Fond du Lac Organization Fostering Pathways Out of Poverty with New Opportunity Center

ADVOCAP invites members of the press, local government and the public to an open house highlighting their newly launched Opportunity Center — an innovative, safe space for low-income people in Fond du Lac to get the individualized support they need on their path to long-term self-sufficiency. Hear from staff at ADVOCAP and the City of Fond du Lac, as well an Opportunity Center Participant who has accessed services provided by ADVOCAP.

Attendees include Tanya Marcoe, Executive Director, ADVOCAP. Joseph Moore, City Manager, City of Fond du Lac. Brenda Hull, Special Initiatives Manager, ADVOCAP. And Janice Ruth Echlin, Opportunity Center Participant.

The event will be held Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
4:00 – 4:30 PM: Opening remarks & news conference (please RSVP to Marisa Barber by 10:00 AM on January 28)
4:30 – 6:00 PM: Opportunity Center Open House. Visitors can tour the space at their own pace and meet with staff.

The event takes place at ADVOCAP, 19 W. 1st Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935.

ADVOCAP opened the Opportunity Center in mid-November in response to a growing need in the community. In the two months since opening the Center, ADVOCAP has assisted over 100 individuals and is continuing to see an increase in the number of people who are accessing the Center regularly. Breaking the cycle of poverty means overcoming multiple barriers in various systems. Individuals can get stuck between these systems and find themselves lost in the cycle.

ADVOCAP’s Opportunity Center is working to bridge the gaps in Fond du Lac, offering targeted support in four key areas:

• Basic Needs: Assistance with FoodShare, medical insurance, clothing, personal care products, and digital access for cell
  phone and email registration. P.O. boxes are available at ADVOCAP for those who do not have a physical address.
• Shelter Assistance: Help in securing temporary shelter, especially for individuals with health concerns or those facing
  legal challenges due to homelessness.
• Employment Support: Support with resumes, job searches, and interview preparation for economic stability.
• Mental Health and Wellness: Connections to specialized local services in mental health, substance use disorders, and
  trauma.
  By addressing the interconnected challenges of unemployment, mental health, and social inequality, ADVOCAP’s
  Opportunity Center is a catalyst for real, transformative change, lifting people out of poverty and into lives of dignity,
  stability, and success.
  Parking Information: All street and surface lot parking around ADVOCAP is metered. There is metered parking on W 1st St.,
  S Macy Street, and in the lot across from the ADVOCAP main entrance, at 17 W 2nd St.
  About ADVOCAP: ADVOCAP is a leading Community Action Agency combating poverty in Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and
  Winnebago Counties in Wisconsin, providing essential services like transportation, senior meal delivery, preschool
  education, family development services, case management, weatherization, adult education, and life skills training to help
  individuals and families overcome crises and barriers. Partnering with over 200 organizations, ADVOCAP strengthens
  communities through economic and workforce development and volunteer engagement, improving lives across the region.
  Contact Marisa Barber, ADVOCAP Communications Coordinator
  marisa.barber@advocap.org
  920-922-7760 x3554