Shelter from the Cold
December 29, 2023
This article appears in the November Issue of Reflections and Connections
Many entities have come together to bring about the Holy Family Warming Shelter, which was announced in late September, including government grants, private contributions, and corporate donations.
The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes joined the effort by providing a very generous donation. These funds will help with myriad costs associated with opening, operating, and future renovations of the warming shelter to care for individuals who find themselves unhoused in the Fond du Lac area.
Prior to opening, numerous renovations took place to ensure that the former downtown office building was ready to provide up to 30 individuals a warm, clean place to sleep; hot, nutritious meals; and access to community resources every night from November 15 through April this year. Additional renovations in 2024 will ensure clients have access to on-site showers.
The groups, organizations, and volunteers are what make the warming shelter possible on a day-to-day basis. The Fond du Lac Family YMCA, which is located a few blocks from the new warming shelter location, has agreed to provide access to showers throughout the winter, and local organizations are signing up to offer nightly meals or to purchase items from the shelter’s wish list. Staffing the shelter is also a partnership: St. Vincent de Paul and Holy Family each hired full-time staff people to work together to direct shelter operations year-round. Holy Family has also hired one full time seasonal position for the months when the shelter is in use.
The underlying causes that lead to the need for the shelter are also not going unaddressed. A consortium of community partners are coming together to find solutions to reduce the number of unhoused individuals in the community and make lasting impacts to improve access to housing. Sister Peg Spindler, CSA, who worked with similar populations in Gary for the past 20 years, now brings her expertise to Fond du Lac. “Homelessness is a systemic problem which can only be addressed through systemic solutions. It’s been inspiring to me to see so many individuals and agencies come together to make this a real communal, systemic effort. It’s a privilege to participate.”