"We're taking it to the roof!" Massive fundraising campaign underway as non-profit prepares to lay off its employees

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Bad news isn't keeping some Milwaukee workers from doing their jobs. 25 Career Youth Development employees have gotten word they're being laid off -- but they're still showing up for work. The organization has financial problems, and officials have come up with a plan to get the organization out of the red.

Career Youth Development is a non-profit organization. It is funded by donations and grants.

The organization helps inner city youth and their families -- and now it needs help itself.

During extreme times, sometimes you must go to the extreme. At the corner of Clarke and Martin Luther King Drive in Milwaukee, a massive fundraising effort is underway. Volunteers are collecting money on the ground and from up above.

"I haven't lost my mind. We're doing this because we love the work that we do," CYD CEO and Executive Director Elizabeth Coggs said.

CYD is in desperate need of money. For the past few years, the organization has seen new directors and board members -- all while the organization's debt continued to grow.

"This agency has been through a lot in the last two years," Coggs said.

Coggs is sitting on top of the building. She's not coming down until a quarter-million dollars is raised.

"I`ve come into the middle of a crisis situation. We want to continue to save children and save families. We're taking it to the roof," Coggs said.

Starting Friday, August 1st, all 25 employees will be laid off. Eric Allen is one of them.

"It's kind of hard to digest. I do have a family to take care of, but I support the dream," Allen said.

Allen will continue to run the Adult Education and Youth Services Program -- and doesn't receive a paycheck.

"I`ll do whatever it takes to get CYD back where it needs to be," Allen said.

It's a positive outlook that doesn't waver even in the midst of a financial crisis.

CYD has a fundraising goal of $1 million.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Career Youth Development.

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