Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Two decades ago, Eunice Perez began her ALBA journey.
When Academia de Lenguaje y Bellas Artes (ALBA) was conceptualized and opened in the early 2000s, Perez was among the school’s first K5 classes, back when it was still carving out a small sliver of space within South Division High School.
ALBA later moved to its current home in the Burnham Park neighborhood where it shares building space with Carmen South. Perez attended ALBA from K5 through second grade, and if you visit the school today, a photo of Perez from a 2005 ALBA art showcase still hangs on the walls in the school office.
Eventually, Perez moved down the block to Greenfield School for her middle school years. She graduated from Riverside University High School and earned her degree in political science, communications, and peace studies from Milwaukee Area Technical College and UW-Milwaukee. Despite the varied studies in college, Perez always knew she wanted to give back to the community, particularly children. That is what led her back to ALBA.
“Since I was 18, I knew I wanted to do something for kids. [I said], you know what, I am just going to study the stuff that I like, and then eventually whatever I end up doing, I will use my education and my knowledge to help the community that I want to serve.”
In 2022, the site director position for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) opened at ALBA, which was a natural fit for someone of Perez’s skill set and history. Of course, at first glance, there would appear to be one glaring question—her age. The site director position not only requires effective programming for youth, but also supervision of staff members who may have significantly more experience within the walls of ALBA. The site director is also a colleague of the day school teachers, several of whom were even on staff when Perez attended the school two decades ago. But for Perez, who was 23 years old when she was first hired and is now 25 years old, those age concerns never became an issue.
“It is interesting, but I do feel like my staff respects me. Some of the staff had me here as a student. They support me. We are all working together and it is for the greater good and the CLC kids.”
And that respect is well earned, as Perez continues to find growth opportunities for her site and herself. When Perez took the job as site director, ALBA’s 21st CCLC, a partnership led by America SCORES and Milwaukee Recreation, was a new initiative for the school. In that first year, much of her focus was dedicated to promoting the program, hitting daily attendance goals, and building trust with families. Perez has also furthered her professional development at statewide conferences for before- and after-school professionals, pairing that in-school experience with knowledge from industry experts to create a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere for students.
Today, ALBA possesses a strong after-school culture and is a safe space for young people each afternoon. Every day brings a consistent schedule that is reliable for families and rewarding for youth. Unsurprisingly, robust enrollment numbers have followed; the average daily attendance for the 21st CCLC program has increased by 64 percent since Perez’s first year.
“Eunice's positive, determined spirit stands out,” Milwaukee Recreation before- and after-school programs manager Beth-marie Kurtz said. “Eunice and her team are committed to keeping youth motivated and engaged by offering a range of high-interest, dynamic, and fun programming like Girls on the Run, soccer, STEM, chess, poetry, and mindfulness. Their after-school program is striving and thriving!”
Early in her ALBA tenure, Perez has already cemented herself as part of the next generation of community leaders in Milwaukee. No matter where her career goes from here, promoting, protecting, and preparing the city’s youth will be her North Star.
“I have always [wanted to] do something that I could envision myself needing at that age. I don’t know the specifics, but I know that the kids will always be my focus.”