Dream Up! Collaborative Grant
Leads to Childcare Wins
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Last summer, the Foundation and its Dodge County partners received a $75,000 boost for early care and education efforts, receiving a Project Growth Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building grant from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF). The grant is designed to help solve the challenges facing Wisconsin’s childcare system and bolster the state’s economy. |
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As you can see from the table at right, Dodge and Jefferson Counties have been facing severe downward trends in available childcare slots--in fact, there is fewer than one slot available for every three children, which means we are a childcare desert.
- 128 slots in our region have disappeared due to closures since January 2000.
- Dodge County lost 20% of its childcare capacity over the past ten years.
The good news: We are regaining 113 of those slots! After a collaborative planning process, grant funding is being disbursed and is helping to turn the curve on childcare access in Dodge County.
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An additional 75 childcare slots will open July 31st at the new YMCA childcare center located at the Collective (former Bethesda headquarters)!
The Foundation is pleased to partner with Madison College to recruit and train the next generation of early childhood educators. A Foundation grant, combined with tuition scholarships from Madison College will allow future educators to earn their teaching credential and/or an associates degree free of charge in a virtual/in person blended format offered right here in Watertown. Even better, the partnership with Madison College and UW Whitewater will provide a pathway for professionals working in early education to earn a bachelors degree at no cost.
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
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Grant Opportunity!
July 27-28 in Brookfield
The Foundation invites nonprofit leadership and board members to apply for funding to attend the Wisconsin Nonprofit Summit 2023. The summit will feature national-level speakers and three learning tracks: Leadership, Financial Sustainability, and Marketing & Communication.
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Save the Date:
Community Open House
Wednesday, July 26th
5 to 7 pm
Enjoy a tour of the new Collective, with fun kids activities powered by the YMCA, TalkReadPlay and Watertown Family Connections!
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Southwest Side Neighborhood Plan
Community Information Session
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Thank you to the 100+ community members who attended our May 18th information session on the redevelopment of the 90-acre former Bethesda Lutheran Campus on the southwest side of Watertown. Your engagement in this once-in-a-generation opportunity is truly appreciated.
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More Caregivers TalkReadPlay,
According to Latest Survey
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An annual survey of 400+ Dodge and Jefferson County residents found TalkReadPlay efforts are paying off for families.
Overall, 80% of caregivers to a child aged 0-4 reported telling stories or singing songs to the child at least four to six times per week in 2023, an increase from 67% in 2022.
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Digging deeper, the survey compared caregivers who participated in TalkReadPlay programming and those who did not. It found that those who participated were slightly more likely to read or sing to their child at least four to six times per week (75% compared to 70%).
Among those who participated in TalkReadPlay programming, the number of those reading or singing often increased from 58% in 2022 to 75% in 2023.
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We would like to thank the MANY active partners in the Every Child Thrives TalkReadPlay initiative -- from Play Spaces to outstanding storytime connections being built at our public libraries, there are countless Every Child Thrives partners bringing this message to life and weaving support for caregivers as a child's first teacher into the fabric of our communities. |
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Changemakers in Action:
Foundation Supported Programs Doing Great Things
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Congratulations to Thrive Economic Development on hosting a successful career fair in partnership with the Latino Academy of Workforce Development. 15 employers and over 60 candidates attended this event, making valuable connections that lead to strong families and thriving communities for our region... with an emphasis on inclusion.
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Thank you to Bruce Wadman, Terry O'Connor, and the full Board and volunteers of The Gathering Source for your service to Dodge County. Last year, The Gathering Source distributed 112,000 pounds of food and supplies, delivered 100 weekend meals each week, and grew more than 300 pounds of fresh produce. Volunteers donated 2,800 hours to serve the greater Dodge County Community. The Foundation is pleased to award you a Community Collaboration grant to help fund your outdoor food garden and educational programming.
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A big congratulations to Watertown Family Connections on earning a $150,000 grant from the WI Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board. They've been selected to work with other WI Family Resource Centers and the Prevention Board to implement a uniform infrastructure and standards that support effective, quality child maltreatment primary prevention services to families of children birth to five years and promote the wellbeing of children and families throughout the state.
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How Can We Support Your Work? |
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The Foundation provides resources, tools and support to changemakers who work toward measurable improvement in community health. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $34 million in its three strategic, child-focused priorities: Strong Families, Kindergarten Readiness and School Success.
Capacity Building Grants are for agencies looking to advance their missions by developing leadership skills or strengthening organizational efforts.
Health Equity Grants support equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) projects or initiatives focused on removing obstacles to health for populations not well served under current systems and policies. The Foundation recognizes the dignity and value of every person, envisioning thriving communities where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
Proposals must directly support the communities served by the school districts of Dodgeland, Hustisford, Ixonia, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Waterloo and Watertown.
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Further Resources (click on the links to access)
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920.390.4000
600 East Main Street, Suite 200, Watertown WI 53094
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