FP FIVE: Transitional Living Home Opens

joe26971
Jun 23
6 min read

June 23, 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:

TRANSITIONAL LIVING HOME OPEN
BID EARLY, BID OFTEN
THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US
STATE OF HOMELESSNESS
MAKE AN IMPACT

POLL OF THE WEEK

Would you be interested in participating in a book discussion group about There is No Place For Us?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Most people I work with, they don’t just feel hopeless. They feel powerless. Because they’re constantly subjected to forces beyond their control—even beyond their understanding.”-Brian Goldstone

01.TRANSITIONAL LIVING HOME OPEN

First family moves into a home designed to transition from shelter to permanent housing.

Mission

Grateful to a supporter renting us this home our Transitional Living Program

Transitional Housing is our next way to support families.

Family Promise of Waukesha County has opened its first Transitional Living Home this past week. Mom, her partner and pre-school aged son moved into a house we are using for this program on Tuesday. A Transitional Housing Program is designed to offer families support as they exit shelter and move toward permanent, independent housing. Families who participate in this program can live in the home up to 24 months. The requirements this program are that families will:

Sublet the unit from Family Promise of Waukesha County to establish a rental history
Pay 30% of their income for rent
Assume utilities, wifi and other household expenses to improve their credit history
Take care of the lawn and snow removal and other household maintenance
Enroll in an educational program to increase earning capacity
Participate in monthly case management meetings

The ultimate goal is to empower families to afford and secure permanent and independent housing.

As part of the discernment process we ask the adults to write why they want to participate in the program. Here are a few snippets of mom's answers that we share with her permission:

Thank you to the Women and Girls Fund and Family Promise (national) for providing funding for this program.

Thank you Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County.

02. BID EARLY, BID OFTEN

Participate in the Golf Outing Silent Auction Remotely.

Fund Development

Many wonderful items and baskets to support families experiencing homelessness.

While the Golf Outing is sold out, you can still participate in the silent auction remotely. To view and bid on items from anywhere, please complete this form. This form is only for individuals who will not be attending in person.

Once you have submitted the form, you will receive confirmation of your participation, a bidder number, and instructions for accessing the silent auction through the Givi App.

Important Dates:

Registration Deadline for Remote Bidders: July 9
Item Preview Opens: July 16
Bidding Opens: July 18
Bidding Closes: July 21 at 6:00 PM

The credit cards of winning bidders will be charged immediately after the auction closes.

Using the Givi App, you can:

Track items you're interested in
Enable automatic bidding with your chosen limits
Set a maximum bid cap to stay within your budget

If you have any questions or need help setting up the app, please contact Julie

Interested in donating an item for the raffle or silent or live auctions. We are still looking for items or baskets. Click on the image to the left to complete a form for an auction item or use this button below to select a basket to prepare. Any creativity you bring to the baskets is appreciated!

DONATE AN AUCTION BASKET

03. THERE IS NO PLACE FOR US

Would you be interested in a book study?

Community

Brian Goldstone captures the reality of those working and experiencing homelessness.

Brian Goldstone, the author of There is No Place for Us : Working and Homeless in America, tells the story of five families who mirror the experiences of the families at Family Promise of Waukesha County it was difficult to read. His portrayal of the desperation and suffocating nature of homelessness and poverty is palpable and moving. It leaves the reader with a sense of urgency. Any human with an ounce of compassion cannot read this book and sit by idly.

What makes this book particularly compelling is its focus on the reality that many of those who are experiencing homelessness are employed. Goldstone writes about those who are working and do not have a home, "In a country where hard work and determination are supposed to lead to success- or at least stability- there is something scandalous about the very concept." He continues, " . . . a combination of skyrocketing rents, low wages and inadequate tenant protections they are becoming the new face of homelessness."

This is why Family Promise of Waukesha County is considering offering a book discussion group focused on the book. Our discussions would use the book to shape the conversation around the systems that contribute to homelessness, the impact it has on families and children, possible solutions and effective ways to get involved.

Some facts presented in the book:

In Atlanta from 2010 to 2023 median rents soared 76%
During that same time the city lost 60,000 low income housing units
While there have been tens of thousands of units added to the city 94% of those units are luxury
Since 1985, rent has increased 325% more than wages during that same time period
To afford a modest 2 bedroom apartment in Atlanta a single income household would need to make $29.87 an hour.
In the United States, 14 million renters who qualify for section 8 housing will never receive it.

Book Discussion Survey

POLL OF THE WEEK

Would you be interested in a book discussion group about There is No Place For Us?

0%Yes! I am in.
0%Considering it, but the topic might be overwhelming
0%Yes, but just do not have the time.
0%A great opportunity to discuss the issue with others

04. STATE OF HOMELESSNESS WAUKESHA COUNTY

You are invited to an informational session about homelessness in Waukesha County

Community

The Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care will be making a presentation about the State of Homelessness in Waukesha County. The presentation to be held on July 31 at the Waukesha Public Library at 10am will cover data about those who have been experiencing homelessness in our county. This deep dive into the homeless management database and national data sources will provide insight into the realities of homelessness in our county. Learn more about the trends and resources as well as discuss solutions to the homelessness crisis.

Questions?

Contact Joe

05. MAKE AN IMPACT

A few ways to make an impact on the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

Volunteer

Point In Time Count

Volunteers are needed to help with the Point In Time(PIT) Count which will occur the night of July 23rd. During this evening , service providers and volunteers go out into their communities to survey those who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. We hope you will join us on Wednesday July 23 starting at 10pm and ending about 2 am.

Please register by July 4.

Clean Apartment Shelter Units

We are in need of two groups, of 2-4 people, to help clean and prepare Apartment Shelter Units for new shelter guests. If you are interested in being placed on an email list for future apartment shelter cleaning opportunities, please email tasha@familypromisewaukeshawi.org.

Donation Wish List

We are in need of the following items to support our clients in our core programs: Prevention, Diversion, and Shelter. Items may be dropped off between the hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at our Day Center at: 139 E North St. Waukesha, WI 53187.

Please email tasha@familypromisewaukeshawi.org for more information or questions.