Same Mission, 175 Years Strong
2025 marks the 175th anniversary year for Wellpoint Care Network. Wow! That represents over 17 decades of care, serving tens of thousands of Wisconsin’s children and families. The mission, which began as the need to serve children orphaned during an 1850 cholera epidemic, has grown over time to meet the evolving needs of the community.
Although the services and supports we offer to the community in 2025 look very different from our orphanage-era days, our mission has remained strong and steadfast, unwavering from its original purpose.
We see a world where children and families can thrive.
In 2025, our services support people where they are: in the community, in family homes and foster homes, in schools and in our outpatient mental health clinic.
We continue to educate people across many walks of life in our trauma-informed framework, the Seven Essential Ingredients (7ei).
Our intentional focus on social determinants of health — including Housing, Employment, Health, Education and Caring Connections — opens the door the people we serve to connect with essential community resources.
Living out our mission during this time in history.
Being inclusive and creating a sense of belonging for our employees is another pillar of our organization in 2025. The strength and positive energy that comes from an engaged and compassionate workforce ensures the people we serve feel respected, seen and heard.
The pace of technological advances and societal change escalates the necessity of staying focused on our mission. There are many distractions. Yet, if we continue to engage the community with humility, curiosity and cultural respect, this special 175th anniversary year can serve as a springboard for the future, continuing to create healing and hope for the thousands of people we serve annually.
Change is ahead this year. After 35 years of service, including the past 7 as CEO, I am retiring and a new leader will be selected to carry out our mission. I look forward to handing off the leadership baton to the next CEO, confident that, 175 years later, our mission remains the same — and stronger than ever.