Meet Camp Counselor Kellen
Meet Camp Counselor Kellen Q: Can you tell me a little more about your connection to Camp Helen Brachman? A: My connection to Camp Helen Brachman, and COA, actually goes way back. My dad went to COA's summer camp before it was Camp Helen Brachman and once he was old enough, he started to work [...]
Cream Skills Basketball Program Gives Youth a Safe Place to Express Themselves at COA
Over the summer, teens at COA’s Goldin Center participated in programming with Cream Skills Incorporated, an organization whose mission is to promote entrepreneurship skills through sports. Cream Skills is a unique basketball program. As a microcosm of the NBA, youth in Goldin’s teen program had the chance to participate in a draft, playoffs, and even [...]
COA’s HIPPY Program Empowers Children and Parents
COA's HIPPY Program Empowers Children and Parents At the heart of COA’s Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program is the mission to empower parents as their child’s first teacher and improve school readiness for children along the way. But to Jessica Namaste, COA’s HIPPY Program Director, HIPPY is more than a place [...]
Darien Gets Back on Track Thanks to his Parents and COA Teachers
Darien Gets Back on Track Thanks to his Parents and COA Teachers Darien, an 8-year-old participant at COA’s Riverwest Youth Development Center, is known by COA staff for his fun and energetic personality. Like other kids his age, Darien enjoys playing soccer with his friends and spends his free time playing computer games. Darien was [...]
The Importance of Experiencing Summer Camp in 2022
The Importance of Experiencing Summer Camp in 2022 After a two-year hiatus, campers will return to Camp Helen Brachman to participate in traditional summer camp sessions once again. In 2020, COA’s Camp Helen Brachman joined the number of camps around the country faced with the decision to suspend traditional summer camp operations, a decision made [...]
Black History Month at COA
Black History Month at COA Black History Month is a time to honor, and celebrate, the remarkable contributions and legacies of African Americans across U.S. history. During the month of February, COA staff and participants celebrated Black history at our community centers through educational activities, a festive spirit week, a Black history read-along program, and [...]
COA Values in Action: Empowerment!
COA Values in Action: Empowerment! One of COA’s core values is empowerment. COA works diligently to empower the children, families, and communities we serve by providing the sustaining resources, services, and programming families need to prosper. Empowerment helps build strong communities, support family resiliency, and nurture children to achieve their greatest potential. Empowerment in [...]
COA Youths Celebrate Black History Month
“Each child belongs to all of us and they will bring us a tomorrow in direct relation to the responsibility we have shown them.” - Maya Angelou COA Youth & Family Centers is proud to celebrate Black History Month by engaging children of all backgrounds in fun and educational activities that honor Black history and [...]
Community Partners are Brightening the Holidays for COA Children and Families
For most families, the holidays are synonymous with food, festivities and gift-giving. Holiday traditions are usually defined by large social gatherings and spending time with family and friends. While we may not be able to come together physically this season, we can still connect as a community to spread goodwill. This year, our generous community [...]
COA Welcomes Charlotte Cannon-Sain as new Executive Director!
COA Youth & Family Centers is pleased to welcome Charlotte Cannon-Sain as our new Executive Director! Charlotte’s appointment follows the retirement of Tom Schneider, who joined COA in 2001 as Executive Director and led the organization for nearly 20 years. Over the past two decades, Tom has demonstrated vision and innovation in advancing COA’s mission [...]