Meet COA’s new Early Education Center Directors!

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Meet COA’s new Early Education Center Directors!Development2015-05-01T12:40:10-05:00

Project Description

Ashley Harrell:

Burke Early Education Center Director

Ashley Harrell joins COA’s early education team with almost 15 years of early childhood education and 10 years of community relations experience. She discovered her passion for early childhood education at the age of 15, and started towards a degree in Early Childhood Education at Milwaukee Area Technical College. Ashley went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Behavior Science at Mount Mary University with a minor focus in Early Childhood Education. She is a crusader for education and believes every child has the right to high quality education. Ashley was COA’s Assistant Program Director for HIPPY (Home Instruction for Preschool Youngsters) prior to becoming the center director for the Burke Early Education Center.

Katie Taff:

Riverwest Early Education Center Director

Katie Taff is our new Riverwest Early Education Center Director. She holds a BA in Theatre and History and a Master’s in History from Cardinal Stritch University. She brings with her 10 years of experience in the early education field and has been with COA since May of 2013.

Katie on her new position: “I am very excited for this new opportunity! I have loved my time here at COA and I look forward to helping nurture and grow the Riverwest Early Education Center so that we can continue to work in partnership with families to help their children be successful in school and grow up healthy and happy.”

(pictured: Ashley Harrell on left, Katie Taff on right)

Project Details

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Staff

Our Mission

COA Youth & Family Centers helps Milwaukee children, teens, and families reach their greatest potential through a continuum of educational, recreational, and social work programs offered through its urban community centers and rural camp facility. As a multicultural agency, COA values diversity and cooperation, and promotes growth and positive social interaction.

The COA Philosophy

COA Youth & Family Centers’ history is deeply rooted in the American Settlement House movement. The underlying foundation of this movement was that a holistic approach is essential to give children and families the tools to become self-sufficient. And more than a century later, COA continues to provide families with a holistic array of services to give children and families these tools to become stronger, healthier, and more self-sufficient.

Four-Star Organization

For nine consecutive years, COA has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a national evaluator of nonprofit organizations. Only one percent of the nation's charities have received the highest four-star rating for twelve consecutive years.

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When I was 20 and a new mom, I found the Family Center. At 22 with 2 kids, the center saved me time and time again. Today, 42 and pregnant with 4 kids under 3years old in my care, you brightened my rainy day as usual. So grateful for this resource!

"COA is a lifesaver!! We go stir crazy in the house. The kids love it here. I need to feel a social connection with other parents. I get so bored and lonely and isolated home with the kids all day. Also – social interactions for the toddlers is invaluable."

"I come to the COA to expose my son to other kids, so he can interact and learn from them. I appreciate the many different people from different cultures and walks of life. I love all the difference art projects that my son can try without messing up my house."

"I come to COA because it is an awesome, clean, friendly environment that is very well-suited to my kids. I also really appreciate the educational aspect of drop-in, such as crafts and songs. My kids would not be the same had we not been coming to COA. Thank you Anne and COA."