FP FIVE: BUILDING HOPE
- Joe Nettesheim
- 5 minutes ago
- 6 min read
May 25, 2026
The Family Promise Five (FP Five) is a blog 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:
AND CHECK OUT:
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
We must be prepared to make heroic sacrifices for the cause of peace that we make ungrudgingly for the cause of war. There is no task that is more important
-Albert Einstein
Thank You to all who have given their lives to the cause of freedom, democracy and justice.
Are tenant unions an effective approach to address issues about living conditions, security and other grievances?
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Family Promise of Waukesha County staff, board and volunteers attended the Women of Distinction Luncheon on May 15. Jackie Pride from Eaton was nominated by Family Promise of Waukesha County board member Jen Stemm.
01. BUILDING HOPE
FPWC has begun a Capital Campaign to finance a 10 unit apartment building
We are pleased to announce that Family Promise of Waukesha County has acquired a property at 600 Maple Avenue in downtown Waukesha on which we will build a 10-unit apartment building. This facility will be used to provide shelter and temporary housing for families with minor children experiencing homelessness.
The Maple Avenue building will include two studio apartments, six two-bedroom units, and two three-bedroom units. Seven units will serve families in immediate need of shelter with stays of up to 90 days. Two units will support families transitioning toward stability, and one unit will house an on-site staff member or volunteer. A shared community space will allow volunteers to provide support as families work toward securing permanent housing.
Since transitioning away from our church-based rotational model in 2020 due to the pandemic, we have been searching for a centralized facility. Our goal has been to create a space where families can gather, volunteers can engage with guests meaningfully, and Family Advocates can work directly with those we serve. Thanks to a generous individual who purchased the property and transferred ownership to Family Promise of Waukesha County, we have a rare opportunity to transform the lives of families experiencing homelessness.
To make this vision a reality, we are launching the Building Hope Capital Campaign. Our goal is to raise $8 million over the next three years, including $4 million to construct the facility and $4 million to sustain and grow our programs during that time.
This is an ambitious, and necessary effort that we approach with urgency. Whether sleeping in a car, staying in a tent, or using their last dollar on a hotel room; safe and stable housing is needed now.
In the coming months, we will share more about the Building Hope Capital Campaign and how you can be involved. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our vision and plans for the future.
BUILDING HOPE IN THE NEWS
02. LUNCH AND LEARN ONLINE
Discover the services offered for those in poverty in Waukesha County
You are invited to Lunch and Learn Online, a virtual opportunity to discover the services of agencies serving those experiencing poverty and housing insecurity in Waukesha County. There are two sessions both from 12pm-1:15pm. One is June 4 and the other is June 11.
Each agency will have seven minutes to provide an overview of their services and then there will be 2 minutes for questions. Every 10 minutes a new agency will present. Both sessions will occur remotely through Microsoft Teams. Registration is helpful. The agencies participating are:
June 4
Safe Families for Children
Literacy Services of Wisconsin
The Food Pantry Serving Waukesha County
Family Promise of Waukesha County
School District of Waukesha
MKE VA Homeless Programs
June 11
Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee
Hebron Housing Services
Eras Senior Network
Community Action Coalition of South Central Wisconsin
The Women’s Center
The Hope Center
HAWS
St. Vincent DePaul of Waukesha County
03 NEW STRATEGY TO SUPPORT TENANTS
Tenant Unions are forming across the country
When a tenant lives in an apartment with an unresponsive landlord what recourse do they have? Some tenants have started forming tenant unions. This strategy appears to be growing across the country as some tenants seek ways to get landlords to make needed repairs, deal with pest issues, control rents, and improve security. A number of tenants in Milwaukee have joined Tenants United, a dues paying union designed to organize renters to assert their rights, and collectively bargain over unfair lease agreements and security issues. These groups are being implemented to respond to what is viewed as a power imbalance between landlords and tenants, exasperated by the lack of available housing, leading some landlords to take advantage of those desperate for a place to live.
While we are not aware of organized tenant unions in Waukesha County, this approach is not surprising. Many low-income families feel that they have no power, and are at the mercy of their landlord for repairs. Tenant unions are not just responding to private landlords but organizing called attention to the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee which was running a deficit of $5 million. Common Ground played a role in organizing and "was at the forefront of organizing for tenant rights amid poor conditions and challenges with the Housing Authority for the City of Milwaukee"
What we should take away from this development is that no matter what one might think about this approach, it is arising from a sense of powerlessness, vulnerability and a desire for safe and stable housing which the tenants do not feel is available to them in their current housing siituation.
POLL OF THE WEEK
Are tenant unions an effective approach to address issues about living conditions, security and other grievances?
0%YES
0%NO
CUP OF JOE | THE COST OF MONEY
People without money are often penalized for not having money
When you do not earn enough money it is difficult to get ahead. Often those who are experiencing homelessness or are in poverty are asked to pay more which becomes another obstacle to housing. Application fees for housing, double or triple security deposits, higher interest rates on credit often leave families further behind and housing out of reach.
"It isn't as simple as asking people to budget their way out of poverty. It is difficult to budget when you do not have any money."
05.FAIRWAYS FORE HOME
Sponorships for Golf Outing available now
Fairways Fore Home, our annual golf outing, is officially at capacity! Thank you to everyone who will be joining us for a wonderful day in support of families experiencing homelessness in Waukesha County.
Proceeds from the event will help Family Promise of Waukesha County provide critical programming, respond to the growing needs of families and offer stable housing for families in our community. Your generosity helps make possible:
Rent Assistance
Security Deposits
Utilities and Wifi
Case Management
Car Repairs
Bus Passes
Shelter Program Leases
There are still meaningful ways that you can participate.
Sponsor the outing
Attend 19th Hole reception featuring cocktails, dinner and program
Donate a raffle or auction item
Volunteer on the day of the event
Donate
To learn more or participate, please contact Emily Willert, Outreach and Fund Development Coordinator.
FIVE PLUS
GRATITUDE
Thank you to all those who supported Family Promise of Waukesha County Giving Day. We raised just over $100,000! It was also enjoyable celebrating with all those who attended Maddy's Bar and Music Lounge to hear 4 on the Floor! A fantastic evening.
Below are the business sponsors who helped us secure the Community Challenge Fund which served as a foundation to reach $100,000! A special acknowledgement to those who supported the Community Fund anonymously. Thank you!
OFFICE HOURS
Offices closed
May 25 Memorial Day
June 18 Juneteenth Day
Please keep office hours in mind when planning to connect with staff.
Monday–Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Phone support only)
Saturday–Sunday: Closed
We encourage visitors to call ahead before stopping. After-hours donations or small item drop-offs may be placed in the secure mailbox located at the top of the ramp by the side door.
UPCOMING
May 25 Memorial Day- Offices Closed
May 26 Interagency Council on Housing
May 26 Bezos/BOS/Shelter Diversion
June 1 Exec Committee Housing Action Coalition
June 2 Exec Committee Family Promise of Waukesha County
June 3 Family Promise of Waukesha County Finance Committee
June 4 Lunch and Learn, Online Part 1
June 8 Mid America Executive Directors Meeting
June 10 Staff Meeting
June 11 Lunch and Learn, Online Part 2
June 15 FP Board of Trustees Meeting
July 20 Golf Outing @Oconomowoc Golf Club
July 29-30 A Home for Everyone Conference @ Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee
Keynote speaker is pulitzer prize winner Brian Goldstone
August 13 Impact Night
October 19-22 Tomorrow's Promise FP National Conference
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