Plans for the Fox Valley Family Resource Center inside the former Appleton Trout Museum were unveiled June 11.
First Five Fox Valley is leading the effort to create a space that brings together public and private partners to offer a range of services including parenting classes, early education programming, and child care resources. This initiative, led by First 5 Fox Valley, seeks to address the critical need for accessible family support in the region, fostering stronger family foundations.
The new Family Resource Center will include a year-round public play area, leased office space for family serving organizations, child care, a retail thrift store targeting families with young children, parent education training spaces, lactation room, and a toy lending library. Renovations will include a new roof and HVAC syste and storage for agencies in the basement.
The project was kickstarted in July 2024 with $2.75 million in American Recovery Plan funds from Outagamie County and the city of Appleton. In-kind and financial support from businesses continue to fund the project.
The Trout Museum will move east on College Avenue to a new building under construction at the growing edge of Lawrence Univerity. Lawrence and The Trout Museum will share the building.
