Creating Opportunities for Youth Empowerment (COFYE)
Our History
Creating Opportunities for Youth Empowerment (COFYE) is a specialized subdivision of Creating Opportunities for All (COFA), dedicated to empowering youth between the ages of 12 and 20. While COFA’s mission is to provide multiple career pathways and training opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds, COFYE fine-tunes this approach specifically for school-aged students in middle school and high school. By integrating with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs, COFYE is designed to cultivate young talent, instill confidence, and provide the practical skills necessary to guide youth toward sustainable futures.
COFYE’s mission aligns closely with COFA’s broader vision of fostering career readiness and community development but is strategically focused on early intervention. COFYE recognizes that career exploration and hands-on learning should begin long before adulthood, offering structured support to ensure that students, regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds, are prepared for success in college, trade programs, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Mission Statement & Core Objectives
COFYE is committed to creating pathways for youth by:
1. Providing Skill-Based Education & Training
COFYE offers comprehensive training programs in construction, project management, architecture, engineering software, entrepreneurship, and other high-demand fields. Students gain hands-on experience through real-world projects, fostering both technical expertise and problem-solving abilities that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
2. Bridging the Gap Between Education and Industry
COFYE works in partnership with school districts, local businesses, trade organizations, and community leaders to create direct pipelines between education and workforce opportunities. Through mentorship programs, internships, and apprenticeship collaborations, students can transition seamlessly into post-secondary education or career paths that align with their skills and interests.
3. Developing Leadership & Entrepreneurial Mindsets
Leadership and self-sufficiency are core principles of COFYE’s programs. Through entrepreneurship training and real-world business applications, students learn how to take initiative, manage projects, and think critically about economic and social challenges within their communities. This empowers them to become leaders and change-makers, whether they choose to start their own businesses or take on leadership roles in established industries.
4. Hands-On Learning & Community Development
True to COFA’s larger mission, COFYE ensures that learning is not just theoretical but deeply embedded in real-world applications. Students participate in community-focused projects, including affordable housing initiatives, construction of tiny homes, and other developments that directly impact the neighborhoods in which they live. This hands-on experience instills a sense of purpose and responsibility, reinforcing the idea that their skills can drive meaningful change.
5. Expanding Access & Removing Barriers
COFYE is designed to support youth from all backgrounds, particularly those in underserved communities who may lack exposure to career pathways in STEM and skilled trades. Through scholarships, free training programs, and strategic partnerships with schools, COFYE ensures that financial constraints, lack of resources, or limited access to mentors do not stand in the way of a student’s success.
Collaboration with Schools & Community Programs
COFYE’s reach extends through active partnerships with middle schools, high schools, and specialized STEM and CTE programs. These collaborations allow COFYE to tailor its curriculum to align with educational standards while providing an enhanced, career-focused learning experience. Schools benefit by integrating COFYE programs into their existing frameworks, giving students access to industry-grade training and mentorship opportunities that might not otherwise be available within traditional classroom settings.
By leveraging COFA’s established model for career readiness and adapting it to the unique needs of youth, COFYE serves as a transformative initiative that prepares students for the realities of the workforce, instills confidence, and creates lasting economic mobility. Through COFYE, students don’t just learn skills—they gain the tools they need to shape their futures and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
About COV
Creating Opportunities for Veterans (COV) empowers the veteran community by providing essential skills, knowledge and opportunities in the construction industry. This program is designed to bridge the gap between economic disparity and employment prospects while contributing to community development and sustainability. COV also connects veterans to resources available to them for transportation, housing, construction/renovations, stair lifts and vertical platform lifts, elevators, medical devices, mortgage resources and much more!
Meet Our Team
Maurice Washington (Vice President)
Maurice Washington (Vice President)
Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Mr. Washington graduated from Dobbins Vocational Technical
High School in 1987. He received his associate’s degree from the University Of Maryland
University College and is his Bachelor from American Military University. He is a proven leader
as Senior Chief Petty Officer with over 23 years of military experien
Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, Mr. Washington graduated from Dobbins Vocational Technical
High School in 1987. He received his associate’s degree from the University Of Maryland
University College and is his Bachelor from American Military University. He is a proven leader
as Senior Chief Petty Officer with over 23 years of military experience. His track record of
excellence leadership and outstanding performance motivates teamwork and mission success.
Maurice retired June 2011 and started working with Cydecor to support the OPNAV N3N5 Navy
Irregular Warfare Office (NIWO) now rename N52, first as the knowledge manager / IT
specialist on September 2011 which today is currently working with ATSI as the TASK
Administration Lead since February 2022.
He will support the majority of the functions within N52 with his diverse background while
continuing to assist on several projects such as the Naval Board, Fleet Board and other areas in
N52. Mr. Washington joined the Navy in 1988. He began his career as a Radioman onboard
USS HALEAKALA (AE-25) and then detached to the Auto-Din Switching Center (NACTAMS
WESTPAC) stationed in Guam. After his tour in Guam, he transitioned to the rate of Operations
Specialist and was stationed onboard the USS PHILIPPINE SEA, in Mayport FL., where he
received his “Surface Warfare Designator”. After a tour at Military Entrance Processing Station
(MEPS), Brooklyn, NY, he was stationed onboard USS VELLA GULF (CG-72) in Norfolk,
VA., where he served as an air traffic controller (ASTAC). He followed that tour with an
overseas tour at CTF-67, in Sicily Italy, where he earned his “Air Warfare Designator”. Then he
transition to the Pentagon serving as N31 Security Manager – Tech Support Leading Chief in
Washington, DC. After a wonderful tour at the Pentagon he continued his duties and went back
out to sea for one last tour before retiring onboard the USS MESA VERDE (LPD-19), as
Operation Department Leading Chief.
Mr. Washington’s decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy
Commendation Medal, Combat Action Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Four Navy
Achievement Medals, and various unit and campaign awards. He enjoys riding his motorcycle,
listening to music, LEARNING to golf, running and meeting new people. Mr. Washington is a
people person that takes pride in his work and the relationships which he has developed and will
maintain for years to come.
As of 29 August 2014
Mr. Washington is married to Dottery Butler-Washington who also works in the Pentagon as a
GS-15 / SES with the WHTS Department. They have two sons: Bernard and Maurice II.
Tamika Milburn (Treasurer)
Maurice Washington (Vice President)
A native of Philadelphia, PA, Tamika Milburn, is a U.S. Air Force Veteran with a B.B.A from
Marian University (IN) and an MBA from Anderson University (IN). Ms. Milburn is the CEO and
Co-founder of Agile Connection Group and the owner of Beagle Consulting, LLC. Agile
Connection Group focuses on connecting skilled professionals with dynamic c
A native of Philadelphia, PA, Tamika Milburn, is a U.S. Air Force Veteran with a B.B.A from
Marian University (IN) and an MBA from Anderson University (IN). Ms. Milburn is the CEO and
Co-founder of Agile Connection Group and the owner of Beagle Consulting, LLC. Agile
Connection Group focuses on connecting skilled professionals with dynamic companies in
Accounting and Finance, IT, Legal, and Administrative roles, while Beagle Consulting, LLC
provides HR solutions and business development services to small and medium-sized
businesses. With over 12 years of federal human resources experience, Tamika specializes in
talent optimization, strategic HR management, and workforce planning, helping organizations
align their human capital with their business goals for long-term success.
Janell Washington
Janell Washington is a seasoned project manager with 15 years of experience leading initiatives for disabled veterans in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation for her meticulous attention to detail and her unwavering commitment to exceeding client expectations. Her extensive expertise en
Janell Washington is a seasoned project manager with 15 years of experience leading initiatives for disabled veterans in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Throughout her career, she has earned a reputation for her meticulous attention to detail and her unwavering commitment to exceeding client expectations. Her extensive expertise ensures that the services she provides go beyond the norm, meeting the unique needs of every veteran served.
Janell’s compassion and kindness define her leadership style. She has a genuine heart for people, especially children and individuals with disabilities. Her role as a youth leader at her church reflects her passion for guiding and nurturing young minds, while her work with disabled veterans showcases her patient and empathetic approach. She creates a supportive and understanding environment where veterans feel cared for, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
Armed with a degree in psychology, Janell brings a deep understanding to her work, recognizing the importance of addressing both the mental and physical well-being of her clients. This holistic approach, combined with her intelligence and passion for client satisfaction, makes her an invaluable asset to her team. Her dedication to creating positive, lasting impacts on the lives of those she serves shines through in every project she undertakes.
Daniel Alotta
Danny brings a wide array of experiences to the table. A consummate team player, he’s worked across tech, fashion, sports and entertainment. He’s always aimed to have his work make a difference. With a successful track record of building meaningful partnerships with Fortune 500 companies he’ll look to do the same here.