The Mary McCarthy Growing Families Fund

In honor of Mary McCarthy, long-term Wisconsin Youth Company staff member and “office grandma,” Wisconsin Youth Company has established a fund to support parents returning to work after welcoming a new baby.  

During her tenure at Wisconsin Youth Company, Mary was well known for her advocacy and care for new parents. From coordinating meal trains to sewing and installing curtains for new mothers to have privacy while nursing, Mary helped ease the transition and find balance of being a parent at work. 

Mary also held a lot of babies. She defined the office with her open-arms policy. Any parents bringing a baby in knew, that baby was no longer just theirs, it was a Wisconsin Youth Company baby. 

Mary will be retiring after 39 years this February. In her honor, the Mary McCarthy’s Growing Families Fund will help to continue creating a welcoming, supportive space for new parents and their families for many years to come.  

Thank you, Mary.