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 [...]

COA’s Skyline Music series will be held every Tuesday from 5:30 – 8:30 PM from July 10th to August 21st at the Selig-Joseph-Folz Amphitheater in Kadish Park. The 2018 season, presented by Allen Silverstein Law Offices and Buddha Lounge, has a diverse musical lineup including reggae, classic R & B, pop, jazz, soul, funk, and [...]

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 [...]

When Shorewood High School senior Katie Eder began volunteering at COA, she was just 13 years old. Motivated by her passion for writing and her love for volunteering, in 2014 she approached COA’s Executive Director Tom Schneider with a bold proposition: she wanted to teach a creative writing class for youth at COA.That summer, Katie [...]

Each year at COA’s Hollywood Gala, we honor amazing program participants with the Rising Star Award. This award recognizes individuals who demonstrate what it means to reach their greatest potential. This year, we honor Riverside High School seniors Ty’Johnna Gardner and Keshawn Williams for their outstanding dedication to their school, their peers, and their communities. [...]

While Hollywood’s brightest stars are honored at this year’s 90th Annual Academy Awards, COA will also be honoring the stars who support Milwaukee’s children and families. Join us at our 20th Annual Hollywood Gala for a night to celebrate our successes and supporters, and watch a live screening of the Academy Awards. Since 1906, COA [...]

Every Friday morning at COA's Burke Early Education Center, something unexpected happens; young children from Milwaukee's Amani Neighborhood join a fitness instructor for two hours of morning exercise. Children at COA have been enjoying this physical programming for two years now, thanks to a partnership with Fit 4 You, Traveling Trainer. Fit 4 You provides on-going body and [...]

COA honored four outstanding individuals and organizations for their leadership and service this fall at our annual meeting. The event brought COA board members, volunteers, staff, and community partners together at the Wisconsin Club to hear about another incredibly successful year for COA. We also held an awards ceremony to honor the following organizations and [...]