wade said.

At the Holton Youth and Family Center there's a job training program that's part of the Wisconsin Community Services. It helps young people between 16 and 23 years old find work offering training through workshops and mentoring.

\"We have a lot of gang activity,\" said Jay Turner, program director. \"We have a lot of out of school youth, a lot of kids making different or wrong choices. We are placed in this community so we can give students an outlet.\"

The program is free and it has 150 young adults. Turner said it helps steer young people away from gang activity.

\"Some of the youth that we've had, we've seen a reduction because they don't have the time hang out with friends or hang out with gang members because they are at work or they are attending one of our group sessions,\" Turner said.

Whether it's placing youth in jobs or offering them learning opportunities, the organization can also help connect community members with other services.

\"With the collaboration that we have at the Holton Youth and Family Center we work with other agencies throughout the city so what we don't provide for them here, we can connect them with other agencies throughout the city so they can get what they need,\" Wade said.

Holton Youth and Family Center: (414)226-6210

Office Hours:

Monday through Friday

11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

School Year Program Hours:

Monday through Friday

2:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Summer Program Hours:

Monday through Friday

11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.