Wellpoint Care Network celebrates 175 years of service in Milwaukee with community service pledge

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It's a major milestone for a hometown community organization. Wellpoint Care Network is celebrating 175 years of service in Milwaukee. 

The origins of Wellpoint Care Network date back to 1850. Back then, it was founded as two orphan asylums taking care of kids who lost their parents to the cholera epidemic. 

Through the years, it transformed into a nonprofit serving Wisconsin families with mental health services, family and foster care support, and trauma care. 

To celebrate this milestone, the group is taking their community commitment a step further. 

"To culminate 175 years of service in the community, our staff are going to be in the community, starting today, throughout 2026, providing 175 hours of community service," said Reggie Newson, president and CEO of Wellpoint Care Network. 

Wellpoint has five pillars of stability they focus on: health, housing, education, employment, and caring connections. 

They plan to focus on each during their 175 hours of community service.