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Middleton Youth Center reports stable participation, high share of students of color and free‑meal eligibility
Summary
The Middleton Youth Center presented its 2024 activity summary to the school board, reporting strong retention of participants, a majority of youth of color, high free/reduced‑price meal eligibility among attendees, and continued reliance on city funding, United Way grants and Dane County support.
John Hunter, director of the Middleton Youth Center, told the school board that the program serves students after school and during summer with a focus on social‑emotional learning and mentoring. “We are open every day that school is open,” Hunter said, describing the after‑school schedule and the center’s on‑site snack, homework time, activities and rotating mini‑courses.
Hunter and assistant director Laura Gessling reported 2024 figures showing 97 unduplicated youth (a decrease from the prior year, which staff said reflects stronger retention rather than falling demand), 121 hours of community service completed by middle‑school participants, 63% of youth served identifying as youth of color and 51% qualifying for free or reduced‑price lunch. In a pre/post assessment (DESA) reported to a United Way grant, 63 of 82 assessed youth increased their SEL score by at least two points.
The youth center said it has about 65 guaranteed slots for returning students each summer, a short wait list (about 20 on the list at time of report) and that staffing and space constrain growth. Hunter said the local AmeriCorps program that had provided summer members was cut at the federal level; the youth center intends to employ the same people as city staff this summer rather than as AmeriCorps members.
Hunter described program elements including a cultural showcase, monthly guest‑artist workshops, pool trips and an annual overnight camping trip. The program reported 62 one‑to‑one mentoring sessions in 2024 and said most participants return year to year, increasing sibling enrollment.
Funding for the youth center comes primarily from the city of Middleton, a United Way grant (recently increased), Dane County support and donations. Hunter told the board that the center’s participant demographics show it serves a higher share of students of color and students with economic need than the district as a whole.
Board members asked what it would take to eliminate the summer wait list; Hunter said both space inside the school and additional ongoing operating funding would be required and that at a certain scale the program would need structural changes (for example, splitting by grade group) to preserve a community feel. He said staffing costs alone could increase roughly 33% to expand capacity while maintaining current staff‑to‑student ratios. The board asked for a follow‑up report showing concrete numbers for expansion and potential funding sources.
No formal board action was requested; the item was for information and discussion.
