December 31, 2025
As we close out the year, we reflect on a year of impact, partnership, and community action. In 2025, we saw the continued strength of our core programs, growth through new initiatives, and further collaboration with local partners.
This past year, thousands of our neighbors in Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and Winnebago Counties connected with ADVOCAP for resources and programs to help them improve housing stability, address homelessness, increase food security, build community connections, create workforce opportunities, access education, and support their families. Each of our programs is built on the same foundation: creating opportunities that help individuals and families move toward the stability they’re working hard to achieve.
The year ahead marks ADVOCAP’s 60th year, an opportunity to honor our history and the mission of Community Action that has guided us since 1966. And throughout 2025, our long history of Community Action was reflected in the impact and accomplishments we achieved together. Here are some of the updates and milestones from the past year:
Program News
Marking one year at the Opportunity Center
November marked the first full year of the Opportunity Center in Fond du Lac. Since opening in late 2024, more than 500 of our neighbors connected with the Center for personalized support, including assistance with basic needs, resource navigation, and help overcoming barriers that make everyday stability harder to reach.
Increasing access to mental health care
In December, ADVOCAP announced that local mental health providers will offer services onsite at our Fond du Lac office. By reducing transportation challenges, healthcare, and other barriers, this partnership helps ensure that more of our neighbors can access support when they need it.
Joining community efforts to reduce overdose risk
In early 2025, two Overdose Aid Kits (OAKs) were installed at our Fond du Lac office, among many installed in the county. These kits provide access to NARCAN® and supportive materials, and are an important step in ensuring lifesaving tools are available in our community.
Expanding childcare access through new Incubator model
In December, we marked the groundbreaking for the Childcare Incubator in Oshkosh. This innovative, collaborative project is designed to expand access to childcare and help new providers launch and grow their businesses. The project reflects significant community need and the importance of supporting working families and local employers.
Celebrating 60 years of Foster Grandparent impact
This year, we also celebrated 60 years of the Foster Grandparent Program, recognizing six decades of volunteers making meaningful contributions in classrooms and early learning environments. Their one-on-one support provides stability, encouragement, and connection for school-aged children. This milestone also reflects the continued strength of ADVOCAP’s broader volunteer programs, which connect community members with opportunities to support our neighbors in ways that strengthen our communities every day.
Understanding local needs with Community Needs Assessment
In October, we released our triannual Community Needs Assessment, offering a detailed picture of challenges and opportunities across Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and Winnebago counties. This report guides ADVOCAP’s program priorities, future planning, and collaborative work with community partners. This in-depth analysis is a critical resource in increasing community understanding for ADVOCAP, partner organizations, funders, and governments.
Welcoming local, state, and federal leaders
Multiple ADVOCAP programs welcomed government leaders to learn about the impact we have across our tri-county region. Governor Tony Evers joined ADVOCAP for a Medicaid roundtable with local organizations and later visited with our Weatherization team to see firsthand the energy savings and long-term benefits families experience through home improvements
Our Head Start and Food & Nutrition teams welcomed Representative Glenn Grothman to share how early learning and community nutrition programs make daily life more secure for families and older adults. Our Opportunity Center staff also hosted Representative Grothman and the Fond du Lac City Council to highlight the importance of reducing barriers to resources in the city.
Senator Ron Johnson’s Regional Director, Amy, joined us in Oshkosh to visit Globe Manufacturing — a local business launched through ADVOCAP’s Business Development Program — to learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in our region. We also had the chance to speak virtually with Senator Baldwin about the childcare crisis in our region, and the Childcare Incubator’s role as part of the solution.
2025 Milestones Across ADVOCAP
Community’s Choice Awards
ADVOCAP Head Start was voted Best Preschool in the 2025 Best of Fond du Lac Community Choice Awards, a reflection of the dedication of our teachers, classroom teams, and families.
Governor’s Service Award
Foster Grandparent volunteer Harriet Edwards received the Governor’s Service Award, honoring her dedication and the powerful impact volunteers make in local classrooms.
WISCAP Self-Sufficiency Award
Mindi Multhauf, recipient of ADVOCAP’s Rosalie Tryon Barber Self-Sufficiency Award, received the WISCAP Self-Sufficiency Award, highlighting her hard work and perseverance on her path to self-sufficiency.
Fond du Lac County 2025 People of the Year
ADVOCAP was included among Fond du Lac County’s 2025 People of the Year, recognizing the collective effort of our staff, volunteers, and partners who work every day to support individuals and families throughout our region.
Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) credential
ADVOCAP Executive Director Tanya Marcoe earned her CCAP credential, reflecting her commitment to Community Action’s mission and values.
Local, State, and Federal Advocacy
Advocacy is central to our mission — in fact, it’s part of our name: ADVO (advocacy) + CAP (Community Action Program). Throughout 2025, we worked to ensure local needs remained visible at every level of government. We look forward to continuing these efforts in 2026.
In addition to welcoming the government leaders listed above, ADVOCAP staff took the opportunity to speak with multiple state legislators about issues relevant to our community. We participated in WISCAP Advocacy Day and Child Care Advocacy Day in Madison, spoke in front of the Joint Committee on Finance in Wausau, and visited our local legislators to share updates about our Childcare Incubator and other projects. These conversations and efforts helped elevate the stories and challenges our neighbors face — and ensured that Community Action remained part of statewide discussions on housing, childcare, education, employment, and economic opportunity.
A message from Executive Director Tanya Marcoe
“As we look back on 2025 and our 59th year of Community Action, I’m reminded of the power of neighbors supporting neighbors,” says Executive Director Tanya Marcoe. “Community Action is built on the belief that change starts locally — with people, organizations, and partners working together to create opportunities that help families thrive. I’m so grateful for our staff, volunteers, board, partners, funders, and the many community members who trusted us with their stories and goals this year. This work is stronger because we do it together.”
Thank You to Our Community
Thank you to everyone who contributed to ADVOCAP’s impact this year — our staff who show up with passion and strength each day, our volunteers who give their time, our board who provides steady leadership, our partners who strengthen our collective work, and our neighbors who walk through our doors seeking support, connection, or a new path forward. We are honored to work alongside all of you.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Celebrating 60 years of Community Action
Next year marks an important milestone: ADVOCAP’s 60th anniversary, aligning with six decades of Community Action nationwide. Throughout 2026, we will celebrate our history, share stories from across the years, and honor the people and partnerships who shaped our region. Most importantly, we will continue doing what has guided us since 1966 — helping neighbors build stability, opportunity, and a hopeful future.
We wish all our neighbors a safe, healthy, and hopeful New Year. Here’s to continuing the work together in our 60th year.
