ABOUT US

Fox Valley Memory Project began in early 2011 when the Basic Needs Giving Partnership of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region encouraged local advocates to create collaborative programs that address the needs of older adults. In response, four individuals including Susan McFadden, PhD, Beth Belmore, an executive with Lutheran Social Services, Margie Rankin, the retired administrator of Park View which is Winnebago County's skilled nursing facility, and Dr. Lee Vogel, a geriatrician with the UW Fox Valley Family Medicine Residency Program, formed a task force focused on aging issues. 

The group identified a lack of meaningful opportunities for social interaction and community engagement for people living with dementia and their care partners. They also saw the need for timely, accurate diagnoses for those experiencing memory loss and other cognitive challenges. In addition, they stressed the importance of educating the broader community to build understanding and support around dementia.

In October 2011, a planning grant from the Helen Bader Foundation enabled FVMP to host a community breakfast and think tank focused on identifying impactful areas of support for those affected by dementia. By 2012, the organization had secured multi-year grants and began laying the foundation for a dementia-friendly community. That same year, FVMP launched its first memory cafés at Atlas Waterfront Café and Thompson Community Center, creating welcoming social spaces for individuals with dementia. 

In 2013, FVMP expanded its services by establishing the Memory Loss Resource Center and the Memory Assessment Center at MOSAIC Family Health, further enhancing access to support and early diagnosis.

Fox Valley Memory Project operated under Lutheran Social Services for seven years before transitioning to an independent nonprofit. In April 2018, FVMP hired its first full-time Executive Director and officially became a 501(c)(3) organization by August of that year. The organization then moved its offices to Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin, marking a new phase of growth. In 2019, Mike Rohrkaste took on the role of Executive Director, bringing extensive leadership experience from both the private and public sectors, including his work as chair of the Speaker’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

In 2021, Fox Valley Memory Project (FVMP) was awarded a $997,418 grant from the Administration for Community Living to expand support for key populations, including individuals with dementia living alone, those with intellectual or developmental disabilities at risk of dementia, ethnically and culturally diverse communities, and caregivers in need of education and training.

Building on this momentum, FVMP launched Mindworks in 2023, a three-hour therapeutic program designed for individuals in the early to mid-stages of dementia, providing meaningful engagement and respite for caregivers.

Today, FVMP serves communities across Winnebago, Waupaca, Calumet, and Outagamie Counties. Through strong partnerships, dedicated volunteers, and ongoing advocacy, FVMP continues to foster inclusive, dementia-friendly communities throughout the Fox Valley region.