For many families in Northeast Wisconsin, finding childcare is not just difficult, it is expensive. Parents often face long waitlists, and when they do secure a spot, the cost can be as much, if not more than a mortgage payment. The burden is even greater for single parents and low-income families, making it harder for them to stay in the workforce or pursue career advancement.  

At the same time, childcare providers struggle with low wages and staffing shortages, forcing many to close centers. The result? A growing crisis that affects not only families, but also businesses and the economy.  

The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region understands that affordable, reliable, and accessible childcare is not just a family issue, but a community issue. That is why we are proud to officially join the Northeast Wisconsin Childcare Alliance (Alliance), a regional effort dedicated to improving access to high-quality, affordable early care and education (ECE) and family support. 

“Earlier this year, the Community Foundation decided to formally join the Alliance, because the lack of affordable and accessible childcare has become such a pressing problem in our region. “In order to make real progress on this issue, we have to work collaboratively with others and go beyond our traditional role as funders. Being a part of the Alliance provides the perfect avenue to do that,” said Director of Community Engagement, Carolyn Desrosiers. 

The Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, a supporting organization of the Community Foundation, has been a strong advocate for childcare since the Alliance was first formed.  

“Investing in childcare is investing in the future,” said Julie Keller, Executive Director for the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region. “The Women’s Fund has been a member of the Alliance since its inception. We recognize that quality and affordable childcare is essential for working families, economic growth, and gender equity. When women have access to reliable childcare, they can pursue careers, education, and opportunities that uplift communities.”  

The childcare challenges won’t be solved overnight, but collaboration is key. By joining the Alliance, we are strengthening our commitment to the future of our region and showing that together, we flourish.

To hear more about this initiative and the childcare challenges in the Fox Valley region, listen to one of our past episodes of Voices of the Valley, where local leaders discuss the impact of childcare on our community and the steps, we can take to support families and providers.