Monthly Update:
March 2017 Newsletter
Newsletter Overview:

Our Shelter Season Overview

What is the Micah Center?

Shelter Needs 

Volunteer Spotlight: Bonnie Lutzow

Thank you for your support of St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter and The Micah Center!

Whether you are looking to donate gently used items, financially support the programs, attend an upcoming shelter-sponsored event or bring St. John’s into the greater Green Bay community, the information is available to you here on the site. We look forward to connecting with you to further the mission of providing dignity and respect to every individual that calls Green Bay home.
Our Shelter Season Overview

The 2016-2017 St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter season has been a busy and productive year for our guests, staff and volunteers with an occupancy rate of 107%. There have been successes, celebrations and unfortunately devastating losses within our St. John’s family.  Through all of the daily and nightly activity, all involved have come together, have supported each other and provided those in need with a sense of love and community.  Due to high numbers throughout each month, shelter nights have brought a need for utilizing our generous overflow partners throughout the city.  We have seen staggering numbers through the frigid months, and have utilized overflow locations on 83% of our nights of operation. While our building capacity is 84 guests a night, our nightly average this season is 89 guests per evening. We are grateful to our various overflow partners who graciously offer us their space and support our ministry: St. Willebrord Parish, St. Norbert College’s Knight Owl Café, First United Methodist Church and St. John the Evangelist Parish.  

Busy shelter life brings so many opportunities to help the guests at St. John’s succeed.  From volunteers to staff, shelter season has run smoothly due to the outpouring of individuals present and eager to provide for our community.  Specifically, the ministry team has been present throughout shelter season at times of need and has been very generous with their time and prayer and a true staple of support throughout the 16-17 season.  Outreach Health Care continues to spread their expertise and assist our guests in basic health care needs and mental health stability. Many other providers also come on site weekly to support our guests in moving forward.

Each and every night, the shelter is truly filled with love, laughter and support.  We have been fortunate to have live music a couple times a month, healthy meals provided, popcorn and movie nights, haircuts given by Father Phil and many other wonderful surprises.  Our guests have been working so hard with Case Management to maintain employment, budget funds and actively search for housing.  Many guests have worked hard by focusing on their sobriety and meeting goals to say sober each week.  The overall feel of shelter life is positive and inspiring and such an important piece to providing for the homeless individuals throughout Green Bay.  

What is the Micah Center?

As you walk through the halls at the Micah Center, you can piece together various parts of conversations that are currently occurring. The buzz is evident as words like Interview, Apartment, Job, and Hope echo out of rooms. A few months ago, the leadership team began using a new word in conversation at the Micah. DREAM. We want the guests who step foot inside Micah to view it as a Dream Factory. Along with envisioning a Dream Center when developing programs and workshops, we changed our language in how we approach this in conversation with guests. 

ENCOURAGE: Whether guests are looking to utilize their talents in the art room or music room or watch a motivational talk and movie in the TV area, we want to come alongside guests and encourage them, through organic relationship, that change and dreams are possible. 

EQUIP: Our computer lab, education lab, case management staff and resource workshops focused on a variety of topics geared at self-sufficiency help to equip our guests with the tools and resources necessary to take action steps towards their measurable goals. 

EMPOWER: Services and workshops geared at treating the whole person, including medical care, mental health, AODA treatment services, and trauma empower guests to find healing and hope in their journey.  

We encourage you to stop down and donate your time as we work together to provide wraparound support in helping guests move towards their dreams. If you’d like a tour of the Micah Center, stop down any time during regular business hours.   

Dalton stands in front of the Employment Board where his name was recently added after securing employment in construction.
Leon and Faustin proudly standing in front of the apartment tracking bulletin board.
Shelter Needs

With the shelter closing at the end of April, we are starting to prepare for the summer months. The Micah Center will continue to operate Monday through Friday and the Shelter will be open on Tuesdays for past guests to access services. Some current needs and future upcoming needs include: cough drops, insect repellent, sunscreen, 30-45 gallon garbage bags, napkins, and snack items. Again, our complete wish list can be viewed on our website here.

Interested in joining the Financial Development Committee? Email Alexia at awood@sjehs.org for more information. 
Volunteer Spotlight: Bonnie Lutzow

"I began volunteering @ SJEHS in 2009 after hearing on the news that Father Blair opened the school’s gym floor to allow homeless men to sleep for the night. I remember thinking how awful the men must have felt knowing they weren’t welcome at the other homeless shelter in town. I was so impressed with Father Blair’s desire to help even though it meant he might be jailed for this & I knew right then that I needed to be involved in this mission.

"I was an evening Hospitality volunteer for 5 years; serving supper, putting out snacks, making coffee, doing dishes, sorting clothing donations, filling guest requests and interacting with the guests. When I was approached to consider being on staff, I was told that I’d have a lot more interaction with the guests & I knew this was my chance to be more involved in their lives. Any problem I think I have in my life, pales when compared to what our guests have been through. God blessed me with the desire to nurture & help care for those less fortunate than me and I’m honored to serve our guests whom I honestly consider to be my family. I AM ST. JOHNS. (Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. ~ Matthew 25:40)"

For more information about volunteering, click here!

Are you aware of any local landlords with affordable units available? If so, please contact Eugene Smalls at esmallsjr@sjehs.org . We have many individuals enrolled in our Rapid Rehousing program who are actively looking for 1 or 2 bedroom units. Individuals receive ongoing case management services and support throughout their time in the program. In exchange, St. John's covers the Security Deposit and assists with monthly rent while providing ongoing support and mediation with the landlord.