In their own words: Milwaukee County youth commissioners reflect on their first year of service | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Devin Blake
January 19, 2024
The Milwaukee County Youth Commission ended its first year back in operation with high praise from county officials.
“We need creativity, we need innovation, and we need truth-telling – all of which are very unique gifts that these particular bright, young people have really brought to the table,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said.
Crowley made his comments during the final meeting of 2023 of the Milwaukee County Youth Commission.
Crowley, along with Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson, worked to re-establish the commission after a nearly 20-year absence.
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The main goal of the commission is to represent youths from each district of the county, as well as the county as a whole, and address their specific needs.
NNS sat down with the two youths who served as co-chairs of the commission, Aaron Lee and Mia Moore. They shared their reflections on the past year, on Milwaukee as a whole and discussed  criminal justice issues affecting youths.
Over the course of the year, commissioners met monthly, developed the structure and regulations for the commission and made recommendations about policy and budgetary issues to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
While Moore is continuing on to a second year as co-chair, Lee is ending his service on the commission and plans to attend college.
Devin Blake is the criminal justice reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. His position is funded by the Public Welfare Foundation, which plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.