HCE Week highlights organization’s service efforts

Home and Community Education (HCE) Week is being celebrated from Nov. 4-11. The Wisconsin Association for Home and Community Education, Inc. has been getting the word out about the benefits the group brings to rural families in Wisconsin and beyond.

“HCE has a long and rich history,” says Nancy Vance, Clark County family living educator. “Its work goes back to the extension home demonstration agents who worked in 17 counties to teach women how to use wheat, sugar and meat substitutes during World War I.”

In 1940, the first official meeting of County Home Demonstration Councils from 22 Wisconsin counties was held. In 2020, HCE celebrated its 80th anniversary of organization.

Throughout major changes in technology, lifestyles and the roles of women in society, HCE has brought high-quality educational offerings to its members and communities with the support of University of Wisconsin, Division of Extension Family Living Programs.

Today, county HCE organizations comprised of member associations in 46 Wisconsin counties. The organization is unique in that members extend information they receive from the University faculty and other reliable sources to the membership and community. Members work on projects that enhance life for communities and the families who live there and throughout Wisconsin and worldwide. The mission of Wisconsin Association for Home and Community Education (WAHCE) offers learning in a social setting, sharing what is learned and caring to make a difference in our homes, communities and the world. Here are just a few of the ways HCE enhances our community: -- The Wisconsin Bookworms Program: HCE volunteers encourage literacy by reading to and providing low-income children with books, they might not otherwise be able to afford. In 2021, Clark County HCE purchased 960 books that were distributed to Head Start preschoolers and 4-5 pre-K students.

-- Services and Stitches of Love: In 2021, thirty-three quilts were handmade and distributed for Marshfield Hospital Palliative care by the Clark County HCE. In general, HCE volunteers donate many hours to community service projects.

-- International Work: HCE members contribute annually to the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) organization. Clark County HCE also sponsored a program for the community with speakers talking about their trip to Zimbabwe where they worked with farmers in the areas of nutrition and farm management. They have also continued to support the Wisconsin/Nicaragua Project through donations. https://wisnic.org/ -- Local Scholarships: Clark County HCE provide college scholarships to local students through the proceeds earned from the Dairy Bar at the Clark County Fair. In 2021, four $500 scholarships were awarded from the funds earned through the Dairy Bar.

HCE members are hard-working community members who are reluctant to take any credit of all of the work they have done to help make Clark County a better community. If you know a HCE member please thank them for all of their hard work. They are amazing individuals.

To learn more about WAHCE, visit http://www.wahceinc.org or Contact Clark County Extension at 715-743-5121.