OUR PROGRAMS

THERAPY

In 2017, 83 children received occupational, physical and speech therapy in our outpatient therapy program. Of those children, 92% made developmental improvements in their motor skills, and 88.65% made improvements in their cognitive skills. Additionally, the Milwaukee County Birth-to-Three Early Intervention program at Penfield served 855 children.

OUR PROGRAMS

BEHAVIOR CLINIC

Through a partnership with Marquette University, the Behavior Clinic served 553 children with significant behavioral and/or emotional issues. In 2017, Penfield Children’s Center enrolled 182 children in our SAMHSA “Trauma-Informed Care for Very Young Children in Poverty” project. As a result, 73.6% of children served by the Behavior Clinic reduced their trauma symptoms, as measured by the Early Childhood Traumatic Stress Scale.

OUR PROGRAMS

SPECIAL CARE NURSERY

Peyton was born with a complex medical condition that resulted in frequent seizures and delayed motor function. He receives care in our Special Care Nursery 5 days a week that includes physical, occupational and speech therapy. Watch Peyton’s story and learn about the unique ways that Penfield helps children with special needs.

• Penfield served 49 medically-fragile children with significant health concerns
• 33% of children transitioned to appropriate learning environments, including Penfield’s special education and Early Education classrooms, as well as local public schools
• Penfield’s Director of Health Services trained Penfield staff members in First Aid practices, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and how to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED)

OUR PROGRAMS

FAMILY PROGRAMS

Penfield Children’s Center provides parent support groups, educational workshops and school transition support services to help engage families. Family reading nights complete with a free dinner, storytime and books to take home, in addition to ice cream social events and our Summer Fun Picnic allow families to gather together and collect necessary items such as backpacks and developmentally appropriate educational materials. We also host our yearly Holiday Party that includes winter-inspired crafts, live music, snacks and a gift for every child donated by Kohl’s associates.

Funded by the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, bilingual parent mentors address the unique needs of each family by providing information about Penfield’s programming, and working to ensure all families have access to essentials, such as enough food and access to resources within the community.

• Penfield offered 31 family programs and events including celebrations, support groups, parent education workshops and family reading nights
• The 2017 Holiday Party welcomed more than 930 guests. Families participated in crafts, listened to live music and enjoyed special treats. Kohl’s donated 1,000 gifts for our children and 150 volunteers and staff volunteered their time to ensure the event’s success

OUR PROGRAMS

PENFIELD MONTESSORI ACADEMY

In 2017, we welcomed 116 K3-1st grade students and will add one grade each year with plans to be fully enrolled – K3 through 8th grade – by fall 2024. Click here to visit the Penfield Montessori Academy website.

WHAT MAKES PENFIELD MONTESSORI SPECIAL?

• 100% of the students and teachers returned for the 2017/18 school year
• We exceeded our enrollment goal of 114 students
• Our student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1
• Each student receives an individually designed lesson plan
• In partnership with Marquette University, we opened the state’s first fully-integrated school-based mental health clinic.
• Providing mindfulness activities for all children, the Behavior Clinic at Penfield Montessori also offered multi-tier trauma-informed services for children requiring more specialized care

OUR PROGRAMS

KOHL’S BUILDING BLOCKS

Through the generous support of Kohl’s Cares, the Kohl’s Building Blocks Program allows Penfield to provide children in need access to early educational and developmental programs, services and equipment that promote hands-on learning for professionals and families.

• 1,738 Children served by Child Development Specialists
• 22,006 Participants worked with our Community Outreach team
• 14,102 Children received Early Education Toolboxes
• 93,760 Visitors accessed content on PenfieldBuldingBlocks.org

PENFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTER

2017 HIGHLIGHTS

• William and Bonnie Kellogg made a $2 million challenge grant through the Kellogg Family Foundation in support of Penfield Montessori Academy.
• More than 300 Kohl’s Associates in Action volunteers spent 1,039 hours assisting with events and spending time in our classrooms. In support of these efforts, Kohl’s donated $28,500.
• Penfield Children’s Center and Summerfest celebrated 50 years. In honor of both anniversaries, Summerfest brought Jahmes Tony Finlayson to Penfield for a special performance.
• The Behavior Clinic opened a multi-tiered trauma informed program at Penfield Montessori Academy.
• Artist Stacey Williams-Ng painted a mural titled, “Joy to the Fishes in the Deep Blue Sea; Joy to You and Me” on the outside wall of Penfield in collaboration with The Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Mary L. Nohl Fund, and 88Nine RadioMilwaukee.
• Our founding board members gathered at Penfield for city and county proclamations for our 50th anniversary event and were honored at our Croquet Ball.

PENFIELD CHILDREN’S CENTER

2017 CROQUET BALL

In 2017, Penfield celebrated 50 years of changing the lives of Milwaukee’s most vulnerable children. During this half century, more than 30,000 kids have benefited from the agency’s devoted staff and comprehensive care. Our year-long celebration culminated on September 9, 2017 at the 22nd annual Croquet Ball at the Milwaukee Country Club. The event raised more than $400,000! Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, speed croquet match on the front lawn, silent, live and paddle auctions, gourmet dinner and a program showcasing the stories of Mario, Monica, John and Peyton who all received care in our Special Care Nursery. We also honored Penfield’s founders, Betty Bostrom, Marilyn Bradley, William Chester, William Eastham, Barbara Elsner and Martie Watts with the Benefactor Award for their vision and dedication to the success of Milwaukee’s children.