Nov 10, 20225 min read

FRIDAY FIVE : HOLIDAY GIVING FOR FAMILIES

Updated: Nov 11, 2022

This blog provides the top 5 highlights or updates about Family Promise of Waukesha County for Friday, November 11, 2022.

Our mission is to help low-income families and families experiencing homelessness achieve sustainable independence

through a community-based response.

The stories you can read this week are:

HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING
HOUSING VOUCHERS
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
HELP WANTED: MAILING
EVICTIONS PILING UP

POLL OF THE WEEK

Who do you consider homeless? Mark all that you think are homeless.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Case Manager meeting featuring L- R Callie, Courtney and our newest staff member Kelly.

1. HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

Our holiday gift giving list is now available. 27 families which include 60 children have requested assistance. Each family was asked to provide us with a list of four items that a child would want. They were to identify something that they 1) want, 2) need, 3) wear, and 4) read.

New this year... when you select a family, you will be responsible for providing these items for the entire household! We encourage you to get involved as a family, congregation, business, civic group, social group, or a group of friends.

To participate follow these steps:

1. Use the sign up genius link to select a family. Please provide your name, email address and group you represent, if applicable. Whoever signs up will be the contact person for your group.

HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING SIGNUP GENIUS

When selecting a family to sponsor, please note that the number of adults, gender and ages of children are listed under each family. You are not to spend more than $100 on each person. Adults are included in the gifts also. This means a family of 4 could be a commitment of $400.

2. Once you have selected a family an email will be sent to the point person for your group. Make sure who signs up is willing to be that contact person.

3. The contact person will receive a list of the items that each person in the household has requested. We are using a new platform called Dream List.

4. Each item on Dream List is linked to an online store such as Amazon or Target. You can order online and have the item shipped to Family Promise directly or you can have it delivered to your home and bring all items to Family Promise together. You can also go out and shop for the item on the list.

All items should be delivered to Family Promise, UNWRAPPED and LABELED with the letter of the family, by December 12.

Our address is 139 E. North Street Waukesha, WI 53188. Please call before stopping by.

Thank you for ensuring that each family will have a festive holiday season. If you have questions please contact Maria: maria@familypromisewaukeshawi.org

2. HOUSING VOUCHERS

The Waukesha Housing Authority is making a select number of housing vouchers available to households experiencing homelessness. This could be a game changer for the families in our shelter who have struggled finding housing because it is more than they can afford.

With a voucher a family will not pay more than 30% of their income. Family Promise of Waukesha County will provide case management for one year to any family that we refer and is accepted into the program. This potentially could be a game changing resource. We will keep you updated on what seems to be a really positive development.

As of October 31, 2022 Family Promise of Waukesha County has provided the following in 2022:

Prevention assistance

61 families
78 adults
126 children

Shelter

14 households
20 adults
21 children
2,069 nights of shelter

Click on the thumbnail below for our October and full year stats.

3. HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Family Promise of Waukesha County, Inc, is proud to announce that, Home for the Holidays, our end of the year annual funding campaign, will officially kick off on Giving Tuesday, November 29, 2022. The kick-off will include a challenge grant. The amount is still being finalized but we are excited to have commitments from Shorewest Realty, American Transmission Companies, and Cornerstone Development to help match donations on that day! The final challenge amount will be announced next week.

The theme Home for the Holidays focuses on providing a response to the current housing crisis. Your gift will provide a family experiencing homelessness a place to find shelter and lay a foundation for their future. Or help them to remain in their home through rent, utility, mortgage or car repair assistance. Our goal is to raise $100,000 by December 31, 2022.

We humbly ask you for a generous gift to give families experiencing homelessness a home this holiday season. Our singular goal is to help families avoid the chaos and destruction of homelessness so that becoming self-sufficient they can secure their future.

In 2022, we are on pace to serve 100 households.
In 2023, we plan to add two more apartments to our Apartment Shelter Program and increase funding for our Family Homelessness Prevention Program.
93% of the families we serve remain in their homes.

More details will be coming soon.

4. HELP WANTED: MAILING

We are looking for 4-8 volunteers on November 21 from 10am -12pm to assist

with mailing our end of year mailing. We will meet at the Day Center 139 E North Street Waukesha 53188.

This will involve sorting, folding, stuffing, sealing, labeling, stamping and some fun! A drawing will be held for 2 prizes for those who help. Also Joe Nettesheim promises to tell a couple dad jokes. (Unless, that would prevent your participation.)

To sign up please send an email to lisa@familypromisewaukeshawi.org

POLL OF THE WEEK

Who do you consider homeless? Mark all that apply.

0%Living in a car
0%Staying in a hotel
0%Doubled up with another family.
0%Sleeping in a tent

You can vote for more than one answer.

5. EVICTIONS PILING UP

According to this article, evictions have hit an all time high as covid related government funding for rent assistance has been used. While that could be one of many factors, the biggest issue we see is that the increase in wages has not matched the increase in rent.

Previously when families applied for rent assistance, it was because they had an unexpected expense for which they did not have the resources to pay. Now it seems that that unexpected expense is an increase in rent, which is pricing many out of their homes.

ON OUR MIND ...

VETERANS DAY

Thank you to all those who have served our country in the military. Your service and sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO COURTNEY RUTKOWSKI

Courtney celebrates her one year anniversary at Family Promise today Friday, November 11!

FENTANYL: THE DEADLIEST DRUG IN HISTORY

The Addiction Resource Council (ARC) is hosting a presentation on November 16 featuring author and award winning investigative journalist Ben Westhoff, tracing the roots of the fentanyl crisis, from its conception to its role killing more Americans than any drug in history.

This is a free event taking place at the Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) from 11:30-1:30 on Wednesday November 16th. A free lunch is also offered.

AMAZON SMILES

Your holiday shopping can support Family Promise of Waukesha County.

After creating an Amazon account or signing in, first set Family Promise of Waukesha County as the nonprofit you would like to receive your support. Then, anytime you purchase an item on Amazon, please make sure you are using Amazon Smile. A percentage of your purchase will be donated to Family Promise from Amazon.

ONE YEAR REMEMBRANCE

The city of Waukesha is gathering all who would like to come together and remember those who have been lost and wounded. It will be held November 21 at 4:39pm at Cutler Park in Waukesha. It can also be streamed online. Visit this site for more information.