FP FABULOUS FIVE: SIX YEARS

joe26971
17 hours ago
5 min read

Updated: 3 minutes ago

NOVEMBER 22, 2025

The Family Promise Fabulous Five (FP 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:

JOE'S JOURNAL: SIX YEARS
A HOME FOR EVERY STORY
EMPLOYED AND HOMELESS
HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING
WELCOME TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

POLL OF THE WEEK

Should an individual who is working ever experience homelessness?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

The meaning of life is service to others

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to a family who signed a lease for their new home last week Friday!

They participated in the Shelter Diversion program.

01.JOE'S JOURNAL: SIX YEARS

Joe Nettesheim shares his insights about family homelessness.

Advocacy

We are back! After a hiatus, the FP Five returns with a new feature called Joe's Journal. Each week Joe will provide a video blog sharing his insights about and challenges facing those experiencing homelessness. The purpose is to advocate for and build awareness about family homelessness in Waukesha County. In this inaugural edition Joe reflects on six years as Executive Director of Family Promise of Waukesha County.

02. A HOME FOR EVERY STORY

Regardless of a families story, every family deserves a home.

Fund Development

The theme of our end of the year campaign is A Home for Every Story. Every family experiencing housing instability has their own story.

For some, poverty is a generational experience, others have had health issues, and many more are faced with the challenge of increased rent or mortgages that has outpaced wages. Regardless of what story brings them to Family Promise of Waukesha County, our focus is on helping them secure permanent housing.

This is Kalei's story:

We invite you to become a chapter in the story these families are writing, by making an end of the year financial gift . Your generosity will transform the lives of families like Kalei.

Click below to learn more or to make a gift.

A HOME FOR EVERY STORY

03. EMPLOYED AND HOMELESS

More and more families are finding themselves losing their homes despite working

Community

The gap between wages and monthly rent are leaving more families in a precarious position. Working is no longer a guarantee of housing. Author Brian Goldstone wrote a book titled: There is No Place For Us: Working and Homeless in America. In this book he reports on five families and their struggle to secure stable housing even though they are working. On Sunday, November 16, CBS Sunday Morning profiled a couple of the families about whom Goldstone wrote . Low Wages, high rents, poor credit, previous evictions, and domestic violence are all contributing factors that led to their homeless. Learn about the challenges facing these families in the video below.

POLL OF THE WEEK

Would you consider housing to be a . . .

Right
Privilege

04. HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

Make sure all families served by FPWC have a blessed holiday season

Community

We are seeking members of our community to provide holiday gifts for families who have been a part of our programs in 2025. We are providing gifts to 28 families. While many families and individuals have been selected there are still a fair number for whom we do not have gifts. Could your family sponsor an individual? Or could you work with your congregation, business or book club to close out our list? We are especially in need of gifts for older teens, mom and dad. We believe everyone should be able to celebrate this season of giving!

Here is how it works:

Select an individual to sponsor.
The age, gender, and hobbies/likes are listed for each individual.
You can sign-up yourself or a group. You can choose as many people as you want.
Do not spend more than $100 a person.
You may purchase gift cards not to exceed $100.
Please deliver gifts unwrapped to the Family Promise Day Center 139 E North Street Waukesha 53188 no later than December 5th.
You may also sign up to bring wrapping supplies, such as wrapping paper, tape, and gift bags.
You may elect to have the gifts delivered to our Day Center directly. We ask that all gifts are unwrapped when delivered.
All gifts must be UNWRAPPED and delivered to the Day Center no later than December 5th, labeled with the identifying individual and family (Family 1, 5 year old male) you are buying for!

Address to send gifts to is

139 E North St, Waukesha WI 53188

Please reach out to Tasha with any questions or concerns tasha@familypromisewaukeshawi.org

HELP A FAMILY HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS

Gifts will be distributed at a holiday party on December 13 from 11am-1:30pm hosted by Oakwood Church in Hartland. We invite you to join us for fun and service.

HOLIDAY PARTY VOLUNTEER

05. WELCOME TO OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Five new board members in 2025.

Leadership

In 2025 we five people have joined the Family Promise of Waukesha County Board of Trustees. The board of trustees are responsible for the vision and mission of the organization. Starting in the upper left corner these new board members are: Razi Hecht, Melissa Smith, Pastor Sarah Stumme, Jen Stemm and Jen Veum.

FIVE PLUS

Happy Anniversary, Courtney!

Courtney joined our team November 11, 2021.

On November 11, Courtney Rutkowski celebrated four years at Family Promise of Waukesha County. Courtney has served as our Lead Family Advocate, Director of Family Services and Intake Coordinator. She has been with us during some of our most challenging times, helping us develop a plan for our future. Courtney says the best part of working at Family Promise of Waukesha County is, "we are making a real impact in families lives and in the community."

Send Courtney best wishes.

Thank you, Courtney!

Happy Birthday, Celestina

Celestina Hertz joined our team as a Family Advocate in February 2025. We are grateful to Celestina for bringing her passion for justice and compassion for the families we serve. Wishing Celestina a birthday that is full of joy and celebration.

Wish Celestina a Happy Birthday