Thursday, June 9, 2022
Each year, Milwaukee Recreation recognizes community partners for their outstanding work in providing rich and meaningful experiences to youth in Milwaukee Recreation after-school programs.
On Wednesday, June 8, Milwaukee Recreation honored one of its most dedicated after-school program partners, America SCORES Milwaukee, with the Supporting Opportunities for After-school Resources (SOAR) Award. Milwaukee Recreation staff presented the award to Kate Carpenter, executive director of America SCORES Milwaukee, and John Eggebrecht, associate director of America SCORES Milwaukee.
“I can’t think of a more deserving organization than America SCORES,” Milwaukee Recreation senior director Lynn Greb said. “We sincerely appreciate all the hard work. Thank you for caring about Milwaukee’s youth.”
Since 2014-2015, America SCORES Milwaukee has served as the Community Learning Center program Lead Agency partner for J.W. Riley School CLC and Safe Place programs. In 2020-2021, they also began serving as the Lead Agency for ALBA Safe Place.
America SCORES Milwaukee has been a key partner with Milwaukee Recreation’s CLC and Safe Place after-school programs, providing an outstanding combination of soccer and poetry programming to youth.
“We really appreciate [the award]. We have enjoyed every year that we have been a partner with [Milwaukee Recreation] and the tens of thousands of kids we have worked with,” Carpenter said.
America SCORES Milwaukee launched in 2004 and has provided more than 10,000 children with high quality arts and humanities programming. Since its inception, America SCORES Milwaukee has hosted more than 15 community-wide Poetry Slams and led teams of youth through hundreds of volunteer service projects, one of which was recognized by former City of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.
Two America SCORES Milwaukee alumni have graduated college and returned to join the SCORES staff. And with the funding of the Milwaukee Recreation’s Partnership for the Arts & Humanities grant since 2010-11, SCORES has also provided programming and service learning for several additional after-school programs each year.
America SCORES Milwaukee is far-reaching with their programming and commitment to serving young people in Milwaukee Recreation’s programs. They have also elevated Milwaukee’s young people to regional and national ranks through their poetry slams. Since 2012, SCORES has sent one or two poet-athletes to participate in the National Slam.
Milwaukee Recreation will provide child care and enrichment at dozens of locations this summer. Click here to see the full site list and find more information.
Past SOAR Award Honorees:
- 2021-22: America SCORES Milwaukee
- 2020-21: n/a
- 2019-20: n/a
- 2018-19: Victoria Sanchez, Milwaukee Public Library
- 2017-18: Jacob Byrne, YMCA SWIMS Program
- 2016-17: Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks
- 2015-16: Woodland Pattern Book Center
- 2014-15: Victory Garden Initiative
- 2013-14: H20 Milwaukee Music
- 2012-13: Still Waters Collective
- 2011-12: Milwaukee Rampage Sporting Chance
- 2010-11: City Year
- 2009-10: Walker’s Point Center for the Performing Arts
- 2008-09: Milwaukee Public Theater