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December 29, 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.
PLEASE NOTE OUR OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 1 FOR THE NEW YEAR HOLIDAY
In this edition you will find these stories:
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
The answer to ending homelessness is ensuring everyone has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.
-Ann Oliva, CEO National Alliance to End Homelessness
Our annual door decorating contest is in progress. You can be a judge. Please review the doors and submit your vote in the weekly poll. Judge the doors on artistry, creativity and holiday spirit. Voting closes on December 31 at midnight.
1- A Shining Christmas (image of baby is blurred to protect her innocence.)
2- Happy Holidays
3- Family Promise Christmas
4- Candyland Christmas
1. A PLACE TO CALL HOME
End of Year Fundraising campaign continues to December 31, 2024
Fund Development
The Family Promise of Waukesha County annual end of the year annual campaign continues. Our goal is to raise $150,000 before December 31, 2024. At this moment we have raised a $132,000 from 148 donors. This is an amazing show of generosity and kindness. We are so appreciative of everyone who support families experiencing homelessness. If you have yet to give, we humbly ask you to consider a gift to support families like Carly, Emma, Ann, Crystal, Sasha, and Kim.
Our theme: A Place to Call Home underscores that supporting families who are financially vulnerable is more than providing shelter. - which is extremely important- it about that next step too. Our mission is about helping families establish a home. It is in having a home that children and families are able to thrive. It is in a home that a child can feel safe, secure, stable and warm. It is in a home that a child can develop to their fullest potential. Your financial support is about their future and the future of our community. The negative consequences of homelessness are not confined to the families - it touches all of us.
Here are 10 reasons why your gift matters
We feel passionately about what we do because no one, no child especially, should ever have to experience homelessness and with your support we can ensure it does not happen. Thank you for your consideration.
What families need most this holiday season is: A Place to Call Home. A gift of any amount will help provide #Aplacetocallhome
2. YEAR IN REVIEW
A summary of the highs and lows of 2024
Mission
A lot happens in 365 days. Here is an overview of the progress made and challenges faced by Family Promise of Waukesha County in 2024 in no particular order.
10 Year Anniversary
In November 2014 Family Promise of Waukesha County opened our doors to serve two families. 10 years later we have served over 400 families. Over these 10 years the organization has been blessed with many volunteers, leaders, congregations and businesses dedicated to responding to families experiencing homelessness. Congratulations to everyone who has contributed to ensuring that this agency impacts the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
Record Number of Families Served
Our unofficial number of families served in 2024 (thus far) is 118. This is more than any other year. The programs in which families were served evolve as we grow. We are proud of ability to adapt and respond to the need.
Giving Day 2024
We raised almost $100,000 in one day! Thanks to two anonymous donors and sponsors who provided a community challenge fund which set the foundation for this day. Giving Day 2025 will occur in April.
Winter Emergency Overflow Shelter
Family Promise of Waukesha County was selected to manage the Emergency Overflow Shelter with Hebron Housing Services for the 2023-24 winter season. Unfortunately the Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County had not secured enough funding and the shelter closed early. As HAC is rebounds, limited funds will impact the structure of EOS shelter for the 2024-25 season. Plus a pipe bursting delayed its opening. A few agencies have taken the lead to work collaboratively to create a financially viable plan.
Bezos Day 1 Grant
In March we received a grant to pilot a new Shelter Diversion program. This million dollar grant will provide $200,000 each year for five years. What was especially affirming about this grant is that a number of agency partners suggested that we write the proposal on behalf of Waukesha County.
Shelter Diversion Program
The Shelter Diversion program was implemented July 1. The goals of this program are to 1.]provide an alternative to shelter 2.]eliminate street homelessness and 3.]shorten the length of stay in shelter. At the end of the five years we will have developed a program that can be duplicated elsewhere. This program has changed our approach to all families who are experiencing homelessness.
Golf Outing
116 golfers and 35 post golf participants joined together to raise over $110,000 for Family Promise. Held every year in July at the Oconomowoc Golf Club this event has become a major funding event. The outing will be held on July 21, 2025.
Prevention Program Paused
In August Family Promise paused our Family Homelessness Prevention Program because we had exhausted the amount budgeted for 2023. Fortunately this pause was for a short period of time. In November we received a $10,000 grant from Help Us Move In (HUMI) which was matched by an anonymous donor. HUMI requires that we match the $20,000 in early 2025. One reason funds were used quickly is that monthly rent payments increased 41% from 2023 to 2024.
Oconomowoc Apartment Shelter
We spent the entire year seeking an Oconomowoc landlord who would lease us an apartment to use for a family shelter we are ready to sign a lease and move in January 2. This wil be an exciting new endeavor to expand our shelter program and work with the Oconomowoc School District in serving families with housing insecurity.
Transitional Housing
Due to the generosity of a volunteer we will have access to a house that can be used for transitional living. This will give a family an extended stay in supportive housing. Their goal will be to improve their earning capacity while only paying a percentage of their income toward rent.
Staff Changes
There have been a few staff changes in 2024. We hired two new staff for shelter diversion, but also had a couple of staff members depart. These changes impact our continuity and team culture. We strive to make sure that staff is appreciated and have the tools to be successful.
Which events in 2024 will have the biggest long-term impact on Family Promise of Waukesha County and the families we serve?
Complete the survey below to indicate which of these events in 2024 were most impactful on the families we serve. 11 is high (scroll right to see 10 and 11) and means the event was most impactful. 1 is low and means the event was not as impactful. Assign each item a number. You can only use each number once.
3. CALLING ALL PAINTERS
Volunteers needed to help paint an apartment unit in Waukesha .
Volunteer
Calling all painters! We are seeking 3 volunteers to help paint one of our apartment units in Waukesha. Volunteers from Helping Hands at Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc are coordinating the project, however a few more volunteers are needed.
We will be painting on January 2 and/or 3 at 9am. If you have a brush, 9 inch roller and a paint pan- bring them along. We will have some supplies so also ok to just bring yourself.
If you enjoy and are a skilled painter please sign up using the form below.
POLL OF THE WEEK
Our annual door decorating contest is in progress. Judge the doors on artistry, creativity and holiday spirit. Voting closes on December 31 at midnight.
0%1- A Shining Christmas
0%2- Happy Holidays
0%3- A Family Promise Christmas
0%4- A Candyland Christmas
4. WINTER EMERGENCY OVERFLOW SHELTER
Target to open the shelter is mid-January. Volunteers needed!
Volunteer
January 13 is our goal/tentative date for opening the Winter Emergency Overflow Shelter. Of course any delay in the water damage repair could cause the date to change. Here is the progress to date. As one can see the repairs needed have been extensive.
To be prepared we are asking groups and individuals to sign up for volunteer opportunities starting January 13. We need groups and individual volunteers to help in these ways:
Groups to prepare and serve meals,
Individuals to drive clients from the EOS to Family Promise or the Hope Center
Individuals to support families at the FP Day Center.
We would like to have all of January volunteer slots filled by Jan 6. To learn more watch the recorded information meeting and/or read below.
MAKE AND SERVE A MEAL
Have your congregation, business, book-club, faith group or card club sign up to make and serve a meal. Monday to Friday will only be for families. Saturday and Sunday are for all clients at the EOS.
The census and volunteer calendar will be on the volunteer portal. An email one week before you serve will provide you the census. Please know that the number of families/individuals in the shelter is always changing.
All volunteers who have not undergone a criminal background check within the past 18 months to do so. Online training is encouraged but not mandatory.
QUALIFICATIONS: willingness to make and serve food, enjoys cleaning and dishwashing, friendly and outgoing, flexibility, patience, ability to adapt, enjoys working with children, judgement free, strong personal boundaries.
TRAINING REQUIREMENT: criminal background check if not done within the last 18 months. Family Promise online training encouraged. Training links are below.
DRIVERS
Volunteers are needed to provide transportation to families and singles from EOS to Hope Center and FP Day Center. The morning shift is at 7-7:30am. Evening shift is 5-6:30pm. We hope to have 2 volunteers for each shift. A process will be in place to make sure everyone on the van should be on the van. The 15 passenger transit van will be access van from EOS and return van to EOS.
QUALIFICATIONS: strong driving skills, comfortable driving a transit van, cautious, friendly and kind to vulnerable people, flexibility, ability to say no, enjoys people, judgement free, strong personal boundaries. Must also have clean driving record and auto insurance.
TRAINING REQUIREMENT: criminal and driving check if not done within the last year. Must show proof of auto insurance. Family Promise online training is required if not yet completed. Training links are below.
SUPPORT FAMILIES AT DAY CENTER
Be with and offer support to families at the Day Center. Sign up for a two hour shift (or more). Volunteers might help families with applications for jobs or housing. Play games/do art projects with children, help parents at lunch time, or host an agency providing an activity
Tasks may vary each shift and depend on when families are there.
QUALIFICATIONS: extreme flexibility, patience, willingness to adapt, enjoys working with children, judgement free, strong personal boundaries.
TRAINING REQUIREMENT: criminal background check if not done within the last year. Family Promise online training encouraged.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK: If you have not had a criminal background check completed within the past 18 months we ask that you have another one completed.
Questions about volunteering? Email: volunteer@familypromisewaukeshawi.org
5. HOMELESSNESS REACHING RECORD NUMBERS
2024 saw an 18 % increase in those experiencing homelessness.
Community
The Annual Homelessness Assessment Report was released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development this past week, indicated that in 2024 the number of people experiencing homelessness increased by 18%. 770,000 were homeless in January 2024. According to the study factors that contributed to the increase were rising economic problems, the rising cost of housing and in some cities an influx of migrants.
The National Alliance to End Homelessness identified the following key findings and systemic challenges that may impact rising homelessness.
Housing Affordability: The country continues to face a severe shortage of affordable housing, exacerbated by inadequate federal intervention. Without comprehensive systems to prevent homelessness and transition individuals into permanent housing, many Americans remain trapped in the cycle of homelessness.
Insufficient Social Safety Nets: Federal programs like the Housing Choice Voucher program (also known as Section 8) are underfunded, currently able to assist only one in four eligible households. As pandemic-era rental assistance programs expire, many households are left without critical resources to maintain housing stability.
Lack of Preventive Systems: Too few systems are in place to identify people at imminent risk of homelessness and intervene before they become unhoused. The systems that serve people at imminent risk of homelessness, including housing, healthcare, criminal justice, and education, often fail to coordinate and provide timely support to prevent loss of housing.
Racial Disparities: Homelessness continues to disproportionately impact people of color and marginalized communities, due to both historic and modern discrimination in housing, employment, wages, healthcare, and economic opportunity.
This reported increase resonates with us at Family Promise of Waukesha County. We have seen an increase in need and request for services. This increase is not just families seeking shelter but also those who are at risk of homelessness and need financial assistance to maintain their home. It is getting increasingly difficult for low-income families to keep their economic situation patched together.
FIVE PLUS
THANK YOU
We are full of gratitude for the individuals, groups, foundations, congregations who have been incredibly supportive these past few weeks. Groups have provided supplies, financial gifts, gift cards, and volunteers. There are way too many people to mention but please know your kindness and generosity matters.
JOIN OUR TEAM
Family Promise of Waukesha County is now hiring. We are looking to fill four roles. Please share this information with those you know who may be seeking an opportunity to support families who are financially vulnerable. Visit our career page for more information.
Candidates can apply by emailing a cover letter and resume to Joe Nettesheim.
CALENDAR
January 1 OFFICES CLOSED
January 2 Painting Apartment
January 3 Painting Apartment
January 9 Program Committee
January 20 Board of Trustees Meeting
January 22 Point in Time Count
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