May 196 min read

FAMILY PROMISE FIVE: SHELTER DIVERSION MEETING

Updated: May 22

The Family Promise Five is a weekly update that focuses on the FIVE topics, issues, events, volunteer opportunities or needs of Family Promise Waukesha County. This communication will update, inform and advocate for families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Here is the Family Promise Five for May 20, 2024.

Our mission is to help low-income families and families experiencing homelessness achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.

The Family Promise Five for May 20 are:

SHELTER DIVERSION IS A COMMUNITY RESPONSE
WEEKLY GATHERING FOR FAMILIES IN SHELTER
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL WORK
GOLF OUTING SUCCESS
DO SOMETHING GREAT

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

This past week was the last day for intern Jacob Henderson. Jacob provided support for all of our services this past year. He is graduating with his associates degree in social work from Waukesha County Technical College this week. Thank you, Jacob!

Thank you to Shelley Fuller and her family for the donation of a bags game. Our staff is very thankful. As an aside whenever we record a video, Kelly cannot miss! Carpe Diem!

POLL OF THE WEEK

The City of Waukesha has embedded a social worker as part of their Community Response Unit. What is your opinion of this approach?

1. SHELTER DIVERSION IS A COMMUNITY RESPONSE

You are invited to join an informational meeting this Thursday, May 23.

Mission

You are invited to an informational meeting about the new Shelter Diversion program this Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 4:30pm. It will be held at the Waukesha Public Library in room A. Perhaps the most important criteria for success for this program is our ability to identify families who are not sheltered. Therefore we need the involvement of organizations who will encounter or to whom families experiencing homelessness will turn:

faith community leaders and volunteers,
service provider staff members,
school administrators, teachers and social workers,
law enforcement,
hospitals and health care agencies
food pantries
government offices and
landlords.

Anyone who cares about addressing family homelessness should attend.

Questions: info@familypromisewaukeshawi.org

2. WEEKLY GATHERING FOR FAMILIES IN SHELTER

Sharing a meal to bring families together

Mission

On Wednesday, May 22 families in the Apartment Shelter Program will gather for a meal and social time. This is the start of a weekly meal designed to build community between families in the program as well as with volunteers. One of the challenges with the Apartment Shelter Program has been connecting volunteers and families. A foundational value of Family Promise is a community response to homelessness. It is our belief that volunteers are a key ingredient to the success of families in our program.

The weekly gatherings will include a meal that is provided by volunteers. This could be a partner group such as a congregation or business, or it could be a family who decides to prepare a meal one time. Volunteer groups are asked to prepare a hot and ready to eat meal, serve the meal, eat with the families and clean-up following dinner. Families are required to attend, unless they have a valid reason, and leftovers will be sent home with them.

Twice a month a seminar will follow the meal. These workshops will focus on wellness (i.e. stress management, health eating, art therapy, exercise) or on Life Skills (i.e. financial literacy, job searching, parenting). Child-care will be provided on the evenings that seminars are held.

Since a staff member will be present we are easing the volunteers requirements. It is our recommendation that partner groups have one volunteer who has gone through the training on hand and we continue to strongly encourage all volunteers to participate in the training.

If you would like volunteer to provide a meal you will find more details and the ability to register using the sign-up genius:

To complete the Family Promise online training use this link:

VOLUNTEER TRAINING

All volunteers will need a completed criminal background check on file:

BACKGROUND CHECK

3. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL WORK TEAM UP

CRU provides a solution based approach

Community

The City of Waukesha Crisis Response Unit (CRU) is a co-response team consisting of one crisis clinician from the Waukesha County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and one specialty-focused Crisis Intervention (CIT)-trained Waukesha Police Department (WKPD) patrol officer. Their joint focus is on sustainable, solutions-based community crisis outreach that is both response and prevention focused. While law enforcement is often the first call made to address mental health concerns, a joint response with local crisis services is most effective.

Encountering an individual who is having a mental health crisis can be extremely challenging for law enforcement who are not necessarily prepared for much of what they encounter. As one might imagine it is not unusual for the Crisis Response team to interact with individuals who are experiencing homelessness. This past week a reporter from TMJ4 rode along with CRU. Even though these are complicated and challenging situations, attempting to de-escalate the situation and address the root cause is better for the individual and our community.

https://www.tmj4.com/news/waukesha-county/ride-along-go-with-the-people-who-responds-in-waukesha-if-you-are-in-crisis

POLL OF THE WEEK

The City of Waukesha has embedded a social worker as part of their Community Response Unit. What is your opinion of this approach?

0%Great! Police are asked to do too much.
0%Yes! Many issues police face are related to mental health.
0%I like it and want my community to do the same.
0%This alleviates accountability for the actions.

You can vote for more than one answer.

4. MAKE THE GOLF OUTING A SUCCESS

With the outing at capacity there are new ways to get involved

Fund Development

Thank you to all of the sponsors, golfers, and individuals who have registered to support the Family Promise Golf Outing. At this moment we have 117 golfers, 57 diners, and 26 sponsors all who have contributed just over $59,000 or almost 60% of our goal. Even though we are unbable to add golfers there are a variety of ways you can support families experiencing homelessness through the outing.

Here are some ways to help:

Sponsor Activities on the Day of the Outing

Sign up here to register as a sponsor for any of the following options below.

HELP HOLD UP THE BIG TOP $1250

The Big Top is where the music, food, program, presentation by a former client as well as the Live and Family Promise auction all happens. Your support will underwrite the cost of the tent. Your sponsorship will be recognized with a sign under the tent.

FUEL-UP BUFFET $1,000

One cannot be an effective golfer without the proper fuel. Sponsor the lunch buffet before the golfers hit the links. A sign recognizing the sponsor will be at the buffet.

PLAY IT COOL $750

Sponsor beverages on the course to help golfers stay hydrated. A sign noting your sponsorship will be on the coolers.

DRIVE FOR SHOW, PUTT FOR DOUGH $500

There is not a green jacket, but the trophies do have green on them! Sponsor the trophies and gift cards for the winning teams and on course contests. Sponsor will be recognized at the awards presentation.

HOLE SPONSOR $250

Let each golfer see your commitment to families experiencing homelessness with a sign at one of the tee boxes.

YOU'RE NOT YOU WHEN YOU ARE HANGRY $100

How can you do your best when hunger has interrupted your day? Snickers satisfies. Your sponsorship will give golfers a Snicker break! Sponsor will be recognized with a sign at the tee box where the Snickers are distributed.

Thank you to all of our sponsors. Please make sure to support those who support Family Promis of Waukesha County!

Provide a basket or item for the silent auction or raffle

Some ideas are:sports tickets, services such as a spa day, items for home, day trip get-aways: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0949AAAE2AA2F49-family6#/

Volunteer

Spend a few hours outside on a beautiful day with great people. Details coming soon.

5. CAREER WEBPAGE

Learn about open positions on our website

Staff

See our new Career page on our website to see the details about the positions for which we are now hiring.

Shelter Diversion Coordinator

The Diversion Coordinator is responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of all aspects of the Shelter Diversion program.

Shelter Diversion Family Advocate

The Family Advocate- Shelter Diversion will be a passionate and committed individual who will use their creativity, resources, and life experience to assist families to achieve safe, stable housing without entering the shelter system.

Intake Coordinator

The Intake Coordinator is responsible for processing applications for the Homelessness Prevention Program and conducting an initial assessment. This individual will interact with all families using a trauma informed approach.

CAREERS

Five Plus

10 Year Anniversary

To help us remember, celebrate and tell the story of the many stages of our ten year history, we need your help. Could you take a few minutes to answer a few questions? We hope to establish a timeline and share stories of success and challenges over the years. It does not matter if you were involved from the beginning or just recently... your input matters. Thanks ahead of time.

Share Your FP Memories

Wish List

SPECIAL WISH LIST ITEMS

Here are some new wish list items: