A Community Responsibility We All Share

Child care is not a luxury. It’s a necessity — for our families, our economy, and the very fabric of our community. At Doorway to Learning, we are proud to care for the children of the people who care for all of us.

Nurses who tend to our loved ones at the hospital. Teachers who nurture and educate the next generation. Waiters, chefs, and hotel staff who keep our tourism economy thriving. Ministers who lead our congregations. Grocery store clerks who make sure our shelves are stocked and our families are fed. These are the parents who rely on Doorway to Learning every day.

They are the people who serve our community with quiet dignity and tireless dedication. And now, they need us to serve them in return.

This campaign is about ensuring that these working families who give so much to Door County — can continue to work, contribute, and thrive. It is about continuing to provide care for up to 150 children at the Gordon Road center as a vital early education center. And it is about maintaining the Egg Harbor Road center as a space for school-age summer programming and future classroom expansion as our community’s needs grow.

But make no mistake: If we fail to raise the necessary funds to retire the $4.25 million in legacy debt, child care as we know it in our community will be in jeopardy

That would mean dozens of working parents — our servers, nurses, cashiers, and caregivers — will suddenly find themselves without reliable child care that they can afford. When parents lose child care, they lose the ability to work. It ripples through their lives and through the lives of everyone in our community.

The seasonal residents who enjoy our shops and restaurants. The retirees who count on our local health care workers. The students who depend on their teachers. The entire community feels the impact.

That’s why we are asking for your support.

Your gift is not just an investment in Doorway to Learning — it is a commitment to the people who make Door County function every day. It is a promise that we will not allow these working families to be left behind.

Let’s ensure that every parent in our community — no matter their income or occupation — can find a safe, nurturing place for their child. Let’s keep the doors of opportunity open for everyone.

Because when we serve the people who serve us all, we strengthen the heart of Door County.