About
Project Kindred
Young people deserve a clear path, so we built one with them.
Project Kindred creates a long term leadership system shaped with youth and supported by families, mentors, and partners across Milwaukee. We stay focused on what young people need to grow with confidence, belonging, and purpose.
Mission
Project Kindred creates a citywide leadership system where young people discover who they are, connect across Milwaukee, and prepare to lead in every part of their lives.
Vision
A Milwaukee where every young person grows with confidence, belonging, and purpose.
A Milwaukee connected through youth, families, mentors, and partners.
A Milwaukee shaped by the leadership of the young people who live here.
Kindness
We lead with care so young people feel safe, respected, and supported.
Courage
We try new things, tell the truth, and choose growth even when it feels new.
Community
We strengthen connection through relationships that are steady, honest, and inclusive.
Joy
We create experiences that lift spirits, encourage curiosity, and help youth feel free to be themselves.
Self Awareness
We help youth understand their feelings, strengths, choices, and goals.
Values
How We Work
Strong Relationships
Youth build meaningful bonds with peers and caring adults. Families feel connected. Mentors support growth with clarity and consistency.
Real Experiences
Milwaukee becomes a learning space. Partners open real doors. Youth learn by doing in places that matter.
Clear Pathways
Navigators guides youth from grades three through young adulthood. Every stage builds independence, leadership, and purpose.
Our Approach
Youth lead.
Families guide.
Mentors support.
Partners expand opportunity.
Project Kindred holds the structure that keeps everything connected.
Our Story
Milwaukee shaped us. Young people guide us. Community drives us.
Our work grew from years of learning alongside youth and families across Milwaukee. Each stage shaped the system we lead today.
Roots in 2008
Community members created steady, supportive spaces where young people felt respected, challenged, and understood. These early efforts taught us that leadership grows from strong relationships and consistent adults. This formed the base of our work.
A Joined Path in 2020
Aligned community efforts came together and formed Project Kindred. With one identity and mission, the work gained clarity and momentum. We focused on helping young people understand who they are, build meaningful relationships, and access opportunities that grow over time.
A Summer Community in 2017
Families asked for a space where young people from across Milwaukee could explore, connect, and learn together. A summer community formed with that purpose. Young people tried new things, built confidence, and expanded their sense of belonging. This showed us how powerful shared experiences can be.
A Citywide Path Takes Shape
We shaped the PK Way, the Sandbox, and the values that guide our culture. We strengthened partnerships with families, mentors, schools, and organizations across Milwaukee. We refined the work around what youth told us they needed. These years built the foundation for a long term leadership path.
2025 Navigators launches
Navigators emerged as the long term leadership journey that carries all of our learning forward. Young people Explore, Lead, and Mentor as they move across the city, choose interest tracks, and grow in confidence and purpose. Navigators reflects everything families asked for and everything youth deserve.
Today
Project Kindred carries years of learning and growth.
We stay close to youth and families.
We build with intention.
We create spaces where young people learn who they are and how they want to lead.
Our story keeps moving as they do.