Building community, sharing hope, and standing for justice since 2004

WISDOM's 25th Anniversary Celebration: August 7, 2025

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Date: 
Thursday, August 7, 2025 - 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: 
Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin, Milwaukee WI

Notify ESTHER by June 6 if you want to be part of an ESTHER table of 10 at this celebration.  See info below.

Join friends of WISDOM as we mark a milestone of impact, resilience, and progress! For the past 25 years, WISDOM has stood at the forefront of the fight for social justice, advocating for equity, dignity, and opportunity for all in Wisconsin. Together, with the unwavering support of our community, we have transformed communities, challenged inequities, and ignited lasting change.  

WISDOM invites you to celebrate this remarkable journey:
25th Anniversary Banquet "Celebrating 25 Years of WISDOM: Empowering Through Unity"
An evening of reflection, inspiration, and hope for the future. Come honor the partnerships and passion that have fueled our mission, and help us continue building a brighter tomorrow.WISDOM is celebrating 25 years AND we are honoring David Liners for his service to WISDOM as executive director.

Please leave a message on the ESTHER office phone 920-843-8083 or email office@esther-foxvalley.org by June 6 if you are interested in making arrangements through ESTHER to be part of a table for 10 (discounted at $675 for a table of 10) at this event. Click here if you want to register directly.  Individual banquet tickets are discounted at $75 per ticket through June 7.  After June 7, tickets will increase to $100 per banquet ticket.

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“Does Nature Have Rights?” Film Showing

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Date: 
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: 
Appleton Public Library, 200 N Oneida St, Appleton

The Fox Valley group for Rights of Nature–Wisconsin, along with many co-sponsors, will host a showing of the PBS film “Does Nature Have Rights?” followed by discussion at the Appleton Public Library at 6:00 PM on June 10th. 

The 28-minute film asks the questions, “What if everybody lived with the understanding that if we harm nature, we’re harming ourselves?” and “Should nature truly have rights?” It will be followed by a discussion of the worldwide rights of nature movement, including possible local and state political action on these issues.

Please help spread the word by downloading and sharing the attached flier.

Pride Luncheon

We're well into Pride Month, and ESTHER is proud to promote the LGBTQIA+ Community.

It was our privilege partnered with Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce to bring the amazing Jim Fielding to the Fox Valley.

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Christopher Blake Memorial Fund

Christopher Blake, courageous activist, tireless advocate, loyal friend, and ESTHER Board member, died in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on May 19, 2025. Please see his obituary here.

A fund has been created in his memory to help cover the unexpected and overwhelming expenses of his final arrangements and to support his fiancée Michelle in staying in the home they shared. No one should have to grieve the love of their life while worrying about how to remain housed.

If you are able, please give. If you cannot give, please share.

And please hold Michelle and all who loved Christopher in your heart during this time of unimaginable loss.

Donate Here

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Please Help ESTHER Give Away Books at Juneteenth, Saturday, June 7

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ESTHER’s Juneteenth book give-away has been so successful in the past, we want to celebrate reading again.  We’re asking you to share in this effort by purchasing a book or two by authors of color from Black-owned bookstores with stories about Black people.

You can drop them off at the office in First Congregational UCC, 724 E South River Street, Appleton, 9-3 weekdays, before June 7.

Then come to Juneteenth at Fox Cities Exhibition Center, 355 W. Lawrence, Appleton on Saturday, June 7, 1- 4 pm, to celebrate with our Black friends and neighbors. No reservations needed. No admission charge (food available for purchase).

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Madison Action Day 2025 / Building a Beloved Community

Submitted by Sara Companik on Wed, 04/30/2025 - 11:45am
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Madison Action Day 2025 CrowdAbout 400 leaders from the WISDOM network across Wisconsin met in Madison on April 10 for a day of action to get our values and issues on the minds of legislators while they are making state budget decisions. Northeastern Wisconsin was well represented, with delegrations of almost 50 from ESTHER in the Fox Cities and a similar number from JOSHUA in Green Bay.

The Power of Community Organizing (5-part series)

Date: 
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Date: 
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: 
Zoom

5-Session Community Organizing Basic Training

The Wisconsin-based WISDOM network, of which ESTHER is a part, is offering a 5-week training series on community organizing. The sessions will be held over Zoom from 6:30-8:00 on five consecutive Wednesday evenings starting April 23. They will include a mix of presentations and discussion designed to sharpen your organizing skills and connect you with local efforts in Wisconsin.

WISDOM’s top organizers from across the state will equip you with tried-and-true methods that strengthen organizations, empower people, and change communities. Some sample topics that will be covered include:

Course outline:

  • Week One — Intro to Organizing
  • Week Two — One-on-ones
  • Week Three — Issues and Actions
  • Week Four — Effective Meetings
  • Week Five — Building a Team

Register Here

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Winnebago County Executive Candidate Forum

For those of you who couldn’t make it in person please watch our recording:

 
Passcode: m*&Kx!8a
 

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How to Effectively Advocate for Housing Justice

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Date: 
Monday, March 3, 2025 - 10:00am - 11:30am
Location: 
First United Methodist Church of Appleton, 325 E. Franklin, Appleton
 
 

Register here . You can identify your plans to participate in person or via livestream.
You can participate in person at First United Methodist Church

 

ESTHER's Promise in 2025

ESTHER’s Promise in 2025
Empowerment, Solidarity, Truth, Hope, Equity, and Reform
Connie Kanitz, ESTHER President

ESTHER is rooted in the commitment of knowing there is inherent worth and dignity in each and every person. Everyone deserves respect, access to rights and to the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

ESTHER is committed to acting in love for one another. When we expand our understanding of “family” to include everyone; when we welcome cultural, racial, economic, and gender diversity AND a diversity of ideas and perspectives; AND when we ensure everyone has access to rights and opportunity, we can build a community that is amazing to behold. 

As the new administration begins on January 20, 2025, on the very same day we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., ESTHER will continue to tell the truth and stand up for the truth…