In an open letter, the groups called for the Transitional Jobs and Transform Milwaukee Jobs programs to serve all 72 Wisconsin counties, backed by $5 million in annual state funding. They also asked for $8.2 million to expand Milwaukee’s Earn & Learn summer youth employment program so all 3,700 applicants can be placed in jobs in 2027.

The signatories include WISDOM, MICAH, Guest House of Milwaukee, the Wisconsin Council of Churches and UMOS. The letter was signed by Pastor Joseph Ellwanger, a longtime Milwaukee community organizer who has been active since the civil rights movement.

The groups say transitional jobs offer short-term paid work and support to people facing barriers to employment, including long-term unemployment and involvement with the criminal justice system. They cite Department of Children and Families data showing that more than 60% of participants go on to obtain long-term, unsubsidized employment. The letter describes an analysis covering five years and thousands of participants, saying about two-thirds secured and maintained such work.

The coalition argues that statewide unemployment figures can obscure joblessness among people who are not actively counted as unemployed, including people with past convictions and those who have had only limited ties to the labor force. It says transitional jobs can help participants earn income, pay taxes and gain access to insurance, while strengthening communities and expanding the workforce.

The letter also points to an estimated 16,000 young people ages 16 to 24 supported by the programs. Its request to expand Earn & Learn would specifically cover all 3,700 applicants for the Milwaukee summer program in 2027.

The letter asks both candidates to support the proposed funding and expansion. It says subsidized work can help people move into regular employment and provide a lawful source of income and a path to greater economic stability.