J. J. KELLER FOUNDATION, INC.

We're thankful to be at the table supporting our nonprofit partners that work every day to empower our local community. Whether it's empowering mental wellness or providing basic necessities, Northeast Wisconsin is home to so many hardworking and compassionate changemakers. We are so thankful for you!

??????????? ??????????????????? As we plan our meals this holiday season, let us not forget about those neighbors who may not be celebrating in the same way. We significantly value our partnerships with food programs across Northeast Wisconsin, such as Loaves & Fishes of the Fox Valley. This team works diligently to provide dignified, nutritious, and free melas to our neigh in Appleton every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This team saw a 30% increase in new registered households in 2023 alone. Households such as The Johnsons* who shared, “???? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ???????? ???????????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ???????????…??????? ???????? ???? ???? ???????? ???????????? ???? ?????????????????? ??????????, ?????????? ????????, ?????? ????????????????… ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????? ????????, ?????? ???? ?????????? ???????? ?????????? ???? ??????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?? ?????????? ???? ????????. ???? ?????? ???? ???????????????.” *Names have been changed for anonymity purposes.

??????????? ??????????????????? As we left the house today, bundled in our coats and boots, we are reminded of Community Clothes Closet (CCC), working to ensure that students have the proper gear to face the cold and snow. Our continued partnership with CCC allows us to help provide snow boots and snow pants to students throughout local school districts. This year, we were able to expand the collaborative effort to include the @Oshkosh Area School District Education Foundation. Our combined efforts ensured that over 250 elementary students in the OSHKOSH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT are equipped for winter this year! As always, we extend our thanks to the J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Global Sourcing Team for securing the best possible bulk pricing. This critical partnership has allowed the grant to provide over 1,000 pieces of winter gear throughout the Greater Fox Cities this season.

??????????? ??????????????????? Our local community is grappling with a growing maternal health crisis. New mothers and newborn babies who are experiencing the trauma of homelessness are more susceptible to physical and mental health problems, developing attachment disorders, increased chance of social and developmental delays, and educational challenges as they grow. Even more, homelessness during pregnancy is associated with higher rates of complications and numerous adverse health outcomes for both mothers and infants. Supportive housing and services provided by Vida and its Trinity Home, can mitigate the impact of trauma and homelessness on newborns and their mothers. By addressing key social determinants like healthcare access and quality, social and community context, and economic stability, Vida's services contribute to vital support to improve maternal and infant outcomes for all residents served, breaking the cycle of inequities in health outcomes.

??????????? ??????????????????? Recent data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for 2021—reflecting the post-COVID environment—highlights troubling trends in mental health among students: ?? Over half of students reported experiencing anxiety (52.2%), a notable increase from 2017 (39.9%). ?? Approximately 1 in 3 students (33.7%) reported symptoms of depression, marking a significant rise from 2019 and a long-term upward trend. ?? One in five students (21.7%) disclosed engaging in non-suicidal self-harm. ?? A majority of Wisconsin high school students (58.1%) reported experiencing depression, anxiety, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts over the past year. Rawhide Youth Services School-based Counseling Programs offer crucial support to these students by eliminating any barriers they may have in accessing care.

??????????? ??????????????????? The impacts of low literacy are far-reaching: ?? Adults without a high school equivalency earn on average $10,000 less annually than those with one. ?? Patients with low health literacy face four times higher medical costs annually. ?? Children of parents with low literacy are 72% more likely to have low literacy themselves, perpetuating the cycle. With about 21% of U.S. adults having low literacy, the range of challenges is vast, from limited job opportunities and difficulties in accessing public services to risks of social isolation and educational disadvantages. These are only a few of the reasons JJKF celebrates its partnership with Fox Valley Literacy and Winnebago Area Literacy Council whose teams diligently work for every member of our community on a crucial basic need: literacy.

? ?????????? ?????????????????? ? They say it takes a village, and the village at Catalpa Health is no different. A recent staff member shared, “?????????? ??’???? ???????? ???? ?????????????? ??????????? ?? ??????? ?????????? ??????? ???? ???? ???????? ???? ????? ?????????? ????????. ???? ?? ??????? ????????????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? ?? ?????????? ?????????????? ??????? ????????? ????????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ?????????????????? ???? ???????? ?????? ??????????????. ?? ???????? ???? ?? ???????? ???? ???????? ???? ???????? ???????? ?? ?????????????? ??????? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ??????? ???????? ???????????? ????? ???????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????? ???????. ???? ????? ?????????? ?? ????????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ??????? ?????????????? ?????????? ??????? ?? ??????? ???????????? ???? ???????? “??????????’??” ???????? ???????? ???? ???????? ???????????? ?????? ???? ?????????? ?????????? ???? ?????????. ???????? ???????? ???????? ???????? ???? ???? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????????? ???? ????????? ????????.” This particular child began greeting the team member and sharing exciting news about their life and the joy they were finding. Upon completion of their treatment, the team member received a little note thanking her for always greeting them, how they looked forward to it, and how much of a difference it truly made. Whether through the relationships they develop with their treatment team or being greeted upon arrival with a smile, the Catalpa team is committed to their mission of improving the mental health and wellness of the children and families living in our community.

? ?????????? ?????????????????? ? In 2024, Foundations For Living, Waupaca opened the county’s first transitional housing program specifically for women, The Middleton House. The Middleton House provides a place where women can stay, participate in Foundations for Living programming, and receive assistance in finding permanent housing and employment. The disconnect between the rising cost of housing, employment opportunities, and other personal hardships are just a few factors that have contributed to the homeless epidemic throughout the nation and within our communities. With a focused concern on the challenges faced by women, such as domestic violence, divorce, job loss, mental wellness, and substance use, the issue is further exacerbated by increased isolation, a lack of awareness, and insufficient resources. These factors collectively hinder efforts to break the cycle of addiction and homelessness, particularly in rural areas where support systems may be less accessible or absent. Recognizing the service gaps for those in rural settings, Foundations for Living is dedicated to expanding our outreach to these areas through the following programs and services.

? ?????????? ?????????????????? ? Through research, expertise, and practice Big Brothers Big Sisters East Central Wisconsin knows that the most powerful and beneficial way to change the trajectory of a young person’s life – no matter their circumstances – is access to a positive, sustained adult mentor. Many of the youth in BBBS site-based and community-based programming face adversity in their lives, including homelessness, experiencing substance use, living in poverty, or nontraditional households and are experiencing: ? High instances of social isolation ? Lack of social and emotional skill development ? Not having friends or a positive role model ? Serve as a caretaker to siblings or working to support their household Mentored youth are more likely than their non-mentored peers to overcome these challenges, with increased self-esteem, enhanced feelings of social acceptance, and healthier attitudes toward risky behaviors. When young people have a trusted adult to turn to for support and guidance, they are more likely to feel ??????????????????, ??????????????, and ??????????????????.

We were privileged to receive the 2024 Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement award during last week's Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin Dream Big Gala! There to receive the award were Board President & Chairman Marne Keller-Krikava and her husband Alec Krikava, Vice President of the Board Jim Keller and his wife Rosanne Keller, and the J. J. Keller Foundation Executive Director Monica Stage. We are honored to join a line of partners before us that have inspired change, have championed the power of mentorship, and have embraced what it means to be an ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters. As, Marne Keller-Krikava reflected when receiving the honor, "???? ????? ???????????????????? ????? ???????????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????????? ???? ????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????????????? ?????? ????????. ?????? ????????????????? ???? ??????????????????????, ????????????????????, ?????? ?????????????????????? ???? ???? ???????? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????????????. ???? ????? ???????????? ???? ????? ?????????????? ?????? ????????????????????????? ?????? ????????. "