Printable Annual Report 2014-2015 (Pdf)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015 TRANSFORMING LIVES SINCE 1973 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 MISSION 2 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 3 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, SCHOOL LEADERSHIP 4 MILESTONES 9 MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD PRESIDENT 12 SHALOM 14 NOVA 16 EL PUENTE 18 ESCUELA VERDE 20 NOVA TECH 22 DEMOGRAPHICS AND DATA 24 FINANCIALS 27 DONORS 29 PARTNERS AND VOLUNTEERS 31 INVEST IN EDUCATION THAT WORKS II MISSION The mission of TransCenter for Youth, Inc. is to provide high quality educational programs that allow at-risk youth and others opportunities to become productive adults and responsible community members. We realize this mission by operating a portfolio of five innovative urban schools. Each school is unique in its design, curriculum, and focus. Parents, teachers, and youth are empowered to build a culture of community and inclusion within a living and breathing educational environment. TRANSCENTER FOR YOUTH, INC. PORTFOLIO OF INNOVATIVE URBAN EDUCATION MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MILWAUKEE PARENTAL CITY OF MILWAUKEE SCHOOLS CHOICE PROGRAM COMMON COUNCIL PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS: PRIVATE SCHOOL: INDEPENDENT CHARTER SHALOM EL PUENTE SCHOOLS: NOVA ESCUELA VERDE NON-INSTRUMENTALITY CHARTER SCHOOL: NOVA TECH 1 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS: Ann-Marie Moss Feeding America Luis Arroyo, President Antonio Riley Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Department of Housing & Urban Felita Daniels-Ashley, Vice President Development Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council Dr. Felicia Saffold Brian Dix, Treasurer UW-Milwaukee School of Education Northwestern Mutual Mary Clare Fagin, Secretary HONORARY DIRECTORS: MC Strategies Dr. René Antrop-González DIRECTORS: Mayor Thomas Barrett Dr. James Blackburn Dale Boehm Caspian Technologies Dr. Howard Fuller Dale Gilliam Dr. Peggy Kendrigan GBG Insurance Agency Michelle Nettles Armando Ibarra* GMR Marketing Debra Ogsten Gladys Manzanet Dr. Charles Stubbs Northwestern Mutual Scott Wick Ken Marsh Infinity Benefit Solutions Judge Derek Mosley Milwaukee Municipal Court *Graduate, El Puente High School 2 ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Dr. Daniel Grego, Executive Director Nancy Meylink, Administrative Assistant Bobbi Aguero, Dean of School Development Janet Peshek, Director of Fund Development SCHOOL LEADERSHIP Shalom High School Co-Directors: Gwendolyn Spencer, Laura Rohling NOVA Principal: Scott Campbell, Assistant Principal: Nancy DeYoung Dean of Students: Pat Bridges El Puente High School Co-Directors: Lynn Klipstine, John Surges Escuela Verde Spokespersons: Dr. Joella Zocher, Bethany Vannest NOVA Tech Principal: Scott Campbell, Assistant Principal: Nancy DeYoung Dean of Students: Antoinette Curtis 3 MILESTONES 2 4 6 1970’s 1980’s 1990’s 2000’s 1 3 5 1. 1973: TransCenter for Youth, Inc. is officially 2. 1985: Shalom High School contracts with incorporated in the State of Wisconsin MPS as one of Milwaukee’s first Partnership and recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit Schools following the passing of Wisconsin organization by the Internal Revenue Service. Statute 118.153, the “Children at Risk Statute.” This Statute opened the doors for a new • TransCenter for Youth, Inc. operates a vision of public education. Partnership schools group foster home for adjudicated youth. provide educational options for students TransCenter runs group homes for adjudicated identified as “at-risk of not graduating high youth until 2002. school” or experiencing difficulty in • Shalom High School is established as a a traditional school setting. private, independent, alternative school for “marginal students” – those identified as at- 3. 1993: The successful outcomes at Shalom risk of not completing high school. High School inspired the founding of NOVA 4 8 10 2000’s 2010 - 2015 7 9 (Northwest Opportunities Vocational 5. 2002: After a year’s reflection and strategic Academy) as a MPS Partnership School. planning, the board decides to transfer the The NWSCDC (Northwest Side Community group homes to another non-profit agency, Development Corporation) and the then the Nehemiah Project, and to focus on Northwest Business Council partnered with education. TransCenter for Youth to establish NOVA as 6. 2003-2010: The Bill & Melinda Gates an alternative school-to-work program. Foundation made a $17.25 million grant 4. 1997: El Puente High School is founded as to Milwaukee in support of a New Vision a MPS Partnership school to serve students on of Secondary Education. TransCenter Milwaukee’s Southside. It contracts with MPS created TALC, or the Technical Assistance & with successful results for the next 14 years. Leadership Center to administer the grant. TransCenter worked to develop new leadership 5 for small high schools through coaching and 7. 2011: El Puente relocates to the Layton other assistance to new school founders, from Boulevard West Neighborhood thanks to the visioning process through the opening of a generous sponsor. El Puente becomes a the schools. private school whose students enroll through the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program or • TALC helped 42 small high schools open MPCP. in Milwaukee allowing 5000 students access every year to alternative educational • TransCenter for Youth, Inc. receives an opportunities. Today, many of the TALC umbrella charter by the Common Council of schools founded during these years continue the City of Milwaukee. their work to provide quality educational 8. 2012: Escuela Verde is founded as opportunities including several schools rated TransCenter’s first school chartered by the City as “Top High Schools in Wisconsin” by the US of Milwaukee Common Council. Based on the News & World Report and Washington Post: EdVisions Project-Based Learning Model and Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High dedicated to education for sustainability and School, Carmen High School of Science & social justice, Escuela Verde quickly becomes Technology, Eastbrook Academy, and Hmong one of the most exciting new schools in American Peace Academy. In addition, Tenor Milwaukee. High School, The Alliance School of Milwaukee, as well as Milwaukee Collegiate Academy all 9. 2014: NOVA Tech is founded as a Non- have been recognized as “Charter School of Instrumentality Charter with Milwaukee the Year” by the Milwaukee Charter School Public Schools. Its focus is on STEM (Science, Advocates. Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects 6 to create a workforce development path to • The success of Escuela Verde sparks the jobs in manufacturing and technology. interest of African American community Through a unique partnership with GPS leaders to replicate Escuela Verde’s model Education Partners and Capitol Stampings, on the Northside of Milwaukee. “The Green NOVA Tech offers students the opportunity School” proposal was passed unanimously by to gain hands-on experience and advanced the City of Milwaukee Common Council on training. November 25, 2014. • Escuela Verde continues to grow and needs 10. 2015: Escuela Verde welcomes students to additional space. TransCenter purchases their new space. a building in the Layton Boulevard West • Planning begins for “The Green School” with Neighborhood at the head of the Hank Aaron a goal to open for the 2017-2018 school year. Trail and next door to the Urban Ecology Center Menomonee Valley branch. 7 8 MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD PRESIDENT Dear Valued Friends and Supporters, The African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child” guides TransCenter for Youth, Inc. in its mission to provide innovative urban educational options for at-risk and other youth. In its truest form, the village was inclusive, influential, integrated, and met the needs of its members who shared an emotional connection. Over time, the village changed. Youth in our modern-day village are “raised” by standardized systems, and measured with metrics of abstract value. Unfortunately, many youth fall through the cracks. They may be at-risk of not completing high school. They may be experiencing issues at home. They may simply “not fit in.” 9 • Peace Propaganda Project, Milwaukee Art ONE STUDENT Museum & Arts@Large. DROPS OUT EVERY * • Earth Day Clean Up, Northwest Side 26 SECONDS Community Development Corporation. The reality is that in modern America, every Their efforts garnered recognition to include: 26 seconds a teen drops out of high school.* • Shalom High School named a “2014 School TransCenter for Youth, Inc. and its schools of Merit” for their efforts in Positive Behavioral provide inclusive and innovative learning Interventions & Supports Program. communities where stakeholders share a • NOVA High School class of 2015 graduate common vision and participate in preparing receives full athletic scholarship to Mississippi young people for lives worth living and work Valley State. worth doing. Most importantly, TransCenter schools encourage youth to play a critical • El Puente High School receives accreditation role in their communities including from WRISA (Wisconsin Religious and participation in efforts like the following: Independent Schools Association). • Escuela Verde receives the “2014 Earthguard • Milwaukee Peace Project, City of Milwaukee. Award” by the Wisconsin Association for • March to Equality Exhibit, Arts@Large. Environmental Education. Dontre Hamilton Video, Black Nouveau, • • NOVA Tech graduates its first class of Milwaukee Public Television. seniors. Students are exposed to career and vocational options in manufacturing and *America’s Promise Alliance based on data from the United States Department of Education 10 technology a priority in partnership with GPS partners…the “village” recognized and Education Partners,