FP FIVE: GOLF OUTING IS A HOLE IN ONE
- Joe Nettesheim
- 2 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 16 hours ago
AUGUST 8, 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:
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK
I have done a fair amount of work in homelessness over the years in Waukesha and I have come to know Family Promise as one of the most well run organizations in Waukesha . . . a solution like this is a really good path to get folks out of homelessness and into permanent housing.
-Alderperson Joe Pieper speaking about Family Promise and the Building Hope Project
In the podcast The Middle, which you can listen to below in item 3, there was discussion about mandatory treatment for addiction and mental health issues. Along with banning people from sleeping outside (criminalizing homelessness), this idea is growing as a strategy. With that in mind our poll question is:
Is mandatory treatment for addiction or mental health issues an effective strategy for responding to homelessness?
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
This week's photos are from our 7th Golf Outing occurred on July 20; Mila, Alma and Joe at the Home For Everyone Conference including a presentation by pulitzer prize winning author Brian Goldstone and finally a photo of Joe, Mayor Havesleben and Angela Mancuso from the Women's Center who both presented at the Celebrate Waukesha Breakfast, aka the Mayor's Breakfast.
01.GOLF OUTING IS A HOLE IN ONE!
7th annual Golf Outing was big success
Fairways Fore Home, the 2026 Family Promise of Waukesha County golf outing was a hole-in-one! Congratulations to Marty Vogel for being the first golfer to have a hole in on at our event. The hole in one was fitting because the entire event was a hole in one!
The weather was beautiful, golfers had a great time, and the supporters helped us raise approximately $150,000.
Besides raising funds, the outing is also an opportunity to advocate for families experiencing homelessness. This year our staff created a "simulation" of what life can be like for those experiencing homelessness. Each foursome was a "family." At a few tee boxes, they were met by a staff member who shared a scenario with the foursome. The group then had to make decisions about how to proceed. Including decisions about what bills to pay and consequences if they did not have the resources. Each family and scenario was similar to situations families we serve often experience.
The outing has grown every year. The growth of the outing is due in large part to the leadership of golf outing chairperson, Patti Ewald. Patti has been leading golf outings for more than 20 years and has been involved with the outing for Family Promise of Waukesha County since 2020.
We are extremely grateful to Patti for the leadership, direction, creativity, and energy she brings to the event. We asked her five questions about her involvement with the Family Promise of Waukesha County Golf Outing.
How did you first get involved in planning the outing?
My initial experience with planning/coordinating golf outings came from a church I attended. I was originally a volunteer, which then grew into a leadership role over time. One year, our church committee decided to offer the proceeds of the golf outing to a local nonprofit organization, and we chose Family Promise. Since then, I have worked with Family Promise each year to provide guidance, inspiration, and a joy-filled day to their annual golf outing.
How have you seen the outing grow and change?
My goal with the golf outing is to provide a first-class event! We fill the day with educational moments that raise awareness, golf skills events, and fun/games. We create a theme early in the year, and every decision we make regarding the outing needs to tie in to that. I want our guests to know they are valued, entertained, fed well and want to come back the next year to see what we have planned! The outing sells out within days of opening registration, and that is incredible to me! So, growth in attendance, enthusiasm, volunteers, and donations shows us we are on the right track.
What brings you joy in planning the outing?
Joy comes in all areas of the golf outing. Getting to know the staff at Family Promise and working alongside all of them. I have been blessed with gifts of organization and creativity, which I use in full force for this outing. I have considered myself lucky to find an organization that I can use these gifts for the good of the community in which I live.
And then, hearing from guests that they had such a great day and are happy to attend each year makes me smile!
What are the challenges involved in planning the outing?
For me, as a planner, I look for experiences that can teach and offer fun at the same time. And then, making it all come to light in a fun way while still honoring the event as a golf outing. I think once the staff became more involved in the planning, the awareness of how many hours it takes to pull this all together, is now a shared experience. So time and talent working hand in hand now have made this so much less challenging and much more enjoyable!
Why is being involved with Family Promise of Waukesha County important to you?
I have been very blessed in my life. I feel a strong connection to an organization that does such challenging and really lovely work. I have a roof over my head and food on my table; so if I can help others in our community feel safe, seen, and heard, I have done the right thing.
Thank you, Patti!
Thank you to the entire Golf Outing Planning Committee: Claire Bessette, Marcia Burke, Patrice Hofbauer, Cindy Meckl, Rob Retzlaff, Lisa Smits, Jeff Thiel, and Jamie Zussman.
Heartfelt thanks to all of our sponsors, especially out presenting sponsor: GreenBay Packaging and volunteers. Looking forward to another great event in 2027!
02. CHALLENGE FOR FRESH START FURNISHINGS
Trailer used to move families into their new apartments was stolen
For most families leaving the Apartment Shelter Program, they find themselves moving into their new apartment without any furniture, beds, pots, or pans. Securing a new home is more than receiving a set of keys; often it is starting over. Thanks to Fresh Start Furnishings, this new chapter of a family's life begins with the comfort and dignity of a furnished home.
Led by sisters Denise O'Halloran and Gail Frangiamore, Fresh Start Furnishings is a dedicated volunteer group that collects donated furniture and household items, stores them, and delivers them to families as they transition from shelter into permanent housing. Their work goes far beyond moving furniture.
Denise and Gail meet with each family to learn about their needs and preferences. Using their creativity and interior design talents, they thoughtfully furnish and decorate each apartment so it truly feels like home. The "big reveal" is often an emotional moment as parents and children, many of whom have experienced months of uncertainty and homelessness, walk into a space that has been prepared just for them. It is a powerful reminder that they are welcomed, valued, and deserving of a fresh start.
That is why it was especially heartbreaking to learn that the Family Promise of Waukesha County trailer used by Fresh Start Furnishings was recently stolen. It had just been loaded with donations. The trailer was an essential tool that allowed this volunteer team to transport furniture and household goods to families beginning their next chapter. Besides moving furniture into a new apartment, Denise uses the trailer weekly to pick up donations. To have it taken from a group that has given so generously of its time, energy, talent, and compassion is deeply unfortunate.
While the theft is a setback, it will not diminish the commitment of Denise, Gail, and the many volunteers who help transform empty apartments into warm, welcoming homes for families rebuilding their lives. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and the hope they bring to every family they serve.
Help us replace our stolen trailer. A new trailer would cost around $5,000. If you would like to make a financial gift to purchase a new trailer and support all of our programs, please use the button to give online.
If you would like to volunteer to assist Fresh Start Furnishings please contact: tasha@familypromisewaukeshawi.org
03. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT HOMELESSNESS?
Mom in Family Homelessness Prevention Program completes school to establish financial future
The Middle is a podcast hosted by Jeremy Hobson. On a recent episode he was joined by Judge Glock, director of research and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and Gregg Colbrun, a University of Washington professor, author of Homelessness is a Housing Problem and leading expert on housing and homelessness.
They each share their thoughts about the best way to respond to homelessness, and take callers questions from the audience. These two guests have very different philosophies about homelessness and how we should respond. Gregg focuses on the need for affordable housing while Judge advocates for mandatory shelter or camping spaces for those who are living in encampments. During this conversation, they discuss:
affordable housing
mental health
addiction issues
rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing
encampments and street outreach
criminalization of homelessness
POLL OF THE WEEK
In the podcast The Middle there was discussion about mandatory treatment for addiction and mental health issues. Along with banning people from sleeping outside (criminalizing homelessness), this idea is growing as a strategy. Is mandatory treatment an effective strategy for responding to homelessness?
Is mandatory treatment an effective strategy for responding to homelessness?
0%Yes
0%No
04 THE FACE OF HOMELESSNESS | AUGUST 4 7:30 AM
Joe Nettesheim spoke at Celebrate Waukesha Breakfast
August 4- 7:30AM -Tuesday August 4 was a busy day for Family Promise of Waukesha County.
Executive Director, Joe Nettesheim spoke at the Celebrate Waukesha Breakfast also known as the Mayor's Breakfast. He was teamed with Angela Mancuso CEO of the Women's Center. Each spoke for twenty minutes. This was the first Mayor's Breakfast since Alicia Halvensleben was elected Mayor in April.
The title of the presentation was the Face of Homelessness. There are a lot of assumptions about people experiencing homelessness. Among those assumptions are that because Waukesha County has many resources homelessness does not exist in our community. Another is that all of those who experience homelessness are single men or women. Joe shared stories of families who have been a part of our programs and an overview of what families are typical that are served.
You can watch the full presentation here:
The slides below present the Waukesha Freeman story with the parts that focused on Family Promise of Waukesha County.
05. BUILDING HOPE PROGRESS | AUGUST 4 6:00 PM
Waukesha City Council approved 10 unit apartment
The Waukesha City Council provided unanimous approval for Family Promise of Waukesha County to build a 10 unit apartment building at 600 Maple Avenue. This was the final step with the city for the project to move ahead. The next step will be to solicit quotes for the project from contractors. We are grateful to VJS Construction services for helping guide the process with the city. You can watch the Q+A the common council had with Joe Nettesheim before the vote was taken.
The capital campaign continues to move forward in the quiet phase. Our goal is to secure 80% of the funds through donations and pledges before making a public request for support. At the moment we have donations and pledge commitments of 37% toward our goal.
FIVE PLUS
OFFICE HOURS
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
ALL SHOOK UP
Get All Shook Up for Family Promise of Waukesha County! You are invited to join us on August 16 from 1-4pm for an afternoon with Elvis.
Elvis impersonator Jim San Fillippo will use his talents to benefit families experiencing homelessness. In addition to Elvis, there will be raffle baskets and prizes, a great atmosphere and wonderful people. Mark your calendar and we hope to see you at All Shook Up!
Curly's Waterfront and Sports Bar
W272N2696 Lakeview Blvd, Pewaukee, WI 53072
UPCOMING
August 8 Oconomowoc Farmer's Market- Family Promise booth
August 10 Golf Outing Debrief Meeting
August 11 Organizational Structure Committee
August 12 FPWC Staff Meetin
August 16 All Shook Up: Event to support Family Promise of Waukesha County
August 17 Housing Action Coalition Board of Directors
August 17 Family Promise of Waukesha County Board of Trustee
August 18 Waukesha County Continuum of Care meeting (service providers)
August 24 Homelessness Prevention Program Training sessio
Sept 13 Presentation at Resurrection Church, Pewaukee
Sept 14 Presentation Waukesha Rotary
October 19-22 Tomorrow's Promise FP National Conference
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