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JANUARY 2026
From the Desk of the CEO: Your Support Inspires Learning, Connection, and Hope
Happy New Year!
As we begin 2026, I’m grateful for how our community continues to make United Community Center such a special place. Each day, children, families, and older adults come together to learn, grow, and support one another. Your partnership makes it all possible. In our schools, you can see that energy in action. Students are curious and engaged, teachers are energized and purposeful. One inspiring example is how our educators approach literacy. Guided by the Science of Reading, they help students build strong skills and a true love of books: proving that reading joyfully and teaching intentionally go hand in hand. As you explore this newsletter, I hope you feel proud of all you make possible. Together, we’re creating opportunities for learning, connection, and growth at every age and building a vibrant year ahead for our UCC family.
Laura Gutiérrez CEO
Check out this video to see the Science of Reading in action!
February
January
Basketball season tipped off with high energy to start the year!
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Lego Legends! Acosta students take 2nd in the Robotics Championship Division!
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July
August
n I r a e Y September
UCC’s iconic mural got a vibrant refresh this summer by original artist, Reynaldo Hernandez!
All the first-day feels! Families brought the excitement to every corner of UCC schools on the first day back.
UCC’s talented Latino Arts Strings Pro wowed the crowd at the 'Te Amo MKE' b with MCTS and Latino Art
Love was in the air as students & seniors shared Valentine joy!
with Orania Montes
Family Care Program Manager 1. What is the Family Care Program and how does it serve the community? Family Care is a long-term care program through the Milwaukee County Department of Health Services to serve older adults and adults with disabilities who need extra help with day-to-day living needs. It is designed to keep people living in their homes as independently for as long as possible. 2. Describe a typical day in the life of a Family Care staff member. No two days are the same. Our mornings usually start with check ins, including updates from the care managers about member needs. Our team then conduct home visits, coordinates care plans, and troubleshoots any service issues. We keep the focus on the clients we serve, ensuring their care feels personal, effective, and respectful.
3. The skills of a care manager are specialized. What or who inspired you to pursue this career path? Working with the elderly population, I’ve seen firsthand the difference the right support can make in someone’s life. I have worked with families who were struggling to navigate the care systems, and saw how overwhelming it can be, especially for those helping aging parents or loved ones with disabilities. This is deeply human work and that’s what keeps me passionate. 4. Can you share a meaningful moment or success story that reminds you why this work matters in our community? A client we helped after facing a stroke lived alone and her family was terrified she’d have to move into a nursing home. Our team came together quickly to arrange for in-home care services, physical therapy, and home safety equipment. At one of her home visits, she told us “You helped me get my life back.” Family Care is about dignity and choice. We want people to feel supported to live their lives on their own terms.
5. What is your favorite dish at Café el Sol? Oh, that’s easy! Definitely the Sampler Platter which includes pork, fried plantains, flautas, and chimichangas.
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May
April
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Egg-cellent fun! Preschoolers hunted for springtime The Flores family shines on the Wall of Fame again! smiles.
w n RevieOctober
November
UCC Celebrates Young Readers week ensuring even our Our preschoolers had an amazing time ogram students youngest students receive early picking their own pumpkins and painting bus wrap reveal exposure to books and literacy. them with our wonderful volunteers! ts.
June
From preschool to Middle school, UCC grads walked the stage and into their next chapter.
December
Our seniors enjoyed creating holiday crafts with volunteers.
UCC Alumni Connect: 2025 Homecoming This October, UCC graduates came back home to celebrate community and connection at our 2025 Alumni Connect: Homecoming. Alumni from across the years filled the room with laughter and joy. The pride in UCC was unmistakable, and no matter how long it had been since they last walked our halls, it was clear that UCC still feels like home!
Full Circle: From UCC Student to Next Generation Guide
A proud UCC alum of Class of 2002, Gladys Reyes, has truly come full circle. Today, she empowers students and families as a High School Transition Coordinator in the UCC Pre-College Program, guiding them through one of the most important transitions in their educational journey.
Gladys visiting DC as a student and later as a staff chaperone.
Starting as early as sixth grade, Gladys begins the conversation about high school with families. As students approach eighth grade, she supports each family from applications to admissions and financial aid, ensuring every student finds the right fit for their future. After earning a degree in Business Management and beginning her career in the corporate world, one phone call from Mr. Navarro, her past teacher and now Middle School Principal, changed everything. That single call led her back to UCC and to the community that had given so much to her. Nearly ten years later, she continues to find joy in watching students discover their confidence. “Over time, when former students come back and tell me how much I have inspired them, I realize that even the smallest words of encouragement can have a lifelong impact.” The opportunity to give back to the community that once opened doors for her and now trusts her to open new ones for the next generation, inspires her every day.
presents
Featuring Xavier Jara
Find out more:
Saturday, February 7, 2026 Latino Arts Auditorium
QUITAPENAS
Friday, March 6, 2026 Mark your Latino Arts Auditorium calendars!
Behind the Lens: Striking a Chord of Confidence, One Guitar at a Time! The sound of strumming strings fills the halls at Bruce-Guadalupe Elementary School! Every 5th grader is now learning to play guitar as part of their general music class. Nearly 150 students are discovering rhythm, chords, and confidence one note at a time. With a brand-new set of 24 guitars, students are diving into the basics of playing, reading chord charts, and learning how to practice. Music teacher and UCC alum Aaron Rodriguez (‘15), a former member of the Latino Arts Strings Program, gets to give back to the same community that once enriched his love for music. “This program gives every student the chance to experience what it’s like to learn an instrument. When I was a student here, I was part of the classical guitar and mariachi ensembles and had the opportunity of being taught by great teachers, some who are still teaching here!” Now, Mr. Rodriguez strives to be the same for his students. This guitar program opens the door for students, even if they aren’t a part of band or strings, to explore music in a fun, low-pressure way. It gives them the chance to see if learning an instrument strikes a chord with them before making a bigger commitment. From first strums to full chords, our 5th graders are finding their groove and making beautiful music along the way!