FP FIVE: GIVING DAY THANK YOU!

Tasha Berillo
Apr 25
6 min read

Updated: May 2

April 25, 2025

The Family Promise 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:

GIVING DAY THANK YOU
NEW BOARD OFFICERS
GOLF OUTING SPONSORSHIPS
VJS RUN/WALK MAY 3
THROUGH THE UPS AND DOWNS

POLL OF THE WEEK

click the words above or scroll down for this poll

Shelter Diversion is a new program that has a different approach to families experiencing homelessness. What is your impression of it so far?

POLL OF LAST WEEK

Last weeks poll was defective so today you get a second poll!

With the release of the book No Place for Us, working and homeless in America, it made us wonder, would you participate in a book club that focuses on books related to housing and homelessness?

Would you participate in a book club that focuses on books related to housing and homelessness?

0%Write an answer
0%Write an answer

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Thank you to Pewaukee High School Student, Lillian, for hosting a donation drive. She also made a video about Carly, one of our families, for a school project that focuses on homelessness.

Family Promise Team enjoyed a purple promise drink at Maddy's Bar and Music Lounge as part of our Giving Day festivities.

L-R: Cassidy, Tasha, Courtney, Julie, Kaitlin and Celestina.

Green Bay Packaging- Baird Division will again serve as the presenting sponsor for the Golf Outing in 2025! The Golf Outing will be held on July 21. Registration will open May 1.

Family Promise of Waukesha County and St. Vincent DePaul are going to be featured on Milwaukee's Philanthropic Community a show that airs on Sunday's on WISN. It is sponsored by Ellenbecker Investment Group and hosted by Jill Economou. The show will air this summer. The photos include Joe Nettesheim, Bob Glowacki and Jodie LaChapelle from SVDP.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Quote from Pope Francis. Image from an article posted by National Low Income Housing Coalition. (NLIHC)

01. GIVING DAY THANK YOU

Reaching 96% of our goal made Giving Day an enormous success!

Gratitude

# Donors helped families secure housing.

Thank you to 103 donors who helped Family Promise of Waukesha County secure 95% of our goal or $119,492 on #familypromisegivingday held on April 22. Not only was this a new high for our affiliate, it was the highest amount raised by any of the Family Promise affiliates who participated in the day. Across the country 706 donors generously provided $329,629 for 44 affiliates. We are especially thankful for those who helped set the pace by sponsoring our Giving Day Community Challenge Fund! We could not have done this without you.

All of the funds raised by Family Promise of Waukesha County will stay in Waukesha County and will be used to support the Family Homelessness Prevention Program, Apartment Shelter Program, Shelter Diversion and Stabilization Program. These funds could not come at a better time with too many families living in an unstable housing situation and are one unexpected expense away from homelessness as the cost of housing continues to increase.

The impact of your generosity is priceless. Working with families experiencing homelessness presents a sense of urgency for the families, our team and organization. When a family presents themselves to our staff and informs us they are sleeping in their car they cannot afford to hear the words that shelter or housing might be available in a few months. They are in crisis and need help immediately. Your generosity helps us to provide support to those families sooner.

An example of the impact that community support has on a family experiencing homelessness is revealed in this interview with Sapphire and Antwan.

More Than Just Help: Sapphire and Antwan's Story

Sapphire and Antwan share their story in this video created by Tasha Berillo,

The Giving Day Platform will remain open until April 29 for anyone who would like to provide a gift.

Here are 5 ways you can continue to donate

Thank you!

02. NEW BOARD OFFICERS

4 New Board Officers Starting May 1

Board of Trustees

Ed Butte

Chairperson

Ed started his involvement with Family Promise of Waukesha County by helping families move into their new apartment. He joined the board in April 2023. Although recently retired he is an executive coach and mentor.

Meet Ed on Linked-In

Lesley Kountz

Vice-Chairperson

Lesley is an occupational therapist for the the Oconomowoc School District and an instructor for OT at MATC. She played a key role in bringing the need for an Oconomowoc Shelter to Family Promise. She joined the board in October 2022 and also is the chair of the Community Building Committee.

Meet Lesley on Linked-In

Tim Smits

Treasurer

Tim Smits is the President of the Thomson Companies, who manages the property that houses the Apartment Shelter Program. Tim was one of the few landlords willing to give this program a chance. He joined the board in March 2022.

Meet Tim on Linked- In

Bob McCormack

Secretary

Bob joined the board in fall of 2024 and has brought enthusiasm, a get it done attitude. He is the co-chair of the new Fund Development Committee. Recently retired Bob provides consulting services.

Meet Bob on Linked-In

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

03. GOLF OUTING SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Monday, July 21 at the Oconomowoc Golf Club

Fundraiser

Sign-up to be a golf outing sponsor today! Deadline for sponsoring is June 30, 2025.

Join us for an unforgettable day of fun, networking, and golf at our 5th Annual Golf Outing! Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, this event offers something for everyone. Celebrate our mission with a round of golf, live and silent auctions, prize raffle, and plenty of tasty eats and drinks with good company.

All proceeds help Family Promise of Waukesha County to expand all our programming

initiatives - especially the Oconomowoc Shelter and Prevention programs. Your generosity helps us provide the following services:

Rent Assistance
Security Deposits
Utilities and Wifi
Case Management
Car Repairs
Bus Passes
Shelter Program Leases

Golf Outing Sponsor Sign-up

04. VJS RUN/WALK MAY 3

Run, Walk or Volunteer

Community

10 Day Forecast for May 3: Sunny high of 64 degrees.

You are invited to join us for a fun run/walk sponsored by VJS Construction Services Community Foundation on Saturday May 3 at 8am . The run/walk will start in the VJS parking lot and circle the Pewaukee Business Park. Strollers and pets are welcome!

This is the 5th annual VJS run/walk and each year they select a few non-profit organizations to support. Funds raised from this run/walk will support Family Promise of Waukesha County. It is a great opportunity to come together as a community, get some exercise and support a few great causes. You can participate as a runner, walker or volunteer.

POLL OF THE WEEK

Shelter Diversion is a new program that has a different approach to families experiencing homelessness. What is your impression of it so far?

0% I do not fully understand it and want to learn more
0%Why not just use shelter?
0%It is creative
0%I would like to host a family that does not have a place

O5. THROUGH THE UPS AND DOWNS

Diversion provides wholistic approach to helping families

Shelter Diversion

In 2023, Anevay, her husband James, and their two children moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin. Anevay and her family initially stayed with her "sister, [brother-in-law], and their four kids in a four-bedroom house." However, Anevay quickly discovered it wasn't sustainable, "many people in a small space can be a bit hectic." After receiving a deadline of November 1st, 2024, to leave her sister's home, Anevay and James turned to Family Promise of Waukesha County. They enrolled in the Diversion Program in August 2024.

Anevay and James struggled to secure housing on their own. They faced many issues, "given that both [her] and [James] are on SSI," and most apartments were telling them they "needed three times the rent in income to apply." As a result, "when Family Promise offered to help.... call places to apply, [they] were grateful." Anevay explains how Family Promise of Waukesha County was "with [them] through the ups and downs" while searching for an apartment.

Once Anevay and James found a suitable apartment for their family's needs, the Diversion Program was able to provide financial assistance for the first month's rent and security deposit. Support from their Diversion Family Advocate did not end after they signed the lease. Through case management, referrals for community resources were provided, and the "importance of taking care of all [their] needs, not just housing, but also medical and mental health" was stressed.

The Diversion Program at Family Promise of Waukesha County supported Anevay and her family financially while providing them with resources and "everything [they] could need for success."

HAPPY BITHDAY, COURTNEY !

Courtney and her son enjoying the beach!

Happy Birthday to Courtney Rutkowski. Courtney has been a part of Family Promise of Waukesha County since November 2021. She will celebrate her birthday on Friday May 2.