Spotlight on Our 2024 Grant Partners
In 2024, the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County awarded $236,000 in grants to organizations making a difference for women and girls in our community. Each partner brings unique programs and services that create meaningful change. Today, we’re excited to highlight some of our 2024 grant partners and share how they are uplifting women, girls, and families across Waukesha County.
Easterseals Southeast Wisconsin: Safe Babies Healthy Families
Safe Babies Healthy Families is a relationship-based, culturally humble, family-centered intervention program designed to promote child well-being and prevent abuse and neglect. Through home-based services, parents and families receive long-term support in child development, healthcare, relationship building, and goal planning.
Research shows participants are more confident parents, create safer environments, use more positive discipline, and experience better health outcomes. Families also see improved education, mental health, and housing stability, with reduced intimate partner violence and homelessness. With WGF support, Easterseals is helping parents nurture safe, thriving families in Waukesha County.
Bloom360 Learning Community
Bloom360 Learning Community, a nonprofit private school and day program for neurodivergent children and adults, provides innovative workshops for parents and caregivers. Led by a multi-disciplinary team, these sessions focus on sensory processing, communication, and strategies for navigating “big emotions.”
With more than 75% of attendees being women, the workshops empower caregivers with tools to connect deeply with their children and support emotional regulation. One parent described the program as life-changing, transforming her ability to understand and connect with her autistic daughter. By partnering with community groups and families, Bloom360 is helping reduce isolation and build bridges of understanding.
Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast
Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast gives girls the opportunity to grow as leaders in a safe, all-girl environment. Addressing rising concerns about youth mental health, Girl Scouts provides engaging extracurricular activities that help reduce anxiety and depression while building confidence and resilience.
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience fosters skills in teamwork, organization, and communication through troop activities, badge earning, and experiential journeys. Thanks to WGF grant funding, more girls in Waukesha County will have financial assistance to participate. These opportunities prepare young women for lifelong success by encouraging them to take on challenges and persevere through setbacks.
Wellpoint Care Network
Wellpoint Care Network, with nearly 175 years of service, is a national leader in trauma-informed care and family support. In Waukesha County, Wellpoint provides school-based mental health treatment, consultation, and training for educators to create trauma-sensitive learning environments.
Their programs address the urgent youth mental health crisis by offering culturally sensitive, accessible care for children, adolescents, and families. The WGF grant ensures more students can access high-quality support while educators gain tools to foster healing and resilience in the classroom. Wellpoint continues to champion equity, wellness, and community connection to help families thrive.
Lake Area Free Clinic
Lake Area Free Clinic (LAFC) has provided free, high-quality healthcare for low-income residents since 2001, with more than 63,000 medical visits to date. Recognizing the need for dental care, LAFC opened a dental clinic in 2017, which has since provided over 32,000 visits to uninsured and underinsured adults.
Patients receive reduced-fee care, with no one turned away for inability to pay. In 2024, a $15,000 WGF grant subsidized dental services for 155 low-income women in Waukesha County. By reducing barriers to critical healthcare, LAFC continues to improve overall well-being and address gaps in access for women and families.
The Women’s Center
For nearly five decades, The Women’s Center has remained the only organization in Waukesha County dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking. With more than 85% of clients identifying as female, their services include shelter, advocacy, and wraparound support to help survivors rebuild safe, stable lives.
In 2024, the WGF funding supported the launch of a Rapid Rehousing Program to connect survivors and their children with affordable, long-term housing in Waukesha County. The Women’s Center empowers survivors, protects children, and provides resources to break cycles of abuse and create pathways toward healing.
Family Service of Waukesha
Family Service has a 60-year history of addressing critical community needs and is tackling Wisconsin’s youth mental health crisis through its School Mental Health Program. Nearly half of students report anxiety, and girls face especially steep challenges. By bringing licensed mental health professionals directly into schools, Family Service reduces barriers and provides essential counseling and support.
In 2024, a $20,000 WGF grant funded a Mental Health Specialist in the School District of Waukesha to coordinate care and provide direct services to students. This initiative ensures more young people receive the support they need to succeed academically and emotionally.
Girls on the Run of Southeastern Wisconsin
Girls on the Run (GOTR) inspires girls in grades 3–8 to be joyful, healthy, and confident through a curriculum that combines life skills with running. Small-group lessons focus on decision-making, teamwork, emotional regulation, and resilience, all while building toward a celebratory 5K event. GOTR reaches hundreds of girls in Waukesha County each year, many receiving financial assistance to participate.
Recognized nationally as a leading program in health and wellness, GOTR instills lifelong habits of fitness and confidence while helping girls set and achieve meaningful goals. The WGF support ensures more local girls benefit from this transformational program.
The Impact
These organizations highlight the creativity, dedication, and compassion of organizations serving women and girls in Waukesha County. From healthcare and housing to leadership and learning, each of the WGF’s grant partners bring unique strengths that help improve the quality of life for women and girls in our community. We are honored to share theiir stories and celebrate the difference they are making each day.
