MONROE - Green County Homeless Prevention Coalition officials say they are making progress toward increasing awareness of homelessness in Green County. And they are transitioning to a new program, Family Promise, to better address the growing problem here.
Family Promise is a nationwide program that helps provide food, shelter and support services for homeless families.
The number of homeless or near homeless families in Green County has risen in recent years.
In 2010, 175 households were either homeless or near-homeless.
From January 1 through March 31, 90 new households were either homeless or close to homeless. Homelessness is defined by the coalition as a household that has received a five-day notice; has been through an eviction process; or one in which someone suffers from a health condition that would prohibit residents from paying for housing.
Income reductions or pending foreclosures also factor in, officials say.
The first official meeting of the Homelessness Prevention Coalition of Green County was in October, 2009.
Family Promise includes the Interfaith Hospitality Network. IHN is a partnership of congregations within a community or county that pool resources to help families who are homeless.
Developing such a program is a key part of the progress the coalition has made, and it hopes to continue moving forward.
Bob Beck, a psychologist at the Monroe Clinic, helped get the ball rolling on the project.
Even though the network is still in development stages, 13 churches are considering hosting homeless families.
Those churches are in Monroe, New Glarus, Monticello and Brodhead, said Beck.
When he started contacting members of the various churches, he said he received positive feedback from them. Most churches, Beck said, have been looking for ways to reach out to the community.
"It's been much easier than I thought it would be," Beck said.
In addition to the 13 churches hosting, between nine and 12 churches are considering supporting the service.
Those churches are unable to host families, but are willing to supply volunteers and donations.
The pediatrics department at the Monroe Clinic also has offered to help support the effort.
For the first meeting of the Interfaith Hospitality Network, over 130 people attended.
"Its really has taken on a lot of energy very quickly," Beck said.
The Coalition received paperwork last week for its incorporation into Family Promise.
However, the coalition is not officially operational until it is granted its 501c3 status. That's expected to happen in three to four months, he said.
"The work to house and provide support for homeless individuals and families will continue with this group, which will combine the new Family Promise and the (Homelessness Prevention) coalition members," said Bridget Mouchon, family living educator at the UW-Extension Green County.
Recently, the coalition hired Janel Keizer as a part-time coordinator to help provide direct service to homeless families.
She will also train and supervise community volunteers.
"I'm an optimist," Beck said. "I'm hoping we are up by fall."
IHN will hold another meeting at 7 p.m., May 12, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 405 East 9th Avenue, Brodhead.
The coalition, as well as IHN, are still looking for volunteers and donations to help Family Promise.
Monroe United Methodist Church, 2227 4th Street, has offered to accept donations for IHN until a permanent office is established, officials said.
Family Promise is a nationwide program that helps provide food, shelter and support services for homeless families.
The number of homeless or near homeless families in Green County has risen in recent years.
In 2010, 175 households were either homeless or near-homeless.
From January 1 through March 31, 90 new households were either homeless or close to homeless. Homelessness is defined by the coalition as a household that has received a five-day notice; has been through an eviction process; or one in which someone suffers from a health condition that would prohibit residents from paying for housing.
Income reductions or pending foreclosures also factor in, officials say.
The first official meeting of the Homelessness Prevention Coalition of Green County was in October, 2009.
Family Promise includes the Interfaith Hospitality Network. IHN is a partnership of congregations within a community or county that pool resources to help families who are homeless.
Developing such a program is a key part of the progress the coalition has made, and it hopes to continue moving forward.
Bob Beck, a psychologist at the Monroe Clinic, helped get the ball rolling on the project.
Even though the network is still in development stages, 13 churches are considering hosting homeless families.
Those churches are in Monroe, New Glarus, Monticello and Brodhead, said Beck.
When he started contacting members of the various churches, he said he received positive feedback from them. Most churches, Beck said, have been looking for ways to reach out to the community.
"It's been much easier than I thought it would be," Beck said.
In addition to the 13 churches hosting, between nine and 12 churches are considering supporting the service.
Those churches are unable to host families, but are willing to supply volunteers and donations.
The pediatrics department at the Monroe Clinic also has offered to help support the effort.
For the first meeting of the Interfaith Hospitality Network, over 130 people attended.
"Its really has taken on a lot of energy very quickly," Beck said.
The Coalition received paperwork last week for its incorporation into Family Promise.
However, the coalition is not officially operational until it is granted its 501c3 status. That's expected to happen in three to four months, he said.
"The work to house and provide support for homeless individuals and families will continue with this group, which will combine the new Family Promise and the (Homelessness Prevention) coalition members," said Bridget Mouchon, family living educator at the UW-Extension Green County.
Recently, the coalition hired Janel Keizer as a part-time coordinator to help provide direct service to homeless families.
She will also train and supervise community volunteers.
"I'm an optimist," Beck said. "I'm hoping we are up by fall."
IHN will hold another meeting at 7 p.m., May 12, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 405 East 9th Avenue, Brodhead.
The coalition, as well as IHN, are still looking for volunteers and donations to help Family Promise.
Monroe United Methodist Church, 2227 4th Street, has offered to accept donations for IHN until a permanent office is established, officials said.