FP FIVE: THE COST OF WAITING
- Joe Nettesheim
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
April 14, 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:
In school year 2022-23 what percentage of children from Pre K- Gr. 12 experiencing homelessness were chronically absent from school?
The answer: The number of students experiencing homelessness who were chronically absent from school was 48% or approximately 740,000 students across the US.
An undercurrent of a Cup of Joe's message is that housing is a right- especially for families. In your opinion is housing a right (everyone is entitled) or a priviledge (it has to be earned)?
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
You are special, in all of this emptiness. This is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe. You have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together. . . this is an opportunity for us to rememeber where we are, who we are and that we have to get through this together.
01. GIVING DAY EVE PARTY
Join us at Maddy’s Bar and Music Lounge on Wednesday, April 15 from 4-7pm
You are invited to escape the tax day blues and celebrate the kickoff of Family Promise of Waukesha County Giving Day! Join us on Wednesday, April 15 from 4-7pm at Maddy's Bar and Music Lounge, 200 Madison St Waukesha. The evening will include great music, great people and support for a great cause. Celebrate our community coming together to support families with minor children who are experiencing homelessness. Music will be provided by 4 on the Floor.
Maddy’s will contribute $1 for every drink and $2 from every drink special to Family Promise of Waukesha County. Raffle prizes include a TV, 3 night stay at Chula Vista, a bourbon and cigar basket, a gift card to fletcher arms and other fun items.
Be part of the solution to end family homelessness because #stabilitystartswithus
02. STABILITY STARTS WITH US
Giving portal is now open
Families experiencing homelessness require a community response to escape the challenges of poverty. This is why our theme for Family Promise of Waukesha County Giving Day 2026 is Stability Starts with Us. We are calling on our entire community- neighbors, businesses, civic groups and congregations- to be part of the solution to ending family homelessness by helping us raise $135,000 on April 16. These funds will ensure more families can access critical housing support, avoid homelessness, and build a foundation for a stable future. When our community shows up, stability is available for everyone.
Thank you to our Giving Day sponsors who have provided the Community Challenge Fund. We are grateful to two anonymous donors plus the businesses below. We start Giving Day with $42,500!
HOW IS STABILITY ACHIEVED?
To support families in their pursuit of stability we take a holistic and integrated approach. Through all of our programs we focus on five foundational principles that bring about stability. Within each category are graduated goals. Tailoring these pillars to the needs of each family allows them to address obstacles and secure safe, permanent and stable housing. Effective case management listens, walks alongside families and supports them during their most challenging moments. This approach is more than offering shelter, it is designing a path forward.
When you provide a gift to Family Promise of Waukesha County, it these efforts by families to bring about stability that you are supporting.
The economic mobility bridge focuses our case management in building economic and housing stability. These are the five pillars of stability:
FAMILY STABILITY
Goals: family has basic needs met; are involved in work and school communities; has housing suitable for human habitation and appropriate for the family; rent is less than 30% of income.
WELL BEING
Goal: families are able to access to resources to support their emotional and physical well being.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Goal: family has income to pay their monthly bills; working to save three months of housing expenses; improving credit score by eliminating debt.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Goal: receive training and education that enables family to secure employment that pays a livable wage.
EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER
Goal: secure work that can become a career. Employer provides benefits and an opportunity for advancement.
Your support brings stability.
03 COST OF WAITING
Why should families have to wait to find housing?
How long would you wait for housing? How would it impact your family? How would it impact your children? Do we become too passive regarding family homelessness because it does not impact us directly? In a Cup of Joe, we look at having a sense of urgency in responding to family homelessness because asking families to wait has an enormous cost.
POLL OF THE WEEK
An undercurrent of a Cup of Joe's message is that housing is a right- especially for families. Is housing a right (everyone is entitled) or a privlege?
0%Right
0%Privlege
04. TELLING THE STORY
Advocacy changes attitudes and policy
Over the past few months Family Promise of Waukesha County has involved in advocating for families experiencing homelessness. In this space we have shared information about the bills that would criminalize homelessness being considered by the state assembly and senate. Celestina and Joe have testified before subcomittees at the state level. Recently Joe met with a staff member of Congressman Fitzgerald's Office to discuss the Homeless Child and Youth Act that is being considered by the committee he chairs.
The reason we have been more involved in this endeavor is that we are trying to create an environment that is most helpful for families attempting to escape homelessness. Ignoring policies and practices that would harm the families we know seems negligent. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every door is open and every opportunity is available for families who already face signifcant challenges.
Advocacy happens more than just in the government realm as well. Telling the stories of families experiencing homelessness is vitally important. Too often attitudes are shaped by a lack of information or biased information. Again we feel it is our responsibility to share the stories of families so that our community understands the challenges but also the courage, perseverance, joy that those we work with exude.
"You guys give us hope! I can't remember last time slept in a bed"
Would you be interested in having Joe or Emily share stories and insights about our organization and the families we serve?
Contact Emily to arrange a visit to your business, congregation, club or civic group.
05.FAIRWAYS FORE HOME
Sponorships for Golf Outing available now
Join us for a day of golf, camaraderie, and fun at the beautiful Oconomowoc Golf Club. We welcome all to join from the seasoned professionals to beginners! An outing with no pressure, just a day on the course and an opportunity to learn more about the Family Promise of Waukesha County mission. The day consists of a round of golf, live and silent auctions, raffle prizes, and of course lots of great food and beverages.
Not a golfer? Attend our evening program and participate in the live and silent auctions, raffle prizes, and enjoy a delicious dinner!
All proceeds help Family Promise of Waukesha County to expand on programming initiatives. A few examples of how your generosity will be helping the families in our community are:
Rent Assistance
Security Deposits
Utilities and Wifi
Case Management
Car Repairs
Bus Passes
Shelter Program Leases
FIVE PLUS
UPDATED OFFICE HOURS
Please keep these new 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 by. 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
April 14 Brian Goldstone Presentation
April 15 Giving Day Eve Celebration at Maddy's with music by 4 on the Floor
April 16 Giving Day
July 20 Golf Outing
TO FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA, CLICK THE ICONS BELOW
Access our Threads account through Instagram
