The records of the United Community Services of Greater Milwaukee primarily cover the years from 1930 to 1966. The collection includes annual reports; incoming and outgoing correspondence; material concerning the various member agencies and their relation to the central agency; minutes of the corporation and its various committees; newspaper clippings; studies concerning agencies and problems; and a variety of pamphlets and reports.
The records are extensive, but not comprehensive. Files are present for the Budget Committee, Family and Child Welfare Division, Groupwork and Recreation Section, Health Section, Psychological Services Committee, Social Service Exchange, and Public Relations Department.
There are minutes of meetings for a number of committees and subcommittees that served under the Social Planning Committee. There are some records from the Executive Division, but not included in this collection are the records of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.
Much of the collection consists of correspondence from social organizations requesting financial assistance from UCS. The correspondence is filed under each respective organization and also includes USC's action with regard to the request as well as related contracts and receipts. Included among the organizations are the United Service to China, Milwaukee Mission Kindergarten, Bethany Home, Wisconsin Humane Society, and the Wisconsin Association for the Blind.
Also included throughout the collection are various studies, conducted by the UCS and other groups, that addressed a variety of social concerns such as juvenile delinquency, unwed mothers, alcoholism, poverty, and the chronically ill. There are voluminous files of correspondence and reports on a 1949-1950 survey of social welfare and health services in Milwaukee County.
The UCS was actively involved in providing a wide range of programs during World War II. The collection contains records addressing the following topics: day care for children of working mothers; dogs for defense; Japanese-American resettlement; relief funds for several allied countries including France, Holland, India, Italy, China, and Norway; refugees; and veteran's rehabilitation.
The earliest records in the collection predate the founding of UCS, and consist of a 1903-1918 treasurer's account from the Children's Betterment League.
The processed portion of this collection was acquired and organized in two parts. Part 1, designated the Original Collection, was transferred to the Archives in 1966. It comprises Boxes 1-39 and its contents date 1903-1965. Files are arranged in a single alphabetical order. Part 2, the 1967 Additions, was transferred to the Archives in that year. It comprises Boxes 40-88 plus 38 oversize volumes and 7 tape recordings. Its contents date 1922-1966; files also are in a single alphabetical order.
