At birth, 16-year-old Sade was born mostly deaf. She could only hear 30% out of one ear. As a child, Sade learned to communicate by reading lips. Naturally caring, Sade always had a passion for helping others. However, her battles with bullying and shyness prevented her from speaking out. Once she got to elementary school, [...]

This story was originally published in COA's 2018 Annual Report. Read the whole report here. When she was born, now 20-month-old Dalisa was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia, a disability of the hip joint which makes walking extremely difficult. As an infant Dalisa wore a full-body harness for 24 hours per day. Dalisa joined COA’s Riverwest [...]

COA is excited to announce that we have introduced brand new after-school programming at two exciting sites: Keefe Avenue School and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School!  COA has partnered with these schools to open Safe Places that provide after-school programming for children and preteens. Programs at both Safe Places will include academic tutoring, visual [...]

One of our key goals here at COA is to give parents the tools to be their children’s first and most important teachers. Each year COA recognizes two outstanding local couples for their role as superb parents and their dedicated service to the Milwaukee community. We are thrilled to honor Rhonda & Gregory Oberland and [...]

“I didn’t know that!” a NOVA High School student was in awe as a senior Amani resident recalled her experience with the Milwaukee riot of 1967. He had heard about the riot before, but this was his first time hearing all the scary details. The two sat around a table with other Amani elders, NOVA [...]

Congratulations to the sixty-six preschoolers who graduated from Milwaukee’s HIPPY program on Saturday, May 12th! HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) is an internationally renowned early literacy and parental engagement program that prepares children ages 3-5 for success when they enter school. Member of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Milwaukee and [...]

Every Thursday afternoon at COA’s Community Learning Center (CLC) at Westside Academy School, 25 fourth and fifth graders come together for African dance lessons. For over five years, COA has partnered with Express Yourself MKE to give these girls and boys some time to get loose and learn about dance movements around the globe. Express [...]

When local musician and youth advocate Kiran Vedula began giving music and video production workshops at COA’s Riverwest and Goldin Centers in fall 2017, one of the biggest challenges was actually getting kids into the recording studio. Many of the preteens and teens in COA’s new Music and Video Production Program were nervous to [...]

From April 25th-28th, Riverside University High School’s Robotics Team will travel to Detroit, Michigan to compete in the FIRST Robotics World Championships! Riverside’s 20-member robotics team, the Riverside Robotigers, is based out of COA’s Community Learning Center (CLC) housed inside the school. The team consists of students who attend MPS schools throughout Milwaukee. Even though [...]

We are happy to announce that COA Youth & family Centers will be receiving donations this April through the Fresh Thyme Giving Bag Program! The program offers a special Giving Bag featuring a Giving Tag. This tag allows Fresh Thyme shoppers to direct a $1 donation to qualifying non-profits. What a great opportunity for us to [...]