Intro to Youth Leadership:  This program targets 6th-8th grade students.  The purpose is to help the youth participants establish good study skills and goal-oriented behaviors.  They are also introduced to the character traits of a great leader as well as the benefits of community service.  This 6 week program meets once a week for two hours. (Fall and Spring) 

Prep for Success: This program is a high school readiness program that seeks to prepare minority students for high school academic achievement by giving them a head start in preparing for and exposing them to college. Parents (an adult who is concerned with the success of the student) are required to attend with the participant for this 4-week program. Each session (one per week) lasts 4 hours. (students entering the 9th grade-Summer)

Exactly as I Am!: The focus of this program is to help the young ladies overcome barriers to their academic and career success by helping them build a healthy self-esteem and body image, exploring healthy friendships and relationships, learning more about themselves and developing and maintaining a good character.  This is an 8-week program which includes a "Rites of Passage" ceremony and meets once a week for two hours per session. (6th-8th grade young ladies)

 Project M.R. (Male Responsibility.): The purpose of the program is to equip, empower and prepare adolescent African-American males for achievement and success, by teaching them the appropriate principles, behaviors, attitudes, and values that lead to personal development and career success; to teach adolescent African-American males how to be responsible, self-believing, achieving men in society. This is an 8-week program which also includes a "Rites of Passage" ceremony.  The participants meet 3 hours per sessiononce a week.  The young men are guided through instruction by responsible male facilitators.  (6th-8th grade young men)

MCLD Book Club:  The purpose of this program is to improve literacy by fostering a positive image of self and by developing and nurturing a love and an appreciation for the written word. The students read 2-3 books throughout the program and engage in various
written and oral activities.  Some of the activities include oral presentations, debates, journaling daily, and maintenance of a vocabulary log.  (Grades 6-8) 

Writers’ Workshop: The growing influence of technology has caused somewhat of a brain drain on our society. Young people text using
  newly created words and symbols. Spelling is no longer a part of the curriculum and writing seems to be a lost art.  The Writers'
Workshop provides active instruction for young people in grades 6-8.  The participants, while working with seasoned professionals (volunteers), will explore and create their own fiction, non-fiction, short stories, spoken word pieces, and creative writings.  They will also learn to properly develop business correspondences, such as letters, memos, resumes, and cover letters. Through writing, they learn to express themselves clearly and expend their emotions in a positive manner. 
By the end of the class, each participant will have created a portfolio
  in their chosen genre and the class will publish an anthology of their
  work.  (Grades 6-8)

Freshman Foundation: In response to the requests of so many parents and educators, the MCLD is in the process of creating a program which will assist in solidifying a firm foundation for high school freshmen.  Due to the fact that many students dropout during the first semester of their sophomore year, the entire freshman year is critical to ensuring the continuing education and the success of our youth participants.  (high school freshman)

Executive Youth Leadership Training (EYLT): The Executive Youth Leadership Training Program is an intensive 10 week program which prepares and equips high school students in the 10th through 12th grades with tools that will enable them to be successful academically as they pursue their career goals. Students attend one 2.5 hour class per week.  (prerequisite 10th -12th grade)

Parents’ Purpose: Parents’ Purpose is a five-week series (one session per week) of structured discussions which are intended to help parents and guardians understand the critical influence they have on their children and their child’s home life. (must have a student enrolled in EYLT)

College Prep Institute I:  The College Prep Institute I equips college-bound students and their parents with information, skills and resources needed to succeed in college.  This institute provides a curriculum experience in which students and parents simultaneously receive information and resources to assist their youth in achieving success.  Parents (an adult who is concerned with the success of the student) are required to attend with the participant for this 4-week program. Each session (one per week) lasts 4 hours. (prerequisite EYLT)

College Prep Institute II: Participants and their parents enrolling
  in this program will receive information directly related to their impending college experience.  This experience occurs after the participants have enrolled in the first level of the College Prep Institute.  College-bound students and their parents are equipped with information, skills and resources needed to succeed in college. 
This institute provides a curriculum experience in which students and
parents simultaneously receive information and resources to assist their youth in achieving success.  Parents (or an adult who is concerned with the success of the student) are required to attend with the participant for this 4-week program. Each session (one per week) lasts 4  hours. (prerequisite EYLT)

SAT Prep: The SAT Prep course is an intensive six-week course (one two hour session per week) which provides participants with effective methods for test taking, interpreting test questions and improving overall testing performance on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. (prerequisite EYLT)

ACT Prep: The ACT Prep course is an intensive six-week course (one two hour session per week) which provides participants with effective methods for test taking, interpreting test questions and improving overall testing performance on the ACT.  (prerequisite EYLT)

Financial Literacy 101: In partnership with Make a Difference Wisconsin and JA Wisconsin, the MCLD, empowers students to make wise financial decisions now and in the future. By exploring topics surrounding budgeting and saving, opening and maintaining a
checking account and establishing and using credit responsibly, students are given the information they need to become financially fit.  While maintaining the integrity of the MCLD process, each session is delivered by volunteer professionals who willingly give their time and talent to ensure the success of our youth.  The program information is delivered through six sessions/one per week.  (prerequisite
EYLT)

MCLD Medical Scholars: The MCLD Medical Scholars
Initiative is a six-week program that educates and motivates African American youth to aspire to excellence, by exposing them to many exciting career opportunities that exist in the field of medicine. The youth participants obtain a greater understanding of the rigorous academic requirements necessary for studying in the medical field as well the requirements for admission to medical school and successful completion by speaking with admissions representatives and
current medical students. (prerequisite EYLT)

MCLD High School Book Club:  The purpose of this program is to improve literacy by fostering a positive image of self and by developing and nurturing a love and an appreciation for the written word. The students read 2-3 books throughout the program and engage in various written and oral activities.  Some of the
activities include oral presentations, debates, journaling daily, and
maintenance of a vocabulary log.  (Grades 9-12)

Writers’ Workshop: The growing influence of technology has caused somewhat of a brain drain on our society.  Young people text using newly created words and symbols. Spelling is no longer a part of the curriculum and writing seems to be a lost art.  The Writers'
Workshop provides active instruction for young people in grades 6-12.  The participants, while working with seasoned professionals will explore and create their own fiction, non-fiction, short stories, spoken word pieces, and creative writings.  They will also learn to properly develop business correspondences, such as letters, memos, resumes, and cover letters. Through writing, they learn to express themselves clearly and expend their emotions in a positive manner. By the end of the class, each participant will have created a portfolio in their chosen genre and the class will publish an anthology of their work.  (Grades 9-12)