Reach Dane

Happy Birthday Head Start!

In celebration of Head Start's 61st birthday week, we're reflecting on cards sent to us last year. As Head Start faced an uncertain future, people across Wisconsin picked up a pen to share what this program has meant to them. The stories inside are as powerful today as they were then.

This one stopped us in our tracks. A single mom, working three jobs, rebuilding her life after leaving an abusive relationship, and Head Start gave her not just a job, but a community, resources, and a way to help others facing the same road she had walked. That's what this program does. And that's why it's worth fighting for.

This card was written during a moment of uncertainty for Head Start. One year later, that uncertainty hasn't gone away. The proposed 2027 federal budget puts Head Start funding at risk once again, which means the families and staff who depend on this program need our voices now just as much as they did then.

Last Friday, our Reach Dane team came together for our Annual All Staff event, a time to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our agency every single day. 💚

We were honored to welcome Dr. El Brown as our keynote speaker, who reminded us of the true gift of Head Start and the lasting impact early childhood education has on children, families, and communities. Their words spoke to the heart of the dedication, compassion, and commitment our staff bring to the children we serve each day.

To every Reach Dane staff member: thank you for the care, patience, advocacy, and love you pour into this work. The difference you make matters more than words can express. ✨