OUR STORY
The Wausome initiative was started as a collaboration between the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin and the City of Wausau in 2022.
Cheryl Wolken was hired as the Wausau Area Marketing Specialist in September 2022 and led the Wausome Initiative through February 2025.
The Problem
In 2022, the Marathon County LIFE Report found that only 48% of residents are satisfied with how welcoming their community is and only 37% are satisfied with how tolerant their community is.
Feeling unwelcome in a community can cause people to leave and can negatively impact the perception of the community by outsiders, hurting talent attraction efforts. The aging demographics of our community, and our declining workforce underscore the importance of creating a welcoming community.
The Solution
The Wausome Initiative creates a sense of belonging in the greater Wausau area by focusing on connecting, welcoming, and engaging Wausau area residents with the goal of positively impacting physical and mental health, talent retention, and the local economy.
Funders
Thank you to the following foundations, businesses, and organizations for their financial support!
B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation
City of Wausau
Edward & Lois Drott Legacy Fund
Rocket Industrial
Wausau Marathon County Fund
Join these Funders in supporting Wausome!
Together we can make a difference in the lives of Wausau area residents!
