NEWS | COC

UPCOMING EVENTS

COC in the Community

September 22nd

Communities of Crocus will be present at the upcoming Down’s syndrome awareness walk at the Milwaukee Zoo on Sunday September 22nd. 💜 Come by our table to connect with the COC team and learn more about our project! 10am-4pm

August 25th

Join us at the Milwaukee County Zoo Fun Run for Autism was a blast! We had the pleasure of connecting with the local community, fellow organizations, and some special needs parents. Thanks for stopping by💜

June 15th

Amy and Emily are excited to speak on the Affordable Housing panel on June 15th at the Peck Pavilion for Next Gen MKE. They are looking forward to sharing insights and connecting with Wisconsin professionals and entrepreneurs!

December 3rd

CoC will be going before the Plan Commission again for the Special use Permit December 3rd in Frnaklin City Hall.

October 17th

Support COC as they are presented for zoning approval to the Plan Commission at Franklin City Hall on Thursday October 17th at 6pm.

9229 W. Loomis Rd.
Franklin, Wisconsin

October 15th

COC will be vending at the 3rd annual WAWM accessibility and Disability Resource Fair Tuesday 15 Oct 2024 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm!

Join at at the WAWM Recreation Center
450 S 68th St,
West Allis, Wisconsin

NEWS

COC in the NEWS

Approved for $2.5 million in federal funds!

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley approved $2.5 million in federal funds for construction of CROCUS's 50-unit complex.

Franklin Mayor John Nelson shares his thoughts.

When you've got adults, which wish and strive to be independent and be able to live on their own, support themselves, especially emotionally, this is a big deal.

May 13th

Bader Philanthropies Supports COC with a $450,000 donation to purchase land in Franklin!

May 9th

COC was featured by Urban Milwaukee.

May 8th

COC was featured in the Milwaukee Community Journal.

May 8th

COC was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

January 2024

COC is pleased to announce that we have obtained Site Control on a piece of land in Franklin, WI. This is a big steppingstone for everyone involved.

May 7th

Milwaukee County published a press release about COC announcing a proposal to provide $2.5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the first-ever affordable housing development in the City of Franklin to be specifically aimed at supporting persons with disabilities.

August 2023

Amy did an interview with Vince Vitrano, a big supporter of all things for the disability community, from WTMJ4 radio (AM620 Milwaukee). We were grateful for this opportunity to spread the word and raise awareness of what we are all trying to do for COC.

Founder Amy Hansel says "right now, we are marching steadily toward Phase 1!"

The community will be completed in phases, with the first phase being broken down into (A) and (B).

A. Residences: CARE at CROCUS will include three Care Homes with four individual apartments in each. These homes will provide residences for individuals with autism and co-occurring disabilities and who have complex needs and require extensive support to live as independently as possible including up to 24/7 care. Plans for a future, fourth home will be decided on an as needed basis.

B. Services and Supports: The CENTRE at CARE will be for residents and others in the greater community with complex needs designed to provide opportunities that can enhance their quality of life in a natural setting. For example, some main focal points will be participating in daily living skills, functional life skills, leisure activities, social interaction, and health and wellness.

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December 2024

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SPOTLIGHT

SENIOR ADVISOR

Mary Claire Lanser

Mary Claire is a former Mayor of the City of New Berlin, dedicated to economic development that benefits the community. She has been working in public affairs since 1999. For each project, Mary Claire drafts a customized action plan to secure approvals and respects the needs of clients, public officials, and neighbors. Supporting the public process with grass roots outreach usually results in a development that is a source of pride for stakeholders. Besides eight years as an elected official, Mary Claire served 11 years as an officer in the US Navy reserves (Nurse Corps, then Public Affairs) and decades in healthcare. Mary Claire holds a Bachelor’s Degree from UWM and a Master’s Degree from Marquette.

PARTNER

HGA

HGA is a national interdisciplinary design firm rooted in architecture and engineering. We believe that enduring, impactful design results from deep insight into the people and passions that animate each unique environment. We value empathy, are fueled by curiosity, and embrace the hard work that leads to innovation. HGA’s work has received numerous awards and top rankings from our own industries, as well as those of our clients. Equally as meaningful to us is the shared legacy we create with our clients.

POTENTIAL RESIDENT

Amanda Rose Lewis

Amanda Rose Lewis is a 24 year old special needs young lady who has struggled mightily for all of her years since birth. Amanda was diagnosed with “failure to thrive” within moments of birth and for the first five years, spent a significant amount of time in Children’s Hospital of WI due to continuous, multiple illnesses. Once she became “medically stable,” new challenges and complexities emerged. Amanda has an Autism diagnosis and after more than 300 genetic tests, including mapping her full genome, other answers have eluded Amanda and her family. Amanda had a feeding tube for 17 years, with an inability still today to bite or chew. Amanda’s diet consists of very limited choices, with all foods pureed. In addition, Amanda is nonverbal and uses an IPAD to communicate basic wants and needs. She does well with this device! Amanda is cognitively delayed and yet, to what extent, it is hard to know given her nonverbal status. Of greatest challenge day in and day out is Amanda’s level of anxiety and aggression, along with other challenging behaviors. Crying multiple times a day is a part of the fabric of who Amanda is. Multiple medications are helpful and yet, ever changing in their effectiveness at minimizing behaviors. Amanda’s current daily support is provided by her Mom and an AMAZING team of caregivers, both at a day program and in her home. She loves to walk, play with balls, read books, watch movies, go on car rides, eat ice cream and share smiles and giggles when at her most calm and comfortable state. Amanda has a smile that is so powerful and touching to all who experience it. She wants the simplest and most important things in life – safety, security, love and connection. For the future, Care at Crocus will be the perfect solution for Amanda. She needs one on one support, 24x7 and the vast majority of adult living situations do not accommodate that level of need. Care at Crocus will be a unique option within Communities of Crocus that I know will keep Amanda safe, supported and provide great opportunities for growth, community and a future for her to achieve her highest potential and greatest quality of life.