By Tony Nowak, Board Chair, Achieve Brown County
Many of us have heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I believe it—because I lived it. I spent most of my childhood within an 8×8-block area. Everything I needed was there: my school, my church, cousins, friends, grocery stores, doctors… you get the idea. My family owned a local business and knew most people in the neighborhood. Needless to say, I couldn’t go anywhere without someone knowing me. More importantly, wherever I went, I felt there was always someone looking out for me.
Imagine that—growing up in an environment where you can feel the arms of your neighbors around you, helping you become whoever you’re destined to be.
I like to believe that many, if not all of us, want the best for the youth in our communities. From schools and healthcare to businesses and nonprofits, the cycle of success begins when young people get a strong start on their journey to adulthood. But not everyone grows up in that same kind of supportive environment.
Sometimes, the village needs a little coordination to truly serve its youth.
Achieve Brown County is the grease in the gears—it helps align the best efforts of the village to deliver the biggest difference for our kids.
We have many organizations in Brown County working hard to improve the lives and outcomes of our youth. Many are working on the same challenges, often independently. And that’s okay. But when we work together, the impact is multiplied.
Achieve Brown County is that multiplier. It brings the community together—working toward the same goals, based on what the community says it needs—to create the greatest possible impact.
That’s collective impact.
That’s major impact.
When we combine the efforts of our community with the power of data and a focus on changing systems for sustainable, long-term results, something powerful happens.
- Together, we’ve increased developmental screenings by 300%.
- Together, over 1,300 students have been supported through challenges on their path to middle and high school graduation.
- Together, five initiatives have been launched and are actively working to improve third-grade reading proficiency.
- Together, we’re convening businesses, schools, childcare providers, parents, and policymakers to address the region’s childcare challenges.
Together, we are making a coordinated difference.
Achieve Brown County doesn’t directly provide services—we bring service providers together to coordinate efforts for greater impact.
If not Achieve Brown County, who will bring these groups together?
The village is bigger now, and the need has never been greater.
But collectively—with coordination—we can make a difference. Together.
About the Author
Tony Nowak serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors at Achieve Brown County and is the Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, U.S., at Schreiber Foods. He holds a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Purdue University.
Tony is an active community leader, serving not only on Achieve Brown County’s Community Leadership Council but also on the leadership team of the Knights of Columbus. He is also involved in several ministries through his church.
Outside of his professional and volunteer commitments, Tony and his wife, Michelle, are proud parents of three children. In his free time, he enjoys coaching softball and spending time outdoors—whether it’s curling, downhill skiing, fly-fishing, or camping.