• A Family in Need
• Lack of Facilities who cared for Youth with Disabilities
• Lack of Training for these Children to Reach Full Potential
• On September 10, 1904… St. Coletta of Wisconsin opened with 5 students as a school that incorporated faith.

• 17 students are prepared for their First Holy Communion.
• First time in United States, people with disabilities are allowed to receive the Sacrament.

1915: “Initial Growth”

• Over 70 children are enrolled, and the community is growing.
• Program remains largely custodial.

• Two Sisters attend the Vineland Training School and learn innovative techniques in special education like the Stanford-Binet Scale for testing IQs.
• A school curriculum is developed.
• Children now “go to school”.
• School-only building is constructed in 1927.

• After children were 15, they were sent to home state institutions as space remained an issue.
• Mindset changed with leadership.
• Focuses include: operational/agricultural growth, fundraising, and religious development of students.
• Operational growth = need for long-range care.

• Two additional St. Coletta-affiliated schools open, in IL and MA.
• First independent “community” home.
• The Psychological Institute opens, in collaboration with Cardinal Stritch University.
• Six-week summer program, lasting 30 years.
• Rosemary Kennedy joins the St. Coletta community.

• 500 enrolled, with 103 Sisters.
• A newly-expanded chapel is complete.
• Published a curriculum series for children in need of special education.
• Includes: art education, music education, crafts, religion, arithmetic, reading, physical education, science, social studies, language arts, listening skills, oral communication, handwriting, spelling.
• “The Challenge of the Retarded Child” is published as a resource for families with a child with a disability.

• Kennedy Foundation Service Award.
• Sister invited to White House.
• Sister completed doctoral studies and asked to attend the White House Conference on Children & Youth to discuss problems for children nationwide.
• The Habilitation Program is established.
• Services needed for young adults to succeed in their community, like: vocational counseling, work training, and job placement.

• 1970-79: “Community Integration”
• ReCreation Program is established.
• Public Law 94.142 is passed to guarantee a free, appropriate education, non-discriminatory assessment, and individualized special education plan for all students.
• “Mainstreams” special education in public school settings.

• Licensure received as a Community Based Residential Facility.
• HUD funds 30 units of community housing.
• The Golden Options Adult Day Program is established.
• Focuses on: maintaining independence for aging adults, with our without a disability.

• 1990-99: “Chapter Closes, Another Opens”
• St. Coletta School Program graduates its last students, marking success in equal access to education in the public school system.
• Other programs rise.
• “Best Buddies” began with students from UW-Whitewater.
• Transportation Department established.
• First residential home in Waukesha.

• Residential service expands to Illinois, growing to 10 total homes.
• Wisconsin legislature approves residential funding for people served in Jefferson County.
• For first time!
• Alverno Building becomes repurposed.

• Alverno repurposed into main campus.
• Long-term care with individuals with disabilities continues to thrive.
• Genesis Project is created.
• Achieve Program in Illinois is established.
• Golden Options and Excel Programs specialize.
• Dementia Unit
• Autism Sensory

• 344 Individuals Served
• 90+ Special Olympians
• 5 Day Programs
• 49 Residential Homes
• 3 Chapels

“St. Coletta of Wisconsin will be the premier provider of support services for adults with developmental disabilities and other challenges throughout their lifespan. Through dynamic partnerships, exceptional customer service, a demonstrated commitment to quality and spirituality, we will work with persons receiving services to achieve their best life possible.”