Families in Milwaukee and its suburbs can work with a Blackburn mentor by video. Our team is in Los Angeles, and clients in Whitefish Bay, Shorewood, Mequon, Wauwatosa, Brookfield and Elm Grove meet one dedicated mentor online each week, scheduled in Central time, with text and phone check-ins between sessions. We work with high school students (always with a parent involved), college students, young adults and professionals.
A lake city with working roots
Milwaukee sits on Lake Michigan about 90 miles north of Chicago, and it has its own identity: a manufacturing and engineering city that has added health care, financial services, insurance and water technology to the mix. Brewing is part of the history and the skyline. Neighborhoods are tight-knit, families tend to stay close, and people take summer seriously because winter is long.
The North Shore suburbs along the lake and the western suburbs in Waukesha County are known for strong public schools, and the city and suburbs have a deep tradition of Catholic, Lutheran and independent schools. Many students grow up with clear expectations and a strong sense of family.
Four seasons, two speeds
In Milwaukee the year really does run at two speeds. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, families head for the lake, festivals, cabins Up North and long evenings outside. From November to March, it is cold and dark early, and everyone is indoors. Both seasons can knock a student off track: summer because there is no structure, winter because motivation runs low.
- Summer: set two or three goals for the break, such as a job, a skill or a head start on senior year, and keep a light weekly check-in going from wherever the family is.
- Fall: start the school year with a written weekly routine before the calendar fills up.
- Winter: protect sleep, exercise and homework time when the days are short.
- Spring: plan ahead for the next year, summer and any big decisions.
Our guide on a teen summer plan covers the warm-weather side in detail.
What Milwaukee parents usually tell us
The calls we get from Milwaukee families tend to be direct. A son who is capable but not trying. A daughter who is doing everything and running on empty. A senior who does not want to talk about what comes next. A college student who came home after a semester that did not go well. Parents are not looking for someone to take over. They want a consistent adult outside the family who can help their kid plan, follow through and grow up a little. Parents join the intro call, help agree the goals and get regular progress updates. See how to talk to a teen who will not talk.
College students in Wisconsin and beyond
Milwaukee has several colleges and universities in the city and nearby, and campuses across the state university system draw many local students. Others head to Chicago, Minneapolis or farther. A mentor works with the student by video wherever they live, helps build a weekly routine for classes, work and life, and with permission keeps parents informed. See mentoring for college students and study habits in college.
Young adults in the Third Ward and beyond
Young professionals in the Third Ward, Bay View and the East Side often come to us when a first job feels stuck, when they are deciding between staying in Milwaukee and moving to Chicago, or when they want help with money and routines. Mentors help break those decisions into practical weekly steps. See thinking about a career change.
Session times
Milwaukee is on Central time, two hours ahead of Los Angeles. A 4 pm session after school is 2 pm for the mentor, and evening sessions after work are easy to place. A video session also means no driving in a January snowstorm. We schedule in your local time.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor is not a tutor, therapist or admissions counselor. The role is steady accountability and practical guidance, alongside any professionals a family already works with. Families with teens usually start with mentoring for high school students; young adults often fit young adult mentoring. For how online sessions work, see our online mentoring page.
Related
- Online mentoring in Chicago
- Online mentoring in Minneapolis
- Mentoring for families
- How mentoring works
- Online Mentoring in Madison, Wisconsin
Common questions
Do you have mentors in Milwaukee?
Our team is based in Los Angeles. Milwaukee clients meet their mentor by video, with text and phone check-ins between sessions.
Can sessions continue over the summer at the cabin?
Yes. As long as there is a quiet spot and a connection, sessions can continue from a cabin, a summer job or a trip.
What times are sessions for Milwaukee clients?
Sessions are scheduled in Central time. After-school, evening and weekend times are all common.
Get started
Thinking about a mentor for someone in the Milwaukee area? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.