Voices from the Valley: A podcast of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region

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 face hunger, including 171,460 children. Rural Wi...

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 as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and cr...

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 reputation for being the drunkest state in the nation, whe...

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 to purchase podcasting equipment to record and pr...

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 Joanne as part a Northeast WI premiere tour. In t...

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 all possible through the generosity of our donors...

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/podcast/pathways-of-progress-fox-valleys-transport...

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 since fall of 2021, some favorites are emerging....

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 cutting-edge technology for everyone. Right now in the...

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 extraordinary place to reside, work, and play. And t...

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 our region to the forefront through storytelling, an...

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 a new world – and Covid made it worse. According t...

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+ community members.   In response to this alarmin...

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 shaping our communities, fostering inclusion, and...

  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, and sportsmanship. These game-changers are flouri...

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 can use to tell their stories and inspire people...

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 vitality of the region. Today's episode is a secon...

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 shows arts-rich communities stimulate innovative t...

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 this topic doesn’t apply to you – but it does! Nearly...

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 a new world – and Covid made it worse. According t...

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+ community members.   In response to this alarmin...

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 preventive care to avoid emergencies and keep students hea...

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, thinks, and interacts with others and the world around...

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 the Afghanistan evacuation program.  About 300 more...

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 Strategy was developed in 2022 as the result of a study d...