In the heart of Wisconsin, a transformative movement is taking root, driven by the unwavering dedication of the Walker Family Foundation (WFF) and its leader, Tonette Walker.

What began as a personal mission during her tenure as Wisconsin’s First Lady has blossomed into a powerful force for good, centered on Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) through the foundation’s flagship initiative, Fostering Futures of Wisconsin. This isn’t just a program—it’s a legacy of compassion, resilience, and community empowerment that’s changing lives across the state.

A Legacy Born from Purpose

The Walker Family Foundation emerged not from a rigid blueprint but from a deeply held family value: giving back.

As Tonette Walker explains, “We always believed in giving back to our community; we wanted to build a legacy that reflects our values as a family.”

For Tonette, the foundation became the perfect vessel to extend her advocacy for TIC—a cause she championed during her husband Scott Walker’s time as governor. After a brief pause following his term, she knew she couldn’t step away from the work that had captured her heart.

“The WFF is my way of continuing that work,” she says with conviction. “TIC is good work that needs to be supported.”

Her journey into TIC advocacy was anything but impulsive. During her time as First Lady, Tonette had the platform to make a difference, and she refused to squander it. It took nearly a year of reflection before Fostering Futures took shape, sparked by a pivotal lunch with a friend and a pediatrician from Children’s Hospital. That conversation opened her eyes to the devastating effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the healing potential of TIC.

“I just knew that was it,” she recalls. “It was the issue I was immediately drawn to because I knew pouring into TIC advocacy could hugely impact Wisconsin’s children and families.” And so, a movement was born.

Overcoming Challenges with Grit and Grace

Launching Fostering Futures in 2011 wasn’t without its hurdles, but Tonette’s resolve—and Scott’s unwavering support—kept it afloat. One of the toughest challenges was figuring out where to direct their efforts. “Learning who to work with—building a good, solid team of partners—was a major challenge,” she admits. Enter Casey Family Programs, a steadfast ally that guided them every step of the way.

The initiative evolved through three distinct phases, each a lesson in adaptability. Phase One focused on grassroots education, spreading the word to anyone who’d listen. The response was overwhelmingly positive, but tangible change proved elusive. In Phase Two, they shifted to influencing state and local government, targeting social workers and policymakers directly serving families.

By Phase Three, they struck gold—merging grassroots passion with governmental influence to create a holistic approach.

“We learned so much from each phase,” Tonette reflects, “which informed my decisions about where to focus moving forward.” That focus? Supporting those already doing the good work—thus birthing the Walker Family Foundation as a grantmaking powerhouse.

A Vision That Keeps Growing

Since its inception, Fostering Futures has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once a public-private partnership leveraging gubernatorial access, it’s now a nimble nonprofit foundation honed for impact.

“We’re intentionally limiting our scope to fundraising on the back end and grantmaking on the front end,” she continued.

This streamlined approach puts money directly into the hands of Wisconsin-based organizations implementing TIC, building stronger communities and brighter futures. Looking ahead, she envisions expanding this model, amplifying the reach of every dollar raised.

A shining example of this impact is Hometown Heroes, a grant recipient whose work tugs at the heartstrings. Through programs like Camp Reunite, they support children with incarcerated parents, offering summer camps and, thanks to WFF funding, year-round events like the Winter Gathering Party.

Picture this: kids sharing meals with their parents, picking out clothes as “gifts” from them, fostering hope and healing. 

“It’s really powerful work, It’s what Trauma-Informed Care is all about.”

The Violet Society: A Sisterhood of Change

Enhancing this mission is The Violet Society, a group of women whose generosity fuels Fostering Futures. Each member donates at least $1,000 annually, forming the backbone of the foundation’s first-year grants.

“Their support enhances our mission by showing it’s not just us Walkers who want to see more TIC,” Tonette explained. “So many compassionate supporters are dedicated to this transformative work!”

With additional funds raised at their annual May luncheon, The Violet Society proves that collective action can move mountains.

Strategies That Work—And Dreams That Soar

What’s the secret sauce behind Fostering Futures’ success? Leadership buy-in. “If the boss isn’t on board, no amount of money will make TIC efforts work,” Tonette asserts. But with committed leaders willing to innovate, even modest grants spark massive change—a principle now baked into their grant requirements.

The results speak for themselves: after one year of strategic grantmaking, the foundation is poised for an even bigger spring round.

Community involvement is another linchpin. Tonette believes everyone—from bus drivers to grocery clerks—can play a role by offering compassion to those living with trauma.

“Even small actions can make a big difference,” she says.

Meanwhile, she’s eyeing two frontiers for TIC’s future in Wisconsin: more funding for direct programming to heal families and a top-down shift in how systems—from schools to agencies—view trauma. “It all flows from asking, ‘What happened to you?’ instead of ‘What’s wrong with you?’” she explains. It’s a simple yet revolutionary perspective shift.

A Legacy of Light

The Walker Family Foundation isn’t just funding programs—it’s igniting hope. Through Fostering Futures and The Violet Society, Tonette Walker is proving that TIC isn’t a buzzword; it’s a lifeline for Wisconsin’s children and families.

With every grant, every camp, every act of kindness, they’re breaking cycles of harm and building a brighter tomorrow. This is more than a foundation—it’s a testament to the power of one family’s vision, amplified by a community’s heart. And under Tonette Walker’s leadership, its glow only grows stronger.