Coalition for Children, Youth & Families

06/19/2026

Today, we observe Juneteenth — a day that marks freedom, resilience, and the long arc of justice in American history.

At the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families, we serve a diverse community of families across all 72 Wisconsin counties — including many Black families, caregivers, and children who navigate a child welfare system that has not always served them equitably.

Juneteenth is a reminder that freedom must be meaningful — not just declared. We are committed to that work.

06/18/2026

The 2025 Annual Report closes with a look ahead—and a thank-you.

To every donor, every volunteer, every board member, every partner: you are the heartbeat that keeps this mission alive. You are the reason parents can sleep at night.

You are the reason thousands of Wisconsin families find hope.

Thank you. From all of us—and all of them. ❤️

06/18/2026

🏘️ Do you have a favorite neighborhood spot — the coffee shop that knows your order, the restaurant that feels like home, the boutique you can't walk past without stopping in?

We have an idea, and it has your name on it.

For our 30th Annual Gala: The Ripple Effect on November 5th at The Wisconsin Club, we're inviting our community to help build one of the most personal auction packages we've ever offered — a "Welcome to My Neighborhood" collection.

Here's how it works: gather $50 or more in gift cards or experiences from your favorite local businesses, bundle them together, and share a little story about what makes that neighborhood special to you. We'll display your story alongside the package at the auction — giving bidders a peek into a Wisconsin neighborhood through your eyes.

It's a meaningful way to support Wisconsin's foster, adoptive, and kinship families — and shine a spotlight on the local businesses you love.

📦 Packages needed by September 30, 2026.

📧 Interested? Reach out to Jenna at [email protected] or 414-403-8877.

06/17/2026

⏰ TOMORROW ⏰

Beyond Burnout: Somatic Strategies for Compassion Fatigue

Coalition for Children, Youth & Families — Professional Development Series
June 18 | 12:00–1:30 PM

Join Dr. Robin Matchett-Schmidt for practical, somatic-based tools for compassion fatigue — designed for child welfare and helping professionals.

Last chance to register: https://bit.ly/4odKaBx

06/17/2026

⏰ TOMORROW ⏰

Beyond Burnout: Somatic Strategies for Compassion Fatigue
Coalition for Children, Youth & Families — Professional Development Series

June 18 | 12:00–1:30 PM

Join Dr. Robin Matchett-Schmidt for practical, somatic-based tools for compassion fatigue — designed for child welfare and helping professionals.

Last chance to register: https://bit.ly/3QwaCty

06/16/2026

What does reunification actually look like?

It doesn't always look like a perfect ending. Sometimes it looks like a slow rebuild. A daily phone call. An invitation to a doctor's appointment. A choice — made over and over — to put the child at the center.

National Reunification Month is a reminder that reunification is not an event. It's a relationship.

"Just knowing Bernice and Doug were rooting for me to succeed inspired me to do better."

What does showing up for someone look like to you? Tell us in the comments. 💙👇

📖 Bear Hug Bernice resource: https://bit.ly/4df3xoY

06/16/2026

LGBTQ+ youth are significantly overrepresented in the foster care system.

They face higher rates of placement instability. Higher rates of homelessness after aging out. And — too often — rejection in the very homes meant to be safe.

But here's what we also know: when LGBTQ+ youth are in affirming, supportive placements — with caregivers who accept and celebrate who they are — outcomes improve dramatically.

The Coalition is committed to every young person in care. This Pride Month, we're saying it clearly: every child deserves a place to belong. 🌈💙

🔗 Champion Classrooms resource: "You Don't Need to Be Amazing, Just Better: Creating Supportive Environments for LGBTQ Youth" https://bit.ly/4uhii0G

06/15/2026

To every dad, foster father, kinship caregiver, guardian, stepdad, mentor, and step-in father figure out there — this one's for you. 💙

There's no single way to be a dad. It's about showing up. Being steady. Pouring in patience and love — even on the hard days. And the research backs up what families already know: when a caring father figure is present, children thrive.

This Father's Day, we're celebrating every amazing adult who is guiding the next generation with kindness, dedication, and unconditional love. You are building something that will last a lifetime — and beyond.

Read our full tribute on the blog and share it with a father figure who deserves to hear it. 👇

https://bit.ly/4vr12Hq

06/14/2026

Did you know the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families has resources specifically for LGBTQ+ families navigating foster care and adoption?

From "Protecting & Affirming LGBTQ+ Young People in Foster Care" to "Creating Safe School Experiences: Strategies for LGBTQ+ Parents" — our library is here for every family in all its forms.

This Pride Month, we want every LGBTQ+ caregiver, foster parent, and family to know: you belong here. 🌈💙

What resources have made the biggest difference for your family? Share below — you might help someone who needs it. 👇

🔗 Explore our resource library: https://bit.ly/49KHhlT

06/14/2026

With Father's Day approaching, we want to introduce you to Mark.

Mark is a grandfather. A few years ago, he and his wife Rita said yes — to raising their grandson, to figuring out a system they'd never navigated before, and to showing up every single day for a child who needed them.

He'll tell you the rest. 👇
▶ https://youtube.com/shorts/xIYVJU8q83M

Grandfathers. Uncles. Stepdads. Older brothers who stepped in. This Father's Day, we're honoring every kind of dad who shows up for a child in Wisconsin — and making sure they never have to do it alone.

If Mark's story moves you, consider making a gift today in honor of a dad like him. 💙
▶ Give here: https://bit.ly/4uhodCY

Goal: $1,500 · Giving Day: Sunday, June 21

The most powerful thing we can share isn't a statistic—it's a story...