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This blog provides the top 5 highlights or updates about Family Promise of Waukesha County for Friday, September 16, 2022.
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:
Do you feel that a ROOMING HOUSE should be considered a viable option for single women moving out of shelter, if only temporary?
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
Thank you to ProHealth Care for providing 200 hygiene kits to Family Promise. Their goal was to support an agency working with the United Way Safe and Stable Homes program. Our volunteers, John and Roger from Our Savior's Lutheran Church ELCA, helped unload the boxes.
Denise O'Halloran, John, Roger Newton, Maria and Courtney moved cots to the Day Center that had been stored in Denise's barn for us.
1. PERSEVERANCE
When families move out of the shelter program we offer support and case management for up to twelve months following their exit. Carrie was in our shelter this past winter. When she left, due to the lack of affordable housing, an apartment was not an option. Her only choice was a rooming house. While this was not ideal, Carrie has not given up. She has been persistent! This past week she signed a lease and moved into her studio apartment today! Carrie continues to work toward achieving all of her goals. Her bravery and persistence has been inspiring!
Congratulations, Carrie!
2. BRAT HOUSE
Family Promise of Waukesha County will be sponsoring the Piggly Wiggly Brat House in Hartland 505 Cottonwood Ave, Hartland, WI 53029 on Sunday, September 25. We will be serving brats, hamburgers, and hotdogs from 10am- 2pm. Do a little grocery shopping, meet some great people, and come have some awesome food.
Thank you to Jamie Zussman, his family and the board of trustees for coordinating this event.
POLL OF THE WEEK
We have had an internal discussion about how to help families and single women transition from shelter to permanent independent housing. With high demand for apartments driving up the cost of rent, and moving families with evictions or poor credit, options for housing are limited.
With the above in mind, do you feel that a ROOMING HOUSE should be considered a viable option for single women* moving out of shelter, if only temporary?
No, never
Yes, only if it is temporary
Yes, it is better than sleeping in a car
* NOTE: We would never use a rooming house for families.
3. PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS IS GOOD FOR EVERYONE
According to the US Census bureau, just under 14% of renters (or 8 million households) state that they are behind on rent payments. Another almost 4 million believe that it is likely that they will be evicted in the next month or two. These statistics demonstrate how narrow the distance is between being housed and becoming homeless. It is further evidence that we are in a housing crisis.
Preventing and ending homelessness is good for our entire community. Offering rent assistance is good for tenants, and landlords alike. It is especially important now as the distance between being housed and unhoused is becoming smaller. This story captures how Family Promise affiliates work with landlords to help families remain in their homes. Working together is vitally important since helping families maintain their homes benefits all of us.
4. UNDERSTANDING POVERTY QUIZ
Test your knowledge about the issues facing those who are low-income or experiencing homelessness. Questions cover the topics of work, wages, food, and child-care.
Try this fun way to learn more about the realities facing low-income individuals.
5. NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM + OFFICE HOURS
Next week Courtney, Maria, and Joe will participate in the Family Promise national symposium in Morristown, NJ. There will be panel discussions and breakout sessions on the following:
Affordable housing
Diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility
Vicarious trauma
Charity ratings and fundraising
Advocacy and affecting public policy
Growing your affiliate
Including graduates in your program
Board service
Volunteerism
Ethical storytelling
Since some staff will be out of the office for the week of September 19-23, we have adjusted our office hours. Please make a note of the following:
September 19 9am- 3pm
September 20 9am- 2pm
September 21 9am- 3pm
September 22 9am- 2pm
September 23 Office Closed
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Here are some upcoming dates we want you to be aware of:
September 18 Happy Birthday, Callie! 🎉 🥳 🎈
September 19 Board of Trustees Meeting
September 19 Unconscious Bias with Judge Derek Mosely
September 19-23 National Symposium
Joe, Courtney and Maria participate in the Family Promise national symposium. There will be limited office hours that week. Please call ahead before stopping by the office.
September 25 Brat House at Piggly Wiggly
October 9 Joe speaks at First Congregational UCC, Oconomowoc
October 16-23 Family Promise Week
Family Promise week will be held the week of October 16-23. This week celebrates the anniversary of the founding of Family Promise and the assistance it has provided families experiencing homelessness since 1986.
October 22 A Night Without a Bed
Raise awareness about family homelessness and the chaos it creates by participating in a Night Without A Bed. Sleep in your car, a tent or the floor and post on social media so others learn about families experiencing homelessness.
October 30 Joe speaks at St. Therese, Eagle
Connect with our staff to answer any questions you may have.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA. JUST CLICK THE ICONS BELOW.
You can also join our Facebook volunteer group to learn about volunteer opportunities.
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