Helen Johnson-Leipold, chairwoman and chief executive officer of Racine-based Johnson Outdoors Inc., and her father, the late Samuel Johnson, founded Next Generation Now, a nonprofit organization devoted to helping children in Racine’s impoverished central city, in 1997.
Half of the children in the central city of Racine live in poverty, the majority of their parents didn’t finish high school and the average annual household income is $12,000.
Johnson-Leipold said her father always believed that part of his corporate responsibility was to give back to his employees, as well as to the community where they do business.
Next Generation Now operates on the mantra of “Success by Six.” The goal of the organization is to break the generational poverty cycle and increase the odds that children in Racine’s central city can succeed. The organization targets young children and offers their families resources and opportunities that may not otherwise have been available to them.
“The first few steps were huge,” Johnson-Leipold said. “We had the backing of S.C. Johnson, and my father who bought the building and put all the dollars needed into renovations and hiring the staff. It was a really big investment for the company.”
Next Generation Now was formed under the premise that the children and families of Racine should have access to the resources they need for maximum development. Today the facility, located on 1220 Mound Ave. in Racine, offers a child development center, family support services and a community outreach program.
The child development center targets children from birth to age 12, but is “more than a daycare,” according to Johnson-Leipold. The program offers a curriculum based on research that indicates a child’s living and learning environment are the most influential aspects of creating a positive and successful life.
“It’s important that we address the families as well. Part of our objective is to help the families in the central city with their children,” Johnson-Leipold said. “To be successful in school, you need to address the families, not just the children.”
In the family support services program, employees reach out to families at home. They help them keep or find a job and offer parenting classes and family counseling.
The center also offers a program to help reduce the infant mortality rate. After some educational instruction, families are able to receive a new crib for their baby.
Next Generation Now is capable of that support because of collaboration with other organizations.
Ten years after its formation, the institution is at its maximum enrollment capacity and, according to Johnson-Leipold, has been accepted by the community.
“I think the neighborhood is really appreciative of what we do,” she said.
Next Generation Now is almost entirely funded by private donations.
“We get some subsidies from the state,” Johnson-Leipold said. “But the majority of, and the reason we are still around, is the donations from the communities.”
Holly Davis, executive director of Next Generation Now, says about 30 people are employed at the facility. Child care professionals are trained and certified, as are the family advocates, the staffers who interact with the family on a personal level.
“Our volunteers differ in ages and come and go quite frequently, but we definitely rely on the help from our volunteers,” Davis said.
A decade later, Next Generation Now remains a primary passion for Johnson-Leipold.
“I feel very lucky and honored to have the position in the community that I do right now – what my father gave me the opportunity to have with him,” Johnson-Leipold said. “There are wonderful people out there that don’t have the necessary resources. It’s a part of the value that the companies have and that my family has. It is very rewarding to help other families out.”
