About Us

Since 1958, Silver Spring Neighborhood Center has been a cornerstone for community empowerment in Milwaukee. Founded to serve residents of the Westlawn Housing Development, the center began with a modest 3,000-square-foot building and a mission to bridge socioeconomic gaps. Over the decades, we have grown into a multi-faceted organization offering education, health, youth services, and employment programs that uplift thousands of Milwaukee residents each year.

In 1964, the center launched one of Milwaukee’s oldest licensed daycare programs, laying the foundation for our long-standing focus on early childhood education. This commitment was further strengthened by the involvement of Elaine Schreiber, wife of former Wisconsin Governor Martin Schreiber. Elaine was deeply passionate about ensuring access to quality childcare for all families, particularly those in underserved areas. Her advocacy and support were instrumental in expanding the center’s early childhood initiatives, and in recognition of her contributions, the Elaine Schreiber Child Development Center was named in her honor.

From the launch of these early programs to partnerships with institutions like Milwaukee Area Technical College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, SSNC has continually expanded to meet the evolving needs of our community. Our collaboration with Browning Elementary School, established in 1998, further cemented our role as an educational leader in Milwaukee.

Today, Silver Spring Neighborhood Center occupies over 11 times the space of our original facility, and our programs touch every stage of life—from early childhood to adulthood. We take pride in the strong relationships we’ve built within the community, and our staff is committed to making sure that every person who walks through our doors is given the tools they need to succeed.