MILWAUKEE, Sept. 16, 2026 – Aurora Health Care, part of Advocate Health, celebrated a major milestone in its nearly $50 million development of The Beacon by announcing some of the programs, services and community partners that will be part of the health and wellness hub when it opens in spring 2027.
The announcement marks a major milestone in the transformation of the former Wisconsin Avenue School into a community-driven destination designed to bring together trusted partners and expand access to resources that support physical, mental and social wellness.
Among the programs and partners announced today are Community Smiles Dental, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit provider that will open its first Milwaukee location at The Beacon, expanding access to preventive and restorative dental care for underserved children, patients with special healthcare needs and expectant mothers.
Aurora Health Care also announced Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago as a key workforce development partner. Through career exploration, workforce training, employment coaching and job placement services, Goodwill empowers people to develop skills, navigate meaningful career pathways and create greater economic opportunities for themselves and their families.
Additional offerings will include housing stability services through Guest House of Milwaukee, medical-legal advocacy through Legal Action of Wisconsin, maternal health and family support programs, healthy aging services, community fitness opportunities and spaces designed to foster learning, connection and wellness.
“When we came together as Advocate Health, we made a simple commitment: that the benefits of being a larger organization would show up where they matter most, in the lives of people and neighborhoods. The Beacon is one example of that commitment in Milwaukee's Near West Side,” said Eugene A. Woods, chief executive officer of Advocate Health. “We know health is about more than medical care. It grows when people have opportunity, stability, and strong community connections. My hope is that families will walk through these doors for many years to come and find the support, resources, and sense of belonging they need to thrive.”
“The Beacon represents a significant investment in the future of the near west side and the communities we have the privilege to serve,” said Gabrielle Finley-Hazle, president of Aurora Health Care and Advocate Health’s Wisconsin Division. “Together with our partners, we are building a place that was shaped by the voices, ideas and priorities of the community. We're proud to help bring this vision to life and create new opportunities for individuals and families, reflecting our continued commitment to Wisconsin.”
Community input has been central to the development of The Beacon. Over many months, more than 1,000 voices, including neighbors, teammates and dozens of community organizations have shared their ideas. Those themes now guide how programs are organized and delivered at The Beacon. These priorities are reflected in the following programs and services planned for The Beacon’s 2027 opening:
Health and Well-being
Programs designed to help residents prevent illness, manage chronic conditions and support lifelong wellness close to home.
- Oral Healthcare for Children, Patients with Special Healthcare Needs and Pregnant Women – Preventive and restorative dental care provided by Community Smiles Dental, expanding access for children, patients with special healthcare needs and expectant mothers facing financial, insurance and other barriers to care while improving overall health and well-being.
- Cardiometabolic Health Programs – Free, community-based programs that help residents prevent and manage chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, reducing complications and supporting healthier lives.
- Healthy Aging Services – No-cost screenings, education and support services to help older adults maintain independence, improve well-being and healthy aging resources.
- Maternal Health and Family Support Programs – Free support for new and expectant mothers, including prenatal education, doula support, postpartum services and essential resources for new and expectant mothers to build healthy foundations for generations to come.
- Aurora Pharmacy Kiosk – Convenient medication pickup through secure lockers and virtual pharmacist consultations, making it easier to access medications closer to home. This will be the first of its kind in the Milwaukee area.
- Inclusive Design – Accessibility that goes above and beyond, including a sensory room, neuro-inclusive design with soft colors and lighting, automatic doors and elevator and accessible auditorium seating.
Stability and Opportunity
Services that address factors such as housing, legal needs and life transitions that can influence long-term well-being.
- Workforce Development & Employment Services – Access to job training, skill development, coaching and everyday resources provided through Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago that opens doors to help anyone find and keep a job.
- Housing Stability Services – Housing support and case management services provided through Guest House of Milwaukee to help individuals and families secure and maintain immediate and stable housing.
- Medical-Legal Advocacy Services – No-cost legal guidance and support provided in partnership with Legal Action of Wisconsin to help navigate housing issues, access to public benefits and overcome legal barriers that can make it harder to stay healthy and financially secure.
- Community Reentry and Transition Support – Personalized healthcare, care navigation and supportive services, helping individuals navigate major life transitions through access to healthcare, housing resources, employment support and community services.
Community and Connection
Spaces and resources that bring neighbors together, strengthen community ties and support lifelong learning and engagement.
- Community Fitness & Wellness Opportunities – Dedicated spaces supporting physical activity, wellness programming and community-led fitness activities.
- Restored Historic Gymnasium & Auditorium – Community gathering spaces for activities, physical fitness, cultural events, educational workshops and celebrations.
- Free Community Wi-Fi – Complimentary internet access connecting residents to education, employment, healthcare and digital resources.
- The Beacon Reading Nook & Community Library – A literacy hub featuring a free book exchange, reading spaces, story hours and community reading programs.
- Community Garden – A space for gardening, nutrition education, healthy food access and community connection.
- Community Conference & Collaboration Room – Meeting and event space for nonprofits, neighborhood groups, residents and community partners.
- Demonstration Kitchen & Nutrition Education Space – Hands-on cooking and nutrition education designed to promote healthier lifestyles.
*Additional programs and community partnerships are expected to be announced as The Beacon moves closer to its spring 2027 opening.
“Near West Side Partners and Aurora Health Care came together because we share a belief that health and neighborhood stability are really the same project,” said Lindsey St. Arnold Bell, executive director of Near West Side Partners. “Meeting that belief takes more than one organization. The neighborhoods we work in need a strategy that brings together housing, health, workforce and education partners, all pulling in the same direction. The Beacon reflects that kind of commitment.”
Bringing Oral Health Care to Milwaukee's Near West Side
One of the first partners announced for The Beacon was Community Smiles Dental, a Wisconsin-based nonprofit dental provider that will open its first Milwaukee location within The Beacon.
The new location will expand access to preventive and restorative dental care for children, patients with special healthcare needs and expectant mothers who face financial, insurance or other barriers to receiving care.
Services will include exams, cleanings, sealants, fillings and basic extractions, helping prevent pain, infection and unnecessary emergency department visits while supporting overall health and well-being. Each appointment will also include dental health education to help patients build healthy habits and prevent future dental problems.
Locating the clinic at The Beacon will significantly reduce the need for families to travel outside Milwaukee to receive dental services while helping address longstanding gaps in access to oral healthcare on Milwaukee's Near West Side.
"Oral health is a critical part of overall health at every stage of life," said Scott Marshall, chief executive officer of Community Smiles Dental. "Being part of The Beacon allows us to serve children, patients with special healthcare needs and expectant moms in a setting designed to connect care, education and support, while also training future dental professionals in a community-focused environment."
Creating Pathways to Employment and Economic Mobility
Another key partner announced today is Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago, which will serve as The Beacon's workforce development partner.
Through job training, access to resources and connections to employment, Goodwill will help residents build on their strengths, develop new skills and pursue meaningful career pathways that support their goals and create greater economic opportunities. The partnership reflects The Beacon's commitment to addressing the social and economic factors that influence health and well-being by connecting residents to education, training and employment opportunities.
“Employment is a powerful pathway to opportunity, purpose and long-term health and well-being, which is why workforce development is an important part of The Beacon’s community transformation strategy,” said Clayton Pryor, chief mission officer of Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago. “As a proud partner in this effort, we look forward to working alongside residents and our community partners to expand access to career pathways, supportive resources and opportunities that help individuals, families and neighborhoods thrive.”
From Vision to Reality
“From the beginning, The Beacon has been about bringing trusted partners together and connecting people to the resources they need to improve their lives,” said Dr. J. Nwando Olayiwola, president of the National Center for Clinical and Community Impact at Advocate Health, which leads The Beacon. “The early partners we announced today reflect that vision and set the foundation for The Beacon’s collaborative approach.”
The Beacon isn’t just advancing community health; it’s reimagining how healthcare facilities are built. It will be Advocate Health’s first renewable geothermal system — an underground, sealed piping network that uses the earth’s steady temperature to heat and cool the building more efficiently. The Beacon is expected to operate at net-neutral building costs. This approach reduces energy consumption and supports a healthier environment for the surrounding community.
“The Beacon is exactly the kind of investment Milwaukee needs,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “By bringing new programs, services and community resources into a historic neighborhood asset, this project will help strengthen the Near West Side while creating new opportunities for residents and families. It’s an investment in health, economic vitality and the future of Milwaukee.”
The Beacon fulfills a pledge made when Aurora Health Care joined Advocate Health Care in Illinois and Atrium Health in North Carolina and Georgia to form Advocate Health and supports the work of Advocate Health’s National Center for Clinical and Community Impact to expand evidence-based practices that address care gaps and improve health outcomes.
Aurora Health Care will maintain the historic integrity of the former Wisconsin Avenue School while redeveloping the interior into a reimagined space where neighbors can access life-improving programs and services. A spring grand opening is planned, with additional community partners expected in 2027 and beyond.
Media contact:
Media@AdvocateHealth.org
