
News & Press
Ambassadors Share ECE Realities in new Video Series
The stories of Milwaukee families navigating the broken early childhood education (ECE) system took center stage this week in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel video series. Four Milwaukee Succeeds ECE Ambassadors – Jackie Burrell, LaDonna Foster, Taffie Foster-Toney and Vanessa Giraldez – shared their lived experiences as parents, educators and advocates, spotlighting the urgent need for sustainable child care solutions in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Partnership’s Public Statement on the State Budget
Early childhood education is an issue that impacts kids’ futures, families’ pocketbooks and employers’ bottom lines in every electoral district of the state, regardless of party or allegiance. Together, the Wisconsin Partnership respectfully urges every legislator and member of the Joint Committee on Finance to recognize the critical role early childhood education plays in the strength of our economy and the well-being of our communities.

Child Care Crisis Makes Headlines in BizTimes
This week, the BizTimes published a cover story examining the looming crisis facing Milwaukee’s child care sector – a vital but fragile part of the economy that supports working families, employers and our community as a whole. The article draws on insights from Milwaukee Succeeds’ staff and data from our recent report, Still Making Every Dollar Count, underscoring the urgency of the issue as the Child Care Counts (CCC) program approaches its June expiration.
Building Opportunity Excerpt: The Urgent Need to Invest in Child Care
In his recent Building Opportunity article, Greater Milwaukee Foundation President and CEO Greg Wesley highlights the powerful impact of early childhood education. High-quality early education fuels children’s long-term success, supports working parents, strengthens the workforce and builds healthier communities. Yet despite overwhelming evidence of its value, Wisconsin’s ECE sector is in crisis.
Op-Ed: WI Must Act to Address the Child Care Crisis
Access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education isn’t just a family issue - it’s a statewide economic imperative. In a new opinion piece published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Gregory Wesley, JoAnne Anton and Milwaukee Succeeds’ Executive Director Vincent Lyles call on state leaders to take urgent action.
Milwaukee Succeeds to Host Letter Writing Sessions in Support of ECE
As Wisconsin embarks on its 2025-27 budget cycle, early childhood education advocates across the city – and the state – are preparing to make their voices heard. In order to bolster these efforts, Milwaukee Succeeds is hosting a series of in-person letter writing sessions at ThriveOn King, providing educators, providers and community members with the opportunity to engage in hands-on advocacy.

Building Collective Power for Milwaukee’s Education System
On Saturday, November 9, Milwaukee Succeeds' K12 Civic Action Team (K12 CAT) hosted the EmpowerED Convening at ThriveOn King. Grounded in the vision of A Manifesto for Black Education, the event challenged participants to reimagine Milwaukee's education system with a focus on self-determination and equity for Black children.

Milwaukee Succeeds Welcomes New Fund Development Manager
Milwaukee Succeeds is thrilled to introduce our new fund development manager, Libbie Hodas, who began with the team on November 4. Libbie brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit fundraising, a deep commitment to advancing equity and a clear passion for building a brighter future for Milwaukee’s youth.

Milwaukee Succeeds Brings Community-Driven Change to National Convening
In September, Milwaukee Succeeds joined over 600 leaders, advocates and changemakers from across the country at the StriveTogether National Convening in Salt Lake City, Utah. This year, Milwaukee Succeeds took the stage to share our innovative work in two highly anticipated sessions.

Family Game Night Welcomes Community to ThriveOn King
On August 29, Milwaukee Succeeds and our Early Childhood Education Ambassadors hosted a Family Game Night at the new ThriveOn King community hub, welcoming 45 guests for an evening of games, arts and crafts, and refreshments. It was a fantastic opportunity for families to meet our Ambassadors and explore this exciting new space.