In this episode we are talking about hunger. Not in some far off place, but right here in our communities - especially the rural small towns here in the Valley. More than 427,000 Wisconsinites have a hard time getting enough food to meet their basic needs, a situation commonly known as food insecurity. That's nearly half a million Wisconsinites who…

Many young people lack basic financial literacy skills, such as budgeting, saving, investing, and the importance of making informed financial decisions. Junior Achievement of Wisconsin teaches these life skills and so much more: The 100-year-old organization prepares students for the workforce by teaching them essential employability skills, such a…

Did you know that drug and alcohol-related deaths in Wisconsin have tripled over the last 15 years? In this episode, we are talking about addiction and recovery. How big of a problem is addiction in our area, what’s being done already, and what are some of the barriers to finding the help people need? We are well familiar with Wisconsin’s reputatio…

How does one preserve the stories and history of a rural town like Chilton? Today we're visiting the Chilton Public Library, where staff members are unveiling the untold tales that shape the community's identity, through modern technology. A $4,947 grant from the Chilton Area Community Foundation, our regional affiliate partner, allowed the library…

What happens when we uncover lost stories and tell them in new ways? And how might shared experiences, between people who are different from one another, bring us closer together? In February 2023 during Black History Month, over 1,000 people in the Fox Valley area had the chance to view the film and participate in conversations with the filmmaker …

Who doesn't need help funding their dreams? For students pursuing post-high school education, the Community Foundation will award more than $1.7 million in scholarships in 2024 to students from more than 70 high schools. We offer scholarships to high school seniors, college and nontraditional students, and K-12 art and music camps and lessons. It's…

Today we’re tackling the big topic of transportation in the Valley. The needs, the gaps and the dreams we have for improving public transit, roads, and our vast network of trails. What do we mean when we say "Transportation," and which entities are paving the way for our future Resources and links in our show notes at: https://www.cffoxvalley.org/p…

What podcasts do you like to listen to? You have so many choices these days, and we are grateful that you've chosen to add Voices from the Valley to your playlist! We’ve had a lot of fun and we’ve learned so much from the people in our community who’ve helped us create more than 50 episodes. When it comes to our podcast, which has only been around …

In an age of rapid technological advancement and ever-changing demographics, libraries are evolving to become more than just repositories of books – and audio – and video. These days libraries offer a treasure trove of cool things that and vibrant spaces where you can explore, learn, and DO so many interesting things. Imagine having access to cutti…

Today we're excited to highlight an episode from Appleton Engaged, a compelling podcast from the City of Appleton. Much like Voices from the Valley, which is dedicated to amplifying diverse voices within our communities, the Appleton Engaged podcast lifts up the individuals, organizations, and resources that contribute to making our community an ex…

Sharing stories in the news and lifting up the voices of people in our community really lends itself to making the Fox Valley feel like home. The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation have been engaged in a major effort to support the work of local newsrooms to bring issues of importance in ou…

Do you know how our youth are doing, as far as mental health and wellness? How can we in the Fox Valley help our teens, and prevent the things that can lead to anxiety or even a crisis? The answers are complex, and challenging. There is no doubt our teens are in crisis – with pressures our older generations can’t even imagine, because it really is …

Did you know that from 2010-2018, the suicide rate in Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties increased by 66 percent? And among those at greatest risk are middle-aged men, individuals in certain professions (like farming, construction and law enforcement, for example), veterans, members of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color), and LGBTQ…

In an age of rapid technological advancement and ever-changing demographics, libraries are evolving to become more than just repositories of books. They have transformed into vibrant community hubs, catering to the diverse needs and interests of all residents in the Fox Valley region. Today, we’ll explore the remarkable role that libraries play in …

In this episode, we’re talking about including and empowering our neighbors and family members with differing abilities and exploring the power of inclusion in our communities through Special Olympics. Our guests today include parents, coaches, volunteers, and of course the incredible athletes who inspire us all with their determination, courage, a…

Today we’re doing an entire podcast episode about podcasts! Why do people like them so much, and how are organizations using this audio platform to tell their stories in a whole new way? And what do you need to do to start your own podcast? It’s easier than you might think! What is a podcast? It is simply an audio tool that people and organizations…

Art truly does help shape a community in so many different ways. Performing arts in particular can provide a platform to celebrate traditions, customs, and stories, fostering a sense of identity and pride among community members. A community rich in arts can foster economic development too, and give tourists a reason to visit a venue and boost the …

Did you know that engaging children in arts activities can teach team-building skills and provide a positive and constructive outlet and build their self-confidence? Here at the Community Foundation, we are dedicated to supporting art activities that bring our communities together and provide creative opportunities for people of all ages. Research …

Finding quality childcare in Wisconsin is a challenge, with long waitlists. It's also expensive. Many parents say they are paying more than their monthly mortgage or rent to have their children cared for while they work. And for single parents, it's a difficult road to navigate. If you don’t have young children in your life, you may be thinking thi…

Do you know how our youth are doing, as far as mental health and wellness? How can we in the Fox Valley help our teens, and prevent the things that can lead to anxiety or even a crisis? The answers are complex, and challenging. There is no doubt our teens are in crisis – with pressures our older generations can’t even imagine, because it really is …

Did you know that from 2010-2018, the suicide rate in Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties increased by 66 percent? And among those at greatest risk are middle-aged men, individuals in certain professions (like farming, construction and law enforcement, for example), veterans, members of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color), and LGBTQ…

Dental care is critical to a person's overall health, especially in children. But the pandemic and financial constraints have been barriers to families trying to access proper care, causing decreases in visits. Organizations like volunteer-driven Tri-County Dental help fill the gaps and meet thousands of students where they’re at, offering preventi…

What is it like to learn your child has autism? And how do you find resources to give your child the best opportunities for learning and for experiencing all the joys and challenges life has in store? In this episode we take some time to consider how we think about Autism, a developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates, think…

In this episode we're discussing the number of refugees from other countries who have recently resettled here in the Fox Valley. What is life like for them, and how can our communities be welcoming to our new neighbors? Most of them come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. Two years ago, we began to see many come through th…

Imagine if all residents can live in a good home they can afford. Our region is composed of households across the income spectrum, and it's getting harder to find these homes. High-quality, stable housing is central to the health and wellbeing of all families in our communities. A new Fox Cities and Greater Outagamie County Regional Housing Strateg…

What happens when we uncover lost stories and tell them in new ways? And how might shared experiences, between people who are different from one another, bring us closer together? In today’s very special episode we’re going to take you back to a story that happened over 50 years ago. It's the story of an exchange of Black and White high school stud…

In many rural areas of the Fox Valley region, there are often serious gaps in services such as transportation, healthcare, and other services meant to help individuals and families that might be struggling economically. Clintonville's Compassionate Connection Center, a nonprofit we partner with here at the Community Foundation, is working to bridge…

We’ve probably all faced an emotional crisis. Something that rocks our world and sends us into a feeling of despair. Just in the last two years alone, people have experienced increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and uncertainty. It's that collective trauma of living in a world that is no longer predictable. The growing need for emotional supp…

The Fox Valley is renowned for our outdoor activities, from lakes and parks to more than 340 miles of trails for use year round. But many people might be surprised to learn that not every member of our community feels safe or welcomed in our outdoor spaces, especially people who are considered historically marginalized, such as people of color, peo…

People of all walks of life have been impacted by the Community Foundation since its founding in 1986. We hear their stories, and we want you to hear them too! Our Voices from the Valley: A Podcast of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region podcast launched in September, 2021, and we've come a long way in telling the eye-opening, heartst…

The Building for Kids Children's Museum opened in downtown Appleton in 1992 at the site of the former Prange's building. Thirty years later, the Community Foundation is honored to celebrate being a part of "BFK's" history! Generous gifts from donors with funds within the Community Foundation have supported the museum over the years. The museum rece…

"Period Poverty" is a startling reality in the Fox Valley. Did you know that a lack of access to menstrual health products can cause students with periods to miss or be late to class, or feel anxious about period care? Menstrual products are expensive in the U.S., which makes it difficult for people, especially teens, to afford period products. Ins…

Today we discuss the Fox Valley’s changing workforce and some new initiatives in the works to make sure we’re building and retaining a thriving and diverse workforce. There are lots of job openings, but we're learning that not everyone who wants to work is able to access the jobs we know are open right now. Covid has impacted some things, like hybr…

Did you know that black women in our area are five times as likely to die in childbirth? That's according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services. Factors that lead to these life-threatening disparities include the quality of health care, chronic conditions and structural racism and bias, according to the CDC. In Brown County, Black …

What makes Waupaca a special place to live, work and play? The answer can be found in its people, working together to bring this already thriving community to a whole new level of cultural attractiveness. In this episode, we hear from people making a big impact thanks to generous donors. The Waupaca Area Community Foundation recently awarded grants…

This summer’s Fox Cities LIFE Study finds one of the largest shifts in the Census data is in our local Hispanic population. In fact Hispanics make up the largest minority group in northeast Wisconsin. Hispanic and Latino residents of communities along the Interstate 41 corridor between Oshkosh and Green Bay increased by 46% between 2010 and 2020. T…

The most recent data from the new Fox Cities Leading Indicators for Excellence (LIFE) Study and the U.S. Census Bureau shows us what we all can see: Racial and ethnic diversity in northeast Wisconsin is increasing. The number of Black, Asian, Native American, multiracial and Hispanic people increased 57% over the past decade. And it is wonderful to…

What should we be thinking about when it comes to making improvements so that more people can enjoy all that our communities have to offer? The Fox Valley region is full of walking and biking trails that connect our communities. But who uses them and are they accessible to all? How do we begin talking about terms like, "Environmental Justice," and …

In this episode we revisit the fascinating story of how one small town in our area, Gresham Wisconsin, is making dreams come true for its youth. In a town of fewer than 600 people, that means a lot. For the past 21 years, young people graduating from Gresham High School have been given an opportunity to pursue their dreams. And it’s all because peo…

We’ve probably all faced an emotional crisis. Something that rocks our world and sends us into a feeling of despair. Just in the last two years alone, people have experienced increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and uncertainty. It's that collective trauma of living in a world that is no longer predictable. The growing need for emotional supp…

In 2015, it was estimated that 115,000 people in Wisconsin had dementia. By 2040, that number is expected to increase to 242,000 people with dementia, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Kaukauna native J.J. Smith met his wife Joyce in the Air Force nearly 60 years ago and were looking for resources to help with Joyce’s memory…

In this episode, we continue our conversation about how a new two-year pilot program is embedding an Outagamie County clinical therapist within the Appleton Police Department to improve the way first responders handle crisis situations involving mental health. The idea is to have the therapist immediately available as a co-first responder to mental…

The challenge and complexity of mental health issues in our community is growing and – since the onset of the COVID pandemic – has now reached a critical stage. How do we as a community respond to and provide help to people in the middle of a crisis? The Appleton Police Department and Outagamie County Health and Human Services recently launched a n…

How do we make our local nonprofit organizations in the Fox Valley strong and equip their leaders with the knowledge and tools they need to serve our community? We take our leaders to school! The idea is to build better leaders so that together we can build a better community. Leadership Institute is an innovative programs offered through our Nonpr…

One of the oldest nonprofits in our area, Appleton's History Museum at the Castle, is turning 150 years old. Imagine what it was like living in the Fox Valley in 1872! This community gem has a unique way of bringing our history and its bygone eras back to life. We can learn about our rich past through the many opportunities we have at the Castle, f…

When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, everything changed. Our communities were in a crisis. Many vital services which so many people rely upon were suspended. The Community Foundation and United Way Fox Cities immediately put together the Covid 19 Community Response Fund. This fund has granted $1,776,497 to 118 local nonprofits, thanks to the eno…

One of the largest shifts in the Census data is in the Hispanic population. In fact Hispanics make up the largest minority group in northeast Wisconsin. Hispanic and Latino residents of communities along the Interstate 41 corridor between Oshkosh and Green Bay increased by 46% between 2010 and 2020. The growing number of Hispanic and Latino people …

The most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows us what we all can see: Racial and ethnic diversity in northeast Wisconsin is increasing. The number of Black, Asian, Native American, multiracial and Hispanic people increased 57% over the past decade. And it is wonderful to see! But much more important than the numbers are the people behind t…

There's a shortage of more than 119,000 rental housing units in Wisconsin, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. It says that a typical Wisconsin household needs to make a combined annual income of almost $36 thousand dollars to afford a two-bedroom rental home. The Appleton Housing Authority’s programs are making a positive impac…

Domestic abuse and domestic violence cases have exploded in the Fox Valley. It's happening to people in all races, ages, religions, economic status, and it's happening to people you and I might know – to people in our neighborhoods, in our schools and churches, in our workplaces, perhaps even in your home. This episode may be difficult to hear. Our…