FP FIVE: UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

Joe Nettesheim
46 minutes ago
7 min read

February 15, 2026

The Family Promise Five (FP 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:

NEW OFFICE HOURS
LEGISLATION IMPACTING HOMELESSNESS
JOE'S JOURNAL: UNCONSCIOUS BIAS
COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR
LET'S PLAY TRIVIA

AND CHECK OUT:

UPCOMING EVENTS

POLL OF THE WEEK

What is the best way for people to remove bias about those experiencing homelessness?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Thank you to the Waukesha Chamber of Commerce for hosting a non-profit expo. Tasha and Cassidy spoke with those seeking information about Family Promise of Waukesha County. Celestina spoke at the WI state senate hearing on criminalizing homelessness. Joe, Courtney and Kaitlin participated in the Balance of State conference in Appleton. It was an opportunity to learn, network and connect with other Family Promise affiliates.

01. NEW OFFICE HOURS

Four day workweek designed to ensure staff longevity

Staff

Family Promise of Waukesha County, Inc. has adopted a four-day workweek. This change is intended to support the emotional and psychological well-being of our team, and strengthen staff retention. Greater staff consistency and longevity allow us to better serve families who are navigating trauma and housing instability.

While our team is deeply committed to providing compassionate support, the greatest strain often comes when we reach the limits of available resources or staff capacity. We believe that working four longer days and providing a three-day weekend will help staff maintain healthy work-life balance, and better sustain high-quality service.

Updated Office Hours:

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.

02. LEGISLATION IMPACTING HOMELESSNESS

A bill to criminalize homelessness considered by the WI State Senate

Advocacy

On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Wisconsin State Senate Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues, and Forestry held a public hearing on two bills regarding homelessness. The first is Senate Bill 614 which would provide funding to social service agencies based on their success and Senate Bill Senate Bill 621 which will criminalize homelessness for those not in shelter or a designated "structured camping facility." These are the same bills reviewed by the Wisconsin State Assembly in January.

A few reasons why these bills are problematic. They:

Do not address the core issues of homelessness: affordable housing and livable wages
Criminalize homelessness which adds another obstacle to escaping poverty; overburdens the criminal justice system, and could potentially separate parents from their children
Have not defined what a structure camping facility entails (does it have heat, running water, toilet facilities?)
Pass the cost of structured camping facilities onto local communities
Encourages agencies to help only those who have the most resources and overlook the most vulnerable to improve their metrics and maintain funding
Fails to recognize that Department of Administration moved to a metrics based award system in 2025. (at the hearing some legislators were unaware of this development)
Make addiction and mental health assessments mandatory
Written by a national think tank with no input from those with lived experience or local stakeholders

Celsestina at the capital — Celestina Hertz speaks at a public hearing.

Our Family Advocate Celestina Hertz, participated in the public hearing. This is her written testimony.

You can click the link to watch the hearing on the Wiseye broadcast. Celestina speaks at 1:04:00.

We encourage you to become informed about these bills and if you feel compelled to share your opinion with your elected representatives and the members of the Senate Committee on Insurance, Housing, Rural Issues and Forestry.

Since the public hearings it appears as though the assembly bill to criminalize homelessness will not be voted on by the committee. The "pay for performance" bill has passed out of the assembly committee and appears to be headed for a vote by the entire state assembly. The senate committee has not yet acted on either bill.

These bills are being promoted in other communities by the same Texas based group. Attempts have been made to pass similar bills in Indiana, Iowa, Tennessee and Texas. The group is also working on federal legislation. In Utah there is a plan for a

In Iowa David Stires, a Republican legislator stated: "The more I look at the bill... I am shocked- $800 fines for people who really do not have any money or are down on their luck. We've got to think of something else. . . because this is not fair to people."

If you would like your opinion heard, submit written testimony to the Committee chair and copy in the other committee members.

Committee Chair:

Senator Quinn: Sen.Quinn@legis.wisconsin.gov

Committee members:

Senator Stafsholt: Sen.Stafsholt@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Jagler: Sen.Jagler@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Wall: Sen.Wall@legis.wisconsin.gov

Senator Dassler-Alfheim: Sen.Dassler-Alfheim@legis.wisconsin.gov

Or write your elected state representatives.

FIND MY ELECTED OFFICIALS

03. JOE'S JOURNAL: UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

Accompaniment

Is it possible that attitudes, decisions, perspectives are influenced by assumptions about our world? Is it possible that the notion of not wanting a homeless person in my neighborhood could. be based on one bad experience or the way people experiencing homelessness are portrayed in the news or on TV Shows? Theologian and philosopher Bernhard Lonergan would say yes! Unexamined presuppositions lead to bias and perspectives that may or may not be true. Lonergan would suggest that we have a moral responsibility to reflect on our own way of thining and take an honest inventory about the origins and veracity of our values and beliefs.

This edition of Joe's Journal is an invitation to a workshop on Unconscious Bias (see below) and thoughts about how Unconcsious Bias impacts attitudes about race, religion, gender, age and socio-economic status.

Joe's Journal: Unconscious Bias

UNCONSCIOUS BIAS

MARCH 11, 2026

1:30-3:00PM

Waukesha Public Library

Unconscious bias—subtle, often unintentional preferences or judgments—affects how we interact with others and make decisions. For organizations committed to acceptance, belonging and community understanding these biases is crucial. Derek Mosley’s presentation will illustrate ways bias can influence our perceptions, from seemingly innocuous moments in children’s books and Disney movies to larger societal patterns.

POLL: HOMELESSNESS AND BIAS

What is the best way to reduce bias toward thos experiencing homelessness? (mark all that apply)

0%Volunteer with those experiencing homelessness
0%Read books about homelessness
0%Read the FP Five religiously! 😁
0%Live in a mixed income neighborhood

You can vote for more than one answer.

04. COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR

Help raise awareness of homelessness in Waukesha County.

Community

The Housing Action Coalition of Waukesha County (of which Family Promise of Waukesha County is a member) is hosting the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOTY) on February 28, 2026 at 4pm at Frame Park in Waukesha! CNOTY is a family-friendly walk that raises awareness and funds to support homelessness services in Waukesha County.

We invite to join the Family Promise of Waukesha team or form a your team with your congregation or business. Participants are showing support for all the agencies serving those experiencing homelessness. We are looking for a few people to be part of or support the Family Promise of Waukesha County team

As a participant you are invited to:

Walk with us on February 28
Provide a gift to help to support homelessness resources in Waukesha County.
Invite friends, family, or co-workers to join you
Walk side-by-side on event day to support our community

To learn more and register view the webpage below or contact Joe Nettesheim

https://cnoy.com/location/waukesha

05.FPWC TRIVIA

Test your knowledge and see what you can learn about family homelessness.

Education

Let's have some fun! Play Family Promise of Waukesha County trivia to test your knowledge of family homelessness. This quiz will collect your email address so we can provide an award for the trivia winner. There are eight questions each one worth 10 points. Max points is 80!

There may be a prize for the winner.... Have fun!

FIVE PLUS

HAPPY WORK-A-VERSARY, CELESTINA

Happy one year anniversary to Celestina. Celestina serves as a Family Advocate in our shelter program. We are grateful for her spirit and passion for service and social justice.

GRATITUDE

Thank you to the following grants received for 2026.

FROEDTERT MENOMONEE FALLS HOSPITAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH

This grant will help families remain housed in the northeast end of Waukesha County focusing on these zip codes: 53051, 53089, 53007, 53046, 53005, 53045. These funds are able to provide rent, utilty and car repair assistance.

THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Catholic Community Foundation has been a long-time partner with Family Promise of Waukesha County. Their generosity supports the Apartment Shelter Program in Waukesha and Oconomowoc.

HELP US MOVE IN

We are pleased to announce that Family Promise of Waukesha County has received a grant from Help Us Move In (HUMI). The mission of HUMI is to help families with children to remain in their home or to be able to move into a new home. We use these funds for rent assistance, utility assistance and move-in costs. This is a $10,000 grant but we are challenged to have it matched locally.

ST. LEONARD, MUSKEGO

Joe Nettesheim visited St. Leonard on Wednesday evening February 4 for a presentation to families about our mission. They also put together laundry baskets full of cleaning products. Thank you for a fun evening. Your kindness is appreciated.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW: GOLF OUTING -JULY 20, 2026