Crossroads and a Commitment to Change
When Matthew first connected with our program through a referral from the Rock County Child Support Agency, he was at a crossroads in life. Facing a challenging cycle of past incarceration, substance use, and housing instability, he was determined to break free and build a better future—not just for himself, but for his child.
Living in his truck and working part-time, Matthew was doing everything he could to stay on the right path. He openly shared his struggles and successes during the many heartfelt phone conversations and emails with his Child Support Liaison (CSL), Dawn. One moment that stood out was when he proudly shared that he had reached three months of sobriety. It was a powerful testament to his strength and dedication.
Matthew knew that this lifestyle—while helping him avoid past temptations—also made it difficult to meet his financial obligations, particularly his child support payments. But he was honest and clear:
“That’s not the right thing to do. I want to do better.”
How Child Support Liaisons Make a Difference
This is where Dawn’s role as a Child Support Liaison became pivotal.
At Forward Service Corporation, Child Support Liaisons, provided by our Wisconsin Works (W-2 program), work directly with parents who are struggling to meet their child support obligations due to barriers like unemployment, housing insecurity, or justice system involvement. Rather than focusing solely on compliance, CSLs take a holistic, compassionate approach—partnering with clients to identify their needs, connect them with community resources, and help them overcome challenges that stand in the way of long-term success.
Matthew’s dream was simple but deeply meaningful: to stay clean and sober, rebuild family connections, and find steady employment that gives him stability without putting him at risk of falling into old patterns.
With encouragement and a listening ear, Matthew and Dawn worked together to find next steps. One of the key turning points came when Dawn suggested reconnecting with a local partner agency that supports second-chance employment. Matthew remembered working with them in the past and lit up at the thought of reconnecting. With renewed excitement, he reached out to the team and immediately began submitting job applications and building relationships with local employers—on his own initiative.
Though not officially enrolled in the program, the agency welcomed him back, simply because it was the right thing to do. That kind of support, combined with Matthew’s fierce willpower and gratitude, is exactly what turns possibilities into progress.
Building a Brighter Future
From his very first conversation with us, Matthew needed to know someone believed in him. As he realized he was being heard and supported, his guard came down, and his motivation soared. Today, he’s working to rebuild his life, step by step, with the support of a network that sees him not for his past, but for his potential.
As he wrote in a recent email:
“I appreciate everything that you’re doing for me. Thank you again.”
Matthew’s journey isn’t over—but his story is already a powerful example of how belief, support, and persistence can light the way forward.
