A Good Education Puts Everything In Reach
The Museum is dedicated to meeting the needs of disadvantaged children and families in our community, and our "in reach" programs ensure that these special audiences have access to our unique educational facility and programs. Research shows that early learning and school readiness programs benefit poor children the most. Early education programs help them do better in school, improving graduation rates and reducing crime, and foster a sense of success and potential in children who are at risk. Your gift to the Museum's Community Outreach Programs can help change a young child's life. Click here to help.

Family Focus Free Membership Program
Family Focus provides disadvantaged caregivers in our community with information about early learning and guidance on using the children's museum environment to stimulate child development. In addition to parenting education, the program's free Museum membership and transportation assistance encourages families who might otherwise be unable to visit the Museum to take advantage of our safe, dynamic and fun learning environment. The program inspires enrolled children and adults alike, and supports some of our community's most vulnerable children and families, including families living in poverty, teen parents, foster families, families with a disabled child or caregiver, parents who have court-supervised contact with their families and families for whom English is not a first language. In 2003, Family Focus received the Promising Practice Award fro the Association of Children's Museums and the MetLife Foundation, and the program has served more than 4,300 families since its inception. Strong collaborations with area social service agencies and community partners include the Milwaukee Fatherhood Collaborative, Children's Outing Association (COA), Penfield Children's Center, Benedict Center, and many others. Families may also enroll individually upon qualification.

If you are interested in learning how to access a Family Focus membership, click here.

Special Admissions
The Museum provides free or subsidized admission to more than 13,000 disadvantaged children and adults annually, including school children who participate in the federal school lunch program; adults and children with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities; and low-income community groups, child care centers and neighborhood organizations. Our Special Admissions program, established in memory of Mary Leach Smith, makes it possible for disadvantaged children to participate in the Museum’s field trip program. Museum field trips focus on specific curriculum and are supported by detailed lesson plans, helping local educators meet state and national academic standards.

Family Focus and Special Admissions is generously supported in part by the Albert J. and Flora H. Ellinger Foundation, A.O. Smith Foundation, Dorothy Inbusch Foundation, Elizabeth A. Brinn Foundation, Faye McBeath Foundation, Harley-Davidson Foundation, Richard and Ethel Herzfeld Foundation, Johnson Controls Foundation, Joy Global Foundation, Quad/Graphics, Rockwell Automation Charitable Corporation, Stackner Family Foundation, U.S. Bancorp Foundation and The Windhover Foundation.

WaterStone Bank and FOX 6 Neighborhood Night
The Museum is open for free to everyone on the third Thursday of each month from 5 – 8 p.m., courtesy of WaterStone Bank and our media partner FOX 6. Families can visit the Museum free of charge to enjoy special exhibits and programs, including facilitated programs that provide caregivers with interactive learning techniques, parenting tips and opportunities for parent/child play sessions.

Click here to learn more about WaterStone Bank and FOX 6 Neighborhood Night.