A Partnership of Success

The CFSS Leadership Team

Today, CFSS is a Milwaukee-based nonprofit agency that works with government and local nonprofit agencies to deliver teen pregnancy prevention, youth character development and healthy relationship education throughout Southeast Wisconsin and the East Coast.

We currently have seven organizational partners, 17 employees, six consultants and three organizational contractors who carry out the programmatic, evaluative and administrative work of the organization. A six-member Board of Directors, which meets four times a year, governs the organization.

Jeanette Stevens Program Director, Youth and Family Programs (SE Wisconsin)

Melanie Porterfield-Riddix Program Director, Youth and Family Programs
(East Coast)

Sara Polifka
Research and Planning Manager

Dr. Cindy Walker Independent Evaluator,
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

CFSS staff and independent evaluators possess professional experience across multiple disciplines including organizational leadership, program implementation and outcomes, research and planning, marketing and PR, and administrative support.

Our team has a strong commitment to serving inner-city families and we are experienced in working to change generations of relationship patterns. Reflective of the communities we serve. CFSS employees are positive role models who have achieved high levels of education and healthy relationships.

New projects in 2009:

Milwaukee Reentry and Workforce Pipeline Coordination – CFSS has been was chosen by the Wisconsin Dept. of Corrections and the Annie E. Casey Foundation to lead a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary effort to integrate reentry efforts in Milwaukee County.

Compassion Capital Fund Nonprofit Capacity Building Project – As part of this U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services grant, CFSS will screen and conduct preliminary self-assessments with 20 Milwaukee grassroots organizations. Eight will be selected from those that submit RFPs to receive one-on-technical assistance, seminar training and financial assistance sub-awards.