July 8th, 2008

St. Vincent de Paul of Appleton, Inc. (SVdP) and Fox Valley Warming Shelter Inc. (FVWS) are forming a new partnership to address the increasing needs of the homeless in Appleton.  Board members of both organizations unanimously approved a joint venture to secure a permanent facility to shelter the poorest of the poor, who do not qualify for other types of short-term shelter or housing in the Fox Valley.   

February through April of this year Fox Valley Warming Shelter Inc. operated a temporary safe haven at St. Joseph Catholic Church  for those who, for whatever reason, had no place to spend the night.  During those 83 nights, the agency sheltered 61 different people for a total of 667 serviced nights.  Of those, nine were women; 52 were men.  They included seven veterans, six transients, nine chronic homeless, and 13 with reported mental illness.

The Fox Valley Continuum of Care was established in the early nineties through the efforts of the mayor, police department, Emergency Shelter and Community Outreach Temporary Services (COTS).  It consisted of three levels:  1. a warming shelter, providing a safe place to sleep run by the Salvation Army; 2. Emergency Shelter and COTS, providing living skills to those homeless seeking reentry to productive citizenry; 3. Self-sufficient independent living.  After the previous warming shelter on North Street closed, leaving the Continuum of Care without level one, a group of citizens, realizing the need, reopened the shelter during February through April of this year. 

Accepting all who seek a temporary place to stay, FVWS follows the Gospel of Matthew in which Jesus states “…I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers [and sisters] you did it for me,” (26:40).  FVWS focuses its mission on services and assistance in the context of the furtherance of human dignity, with the primary goal of a safe haven for the night.  FVWS also refers guests to other programs and services.

St. Vincent de Paul of Appleton, Inc. most commonly recognized for the thrift shop that bears the same name, has had a presence in Appleton for close to thirty years.  The thrift shop functions as a fundraising engine for the community by generating funds that are used to fulfill the mission of the society, including but not limited to, providing cash allocations to other area organizations, and helping individuals and families with requests such as rental assistance, energy bill assistance, bus tickets and gas vouchers. 

Both St. Vincent de Paul and Fox Valley Warming Shelter Inc. recognize that the needs of the community can be better met by this collaborative joint venture.  SVdP will help with many of the financial aspects of the shelter along with providing basic necessities such as bedding and hygiene products and other items as needed.   FVWS will help SVdP broaden volunteer opportunities and staff experience, along with providing a possible voucher distribution and donation drop off point.  This venture is an opportunity for both organizations to expand their service to the community. 

SVdP and FVWS officials met with some of the neighbors recently to share their plans and reassure them regarding neighborhood concerns and police support.  Fr. Larry Able of St. Joseph Catholic Parish said guests did not hang around during the day and did not cause any problems.