Wilcox Honored with Advocate Award

Grace Jones of Couleecap nominated Judy Wilcox, a section chief of Special Needs Housing in the Bureau of Supportive Housing, for the Jackie Lawrence Outstanding Advocate Award. "Judy Wilcox is a hero in the low-income housing work of the State of Wisconsin," said Jones.

The following quotes are taken from the nomination:

"Over the decades, Judy's work in Madison and throughout the state has helped many thousands of Wisconsin families. She has been a great friend of the CAP agencies and a huge believer in our mission and work. She has worked tirelessly on behalf of low income people and people who are homeless. She has courage, and she speaks her mind.

"As the leader of the Balance of State Continuum of Care, Judy has led a collaborative planning process to address the problem of homelessness in Wisconsin. Many of the CAP agencies have participated in this process, resulting in the disbursement of resources throughout the state to serve homeless families. Judy insured that the agencies had the resources to get the job done.

"Lest you think her work has been limited to the state programs and CAP agencies, Judy has also been active in other non-profits, local government leadership and community development leadership. In our lives we are fortunate to cross paths with certain special people. There are some people who make such a difference in your life and in the lives of others that you never want them to retire. Judy is retiring this year. We will miss her. She is deserving of the Jackie Lawrence award because she is one of those special people whose path you feel fortunate to have crossed in life."

Wilcox ultimately received the award.

-- Grace Jones, Barbro McGinn