Program Highlights
Members of Women’s Fund 100 Strong and community participants celebrated 2 grants going to organizations that serve Portage County by supporting women who have experienced violence. Through the generosity of WF100 Strong donors and from the support of the Women’s Fund of Portage County Legacy Endowment, the Family Crisis Center received $13,195 and the ECDC Multicultural Resource Center received $7,105.
Family Crisis Center no longer receives federal dollars to support survivors of domestic violence. The WF100 Strong grant can be used towards greatest need in ensuring continued care for survivors.
ECDC works with refugee women who have trauma from violence. The grant goes toward continued support.
Opening: Personal Story of Survival
Speaker: Holly Fox
Holly Fox opened the program by sharing her personal story of surviving a violent partner, grounding the morning’s discussion in the lived reality of domestic violence. She spoke about her journey to safety, describing her experience of finding help for herself and her children at a local shelter. Her courage in sharing her story provided powerful context for understanding the critical importance of the services provided by local organizations, the long journey of healing, and the incredible resilience of survivors.
Family Crisis Center with CAP Services
Presenter: Kate Mueller
Kate Mueller shared insights into the complex realities of domestic violence in Portage County, including:
- The cycle of violence and how it traps survivors in dangerous situations
- Real barriers to escape that women face, including economic dependence, fear, isolation, and lack of safe options
- Victim-centered, strength-based care that staff provide, recognizing survivors’ resilience and supporting their autonomy in decision-making
- Operational challenges including managing comprehensive services—from emergency response to preventative programs—with reduced staff capacity and amid federal funding changes
ECDC Multicultural Community Center
Presenter: Janice Watson, Executive Director
Janice Watson addressed the unique experiences of refugee and immigrant women in Central Wisconsin, highlighting:
- Cultural barriers that make it difficult to reach women who need support, including language differences, cultural norms around family privacy, and mistrust of systems
- Trauma from violence experienced by refugees both in their countries of origin and during resettlement
- The critical importance of co-sponsorship in serving refugees effectively, especially those carrying trauma from violence, ensuring they have adequate resources and culturally-responsive support for healing and integration
The program explored critical community questions around violence prevention, survivor support, resource gaps, and the unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations in Portage County.
NEXT EVENT: MARCH 6, 2026 8:00 – 10:00 AM
Spring Event Focus: Child Care Access and Expansion in Portage County
Access to affordable, quality child care empowers mothers to make their own choices about workforce participation, career paths, and life goals, while ensuring fair compensation for child care workers—a workforce composed predominantly of women.
Join us as we learn from two Portage County organizations that are leading the way in expanding affordable child care access for families in our community.