Greetings!
Too often, families and neighbors in our communities are just getting by paycheck to paycheck. They’re working hard, paying the bills, and barely making ends meet when an unexpected expense – a car repair, medical bill, broken furnace, or hike in the cost of gas or groceries – throws the family into crisis.
On average, one-third of households in Western Wisconsin are either living in poverty or qualify as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). ALICE households earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but not enough to afford basic necessities. Yet these workers perform jobs that are critical to the functioning of our local communities – educating our children, keeping us healthy, and making our quality of life possible.
When funds run short, ALICE households are forced to make impossible choices, such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent, filling a prescription or fixing the car. These short-term decisions have long-term consequences not only for ALICE families, but for all of us.
That’s why we launched the John Coughlin Hope Fund to provide funding to individuals and families with verifiable emergency needs when other services are unavailable. The John Coughlin Hope Fund can provide emergency food, shelter, utilities, health/medical care, and other basic necessities for struggling families and individuals in Western Wisconsin.
The John Coughlin Hope Fund is named in honor of United Way St. Croix Valley’s longtime executive director who passed away in 2015 after over 20 years of service to United Way and the St. Croix Valley. As John's widow, Mary Beth, shared, "John would have been proud to have the Hope Fund named in his honor. He realized that unexpected events could find people in need of an extra helping hand. John was a compassionate, 'get things done' kind of person, and when he saw a need, he jumped right in to find ways to meet it."
John was a dedicated leader and tremendous role model for service to the St. Croix Valley. “Although I didn’t have the privilege of knowing John, I do know the dedication he had to the community and the impact he made for countless individuals. He is an inspiration to me and so many others,” said current United Way Executive Director, Lisa Murphy, “The Hope Fund seems like a perfect fit for honoring John’s commitment to our neighbors throughout Western Wisconsin.”
We need your help in building the John Coughlin Hope Fund to serve even more struggling families and individuals right here in Western Wisconsin. Any amount, big or small, can make all the difference for people in our community who need our help. Together, we can make a real impact in the lives of our neighbors in need!
