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This blog provides the top 5 highlights or updates about Family Promise of Waukesha County for Friday, October 21, 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:
According to the US Census Bureau, child poverty fell to its lowest recorded level in 2021. One reason cited is the child tax credit. The tax credit expired in December 2021. Are you in favor of offering a tax credit to families with minor children if it reduces poverty?
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
The first photo is of Maria running winter clothing out to one of our clients. Thanks to all who donated! The rest are stats on our all time Homelessness Prevention and Shelter Programs.
1. A NIGHT WITHOUT A BED
A Night Without a Bed is this Saturday, October 22!
Family Promise of Waukesha County assists the “hidden homeless.” These are families who are living in a car, hotel or doubled up and work to conceal their living situation. We want to raise awareness about their needs. You can help us do so by participating in a Night Without A Bed. All you need to do is:
Sleep somewhere other than your bed on Saturday evening, October 22.
Take a photo of your accommodations
Post your photo on social media and tag Family Promise of Waukesha County and use the hashtag #NWAB
Optional -- share a post giving a personal statement why you believe in Family Promise!
2. BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Family Promise of Waukesha County is pleased to announce the election of three new board members to the Board of Trustees. We are pleased to be joined by Lesley Kountz, Michelle Miller, and Denise O’Halloran.
To learn more about these three new board members and our entire board, visit:
A special thank you to Stephanie Zacher who is departing the board after the completion of her three year term. Stephanie is passionate and caring for families in need, especially those experiencing homelessness. We are grateful that she will continue to stay involved.
3. HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Help our shelter families have a joy and cheer-filled holiday season by donating holiday decorations.
With our expanding shelter program, we are looking for help to procure some holiday decorations to be used in the apartment shelters -- and a couple of items for the Day Center! We would like each of the five families to have the ability to decorate their apartment and create a festive atmosphere.
Note: our holiday gift collection for families will begin on November 11.
POLL OF THE WEEK
According to the US Census Bureau, child poverty fell to its lowest recorded level in 2021. One reason cited is the child tax credit. The child tax credit expired in December 2021.
Read the US Census Bureau report and click on one of the responses below.
Are you in favor of offering a tax credit to families with minor children if it reduces poverty?
Yes
No
4. QUIZ ABOUT POVERTY -- THE ANSWERS
A few weeks ago we provided a short quiz about poverty. The quiz is still available and we encourage you to give it a try if you have not already done so. The majority of respondents scored less than 50%. Can you do better?
Since it is Family Promise Week we thought it would be good to provide the statistics and answers for the questions: (Make sure you take the quiz before looking at the answers!) Click on the thumbnail below to see the answers.
5. ASSUMPTIONS AND BIASES
Last week we shared an opportunity provided by Family Promise to learn about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This week the Marketing Director for Family Promise national wrote an article about the experience of a Black woman who happens to be a case manager at another affiliate. During the Las Vegas symposium during a discussion about DEIA she mentioned how she is often thought to be a client, most often by the volunteers.
Her experience goes to the heart of why conversations about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are important. It causes us to reflect on our unconscious bias and unexamined presuppositions. We can have a bias about all sorts of people that could be based on race, age, gender, sexual identity or orientation, body size, religious beliefs, or political affiliations. We all have them and most of the time if we speak or act on them it isn't from a place of maliciousness and yet can be very hurtful. This is why we must be humble enough to recognize that our experiences are limited. There is so much more for us to learn; and then make a conscious and strategic choice to grow in awareness and sensitivity.
SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION MEETING
Meetings are being held next week on the future of public transportation in Waukesha County. You are invited to attend an open house style meeting to provide feedback on a draft plan.
Public transportation is an important part of assisting families to escape poverty. Please consider attending any of the following meetings:
October 25 Waukesha Transit Center, 212 E St. Paul, 3-6pm
October 26 Virtual 4-5:30pm, Registration is necessary
October 27 Waukesha South High School, 3-6pm
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
October 22 A Night Without a Bed
October 25 VC Meeting, St. Anthony on the Lake
October 30 Presentation at St Theresa, Eagle
November 6 Presentation at St James, Mukwonago
November 20 Ministry Day, St Jerome, Oconomowoc
November 20 Presentation, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Oconomowoc
November 21 One Year Remembrance Waukesha Christmas Parade
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You can also join our Facebook volunteer group to learn about volunteer opportunities.
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