There are many efforts underway to help the homeless in Milwaukee.
Homelessness is a problem in just about every city and town in the United States, even in times of economic prosperity. However, when the economy is sputtering, the ranks of the homeless swell. In Milwaukee, some of the major churches came together to sponsor a "drop-in" place aimed to help men who were homeless. Now there are many ways for people inside and out of Milwaukee to help fight homelessness there.
Instructions
1. Support The Guest House. As of April 2011, it is the biggest emergency shelter that receives government funding in the city, housing 86 adult men every night. Thirty-eight more men are a part of the organization's transitional housing program at any given time, and this program serves up to 700 men each year. The agency also operates 170 units of permanent housing designed to serve disabled homeless people. You can donate through the United Way or through the organization's website (see References below). If you would rather volunteer, the agency is always looking for people to help throw a birthday party for a homeless person, to line up donations of needed items, or to come in and prepare the evening meal.
2. Help the Hope House of Milwaukee. Like The Guest House, Hope House originally opened to provide a short-term place to stay for people looking to find a warm bed for the night. As of April 2011, Hope House has expanded to connect the homeless with the health care they need, as well as emergency food services, rental and other financial help, and classes for children and families. You can donate through the organization's website (see References below) or fill out a volunteer application to find out the agency's current needs.
3. Make a difference at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. This agency has three different programs: the Safe Harbor, for homeless men; the Joy House, for homeless mothers with children, and the CrossTrainers Academy, a school for at-risk students throughout Milwaukee, serving grades K-5. You can donate to Milwaukee Rescue Mission through the website (see References below), or you can volunteer. As of April 2011, the mission's main volunteer needs include classroom assistants at CrossTrainers Academy, to help teachers facilitate learning. "Volunteer Saturdays" take place on the second Saturday of each month, and up to 100 volunteers can come in to clean the school grounds or get the school ready for upcoming special events. Joy House has volunteer needs for a number of their children's programs.
Tags: April 2011, Hope House, References below, website References, website References below