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This blog provides the top 5 highlights or updates about Family Promise of Waukesha County for Friday, August 18, 2023.
The Friday Five is a weekly update that focuses on the 5 main things happening at Family Promise Waukesha County. We also look for ways to advocate and educate about family homelessness. It is our hope that it will help you stay informed and connected to the mission of Family Promise of Waukesha County.
Our mission is to help low-income families and families experiencing homelessness achieve sustainable independence
through a community-based response.
The stories you can read this week are:
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other humans. - Albert Schweitzer
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Joe Nettesheim and Krystina Koehler from United Way made a presentation to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County Community Campaign Cabinet. Family Promise of Waukesha County will be a featured agency at United Way’s upcoming campaign kickoff event focusing on Kim and Carrie.
The Wall Street Journal reported an 11% increase in homelessness. What would you do first to end homelessness?
1. VOLUNTEER DRIVING PROGRAM
Come for an informational meeting on Tuesday, August 29.
Often families experiencing homelessness do not have access to a car or if they do it is not reliable. Public transportation helps, but routes and timing are limited. Therefore, we are developing a transportation program with volunteer drivers. Those interested in driving would make themselves available at a specific time weekly or bi-weekly. It is a new program, so you would help us to pilot and refine the program.
Please join us for an informational meeting on Tuesday, August 29 at 6pm. Registration is necessary.
Some details:
Drivers would use our van.
Openness to driving a minivan or possibly a transit van
Go through the online and in person training program
Have insurance for $300,000/$100,000
Submit to a criminal and driving record background check
Destinations would include essential needs such as work, interviews, medical appointments
Congratulations to S for getting her driver's license this week!
The space between homelessness and having your own home is very small for those with limited resources. Most of us take it for granted, but a driver’s license (and a reliable car ) are important building blocks to success. S, we are so proud of you!
2. FAMILY PROMISE AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WORK DAY
Join us August 24 to help a shelter family complete their Habitat house.
Join a group of Family Promise of Waukesha County volunteers on August 24 from 8:30am-3:30pm for a Habitat for Humanity work day.
Volunteering for this project will help Family Promise Waukesha shelter resident Z and her toddler daughter to become Habitat for Humanity homeowners!
A Habitat housing recipient must complete 200 hours of sweat equity. 50 of those hours can come from volunteers. Having a toddler makes it challenging to complete those hours. Therefore your help will help make this home a reality.
Find out how you can help and register to participate. This day requires minimum of four volunteers and a maximum of eight.
3. HOMELESSNESS IN U.S. INCREASING AT RECORD RATE
11% increase in homelessness is the highest jump since 2.7% in 2019
The Wall Street Journal published a report that stated homelessness in the United States has risen this year at a record rate. Their statistics are based on data they reviewed from across the country. They state that, “this year’s surge reflects a host of pressures around the U.S. such as rising housing costs, lack of affordable rental units and the nation’s continuing opioid crisis, according to reports from nonprofits and government agencies counting the homeless.”
This is a disturbing trend that needs a comprehensive community based response.
POLL OF THE WEEK
The Wall Street Journal reported an 11% increase in homelessness. What would you do first to end homelessness?
Build more affordable housing
Fund Section 8 housing vouchers at a higher amount
Require landlords to accept Section 8 housing vouchers
Focus on mental health and addiction issues
4. GIFT CARDS AND WISH LIST ITEMS
Gas and grocery gift cards are much needed.
Our supply of gift cards is getting very low. We are especially in need of grocery and gas gift cards. Being able to assist with food and gas can be extremely helpful for families. The most utilized gas cards are BP, Kwik Trip or Mobil. For groceries, we prefer Pick N Save, Meijer, Aldi, or Woodman's. Target and Walmart gift cards are helpful too. The best denominations are: $10, $25 and $50.
We also are in need of printer paper and other supplies from our wish list:
Any donation can be dropped off at the Day Center 139 E North Street from 8:30-4pm. Please call before you come or if you need to drop off outside those times.
5. GARDEN DAY
Looking for green thumbs!
Your green thumb is needed on Wednesday, August 23 at 1:30pm to give our flower beds some love. Our Savior Lutheran, Oconomowoc Volunteer Coordinator Ann Corning will be here to do some weeding, but it is really a task that is too big for one person. Could 2 or 3 more people join her?
If you are able to spend some time working on gardens on a beautiful sunny afternoon, please use the event page to register.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
August 21 Board of Trustees Meeting
August 22 United Way Community Campaign Kickoff
August 23 Garden Clean-up Day - 1:30PM
August 29 Volunteer Driver Information Meeting - 6PM
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Access our Threads account through Instagram
@family.promise.waukesha@threads.net
You can also join our Facebook volunteer group to learn about volunteer opportunities.