By Heather Graves
Correspondent
GREEN BAY – A non-profit organization committed to providing a safe and supportive place where young women can learn to become independent, successful parents, can now help even more families thanks to a $3.6 million reconstruction project.
House of Hope of Green Bay hosted an open house, June 13, capping off a nine-month construction endeavor that doubled the shelter’s capacity, alleviated cramped quarters and helped tackle the growing waiting list.
“House of Hope has been a beacon of hope for pregnant or parenting young adults who are homeless and have no other options,” said Director Shannon Wienandt. “House of Hope provides the safe and nurturing environment needed for those we serve to grow into strong and resourceful individuals who are capable of handling the rigors of parenting, household management and employment.”
House of Hope, located at 1660 Christina St., opened its doors in 2000 after a group of health care providers from three area hospitals saw the need.
“Since its inception, House of Hope Green Bay has grown into a strong organization addressing a growing community need,” Wienandt said.
The expansion couldn’t have come at a better time. Over the past five years, House of Hope has had a consistent waiting list averaging 15 to 20 moms.
“This means that over that period as many as 600 moms and children could not be assured a safe place to call home by House of Hope,” Wienandt said.
As the number of unserved families grew, the House of Hope board knew something needed to be done.
“The House of Hope board became committed to developing a plan that would allow House of Hope to serve the growing number of families needing its support,” Wienandt said. “What emerged was an exciting and comprehensive plan to move the organization to a new and necessary level of service to the community.”
The property adjacent to House of Hope became available for purchase and from there things took off.
The property was previously used as a nursing home so the layout was conducive for the needs of the House of Hope residents.
Wienandt said House of Hope is more than just a place to sleep.
The shelter is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Staff work side-by-side with young moms teaching them basic life skills including meal planning, career readiness, budgeting, time management, health and hygiene, positive parenting as well as others.
On top of all that, House of Hope also provides an on-site GED program complete with tutoring, childcare, transportation to the exam site and funding for tests.
Residents are required to participate in an intensive case management program to identify their individual needs and goals related to parenting, formal education, employment and housing stability during their stay.
The help doesn’t stop once residents leave the shelter. Staff is committed to helping these families succeed.
“The Housing Stability Program offers financial assistance based upon need, to help families with children experiencing homelessness move into their own apartment,” Wienandt said. “Assistance in the form of rent, utilities, household items, clothing, diapers and food is provided in combination with supportive services and programming until clients are stable and self-sufficient.”
Wienandt said past program participants can return for programs and services, or simply to have a positive support system.
“The young mothers at House of Hope have the opportunity to participate in programming while at the emergency shelter, or in the housing stability program, to help them address some specific deficiencies they have identified or strengths upon which they would like to build,” Wienandt said.
Programming is developed based upon individual needs and opportunities.
House of Hope collaborates with and utilizes available community resources to provide specific assistance to residents and past residents including physicals, vaccinations, parenting course, mock interviews and career coaching, yoga, computer classes, counseling services and health education.
In addition, House of Hope staff and volunteers provide transportation to various community resources such as dental and health care providers, educational institutions and spiritual services.
Wienandt said the majority of people who live at House of Hope are children under the age of five.
“The impact this program can make in their lives is fundamentally crucial to their growth, health and well-being,” she said. “House of Hope can only do this work because our community is so supportive.”
For more information on House of Hope or ways to help visit, houseofhopegb.org.