FP FIVE: BUILDING HOPE PROGRESS
- Joe Nettesheim
- Jul 17
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 18
JULY 17, 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
I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down men other-centered can build up.
-Martin Luther King, from his speech accepting the Nobel Peace Prize ,1964
Which ordinances would you support in an effort to manage the cost of rent?
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Last week Joe Nettesheim, Kaitlin Kelly and Celestina Hertz traveled to Washington DC for the National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference. One aspect of the conference was to meet with legislators and advocate for those experiencing homelessness. Since congress was out of session they met with staffers for Senator Baldwin, Congressman Fitzgerald, Congresswoman Moore and Congressman Tiffany.
01.BUILDING HOPE PROGRESS
Project takes another step foward
Family Promise of Waukesha County kicked off its capital campaign, called Building Hope in March 2026. In this video Executive Director Joe Nettesheim provides an update on the progress made so far. He touches on the cost, fund raising success and the city approval process.
The Building Hope Capital Campaign is raising funds to cover the operating costs of Family Promise of Waukesha County for the next three years and to secure funds to develop a 10-unit apartment building at 600 Maple Avenue in downtown Waukesha. This facility will provide emergency shelter and transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness. It will also secure the financial stability of Family Promise of Waukesha County by providing operating support over three years to ensure strong program delivery and long-term sustainability.
We are grateful to a supporter who has made the acquisition of this property possible. They have given us an opportunity to expand our capacity, respond to the needs of families in Waukesha County and make a generational impact on the lives of children.
02. FAIRWAYS FORE HOME- REMOTELY
Participate in the golf outing auction remotely. Bidding has begun!
You can participate in the silent and live auctions at Fairways Fore Home on Monday even if you do not attend the event! Silent auction bidding has begun! Here is how you can participate.
SILENT AUCTION
For the silent auction you can register to become a remote bidder. As a remote bidder you will receive a bidder number and access to the bidding app called Givi. There is no cost. Once on the app you can track items that interest you, bid on the items, and receive notifications when you are outbid.
It is necessary to provide a credit card before being able to bid. All sales are final. Credit cards will be charged immediately when the silent auction closes. It will be your responsibility to pick up any items that you win by July end of day Thursday, July 23. They can be picked up at 139 E. North Street Waukesha WI 53188.
Some of the items available in the silent auction will be:
A week stay at Christie Club at Steamboat Springs
2 Tickets to a Badgers Game
4 tickets to a Packers Game vs. Dallas Cowboys
2 Tickets to 3 plays the Milwaukee Chamber Theater
Pontoon boat ride for 4 on Okauchee Lake with dinner
Picnic for 12 provided by Zillis
TV and Popcorn Basket
Golf Driver Club and fitting
Many fun theme baskets and other items
Sign up to bid remotely below
LIVE AUCTION PROXY
You may participate in the live auction through proxy bidding.
To arrange a proxy bid for the live auction, please contact Joe Nettesheim: joe@familypromisewaukeshawi.org or 262-968-2321 and provide:
The item(s) on which you wish to bid
Your maximum bid amount for each item
A valid credit card to be used if you are the winning bidder
Information will be securely stored.
Proxy bid requests must be received by Friday July 17th at 12PM.
A volunteer will be assigned to represent you during the live auction. The volunteer will not bid more than your authorized maximum and will attempt to secure the item at the lowest possible bid above the minimum bid amount.
By submitting a proxy bid, you agree to:
Honor any winning bid placed on your behalf, up to your authorized maximum.
Provide payment for any item won through proxy bidding.
Abide by all auction rules and conditions applicable to attendees.
Arrange for pickup or delivery of any item won.
While every effort will be made to execute proxy bids as instructed, Family Promise of Waukesha County cannot guarantee the outcome of any auction item or that bidding opportunities will not be affected by unforeseen circumstances during the event.
Live auction items are:
FIRST PITCH AT BREWER GAME
This is an amazing opportunity for any Brewers fan! Step onto the field at American Family Field and experience a moment usually reserved for celebrities, athletes, and special guests. This unforgettable package gives one lucky bidder the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers home game during the 2026 season. Feel the excitement as you walk from the dugout onto the field, hear the crowd, and deliver the opening pitch before the game begins. Package includes 4 field infield level seats.
Must be used in the 2026 Regular Game Season.
ADVENTURE AWAITS
Choose a three night stay in Myrtle Beach, SC, Orlando, FL, Or Carlsbad, CA.
Escape on a 3-night vacation in a beautiful two-bedroom suite at a Hilton Grand Vacations Club resort! Accommodations sleep up to six guests and include two full bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a spacious living and dining area, perfect for a family getaway or a trip with friends.
Choose from one of these incredible destinations:
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – Relax on the beach and set up a tee time for amazing golf.
Orlando, Florida – Just minutes from SeaWorld, Walt Disney World, and Universal Orlando.
Carlsbad, California – Explore the beautiful Southern California coast, with easy access to San Diego and LEGOLAND.
Your stay may be booked for three consecutive nights between September 1, 2026, and December 20, 2026. Whether you're looking for sun, adventure, or relaxation, this getaway is the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories!
Extreme Racing Experience
Feel the adrenaline rush of driving some of the world's most iconic supercars on legendary racetracks! This package includes a $1,000 gift certificate toward an unforgettable Extreme Racing experience. Get behind the wheel of an incredible lineup of exotic cars, including a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche 911, and more. Whether you've always dreamed of mastering the curves in a Ferrari or unleashing the power of a Lamborghini, this is your chance to make that dream a reality.
03. HOPE AND CONFIDENCE
Mom in Family Homelessness Prevention Program completes school to establish financial future
A family of three reached out to Family Promise of Waukesha County during a season of significant financial hardship. They joined our Family Homelessness Prevention Program seeking assistance with utility expenses. In an attempt to improve her financial standing, mom made the courageous decision to return to school to become a dental assistant. Reduced work hours to attend school made it difficult to keep up with household expenses. Having difficulty making ends meet as a single income household, Family Promise of Waukesha County was able to offer additional support when they fell behind on their mortgage.
Besides financial assistance, the family received case management, gas cards, resource connections, and ongoing support. With the help of our Family Advocate they were able to focus on both their immediate needs and long-term goals. We are happy to report that mom has completed school, secured employment, and brought her mortgage current. She continues to build a stable financial future for her family.
Recently she sent she sent us this email:
"I want to express my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude for the incredible generosity and compassion you have shown me. Your assistance in helping pay off my late mortgage balance has lifted an enormous burden from my shoulders during a challenging season of transition.
As I begin my new jobs and work toward rebuilding financial stability, your support has given me something that is truly priceless—peace of mind. I can now focus on succeeding in my new opportunities and move forward with hope and confidence.
Your kindness has reminded me that there are people and organizations who genuinely care about helping others through difficult times. I will never forget the relief, encouragement, and hope you have given me. Your generosity has made a lasting impact on my life, and I am deeply thankful."
We are proud of her progress and recognize that when our community rises to the occasion it builds hope and confidence.
04 HOME FOR EVERYONE
Conference on housing and homelessness to be Ingleside Hotel, Pewaukee
July 29-30 at the Ingleside Hotel
Brian Goldstone, author of “There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America,” will be the keynote speaker at the A Home for Everyone Conference on July 29-30. The Pulitzer Prize-winning book traces the rise of America’s “working homeless,” exposing the forces—gentrification, racialized displacement, precarious low-wage labor—fueling a deepening crisis of housing insecurity.
This year the conference is being held right in our backyard at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee. Review the agenda to see available workshops.
The cost for the two-day conference is $265, with one-day registration at $165 and for students at $50. Attend with members of the Family Promise of Waukesha Team!
05.RENTER SURVEY
Renter survey reveals housing instability is another aspect of the housing crisis.
Homelessness is not the only issue. A recent renter survey completed by the The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports that a significant number of renters are cost burdened, live in housing not suitable for humans and work jobs whose pay will not allow them to secure safe and stable housing. Here is a summary of a few of the results in the report.
Nearly half of renters in the US are cost burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on housing.
75% of the lowest income households pay more than 50% of their income on rent.
60% report living with habitability issues such as pests, broken fixtures or no heat.
From 2014-2024 the United States lost over 10,000 units costing $1400 or less.
In the last two years 5.7 million renters reported being denied housing assistance. Most of these were told their income was too high.
33% of renters who make less than $25,000 would like to move but are unable because of habitability issues but cannot afford to do so.
In 2025 a full time worker needed to earn at least $33.63 to afford a modet 2 bedroom apartment, however 17 out of the 25 largest occupations pay less than that.
One quarter of renters who were denied assistance were never told why.
A quarter of renters who reached out to their landlord reported that their landlord did not respond or did not take steps to fix the issue.
56% of renters with accessibility issues agre that it is difficult to find housing that suits their needs.
Before a family experiences homelessness they are in an unstable situation. If the data listed above does not change for the better more and more families will be seeking shelter. To keep families in their homes we try to take a holistic approach of providing rent assistance, looking at earning potential and career opportunities, offering mediation with landlords,
POLL OF THE WEEK
What ordinances would you support in an effort to manage the cost of rent?
0%A cap on percent rent can increase annually
0%Require landlords to accept section 8 housing voucher
0%Remove evictions from CCAP after 2 years
0%Just cause eviction protections
You can vote for more than one answer.
FIVE PLUS
OFFICE HOURS
Offices closed
Due to our golf outing on July 20 our office will be closed.
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
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIDY
Happy Birthday to Cassidy who celebrated her birthday on Thursday July 16. We appreciate her commitment to the families we serve and willingness to take on new tasks.
THANK YOU!
Thanks you to United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties, the Neumann Family Foundation, and Advocate Aurora for recent grant awards.
POINT IN TIME
Volunteers are always need for the Point In Time Count which is being held on July 22 starting at 11pm. Join members of our program team as they help identify those who are experiencing street homelessness. Register here.
UPCOMING
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
October 19-22 Tomorrow's Promise FP National Conference
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