It will take more than three major heart attacks to slow down the educational efforts of Dr. Walter Sava.
And while a series of medical hardships may have temporarily set back the executive director of Milwaukee’s United Community Center, who said he has no intention of taking an early retirement.
"I’ll be here for a while yet," Sava said on leaving a place he helped expand into a three block community resource center for local Latinos.
In addition, the April 12, 2002 opening of the UCC’s middle school comes as an ironic victory for Sava. Born and raised in Argentina, Sava dropped out of middle school in eighth grade to work at a shoe factory. After moving to the United States at age 18, he earned his GED and was admitted to East Texas Baptist College.
Since taking over as executive director in 1988, Sava has never looked back. And the future of Sava’s campus looks even bigger, with several new expansion projects slated over the next two years.
Highlights include an expanded lobby and auditorium and a 4,000 square foot art gallery to be completed by May 2003. And this fall, the UCC will unveil renovations to its teen recreation center and fitness center. The UCC’s women’s residential facility, which offers shelter to single women and their children, will also expanded its capacity from eight to 16 residents this fall.
Despite the flurry of development on the UCC campus, Sava said he has always been able to balance the finances, due the high success of its fundraising campaign and a smart blend of business tactics. Even the UCC’s middle school has already cleared the books.
"The best part is there are no debts and facility has been totally paid for," Sava said.
– Jenn Danko
Oct. 25, 2002 Small Business Times, Milwauke
