Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), a program of COA Youth and Family Centers, is a parent involvement, school-readiness program that helps parents prepare their two-, three-, and four-year old children for success in school and beyond. Peer mentors provide parents with a set of carefully developed curriculum including books and materials designed to strengthen their children’s cognitive skills, early literacy skills, and social/emotional and physical development.HIPPY empowers parents as primary educators of their children in the home and fosters parent involvement in school and community life. Parents and children read, play, and learn together every day in their homes and at monthly HIPPY Family Gathering Nights. NCJW-MKE wants to provide each HIPPY child with books and access to activities encouraging parent involvement. See volunteer dates below for ways to volunteer at family gathering nights!
Be a Volunteer for Family Gathering Nights
At monthly Family Gathering Nights, NCJW volunteers help children ages 2-5 (and their parents and siblings) with art and science projects, games, and other activities, serve dinner, read to children, etc. It is truly a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity every second Monday from 5-7 pm during the school year, at one of COA’s two campus locations — either the Riverwest Center at 909 E Garfield Avenue, or the Amani Campus/Goldin Center, at 2320 W. Burleigh St, 53206.
2025-2026 Family Gathering Night dates– opportunities to volunteer with NCJW!
HIPPY Fall Kickoff! Monday September 15 at Kadish Park, 750 E North Avenue
October – HIPPY Family Fall Rummage Giveaway NCJW collects gently used books, family clothing and outerwear, toys and housewares beginning mid to late September. Watch your email for dropoff information, and volunteering info.
Monday November 10 Monday December 8
Monday January 12, 2026 Monday February 9
Monday March 9 Monday April 13
HIPPY Graduation! Saturday May 16, 2026
For information and to RSVP contact Margie Margolies (margie@margolies.com)
NCJW Volunteers also help with planning, program evaluation, publicity, fundraising, field trips, graduation, staff appreciation dinners, anniversary celebrations, winter wear and book drives, and other aspects of HIPPY. To support our annual book drive or the HIPPY Family Day Field Trips, click one of the links above.