February 22, 2022
Communities of Crocus became legally incorporated
September 2022
Received conceptual designs from Community Design Solutions
May 15, 2023
Partnered with Husch Blackwell through their "Communities of Change" initiative
May 2023
Partnered with HGA through the "community Action Program"
December 2022
Raised our first $10,000
January 2024
Obtained Site Control
Timeline
January COC is pleased to announce that we have obtained Site Control on a piece of land. This is a big stepping stone for everyone involved. More to come!
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. Please view the article here.
July 2023 Our website designer & all around tech - helper is getting married, Congratulations!
April 2023 Download and share our introductory flier here.
September 2022 Communities of Crocus was highlighted in the Community Design Solutions semiannual newsletter. View here.
News & Events
Spotlight
Partner
Community Design Solutions (CDS) is a funded design center in the School of Architecture & Urban Planning (SARUP) at UW-Milwaukee that assists communities, agencies, civic groups, and campuses throughout Wisconsin. CDS develops concepts that promote positive change, stimulate funding opportunities, and serve as a catalyst for continued investment. CDS collaborated with the COC founders to create a future community for residents and staff. Graduate architecture students, Roe Draus and Tess Richard, worked with CDS Director, Carolyn Esswein to develop the conceptual building designs and renderings.
Partner
Cori Rice
In January of 2006 White Rice Advertising & PR was born, occupying the second-floor loft of an 1860s woolen mill in the Historic District of downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin. It wasn’t until late 2015 that the dynamic duo moved to its current digs in Germantown where they customized the work space to fit the fun that it was built to contain. Since opening, White Rice has helped businesses from all over navigate and succeed in some pretty rocky economic times. Through all that, Terri and Cori have maintained their philosophy that no matter how big or small the business or idea, White Rice will take the call and do what we can to help. That simple idea has helped some pretty great clients do some pretty great work. Some businesses like to have a marketing partner that they can stop in and see. So if whether it’s Germantown, Menomonee Falls, Milwaukee, Mequon or Madison, we relish the chance to be your advertising partner that always feels next door.
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.