Green County and Monroe received some wonderful news in the form of a WEDC Workforce Innovation Grant. I was excited to hear that the Green County Family YMCA has been awarded one of only twelve grants in the entire state. There were over 100 grant applications qualified for consideration. Of the twelve recipients, only three were awarded to organizations directly involved in childcare and youth development.

The Workforce Innovation selection committee’s decision to invest in the youth of our community and the advancement of the workforce of rural Southwest Wisconsin and specifically in the Green County Family YMCA comes at the most critical time possible.

Access to affordable, dependable, and accredited childcare has been a decades-long concern for our community and the increased demands and precautions brought on by the COVID 19 Pandemic has only increased our deficit of childcare availability. Despite the best efforts and commitment of community leaders, educators, employers, friends and families of our working parents, the gap of childcare opportunities continues to increase.

As the largest population center in Green County, Monroe is naturally expected to provide activities and services that are in demand county-wide. Without the YMCA’s presence in Monroe, many of our residents would be at a greater disadvantage to find access to education, activities and support programs that are imperative in our rural community.

The construction of this facility and integration of childcare and youth development programs will directly address the needs of a much-underserved workforce population of rural southwest Wisconsin that reaches beyond the boundaries of Green County. The immense statistical data alone does not reflect the urgency for the need of this facility and child wellness programs. Every employer in our community has experienced substantial attendance issues directly related to childcare while parents, grandparents and guardians struggle to provide for their children and balance careers with life at home. This facility holds promise not only for our immediate needs but for generations to come. 

The presence of the YMCA plays a pivotal role in the quality of life that our very high demand workforce expects to see in a community where they chose to reside. Employers depend on the services available through the YMCA as a talent attraction and recruitment tool. Many take advantage of their support opportunities. 

The Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry views this project as a long needed and innovative catalyst for the future of our community. The development of this $3.7 million facility allows us to address the obstacles that have been a reality for far too long. This complex presents Green County and the City of Monroe the opportunity to partner to raise the bar for our future leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. 

As a parent who was able to include the YMCA in raising my children, I am proud to say they earned their first paychecks as score keepers. They learned responsibility assisting their dad in many leagues at the YMCA. They had countless hours of sporting events and games and after school activities that helped them become who they are today. I am happy to see that we can look forward to this and more for our future.  

— Melissa Even is the executive director for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at melissa@monroechamber.org.