Program Impact & Outcomes

The Sun Prairie Neighborhood Navigators program has been in existence since 2018, thanks to support through the Dane County Department of Health Services, the City of Sun Prairie, and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The following data serves as a snapshot of the overall program need and impact over the years:

Unduplicated residents served:

A small sampling of the events the Neighborhood Navigators have led or collaborated on to serve our neighbors: 

Stories of Impact

• 2025: While holding program in Wildwood, a Navigator noticed smoke filling the hallway on the first floor. Upon checking, they discovered two children (participants in the youth mentoring program) home alone while one attempted to cook pancakes, accidentally starting a stove fire. The Navigator quickly removed the pan, turned off the burner, and cleared the smoke, ensuring the children’s safety. They then sat down with the kids, taught them about fire safety, and even purchased ramen noodles to show a safer way to prepare food without adult supervision. This moment transformed a potentially tragic situation into a powerful act of care, education, and protection. 
• 2025: A Navigator witnessed a powerful exchange of mutual aid between two community members in need. One neighbor, newly transitioning into stable housing, had no furniture, while an elderly resident nearby was overwhelmed by clutter and needed help organizing her home. The Navigator connected the two, helping the younger neighbor receive a couch and the elder clear her space. What began as a simple solution became a moment of shared dignity, companionship, and restored pride in their living conditions.
• 2024: A young man from Milwaukee reached out to one of our navigators with a unique request—he was looking for leadership opportunities for foster youth like himself. He wanted to give back, to be a mentor and guide for others navigating the same system he had grown up in. The navigator sprang into action, reaching out to community partners and successfully connecting him with a program that aligned with his vision.

  “He trusted me to find the right resource—and I did. That connection could change the trajectory of not just his life, but the lives of the youth he’ll now support.”

  
  
• 2024: While working in the community, a navigator encountered a mother who had just been evicted. With no money for gas in her moving van and children to care for, she was overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. The navigator was able to step in immediately—providing her with gas support and connecting her to essential resources. This small but timely act of care helped the family avoid being stranded and gave them a path forward during a moment of crisis.

  “She was so grateful. It wasn’t just about the gas—it was about someone showing up when she needed it most.”

  
  
• In 2023, Our Community Health Worker had an impromptu meeting with an enthusiastic senior member of our community during open drop-in office hours. Our interaction was both engaging and informative. Notably, she had also attended the presentation that the director of Parks and Rec and the CHW delivered to the City Council. During the conversation, I took the opportunity to apprise her of the services offered by the navigators and shared insights into my role as a community health worker. Furthermore, I assisted her with essential referrals for an individual she knew who was experiencing homelessness. She expressed her intention to refer this individual to me for further assistance.
• In 2022, the Navigators team conducted a home visit and learned of a child who was in need of glasses. The child had gone through several pairs due to sports, and the family was unable to afford a new pair. The Navigator team was able to use their connections to obtain a voucher for the child to receive a free pair that is more durable than their previous pairs.
• In 2021, a resident was experiencing severe rodent issues in their apartment unit. The Navigators team brought this issue to the attention of the Distressed Property Task Force, which then escalated the issue and was able to involve City Officials to help with alleviating the issue. Members of the Navigator team assisted this individual with cleaning their apartment.
• In 2021, Navigator Barry, saw a man walking to work with a trash bag along Main Street. Barry approached the man and found out that he was recently homeless and walking to his brand new job. Barry was able to connect the man with a taxi voucher for a ride to work and a gift card from the Friends of the Neighborhood Navigators for food. The man was incredible grateful - he teared up and gave Barry the biggest hug he's ever received!
• In 2021, the Navigator team facilitated a vehicle donation to Angel Cars, LLC that was then used to provide a free car to a victim of domestic abuse.
• In 2020, the Navigator team connected an individual facing eviction and financial difficulties due to payday loans to resources and financial advising. The Navigator team assisted this individual in securing new housing before an eviction could take place.
• In 2020, the Navigators worked with a family facing food insecurity. In assisting the family, it was discovered that a child in the household had vision issues, but experienced language and transportation barriers in obtaining medical assistance. The "Navigators team connected the family to medical services that resulted in the child having eye surgery and saving their vision before it was too late.
• In 2019, the Navigators provided donated gas cards to individuals in need. One individual did not have gas in their tank, or money to purchase gas, but had a job interview scheduled. The gas card provided that resident with the opportunity to get to their interview and they ended up getting the job! 
• In 2019, the Navigators were made aware of the residents' wishes to have the basketball court at the Rolling Prairie apartment complex repainted. This improvement was not within the complex's budget so the Navigators sought out a donor and connected the donor to the property manager. The basketball court was repainted within weeks!

Navigators in Action

• In 2024, the Navigators team served a total of 90 unduplicated youth through their Youth Mentorship Program. Youth in the Vandenburg Heights, Element, Wildwood and Rolling Prairie neighborhoods were able to participate in a free program that connected youth with positive role models and safe, supervised activities throughout the summer.
• In 2023, the Navigators team served a total of 141 unduplicated youth through their Youth Mentorship Program. Youth in the Vandenburg Heights, Element, and Rolling Prairie neighborhoods were able to participate in a free program that connected youth with positive role models and safe, supervised activities throughout the summer.
• In 2022, the Navigators team served a total of 83 unduplicated youth through their Youth Mentorship Program. Youth in the Vandenburg Heights and Element neighborhoods were able to participate in a free program that connected youth with positive role models and safe, supervised activities throughout the summer.
• Since 2020 and continuing on today, in collaboration with community partners, the Navigator team provided residents at Rolling Prairie, the Element, and Vandenburg Heights neighborhoods with food, essential items, and activities 3 times weekly during the summer, and once a week during the school year.
• From the onset of the pandemic in 2020 through SPASD returning to in-person instruction, the Navigator team, in partnership with the YMCA and Community Schools, provided lunches, activities, and essential items five days per week at the Rolling Prairie, the Element on Main, and Vandenburg Heights neighborhoods.

Community Partners

The Neighborhood Navigator program works with a variety of different community organizations and service providers within the Sun Prairie and Dane County region. Through our work, we actively make referrals to the following organizations:

• The Bed Lady
• Boys & Girls Club
• Briarpatch
• CARDS Closet
• Centro Hispano
• Community Schools
• DAIS
• First Care Clinic
• Head Start
• Joining Forces for Families
• Mobile Food Pantry/Sun Prairie Emergency Food Pantry
• Operation Fresh Start
• Project Babies
• Public Health Madison & Dane County
• St. Vincent de Paul
• Salvation Army
• Shelter from the Storm
• Sun Prairie Early Childhood Zone
• Sun Prairie Emergency Medical Services
• Sun Prairie Fire Department
• Sun Prairie Public Library
• Sun Prairie Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department
• Sun Prairie Police Department
• Sunshine Place
• Tenant Resource Center
• United Way
• YMCA