Reach Dane

06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth! ❤️💚🖤

Today we celebrate freedom and honor the history, culture, and contributions of Black Americans.

Reach Dane is closed today in observance of Juneteenth. We hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!

06/18/2026

🎉 Ready to take the next step toward your future? 🎉

Join us at the Operation Fresh Start Career Fair on June 25, 2026 and connect with employers, explore career opportunities, and discover what's possible for your future!

Whether you're looking for your first job, a new career path, or a chance to build your skills, this is the place to be. Meet local employers, learn about available opportunities, and make valuable connections in a welcoming and supportive environment.

✨ Explore careers
✨ Meet employers
✨ Build connections
✨ Take the next step toward your goals

Bring your energy, your questions, and your ambition. We can't wait to see you there!

📅 June 25, 2026
📍 Operation Fresh Start

06/16/2026

🎉 We did it! 🎉

What an incredible school year it has been! From first friendships and big milestones to hands-on learning, laughter, and growth, we're so proud of all our children, families, and staff.

As we celebrate the end of another amazing year, we want to thank everyone who made it so special. We hope your summer is filled with fun, adventure, and plenty of sunshine. ☀️

Congratulations to all of our children moving on to their next chapter. We can't wait to see all the wonderful things you'll do!

Have a safe and happy summer!

❤️ Love,
Reach Dane

06/15/2026

Congratulations to the participants of the CareerPoint Early Childhood Education cohort!

Recently, Operation Fresh Start celebrated six graduates who completed the six-week CareerPoint Early Childhood Education program. Through hands-on learning, career readiness training, industry-specific instruction, and ongoing support, these young adults gained the skills, experience, and confidence needed to begin careers in the childcare field.

We are excited to see where their journeys take them and grateful for programs that help build the next generation of early childhood professionals. Congratulations to all of the graduates on this important achievement!

Thank you to our partners! 4-C Helping Communities Help Children, Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, City of Madison Planning, Community, & Economic Development

06/10/2026

Today is the deadline! Head Start staff, we need your voices!

Head Start staff, you advocate for children and families every day. Today, we're asking you to advocate for yourself and your colleagues.

A proposed federal rule would remove requirements aimed at improving wages and benefits for the Head Start workforce. Together for Head Start is collecting signatures on a joint comment letter urging continued support for workforce compensation and additional funding for programs.

This is your opportunity to help ensure decision-makers hear directly from the people doing this work every day.

Today is the final day to sign.
Add your name here: https://bit.ly/headstartsalaries

Please share with fellow Head Start staff before the deadline.

05/28/2026

Big things are growing at Reach Dane 🌱

We’re excited to share that we’ve been awarded funding through the City of Fitchburg, WI, Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative to purchase seeds and starts for the 2027 growing season at Tilly's Farm!

This support helps us continue growing our farm initiative and create more hands-on learning, connection, and fresh opportunities for the children and families we serve.

Stay tuned for what’s ahead 🌻🥕🍅

05/21/2026

Happy Birthday Head Start!

In celebration of Head Start's 61st birthday week, we're reflecting on cards sent to us last year. As Head Start faced an uncertain future, people across Wisconsin picked up a pen to share what this program has meant to them. The stories inside are as powerful today as they were then.

This one stopped us in our tracks. A single mom, working three jobs, rebuilding her life after leaving an abusive relationship, and Head Start gave her not just a job, but a community, resources, and a way to help others facing the same road she had walked. That's what this program does. And that's why it's worth fighting for.

This card was written during a moment of uncertainty for Head Start. One year later, that uncertainty hasn't gone away. The proposed 2027 federal budget puts Head Start funding at risk once again, which means the families and staff who depend on this program need our voices now just as much as they did then.

05/18/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Caregivers spend so much time caring for others, but your mental health matters too. A simple check in can go a long way. Here are a few conversation starters to support honest, caring conversations with yourself and those around you.

05/13/2026

Thank you to our friends at Feist Vocational Counseling and Placement, LLC for doing egg drop off for our Red Arrow families! We super appreciate you! 🥚

05/12/2026

A few members of our team spent time volunteering out at Tilly’s Farm (and Tilly was loving every minute of it!!) 🌱💚

We’re excited to watch the growing season come to life and can’t wait for all that’s ahead at the farm ☀️🌻🥕