40 Years of Empowering Our Community

LEAVEN is a beacon of hope for individuals and families in the Fox Cities. Everything we do is grounded in our mission:

LEAVEN empowers people in crisis by providing financial assistance, resource coordination,
and case management to guide them toward stability.

We offer a hand up — not a handout — meeting people where they are and connecting them with resources that help in the moment and set them up for a stronger future.

This milestone year is about honoring our neighbors who have moved from hardship toward stability and opportunity. Their stories of courage and progress reflect the heart of our mission and inspire us to continue serving the community for the next 40 years.

News & Blog

Robert’s Story

LEAVEN's assistance with Robert's rent provided more than financial relief—it provided dignity during a vulnerable time.

Luz’s Story

Luz's story illuminates the brutal reality of living without health insurance in America, where necessary medical care can trigger financial catastrophe.

Squana’s Story

Squana is writing a new story—one where she and her children are not defined by what they fled, but by the resilient, hopeful life they're creating together.

Tiffany’s Story

Tiffany's story reminds us that financial crisis doesn't discriminate based on character or work ethic.

David’s Story

With LEAVEN’s support, David was able to secure a safe, stable home—giving him the foundation to continue caring for his nephews and son.

Sean’s Story

Reliable transportation is a critical need for many in our community, and vehicle safety repairs remain one of the most common reasons people seek support from LEAVEN.

Brandy’s Story

LEAVEN’s mission is to empower and stabilize people like Brandy turning hardship into hope by providing the resources and support needed to navigate unexpected challenges with confidence.

Tabitha’s Story

Even with careful planning, unexpected crises can arise. With rental and gas assistance from LEAVEN in place, Tabitha was able to remain housed and continue working.

Erick and Annie’s Story

LEAVEN’s collaborative, wrap-around support connects families to resources when they need it most. For families like Erick’s, it allows parents to focus on experiencing and celebrating the joys of parenthood.

Tina’s Story

Emergency assistance helps families like Tina’s remain stable during end-of-life care, preventing financial collapse during moments of grief.

Brittany’s Story

LEAVEN provided critical support by covering her rent. Stable housing during recovery is a cornerstone of long-term healing.

Michael’s Story

When people like Michael can safely get to work and treatment, the benefits ripple outward. For 40 years, LEAVEN has helped build this kind of community impact by removing barriers that stand between people and their ability to contribute and thrive.

Double Your Impact: $40 for 40 Years

The $40 for 40 Years Campaign invites our community to honor LEAVEN's legacy.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we reached our $40 for 40 years and unlocked $40,000 through a generous $20,000 dollar-for-dollar match from the J.J. Keller Foundation.

This campaign not only celebrates where we’ve been — it strengthens where we’re going, helping secure LEAVEN’s ability to serve the community for the next 40 years and beyond.

We’re especially grateful to the first-time donors who chose to support LEAVEN through this campaign, as well as the returning donors who continue to show up for our mission. Every gift played a part in reaching this milestone and helping local individuals and families facing unexpected financial hardship.

We’ve reached our goal!

LEAVEN'S ANNIVERSARY IN THE NEWS

LEAVEN joins WFRV to talk about its mission and anniversary

LEAVEN celebrates 40 years of service and support in the Fox Valley by sharing its story with WFRV viewers.

WHBY: Fox Valley nonprofit launches fundraiser to help families struggling financially

LEAVEN joins Fox 11 Living to share about the $40 for 40 Years Campaign

LEAVEN Executive Director, Nikki Gerhard joined Fox 11 Living to talk more about how the community can donate to our $40 for 40 Years Campaign.

LEAVEN helps Fox Cities residents when they need it most

LEAVEN was featured in the February 2026 edition of Insight On Business. The article takes a closer look at how LEAVEN steps in when families are navigating financial emergencies.

LEAVEN celebrates 40 Years of Community Service with its $40 for 40 Years Campaign

LEAVEN, a nonprofit organization providing emergency assistance to families facing financial challenges in Outagamie, Calumet and northeastern Winnebago counties, is excited to launch its year-long-40th-anniversary celebration. LEAVEN is kicking off this significant milestone with its $40 for 40 Years fundraising campaign, designed to engage the community and reinforce LEAVEN’s mission of turning hardship into hope for local families facing financial emergencies.

LEAVEN joins WHBY’s Hayley Tenpas on Focus Fox Valley

Our Executive Director, Nikki Gerhard, kicked off the new year with a conversation on WHBY’s Focus Fox Valley.

Celebrate With Us

As part of this milestone year, we’re gathering stories from clients, donors, volunteers, former staff, and friends of LEAVEN. If you’ve experienced or witnessed a moment of impact, we’d love for you to share your memory — big or small — to help us honor our past and inspire our future.
Your stories will help shape our celebrations throughout 2026, leading into our official 40th anniversary in January 2027.
To share your story or memory, please email events@leavenfoxcities.org.
The installation of our Major Donor Dedication Wall in the LEAVEN Community Room is a permanent feature that will honor the generosity of supporters whose commitment has helped shape our mission and strengthen our community.
We invite you to follow along as it comes to life—we’ll be sharing live-streamed videos and progress updates on Facebook and our website, offering a behind-the-scenes look at this meaningful transformation.
This dedication wall represents gratitude, partnership, and the collective impact of a community that believes in lifting neighbors when it matters most.

Check out the finished product on our Facebook page!
Because of the incredible support of our LEAVEN community, this year's event raised more than $116,000 to help neighbors facing financial crisis throughout the Fox Cities. While many people contributed to the success of the evening, I know firsthand that LEAVEN would not be what it is today without the dedication of volunteers like you.
Whether you attended the event, purchased raffle tickets, invited guests, volunteered behind the scenes, shared LEAVEN's story with others, or simply continue to champion our mission in the community, thank you. Your commitment to serving others creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond any single event.
The generosity, energy, and sense of community on display throughout the evening were powerful reminders of what is possible when people come together around a shared purpose.
On behalf of our staff, Board of Directors, and the thousands of individuals and families who turn to LEAVEN each year, thank you for your time, your compassion, and your continued belief in our mission. We are grateful for all you have done and continue to do to ensure hope remains accessible to our neighbors when they need it most.
Visit our Facebook page to see photos from the evening!
LEAVEN was featured as the Nonprofit Community Spotlight during the June 12 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers double header home game!

This special recognition highlighted LEAVEN’s work supporting individuals and families in our community and helped raise awareness among Timber Rattler fans throughout the ballpark.
At LEAVEN, service doesn’t stop at our doors. Our staff and volunteers are passionate about giving back to the broader community and are eager to spend a day volunteering with local organizations making a difference.
In partnership with Volunteer Fox Cities, staff will be venturing our on the Give Back Bus to an unknown local organization to volunteer for a few hours!
As we begin our annual financial campaign, we’re asking for your help. Every dollar matters—your donation today stretches further than you might imagine and brings real relief to local families. A little truly goes a long way.