La Causa, Inc. Opens its Doors
La Causa is the first bilingual, multicultural organization incorporated on Milwaukee's south side for the purpose of early childhood services to children ages 2-5 years. Learn more about our organization's start in the Clementina Castro Blog.
1972La Causa, Inc. Opens its Doors
David Espinoza Becomes President & CEO of La Causa, Inc.
David Espinoza becomes La Causa, Inc. first official President & CEO.
1980David Espinoza Becomes President & CEO of La Causa, Inc.
La Causa Provides Infant Care
La Causa begins providing care to infants through a grant provided by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation
1984La Causa Provides Infant Care
La Causa Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Opens
La Causa opens the first 24-hour Crisis Nursery in Wisconsin for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
1990La Causa Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Opens
La Causa Family Resource Center Opens
La Causa opens the first bilingual Family Resource Center, offering the first bilingual Nurturing Program in Wisconsin
1993La Causa Family Resource Center Opens
La Causa creates the first in-home respite care for children with special needs.
La Causa creates the first in-home respite care for children with special needs.
1994La Causa creates the first in-home respite care for children with special needs.
Childcare Hours Extended
The childcare program is so successful; its hours of operation are extended until midnight.
1998Childcare Hours Extended
La Causa is awarded NAC Accreditation
La Causa is the first bilingual childcare center in Wisconsin to be awarded accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, an honor shared by just 7% of all early childhood programs nationwide.
1999La Causa is awarded NAC Accreditation
La Causa Receives Governor's Early Childhood Excellence Award
The Early Education and Care Center at 809 W. Greenfield Avenue receives the Governor’s Early Childhood Excellence Award.
2000La Causa Receives Governor's Early Childhood Excellence Award
La Causa constructs Child and Family Development Center
La Causa constructs a $6 million Child and Family Development Center at 1643 S. 2nd Street in order to provide year-round community-based programming .
2001La Causa constructs Child and Family Development Center
La Causa Charter School Opens
La Causa's Charter School application is approved, and the La Causa Elementary and Middle Charter School enrolls almost 300 students in K5 - 6th grade for the 2003 - 2004 academic year. La Causa continues to serve K4 children at the 809 W. Greenfield location through its MPS Partnership School Program
2003La Causa Charter School Opens
CEO David Espinoza Resigns
David Espinoza resigns as President & CEO of La Causa after 24 years.
2004CEO David Espinoza Resigns
Hugo Cardona becomes President & CEO
Hugo Cardona, Senior Vice President for Technical Assistance and Constituency Support at the National Council of La Raza, becomes La Causa's new President and CEO.
2004Hugo Cardona becomes President & CEO
La Causa Charter School Holds its First 8th Grade Graduation
La Causa Charter School holds it first 8th Grade graduation with 19 students.
2006La Causa Charter School Holds its First 8th Grade Graduation
La Causa Charter School Starts Expansion
La Causa Charter School begins construction on $2.51 million expansion. Expansion completed September of 2009.
2008La Causa Charter School Starts Expansion
CEO Hugo Cardona Retires
Hugo Cardona announces retirement as President & CEO of La Causa, Inc
2009CEO Hugo Cardona Retires
George Torres Becomes President & CEO
George A. Torres, Director of Transportation and Public Works for Milwaukee County and longtime community advocate, is appointed President & CEO of La Causa, Inc.
2009George Torres Becomes President & CEO
La Causa Charter School Increases Enrollment
La Causa Charter School increases enrollment by 100 additional students, serving 600 students.
2009La Causa Charter School Increases Enrollment
La Causa starts a Capital Campaign to build new Athletic Field at Charter School
Capital Campaign to build new Athletic Field at Charter School is kicked off. UPS donates $25,000 to project.
2009La Causa starts a Capital Campaign to build new Athletic Field at Charter School
La Causa Crisis Nursery & Respite Center 20th Anniversary
Crisis Nursery celebrates 20 years of serving families
2010La Causa Crisis Nursery & Respite Center 20th Anniversary
La Causa Charter School Increases Enrollment
La Causa Charter School increases enrollment by 40 additional students, serving 640 students
2010La Causa Charter School Increases Enrollment
La Causa Charter School Starts Second Expansion
Second expansion expands kitchen and finishes lower level FAVE classrooms.
2010La Causa Charter School Starts Second Expansion
Social Services Division Grows
Social Services launch new programs to include Crisis Stabilization Services and Recovery Support Services
2010Social Services Division Grows
Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Capital Campaign Kicks Off
Capital Campaign kicked off to construct a new $800,000 Crisis Nursery & Respite Center
2011Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Capital Campaign Kicks Off
UPS Helps Build Dreams
Construction of new Charter School Athletic Field is started. It will be called “UPS Field” in recognition of the support from United Parcel Service
2011UPS Helps Build Dreams
La Causa Charter School Extends Contract with MPS
La Causa Charter School is rewarded for great progress with a full five year contract extension by MPS
2011La Causa Charter School Extends Contract with MPS
UPS Field Completed
UPS Field Completed and Ceremonial Ground Breaking staged
2012UPS Field Completed
La Causa Celebrates 40th Birthday
La Causa celebrates 40 years of service to the community
2012La Causa Celebrates 40th Birthday
Construction Begins on Crisis Nursery & Respite Center
Ground broken and construction begins on the new Crisis Nursery & Respite Center
2012Construction Begins on Crisis Nursery & Respite Center
New Community Enrichment Center Opens
New Community Enrichment Center opens providing critical preventative care and support
2012New Community Enrichment Center Opens
La Causa Charter School becomes a PAVE “Partnership” school
La Causa Charter School becomes a PAVE “Partnership” school
2012La Causa Charter School becomes a PAVE “Partnership” school
New Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Opens
The New Crisis Nursery and Respite Center opens it doors.
2013New Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Opens
La Causa Achieves 5 Star Rating
La Causa’s Early Education and Care Center achieves a”five” star rating from Youngstar.
2014La Causa Achieves 5 Star Rating
La Causa Charter School Raises Enrollment
Charter School enrollment tops 800 plus students
2014La Causa Charter School Raises Enrollment
La Causa Crisis Nursery Get a New Playground
New playground dedication at the Crisis Nursery & Respite Center
2015La Causa Crisis Nursery Get a New Playground
La Causa Early Education & Care Center partners with NextDoor
Early Education & Care Center implemented the Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership in collaboration with Next Door
2015La Causa Early Education & Care Center partners with NextDoor
La Causa Social Services Expands
La Causa purchases a larger building in order to expand and offer more robust services in its Social Services divisions
2016La Causa Social Services Expands
Best Place to Work 2016 Award
La Causa, Inc. is recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal as one of the "Best Places to Work."
2016Best Place to Work 2016 Award
La Causa Social Services Top Rated Youth Ageny
Social Services Youth Programs served as top rated social services youth agency in Milwaukee County for Wraparound Milwaukee Care Coordination and REACH Care Coordination programs
2017La Causa Social Services Top Rated Youth Ageny
La Causa Charter School Exceeded Expectations Two Years in a Row
Charter School receives an "Exceeds Expectations" designation by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for the second year in a row
2018La Causa Charter School Exceeded Expectations Two Years in a Row
La Causa Wins Nonprofit of the Year Award
La Causa, Inc. is named "Nonprofit of the Year" by Shepherd Express in their Best of 2019 issue
2019La Causa Wins Nonprofit of the Year Award
La Causa Starts Plans for New Administrative Offices
La Causa purchases a lot to build a new location for Administrative offices
2019La Causa Starts Plans for New Administrative Offices
La Causa Charter School gets New Parking Lot & Sports Court
La Causa constructs a new parking lot and multipurpose sport court at the Charter School
2020La Causa Charter School gets New Parking Lot & Sports Court
La Causa recognized for employee-centric focus
La Causa is recognized by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce in their Focus on the Future Awards in the “True Colors” category, as an organization with an employee-centric focus
2020La Causa recognized for employee-centric focus
La Causa Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Remains a Safe Haven
The Crisis Nursery remained open during the nationwide COVID-19 pandemic.
2020La Causa Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Remains a Safe Haven
George Torres Retires
George Torres retires after 16 years as President & CEO of La Causa, Inc.
2022George Torres Retires
Luis Ayala Becomes President & CEO
Luis Ayala is appointed as the 4th President & CEO of La Causa, Inc.
2022Luis Ayala Becomes President & CEO
Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Celebrate 10 Years in New Building
The new Crisis Nursery Walker Street location celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
2023Crisis Nursery & Respite Center Celebrate 10 Years in New Building
La Causa Charter School Celebrates its 20th Birthday
La Causa Charter School celebrated 20 years of bilingual education
2024La Causa Charter School Celebrates its 20th Birthday
La Causa Early Education & Care Center Builds New Toddler Playground
La Causa Early Education & Care Center, with grants from Next Door and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, was able to build a new toddler playground.
2024