First Lady of Wisconsin, Tonette Walker met with Alan Rock, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. on Monday, July 28, 2014 at the Catholic Charities Bureau Central Office in Superior, WI.  During her visit to the area Mrs. Walker requested a meeting to discuss the Fostering Futures’ Program where Superior, Wisconsin has been designated as the pilot rural community.

The Fostering Futures Program focuses on advancing and implementing trauma-informed care with the objective of improving the overall health and well-being of children and families in Wisconsin. The long-term effects of trauma experienced in childhood have been well documented by the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, which strongly reflects the correlation between childhood trauma and a myriad of serious health risk factors later in life. Fostering Futures endeavors to compassionately communicate and promote understanding, healing and recovery for individuals who have experienced trauma in childhood.

During the visit Mr. Rock and key staff of Catholic Charities Bureau also met with SET Ministry President and CEO, Laurie Laehn (pictured above, far right). SET Ministry is an anchoring partner for the Fostering Futures Program. Also pictured above: (standing at back left to right: Bill Anderson, CFO of Catholic Charities Bureau, First Lady Tonette Walker, and Gary Valley, Director of Catholic Charities Bureau Housing Management. Seated at the table from back left to right: Betsey Byler, with the Douglas County Human Development Center and Douglas County Fostering Futures Team Leader, and Lynn Tracy, Interim Director for the Housing Counseling Program of Catholic Charities Bureau.

Annie Andres, co-founding member of Fostering Futures and Project Manager is pictured above at far right back. To her left is Joe Wacek, Director of Diversified Services Center, Inc.  DSCI is the Catholic Charities Bureau affiliate Community Rehabilitation Program serving the Siren, WI area.