2000 - 2006
The beginning of the twenty first century was a time of major expansion for COA. Byron Kilbourn Park, Milwaukee's oldest park, was turned over to our organization. In the summer of 2004 a beautifully restored park located adjacent to our childcare playground, came alive with soccer games, cultural arts programs, and COA's summer day camp.
The hill leading from the Park down to Commerce Street became newly added parkland. Alice Bertschy Kadish Park, named after the benefactor who endowed it, includes new pedestrian and bike paths, a connecting bridge across the Milwaukee River to the Brady Street neighborhood, and a new mini-amphitheater.
In 2005 COA was asked to take ownership of a state-of-the-art facility on Burleigh Street. The new center opened in the fall and COA is now providing sports, academic tutoring, and other youth activities in one of Milwaukee's most distressed and overlooked neighborhoods.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of COA. It is difficult to predict exactly where COA Youth & Family Centers will be in the future. Today's programs at our Riverwest centers, Camp Helen Brachman, community learning centers in four schools, Kadish & Kilbourn Park, and the new Burleigh Center are reaching record numbers of children and families.
Over the years the sites change, the times change, the people who lead, teach, and work to make these programs successful change. But the dream, the vision, and the mission remain firmly rooted in 100 years of tradition and success. It is upon this solid foundation that COA Youth & Family Centers continues to build its programs and services, and continues to reach children and families in need. We are looking forward to the next 100 years!
