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Youth commissioner proposes month-long supply drive for unhoused youth, while legislative proposals await review
Summary
Commissioner Brody Kaminski proposed a month-long countywide supply drive to aid youth experiencing homelessness and outlined complementary legislative ideas including an executive proclamation and an action-committee approach; commissioners discussed logistics, partners and timing.
Commissioner Brody Kaminski (District 6) presented a proposal to the Milwaukee County Youth Commission on May 21 for a month-long supply drive to benefit organizations serving unhoused youth, and described related legislative options the commission has considered.
Kaminski said local nonprofit partners such as Pathfinders, Walker's Point Youth and Family Help Center and Sojourner Family Peace Center compile annual wish lists of items they need to serve youth in crisis. He proposed collecting new items in four categories (infant, child, teen, general supplies) at district libraries and designated county locations, with a distribution plan determined by partner agencies. He suggested a goal of roughly 500 items per category and recommended a month-long collection period to allow for school and community outreach.
On policy, Kaminski described earlier-drafted resolutions he worked on with county staff that would (1) request an executive proclamation focused on youth homelessness, (2) create an action plan/committee to coordinate county departments and community partners, and (3) explore adding a youth seat for someone who has experienced homelessness to the county's youth commission. He said staff and supervisors raised concerns about funding, staffing and the optics of "singling out" people with lived experience if a dedicated seat were created; as a result the resolutions have not yet been formally submitted to the board pending further review.
Commissioners discussed logistics and partnerships. Several suggested using school and library channels for promotion; another commissioner recommended aligning the effort with National Homeless Youth Awareness Month in November to increase visibility and charitable-season giving. County staff and other speakers suggested the existing We Care Crew and county offices such as Health and Human Services, the zoo and the courthouse as possible collection or distribution partners, subject to approvals.
Kaminski emphasized that donated items must be new and said the commission should not handle distribution directly but instead deliver collected goods to partner organizations for distribution. He characterized the proposal as an action-based, near-term way for the youth commission to have tangible impact while more ambitious legislative options remain under review.
Ending: Kaminski said he would pursue necessary approvals and legal review for collection sites and outreach language and asked commissioners for feedback and help promoting the drive in their districts.
