Stepping Out for Advocacy

Kari Stroede, Community Impact Director, 
United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley
 
It was perhaps the fourth loop around the third floor of the Capitol in Madison, attempting to find the office of the representative serving the Chippewa Valley, that convinced me that I was indeed stepping out of my comfort zone. I was on my own and a bit lost.  I was going to walk into an office, and sit down for a thirty minute conversation about what is best for the children in our community. There would be facts and figures and answers to questions. There would be thanks and an “ask.” I was wearing my advocacy hat, and I would be convincing. And when done, I was going to march on to the next of four offices on my list. That was April 2, 2019 – a date when staff from United Way offices across the state joined with Child Care Resource & Referral agencies to meet with almost 40 representatives. We were on a mission.
 
Our mission was a reminder about the importance of the early years of a child’s life. Investment in these early years has a high impact and an equally high return on investment.  Those years are critical. Programs such as Home Visiting services focus on our most vulnerable children and their families.  These services improve parenting skills, support early brain development, connect families to resources and help build strong parent-child relationships right in their own home.
 
At United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley, we recognize the importance of these early years. We know that our community understands that investing in children and their families is a worthy investment. We support Home Visiting in the Chippewa Valley by funding these important programs. We walk the walk. Our role in advocacy is to also talk the talk. To share, recommend, suggest and advise.  To use our voice to make a change for our neighbors.