LEAVEN is a vital lifeline for Fox Cities residents facing unexpected financial setbacks.
Guiding People from Hardship to Hope in the Fox Cities
LEAVEN is a vital lifeline for Fox Cities residents facing unexpected financial setbacks. Since 1987, we have provided crisis assistance while building pathways to long-term stability through financial support, resource coordination, and short-term case management.
Our facility houses multiple community service partners under one roof, creating a streamlined support system. Powered by 80-100 weekly volunteers, we empower thousands of households to move from struggle to strength, every year.
Our Driving Mission
LEAVEN empowers people in crisis by providing financial assistance, resource coordination, and case management to guide them toward stability.
Our Rich History
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May 1985
Local stakeholders developed LEAVEN as a solution to coordinating emergency assistance.
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January 1987
We began operating from St. Joseph Middle School.
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March 1987
We received tax-exempt status from the state of Wisconsin and 501(c)3 status from the IRS.
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July 1987
Paulette Laffin became our Executive Director.
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July 1990
We relocated to the basement of St. Joseph Middle School.
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October 1991
We established our first endowment fund.
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December 1994
Margaret Walsh donated the former Tel-Sec office in Appleton to us.
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May 1995
We moved to the Appleton location.
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January 2002
Paulette Laffin retired, and Jennifer Wanke became our Executive Director. We also wrapped up our capital campaign.
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October 2002
We moved to our current location in Menasha.
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June 2008
We introduced our High-Risk Prevention Program, a collaborative effort with Homeless Connections.
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June 2013
Mary Parsons became our Executive Director after 10 years as our Client Services Director.
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June 2013
We introduced the Next Step Program as a response to trends identified during several years of evaluating the High-Risk Prevention Program.
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January 2016
We introduced the Pay-It-Forward Loan Program, partnering with FISC to offer assistance to clients who wouldn’t qualify for help through our traditional charity model.
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April 2016
Our board and staff collaborated on a strategic plan, reshaping the organizational mission, vision, and strategy.
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November 2017
We broke ground on the new LEAVEN Community Resource Center.
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September 2018
Our LEAVEN Community Resource Center opened its doors, welcoming 14 community partner agencies to support clients.
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2020
We implemented a remote intake process throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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2021
We hired Martha Franco, a Bilingual Resource Advocate.
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2023
Nikki Gerhard became our Executive Director.
Our Dedicated Team
Our staff creates a welcoming environment where every person who walks through our doors feels supported and valued. Every person works tirelessly to coordinate a diverse network of volunteers, community partners, and donors to ensure our operational success.
Our On-Site Community Partners
We are proud to make it easier for clients to access multiple support services from our location, eliminating the stress of navigating complex systems alone.
Casa Hispana
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Catholic Charities
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Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R)
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Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services
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Disability Rights-Wisconsin
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Energy Services, Inc.
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First 5 Fox Valley
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Forward Service Corporation
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Fox Valley Technical College
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Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc.
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Hope Clinic
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LEAVEN Financial Counseling
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LEAVEN Legal Services
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Partnership Community Health Center
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Rawhide Mental Health Services
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UMOS Transitional Jobs
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Casa Hispana • Catholic Charities • Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) • Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services • Disability Rights-Wisconsin • Energy Services, Inc. • First 5 Fox Valley • Forward Service Corporation • Fox Valley Technical College • Fox Valley Veterans Council, Inc. • Hope Clinic • LEAVEN Financial Counseling • LEAVEN Legal Services • Partnership Community Health Center • Rawhide Mental Health Services • UMOS Transitional Jobs •
Partnerships with Landlords and Utility Companies
The countless local service providers who partner with LEAVEN are helping create positive outcomes for area residents facing unexpected financial setbacks.
Our Proudest Moments
Assistance Provided
Unique Individuals Served
Requests Processed
Unique Households Served
2024 Financial Impact
Stories From
Our Community
“A wonderful part of our community.”
“A wonderful part of our community. They can help with electricity bills, if you happen to fall behind on rent or are just falling short, they are an amazing resource. They have helped me with gas cards, and guided me to other resources. They can also help with 1st month’s rent or security deposit if you qualify for their assistance.” – Cassandra C.
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