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This blog provides the top 5 highlights or updates about Family Promise of Waukesha County for Friday August 5, 2022.
The stories you can read this week are:
NEW FAMILIES IN SHELTER
When we return to the rotational model, how will you volunteer?
Our mission is to help low-income families and families experiencing homelessness achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Thank You to Bob and Frances Thompson-Gee who recently celebrated their 40th Wedding To celebrate they asked for donations to Family Promise.
They, along with their friends and family, contributed $600!
Happy Anniversary.
1. WELCOME ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF MILWAUKEE!
The Islamic Society of Milwaukee/Brookfield is partnering with Family Promise of Waukesha County! We are excited to have another partner caring for families experiencing homelessness. This is an important step for Family Promise of Waukesha County. Partnering in an interfaith manner allows us to serve families who are experiencing homelessness with the same diversity of volunteers as we do guests.
You can meet Heather Gilvary Hamad, ISM Volunteer Coordinator and learn more about ISM in this video where Executive Director Joe Nettesheim and Heather discuss why ISM got involved, the pillars of Islam, as well as challenges and hopes for this partnership.
A special thank you to ISM for their generous donation at the golf outing! Their gift of $1425 to cover the Apartment Shelter rent was a great way to start our final “Leaf Auction.” We are grateful to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee/Brookfield.
2. HOUSING LEADERS SEEKING SOLUTIONS
A group of leaders in housing and homelessness testified before the United States Senate this week. During this hearing, Matt Desmond, author of the book Evicted and lead investigator for Eviction Lab at Princeton University, indicated that most poor renting families today spend at least half of their income on housing costs, with one in four spending 70% of their income on shelter costs alone. He stated that the rising cost of rent,
" is the inflation crisis on steroids.”
Other information contained in this article is that:
US Housing Supply is short 3.8 million homes.
Most low income families spend 50% of their income on housing.
Between 2012-2018 owners of properties located in low-income neighborhoods saw their rental revenues increase 47% while their expenses only increased 14%
Republicans and Democrats do not agree on the cause or a solution for the housing crisis.
Based on the requests we are receiving we can attest to the fact that there is a housing crisis. In June we received 90 calls followed by 60 in July we know that there are many families in need of shelter.
POLL OF THE WEEK
IF WE RETURNED TO THE ROTATIONAL MODEL HOW WOULD YOU VOLUNTEER?
MAKE MEALS
SERVE MEALS
PROVIDE EVENING HOSPITALITY
STAY OVERNIGHT
3. WE NEED YOU!
Family Promise of Waukesha County needs your assistance! Here are a few ways you can support families experiencing homelessness.
Meals
We are seeking volunteers to help make meals for the week of August 21. This would be a
collaborative effort from any and all volunteers willing to help. Please use the sign up
genius to choose what you can make for a meal. Food will be dropped off at Family Promise Day Center (139 E North Street Waukesha) on Friday, August 19 from 7am-4pm. A follow email will be sent with details.
Donate Supplies
We are collecting school and household supplies on Saturday, August 20 from 9 am- noon. Over 60 children from the prevention and shelter programs need our help. Check out our event page to learn more and see the needs list.
Sort Supplies
Once the supplies are dropped off we are looking for volunteers to help sort and distribute them. Both volunteer options will happen at the Day Center 139 E North Street Waukesha.
Housing Case Manager
Family Promise is adding another Case Manager to our staff to assist with the growing demand. Please share this information with your network of friends, neighbors and colleagues.
4. WE DID IT!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the golf outing. It was a beautiful summer day filled with fun and generous people. We are happy to say that we passed our budgeted goal for the day.
The income raised from this event will allow us to provide shelter and case management to two families for three months each.
We will also be able to provide rent assistance and case management to 8 families for one month each.
These are ten families who will get a new start.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude. Thank you!
5. NEW FAMILIES IN SHELTER
Welcome to our two newest families who moved into the Apartment Shelter this week! Our first family is a single mom with a two year old daughter. This mom begins her student teaching assignment in fall. Before coming to Family Promise they were living with a relative.
Our second family is also a single mom with two children ages 5 and 7 years old. Both of her children celebrated birthdays this week. She is working full time. She lost her home when her landlord decided not to renew her lease. Although she is working she struggled finding housing she could afford and a job whose hours fit her family's schedule. Most recently they were living in their car.
Four families are currently in the Apartment Shelter Program which puts us back at capacity.
Need assistance? Any of our dedicated staff can assist you. Visit our staff page for biographies and contact information.