3 days ago7 min read

FP FIVE: EMERGENCY OVERFLOW SHELTER 2024

November 8, 2024

The Family Promise Five is a weekly newsletter whose purpose is to update, inform and advocate for families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

The mission of Family Promise of Waukesha County is to help low-income families and families experiencing homelessness achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.

In this edition you will find these stories:

A CHAT: DISCUSSION OF TEN YEARS
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM
EMERGENCY OVERFLOW SHELTER
WHY GIVE TO FPWC
GET YOUR MERCH!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

A former client when learning about the Apartment Shelter Program

When it was explained to me that this was an apartment based program . . . I was shocked. I didn't think something like this existed. Seeing the apartment I knew it was temporary, but it gave us dignity.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Family Promise of Waukesha County celebrated our tenth anniversary on October 25. Here are a few photos from our event. Click to view the entire photo album.

POLL OF THE WEEK

When you consider making a gift to Family Promise of Waukesha County what is the most compelling reason to provide financial support?

1. A CHAT: DISCUSSION OF 10 YEARS

First in a series of videos reviewing ten years

Mission

Family Promise of Waukesha County has evolved over our 10 years of existence. As a way to reflect on the impact, successes and challenges of our agency, Joe Nettesheim sat down to discuss the evolution of this organization. Thank you to:

David Tennyck, former Executive Director
Mariha Stewart, former Executive Director
Marjore Thomson, former Chairperson of the Board of Directors
Joe DeKlotz former Chairperson of the Board of Directors

This first video looks to the past and the future. Shorter video focused on topics that the organization has faced will be shown throughout November and December.

It was in November 2014, Family Promise of Waukesha County opened its doors to serving two families using a rotational model of shelter. This milestone occurred after two years of planning and hard work of a core group if individuals.

We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who were part of that original group. It was an honor to spend time with them at our celebration. It was their persistence and dedication that made this dream into a reality. The fact is that there were no experts, there was not a roadmap, there were no guarantees. It was simply a group of people who knew that families with minor children should not be sleeping in their car, a motel or doubled up. And it was this group that built an organization with a strong foundation to remain standing and the elasticity to change as circumstances warrant. That is quite a feat!

2. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

Access to a house allows Family Promise to implement a new Transitional Housing Program

Mission

Family Promise of Waukesha County is pleased to announce that we will be formally implementing a Transitional Housing Program. We are able to take this step because of the generosity and commitment of a longtime volunteer/supporter family. These friends of Family Promise of Waukesha County have purchased a house that we will lease from them for below market value. The home is an adorable two bedroom ranch with a great yard in West Allis. It is perfect for a family to take a step from shelter to securing their own permanent home.

The purpose of transitional housing is to offer families longer term support to help them reestablish themselves in order to secure permanent and independent housing. They will have 18-24 months in the program. The expectations of participants in the transitional housing program are that they will:

improve their earning power through an associates degree or other educational opportunities,
sublease the home from Family Promise and pay a percentage of the rent so that they can establish a rental history,
pay utilities
be responsible for the upkeep, lawn mowing, snow removal of the home
participate in monthly case management which will focus other goals to help them be able to secure permanent housing.

One of the biggest challenges we face when helping working families who are experiencing homelessness is that they simply do not have the income to afford living in Waukesha County. A major goal of this program is to provide an opportunity for a family to increase their earning power so that it is more likely that they can afford an apartment.

Interested in offering support for the Transitional Housing Program?

This adorable home will need some deep cleaning. We are looking to gather a group to help in November. Our hope is to have a family move in in early December.

Please contact Joe Nettesheim if your group would be interested in helping.

3. WINTER EMERGENCY OVERFLOW SHELTER

Informational session for those interested in volunteering to be held November 19.

Mission/Program/Volunteer

You are invited to an orientation/informational meeting to learn how you can support the Winter Emergency Overflow Shelter this winter season. We are seeking both partner groups and individual volunteers. There are three ways you or your group can help

Make Meals
Help transport guests to Family Promise or Hope Center
Provide support for the families at the Day CenterYou can select one of these two dates:

EOS Volunteer Interest Form

The meetings will be held:

Tuesday, November 19 at 6pm

Delafield Presbyterian

1851 N Genesee St, Delafield, WI 53018.

Wednesday, November 20 at noon via MS Teams

The Waukesha Winter Emergency Overflow Shelter, 1210 Sentry Dr, is a converted firehouse that provides additional shelter space in the winter to ensure that all have shelter from the Wisconsin cold. It is able to accommodate up to 18 single adults and three families. The facility is owned by the Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County (HAC) a 501c3 nonprofit corporation who contracts with agencies to manage the overflow. Last year HAC contracted with Family Promise of Waukesha County and Hebron Housing Services to manage the shelter.

This year, due to financial constraints, a number of service agencies are working together to open the shelter. The plan is to open the shelter from December 16 to February 15. The shelter would be available overnight from 7pm to 7am. Hebron Housing Services would provide the overnight staff for the shelter. During the day single adults would be transported to the Hope Center and families would come to the Family Promise Day Center.

If you have any questions contact Maria Mundt.

END OF YEAR GIVING CAMPAIGN

Come and learn about the value of Section 8 Housing Vouchers

Fund Development

The holiday season is almost upon us. The end of the year and the holidays are a time that many provide a financial gift to charitable organizations. We humbly ask you to consider providing a gift to Family Promise of Waukesha County before the end of 2024. Our budget this year took a step forward. Our goal is to raise $855,000. We need your help to reach that goal. As you are reflecting about if you are able to give here are a few things that may impact your decision to give:

We are successful and your gift makes a permanent and generational impact

96% of the families assisted with Prevention funds in 2024 have not experienced homelessness.
88% of families assisted in the Apartment Shelter since 2020 have not had a second occurrence of homelessness.

Families who are financially vulnerable are struggling
- In 2024, The average monthly rent in our Family Homelessness Prevention program has increased 41% from 2023.
- We have used funding for this program quicker than any other year

Growth and diverse ways that we provide services to families. In 2024 we :
- Implemented a new Shelter Diversion program
- Will have an additional space for a new Transitional Housing Program
- Working on expanding the Apartment Shelter Program to Oconomowoc
- Collaboratively working to institute the Emergency Overflow Shelter

We have celebrated 10 years- help us position ourselves to serve 10 more!

Our end of the year campaign will officially start on December 3, Giving Tuesday.

Gifts can be made online or checks mailed to:

Family Promise of Waukesha County, PO Box 66 Waukesha, WI 53187

Here are a few of the ways you can provide a financial gift to Family Promise of Waukesha County.

PROVIDE A GIFT TO SUPPORT FAMILIES

POLL OF THE WEEK

In the poll, while what compels you to donate may be multi-faceted, this week you can only select ONE. The item that is most compelling.

When you consider making a gift to Family Promise of Waukesha County what is the most compelling reason to provide financial support?

0%Prevent family homelessness
0%Shelter families experiencing homelessness
0%Long term positive impact on families and children
0%Success of our programs

5. FP MERCHANDISE

Spread the word about Family Promise while beign fashionable

Community

Help raise awareness about Family Promise of Waukesha County by sporting the finest merchandise. The store will be open until November 14. Items will be delivered in time for Christmas. This is not a fundraiser for Family Promise, it is a way to raise awareness about Family Promise. Click the link, order your items today and wear them proud!

FIVE PLUS

Happy Anniversary

This week two staff members celebrate their work-iversary. Congratulations to Courtney Rutkowski our Family Services Director, who is celebrating three years of serving families experiencing homelessness at Family Promise of Waukesha County.

Congratulations to Kelly Hawkins, Family Advocate, who is celebrating two years advocating for housing for families at experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

We are grateful to both of you for your commitment, passion and dedication to those who are vulnerable.

Click their name to email them a congratulations and thank you email!

Veterans Month and Day

Thank you to all who have given of themselves in service to our country. We celebrate you this month and on Veterans Day

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”

-Arthur Ashe

'Twas The Month Before Christmas

Local playwright and actor (and Family Promise Trivia Night emcee) Doug Jarecki delivers a hilarious and heartwarming holiday treat!

‘Twas The Month Before Christmas takes a UNIQUE look at Joseph and Mary, the three kings, and the innkeeper in the month leading up to that magical night in Bethlehem. This "smart, funny and sweet production" is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.

https://sunsetplayhouse.com/shows/twas-the-month-before-christmas/

Catering Service

Michelle Miller, a former guest of Family Promise of Waukesha County, has her own catering company. She provided the food for the Trivia Night and it was outstanding! If you are in need of a caterer contact Joe Nettesheim and he will help connect you with Michelle.