News & Community

Madison College 2021 Futuremakers Award Recipient 

We are honored to be the recipients of the 2021 Futuremakers Award for the sustained partnership with Madison College System.

Since 2015, Madison College has supported seven cohorts of Head Start Teachers to earn their Infant/Toddler and Preschool Credentials in both Bi-lingual and English formats. These credentials allow participating teachers to move from Assistant to Lead Teachers in their classrooms to provide an opportunity to advance in salary structure and assume greater leadership roles at Reach Dane. Additionally, support to complete their Associate's Degree to open up even more opportunities for professional growth.

Professional growth for over 40 staff and parents

Reach Dane supports Madison College by providing the array of child care and early education experiences needed for its students throughout their four practicum placements. We offer these placements for students to see how an integrated support system benefits both children and families.

Many of these students attended Head Start or Early Head Start students themselves or have children enrolled in these programs, and students report that is incredibly rewarding.

Luann Williams, our Director of Child and Family Programming, is the founder of the Early Childhood Education Advisory Committee and has collaborated with MATC on Early Childhood information fairs in the community to recruit a diverse group of students. Luann and this initiative have been integral in advocating for Early Childhood and Bilingual programming and flexible delivery modes that meet the needs of working students.

Remembering Josh Chover

At the end of last year, a dear supporter of Reach Dane passed away. His contributions impacted many children and families that we serve. He helped to pay for countless hotel stays for families experiencing homelessness, prevented evictions, kept utilities on for families, as a few examples. Over the course of several years, his contributions to Reach Dane totaled $64,000.

Josh was a retired math professor from UW Madison. He was also a gifted painter. He first contacted Reach Dane to donate in honor of his beloved wife. A deep friendship blossomed between him and our Comprehensive Services Director, Amy. They would frequently get lunch, discuss current books and the meaning behind Josh's paintings. He was fascinated with neuroscience and believed that early childhood is the most critical window to make a difference in lives. He donated to 30 organizations yearly, including our Early Head Start program. 

Josh Chover had the heart to give back, and his company is deeply missed. We were fortunate to receive one of his paintings from his son, and we will frame it and hang it in our new South Madison location to continue to remember and honor his legacy.

Learn more about the life and work of Josh Chover:

Emeritus professor Josh Chover painted six decades of life's beautiful darkness The Cap Times, 2016

In Memorium: Josh Chover UW-Madison Department of Mathematics

Childcare Workers are Essential