United Community Center

UCC's Mission is to transform the lives of Hispanics, families and individuals of all ages by providing the highest quality comprehensive services in education, human services, health, community development and cultural arts. UCC began in the late 1960s as a teen center (“The Spot”) located in the heart of the Spanish-speaking community on Milwaukee's south side. Its current name became official in 1971 and, as UCC, has grown through the decades. Currently, through expanded facilities and comprehensive programs, UCC achieves its goals to help Milwaukee’s Latino community to thrive, achieve, and succeed. Programs. UCC knows that communities become stronger when their members can provide their children with the best education possible, obtain jobs with family-supporting wages, maintain good health, and live in safe, stable neighborhoods. Through the years, UCC has provided resources and opportunities to help Milwaukee Latino families achieve these basic building blocks of health and prosperity. Programs and services include senior housing and services, human services including substance abuse disorder treatment, housing support, early childhood education, K-8 education, college preparatory programs, and more. Population Served. UCC has built deep trust and rapport with Milwaukee’s Latino community on the city’s south side. Our target population (all ages, infants through seniors) primarily resides in the city’s 52304 and 53215 zip codes. Reflecting our neighborhood and history, 95% of those we serve are Latino and more than 75% are considered low-income. Major Accomplishments. In December 2021, the UCC Board of Directors approved the organization’s latest 3-year Strategic Plan, in partnership with participants, staff, and local, state and national stakeholders. The document creates a roadmap for intentional growth focused on achieving UCC’s mission, vision, and goals, with well-articulated steps to serve the critical needs of a rapidly growing target population. This strategic planning cycle exemplifies the fiscal and programmatic integrity that helped UCC earn its ranking as a top Hispanic-serving U.S. organization. UCC now serves 18,000 participants and 20,000 visitors annually; 1,000+ volunteers (including students) and 48 corporate groups annually lend support. In keeping with a 50+ year track record of recognition & investment in our accomplishments, UCC recently completed a multi-million-dollar capital campaign two years ahead of schedule—and is currently conducting a new campaign to add a third-floor addition to our Bruce-Guadalupe Community School—reducing class sizes to meet the needs of our current students while planning for the ongoing increase in our city’s Latino population. UCC’s Bruce-Guadalupe Community and Acosta Middle Schools have consistently garnered “Exceeds Expectations” ratings on state report cards—even in recent school years, despite pandemic challenges. Opened in 2018, Acosta Middle School is a state-of-the-art STEM focused facility preparing students for the workforce of tomorrow. All UCC students and their families (as well as senior program participants) benefit from the UCC Student Health Center’s preventative health services and dental screenings provided in partnership with Carroll University and 16th St. Community Health Center. In 2022 UCC schools were designated a “Best Community for Music Education” for the sixth year in a row; our Latino Arts Strings Program is nationally-acclaimed. Our Pre-College program provides intensive, no cost case management to UCC alumni and their families throughout their high school and college careers. Launched a decade ago, the program has boosted our alumni college acceptance rates from 8% to 96%. In addition to high quality education, UCC provides a comprehensive array of programs and services for all ages. Our First-time Homebuyer’s Program has helped secure $190 million in home purchases since 2003, helping Milwaukee Latino families achieve the dream of home ownership. UCC operates the largest senior meal site and Family Care program in Milwaukee County, as part of our full array of culturally competent senior care support services, including low-income housing. UCC also provides culturally competent Substance Use Disorder treatment (both inpatient and outpatient), serving 885 clients last year.