37th anniversary of New Horizon Center, Inc., and retirement celebration of President and CEO Saleem El-Amin

On Saturday, December 3, 2022, the New Horizon Center, Inc., celebrated its 37th anniversary as well as the retirement of co-founder, President and CEO Saleem El-Amin, at the Renaissance Milwaukee West Hotel, 2300 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa. Opening its doors on December 2, 1985 in the former Holy Angels Rectory as a state-licensed non-profit agency, New Horizon Center became only one of two African American-owned and operated residential treatment centers in the state of Wisconsin. As pioneers in the industry, New Horizon Center forged a new path of inclusion in the decision-making process as well as more accountability in the youth-service system. The New Horizon Center soon after became a staple in the community, and voice for the powerless and under-served youth. The center was co-founded by Saleem El-Amin (with a loan from his parents, the late Jeff Crawford, Sr., and Catherine Crawford) and the late Opal Veal. While much of the night was dedicated to the work that New Horizon had done over the past 37 years, the night was special as it was also the retirement celebration for Mr. El-Amin, who has been the guiding force of New Horizon for the past 37 years.

The event also took time to honor many parents who have had an impact in the lives of the children New Horizon serves and its 2022 Foster and Respite Parents, including Marisha Davis and Darick Bates, Jonitha Brown, Vergie Clark, Ronnie and Robbie Cole, Tiffeny Godbolt, Nicole Goins, Lisa Grant, Paulette Grice, Tracey Griffin, Kijuana Jackson, Tameka Johnson, Ronita King, Lashundra McAfee, Nadine Neal, James Perkul, Catalina Spears, Sylvia Springer, Sherletha Walker, Natalie Woods, Evelina Wright, Danielle Wyatt and Laura Wyse. The event also honored those who have had an impact over the years, including (25-year honorees) Dirul Islam, Olivia El-Amin, Muhammad Aleem, Esther Crawford-Brown, Quadir El-Amin, Les George, (15-year honorees) Lawton Merritt and Dena Hayden (posthumously); (10-year honorees) Lee Fifer, Tony Whitley; Belinda Whitley, Khalif El-Amin, Kotelia “Tilly” Hardeson (posthumously), Sopheya Farrell, Chantel Sherman, Tyesha Alexander, Iola Bush and Eddie Huges; Employee of the Year Jacqueline Humphrie; Lifetime Achievement Awardees Tommie Thomas and John Protiva; the Most Impactful Bryant Williams; and Treatment Foster Care Parents of the Year Winfried and Judy Finkley.