DCW began an adult education program by incorporating a one-on-one teaching approach and including individualized student goals. Over the years the Center’s education experience has been enhanced by adding a writing lab, a technology lab, and art and enrichment classes.

Listening to resident concerns and collaborating with area residents and strategic community partners, DCW was able to provide the resources for a first-time home ownership program including finance management. Home rehabilitation work quickly followed home ownership, and due to the high number of lead poisoning and asthma cases in the 53206 zip code area, the healthy housing program was created.

The Dominican Center’s success is directly attributed to resident and strategic community partnerships.

• Carol Eschner, President ~ Interfaith Older Adult Programs
• Courtney Salzer, Vice President ~ WI FACETS
• Jaime Alvarado, Secretary ~ APM Milwaukee
• Gerri Kroepfl, Treasurer ~ MillerCoors
• Jonette Arms ~ Milwaukee Co. Dept. on Aging
• Josh Bierbach ~ Reilly, Penner & Benton
• Heidi Engelhardt ~ Robert W. Baird
• Dan Folkmann ~ UW-Milwaukee Dept. of Continuing Education (retired)
• Eloisa Gomez ~ Milwaukee County UW Extension
• Mark Kessenich ~ Milwaukee Area Workforce Investment Board
• Darren Kroenke ~ UMOS
• Dan Lightfuss ~ Komisar, Brady & Co., LLP
• Tatiana Maida ~ Sixteenth Street Community Health Center
• Joe Miller ~ M&I Bank
• Dan Neely ~ UWM
• Paul Post ~ Ancilla Partners/Technology
• Mark Powless ~ Southeast Oneida Tribal Services
• Julianne Price ~ UW-Milwaukee Institute for Service Learning
• Kevin Rizzuto ~ Michael Best & Friedrich
• Jeffrey Speller ~ Boyle Fredrickson, S.C.

Denise Wooten – Organizational Development Consultant/Manager

We had the pleasure of working with Denise when she coordinated the 2008 Intergenerational Dialogue on Race and Action. She will deliver and coordinate our consulting and scope of service in the training and consulting areas. Denise has more than 25 years of nonprofit experience, including positions with Agape Community Center and the Urban League in Milwaukee, and the Urban League in Oakland, California, where she lived for 18 years.

Denise also has a hands-on background in United Way and CDBG funding and processes. From 2000-2010, she ran her own consulting business working with nonprofits and faith based organization to build their capacity. She holds a degree from Alverno College with an emphasis in community development.

A seasoned special events and fund developer, she understands how boards work and govern and is a strong believer in intergenerational work and know how to facilitate the process of bringing all the voices to the table. She is a mother of 4 adult children and an active resident leader in her neighborhood block club.

Rachel Manuel – Director, Volunteer Wisconsin

Rachel has a wealth of experience well suited to the task of heading up a groundbreaking initiative: Volunteer Wisconsin, the first statewide office on volunteerism.

Rachel has served as Executive Director of Iowa Campus Compact, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator with United Way of Central Iowa, and Executive Director of Business for the 10,000 Hours Show of Central Iowa. She has also served as Commissioner with America's State Service Commission and Iowa's Commission on Volunteer Service, and as Marketing Chair of Directors of Volunteers in Agencies (DOVIA).

With her skills in communication, consensus building and problem solving, Rachel has the ability to bring all the key players to the table and engage them in creating this expansive vision, which is a collaborative. Born and raised in Iowa, she holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a BA in Journalism from Drake University.

Matt Brown – MKE Coordinator

Prior to joining our staff, Matt was a Public Ally with the Helen Bader Foundation. He took the seed of their idea for a social media website and turned it into a full-fledged vision. Many other nonprofits are now working with Matt to develop MKE123.org, a social media website that will increase opportunities for collaboration among nonprofits and serve as a portal for individual supporters and clients. MKE123 is set to launch on September 16.

Matt has also worked in Milwaukee as Outreach Ambassador with Woodland Pattern and Marketing Intern with Community Shares. He has a BA in Anthropology from the University of Vermont with minors in biology, music and theater.

This fall Matt will begin a series of Nonprofit Center workshops, consultations and customized trainings to help nonprofits and coalitions craft successful social media strategies.

Katey Szymanski – Youth Engagement Coordinator

Katey is serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the greater Milwaukee area. She is working in collaboration with the Nonprofit Center, UW-Milwaukee’s Institute for Service Learning, and Lead to Succeed. Much of her work at the Nonprofit Center focuses on building youth volunteerism. Katey is a recent graduate of UW-La Crosse with a double major in Political Science and Public Administration.