Fund-a-Cause 2026
Social Services Navigation
Our health does not begin and end inside the doctor's office. Our health is all around us which is why this year we have decided to make our Fund-a-Cause our Social Services Navigation Program. The Social Determinants of Health (pictured above) are a foundational piece of public health and outline all of the parts of our lives that feed into our health.
Education
Our level of education often determines how well we can understand information about our health (health literacy). Speaking a language other than English is an extra barrier to health literacy and access to further education in the U.S. About 70% of our patients speak a language other than English.
Health Care and Quality
Access to healthcare is very complicated. Do I have insurance? Where is my nearest provider that takes my insurance? Have I established care yet? Can I pay the out-of-pocket costs? At WFC, we bring access to care to people who otherwise wouldn't have that access. We are proud not just to bring care to our community, but to bring high-quality, diverse, culturally competent care to our neighbors.
Neighborhood and Built Environment
What resources exist in our communities? Do we have sidewalks on busy streets? Is it safe to let my kids play outside? How clean is the air and water? Is there a grocery store nearby with fruits and vegetables? Our neighborhood and built environment cover a lot of different areas of our health which are completely out of our control.
Social and Community Context
Healthy relationships with people are a key part of our health. If we live in a community that says we are not welcome, it becomes much harder for us to access the things we need. When we have a community that supports us, understands us, and makes us feel like we belong, we become stronger as individuals and as members of our community.
Economic Stability
Everything around us costs money. The money that we have determines every other aspect of the social determinants of health. Can we afford further schooling? What about our medications? What kind of housing can I afford, and can I afford the heat bill? Do I need to work extra shifts to support my family leaving no time for myself or my loved ones?
Where does WFC fit in?
We have been a proud member of the Waukesha community for 49 years. Throughout that time, we have built relationships with other programs in the area in order for our patients to access the things they need that aren't available at WFC. We help connect our patients to The FOOD Pantry Serving Waukesha County, employment resources, legal services, housing, and more. We stay involved in community events, so we are able to stay connected to what is available in Waukesha.
Navigating these systems is hard work and not just for our patients. As the world continues to change around us, system navigation only becomes more difficult. In expanding our social services programming, we aim to have a dedicated staff member to assist our patients in finding and connecting to the resources they need. The need for healthcare is evergrowing making our clinic staff busier every day. Our patients don't deserve their lives outside of healthcare to be a second thought. With a social services navigator on our team at WFC, patients' lives will be priority number one - healthcare and beyond.