Dec 1, 20235 min read

FRIDAY FIVE : HELPING AT THE HOLIDAYS

This blog provides the top 5 highlights or updates about Family Promise of Waukesha County for Friday, December 1, 2023.

The Friday 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.

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 December 1 are:

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS
HOME FOR GOOD
A SEASON OF GIVING
PUNISH THE POOR?
FAMILY PROMISE MERCHANDISE

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

POLL OF THE WEEK

Which policy would you enact to make it easier for families to secure housing?

1. AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS

Join us on December 3 for a musical to support Family Promise

Our Savior's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Oconomowoc, presents Amahl and the Night Visitors directed by Taras Nahirniak. Join us on Sunday, December 3 from 3-4pm for a musical performance. Families and guests of all ages will enjoy the enchanting tale of a young child who meets the Magi. Free will donations will be collected to support Family Promise of Waukesha County. You won't want to miss this exciting musical experience!

Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church

145 E. Lisbon Rd. Oconomowoc, WI

oslc-wi.org | (262) 567 - 8349

2. HOME FOR GOOD

35% toward our end of year goal of $200,000

Zajanelle has been in and out of homelessness since she was 16 years old. Her experience included “couch surfing” and sleeping in her car. She came to Family Promise of Waukesha County one year ago. Soon she is going to become a homeowner. Her acceptance into the Habitat for Humanity program is a turning point in her life and the life of her two year old daughter. In this video she talks about how Family Promise of Waukesha County supports her.

Without Family Promise of Waukesha County, Z might still be moving from couch to couch. Your support will help families like Z to escape poverty and homelessness. This past week we provided service to our 101st family. Over the past three years our programs, staff, volunteers and most importantly clients served has grown exponentially.

We humbly ask for you to provide a generous financial gift so we can continue to grow and refine our services. Our goal is $200,000. Your gift will allow us to help families like Z, Shateria and 99 others! 49% of the children we serve in our shelter programs are under the age of 5. These children should not have to bear the consequences of homelessness. Your help can change the trajectory of their lives.

PROVIDE A GIFT TO HELP FAMILIES SECURE A HOME FOR GOOD

Did you know that making a gift from your IRA directly to Family Promise of Waukesha County can

provide you additional tax benefits? This article from the Baird Gustin Furlow Group provides more details about donating directly from your IRA.

3. A SEASON OF GIVING

Volunteer Opportunities

There are a number of volunteer opportunities at Family Promise of Waukesha County. Here are ways you can become directly involved.

Shelter Volunteers

Spend a couple hours helping at the Emergency Overflow Shelter (EOS). You choose the day and time that is most convenient! Tasks may include handing out towels, hygiene supplies, answering the door, assisting with breakfast or lunch times, or providing activities to the children. All volunteers who have access to clients must be fully trained (see below). If you are already trained, you can sign up to volunteer using the calendly link. Click to button to select your volunteer time.

EOS VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

Family Holiday Party Volunteers

Help with our family holiday party on December 16 at First Congregational Church in Waukesha. There are a number of volunteer opportunities and time slots available between 8:30am- 1pm. Use the Sign up genius to get involved. This would be an excellent opportunity for a Church youth group!

HOLIDAY PARTY VOLUNTEER SIGN UP

Donate Supplies for the Family Holiday Party

Unable to help with the holiday party the day of the event? You can support the event by providing supplies.

HOLIDAY PARTY SUPPLIES SIGN UP

Join a committee

Help us procure the financial resources of our organization or assess current services by joining our Fund Development or Program committees.

Van Driver

Periodically we need individuals to drive clients to appointments. Right now we would utilize drivers on an on-call basis.

Training

Please note all volunteers who have direct contact with clients need to be fully trained. This means completing the on-line training sessions and in person training.

COMPLETE ONLINE TRAINING

If you need in-person training, you can sign up for December 14 here:

IN PERSON TRAINING SIGN UP

4. PUNISH THE POOR?

Many policies can prevent those struggling from escaping poverty

Recently, a client came to speak with us about refinancing their car loan. They shared with us that their current interest rate was 24.99% . It stands to reason that if someone has poor credit a lender would only lend money to a “high risk” individual with a higher interest rate. The result is that if you are poor or have made poor financial decisions in the past, money is more expensive for you someone who already does not have it.

What makes this situation more difficult is that the car on which this individual is paying 24.99% interest, was stolen and then totaled. They still owe around $15,000. Deciding not to buy auto insurance, because it was too expensive, means that the client is trying to refinance a car that does not exist. Before we judge the person for not having auto insurance these are the choices clients have to make. Do I pay for auto insurance or rent? One could speculate that if this client was paying a lower interest rate and car payment, maybe they would have been able to afford auto insurance.

This situation is incredibly challenging. It is also a glimpse into the world of clients who are trying to escape poverty. This individual is working full time and being paid $20 an hour. Using the rule of 30% it means they could afford an apartment for about $1030 a month. This does not take into account the car payment on a car that does not exist, or the $800 a month auto insurance they were recently quoted. Barely making ends meet, what happens if a child gets sick or the "new-used" car breaks down?

Sometimes we hear people say if one just worked harder, they could make ends meet. It is seldom that simple. Past financial mistakes are never forgiven, making it exceptionally difficult to get a new start. It is easy for a client to lose hope and quit.

It is our role to support families and encourage them to remain committed to their goal of securing housing and financial independence. It would be easier if it did not seem that our culture punishes those in poverty for being, well, poor.

POLL OF THE WEEK

Which policy would you enact to make it easier for families to secure housing?

0%Limit interest rates
0%End double or triple security deposits
0%Limit increase in rent to no more than 5% annually
0%Require landlords to accept section 8 housing vouchers

5. FAMILY PROMISE MERCHANDISE

Show your pride in Family Promise and order your merch today

Our web store is back up and running! Order your Family Promise of Waukesha County merchandise today and have it in time for Christmas. A sweatshirt, hoodie, zippy, or winter hat will be perfect for the winter months and the holidays. The store will close December 5. Make sure to get your orders in before that!

You can elect to have your order shipped to your house at a cost or choose "pick up at day center" for free. They begin printing the orders after the webstore closes. There is a turnaround time of about 2 weeks. Review the website below and place your order.

GET YOUR FP MERCHANDISE

THANK YOU, OAF

We are grateful to the Oconomowoc Area Foundation (OAF) for a grant for operating funds. The OAF has been a loyal supporter and excellent partner to Family Promise of Waukesha County since the beginning. Thank you for your generosity.