Overview
St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a nationally recognized nonprofit that operates two large, shared-site day service centers for children, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Key Impact Metrics
-
$12M
in total revenue
-
3,308
overnight respite stays provided
-
250
children and 387 adult clients served on average
Problem
Society faces two parallel care crises: a shortage of affordable, high-quality childcare for working families, and a growing need for engaging, community-based day services for an aging population to prevent social isolation and premature institutionalization. These services are typically delivered in separate, siloed facilities, missing opportunities for both social connection and operational synergy.
Solution
St. Ann Center co-locates its early childhood education programs and its adult day care services within the same state-of-the-art facilities. This shared-site model allows for planned, daily intergenerational activities where children and older adult clients interact through music, art, and exercise. The model creates a vibrant community atmosphere that benefits both age groups while leveraging a single infrastructure to deliver multiple services.
Results
- Beneficiary Impact250 children and 387 adults served
- Employee Impact220 jobs projected to be created
- Financial Results$12 million in revenue—program services accounted for 55% of the revenue
Replication Tips
- Design for interaction: A successful shared-site model requires more than just co-location; the physical space must be intentionally designed to facilitate safe and meaningful interaction between children and older adults.
- Stack functions and funding: The model's financial strength comes from diversifying revenue streams across childcare, adult day health, respite care, and philanthropy. This "stacking" of services onto a single physical asset creates significant operational efficiencies.
- Leverage social synergy: The model's unique value proposition is the mutual benefit derived from intergenerational connections—older adults gain a sense of purpose, while children learn empathy and respect for elders. This social return on investment is a powerful case for funders.
Suggested Implementation Timeline
~24-36 months
