SDC is back in business but full recovery remains uncertain | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

The beleaguered Social Development Commission reopened to the public on Monday after a seven-month closure, offering limited services as it continues to grapple with how to grow in the face of major financial challenges.

William Sulton, SDC’s attorney, said the organization is still working on technical issues, such as getting its phone system reconnected and accessing its email and online platforms.  

Caspian Technologies, SDC’s information technology services provider, cut off the agency’s access to its website, emails or electronic data this summer after it failed to pay for its services. 

Still, Sulton heard positive feedback from staff on the agency’s first two days of operation. 

“Everything is trending in the right direction, and I think all the credit goes to the board that wants to reopen, have services and move forward,” Sulton said. 

As a quasi-governmental community action agency, SDC provided a variety of programs and services to meet the needs of low-income residents in Milwaukee County before it stopped services and laid off employees in late April.

After several months of meeting to figure out the agency’s next steps, SDC’s Board of Commissioners announced in November that SDC planned to restart the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, program and its career services, child care and housing programs in December.  

Families in crisis

Sulton estimated that about 25 people came into SDC’s main office, at 1730 W. North Ave., on Monday. 

“I was told that people came in. They had questions. They were able to get services or were directed to other community services,” Sulton said. 

Jorge Franco, SDC ‘s interim CEO and board chair, said the reopening was necessary. 

“I was there for the opening and within minutes we had people who had come to the door in crisis, in need of assistance,” said Franco.

Franco said a mother and son, worried about losing their home, visited the SDC looking for rental assistance. 

Though SDC is no longer providing rental assistance, the staff could redirect them to another service provider like Community Advocates, which has a rental assistance program.

“That kind of connection is important,” Sulton said. 

‘Dedicated to the mission of SDC’

Franco said about 10 staff members worked on Monday, some arriving as early as 7 a.m. 

“They’re so dedicated to the mission of SDC and for me, it’s a great honor to be working with such outstanding talent,” he said.

The Social Development Commission’s main office now bears new signs that announce that it is “under new management” and is preparing for a grand opening. 

SDC’s location, at 6850 N. Teutonia Ave., is not yet operational or open to the public, Franco said.

Here’s more on the SDC

SDC reopening: Here’s what you need to know

Could former board member’s role in sale of SDC buildings pose a conflict of interest?

SDC board continues to shrink as three more commissioners resign

Barbara Toles steps down from SDC’s Board of Commissioners

SDC puts main office and warehouse up for sale

How the Social Development Commission failed its Milwaukee residents

Why did the Social Development Commission fail? Here are takeaways from our investigation

Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.