“I’m a Dad. I’m a Survivor. I Love to Meet New People” says one image signed “Jason.” The “See Me” campaign from St. John’s Homeless Shelter, The Micah Center and Wellspring aims to raise awareness about people experiencing or at-risk for homelessness in the greater Green Bay area. Each image represents someone served at one of St. John’s three programs.
“The guests who come to St. John’s are so much more than a singular identity of ‘homeless.’ Each person is someone’s son or daughter, each person has hopes, dreams and qualities that make them unique,” says Alexa Priddy, St. John’s Director of Community Engagement.
Homelessness is an issue far too many people face in Green Bay, but many others don’t know about. The City of Green Bay has partnered with St. John’s to raise awareness about homelessness in the Green Bay community. “We hope families will come downtown to events, look for the sidewalk images and connect with the stories and the people,” says Laura Schley, Public Arts Coordinator.
In the 2018-2019 season at St. John’s Homeless Shelter (Nov. 1 – April 30), 445 individuals were served, and 14,473 nights of shelter provided. St. John’s two daytime drop-in centers, The Micah Center and Wellspring for women, collectively saw over 1,000 individuals walk through their doors this past year.
Priddy says, “We want to inspire everyone to be involved in some way, large or small, whether it is through volunteering or donating, doing a donation drive or service project, or attending one of our events. Some of the most creative involvement comes from children who have mowed lawns and hosted lemonade stands. A community issue like homelessness requires a community solution like this.”
On Thursday, July 25, at 9 a.m. Mayor Genrich and St. John’s Executive Director Alexia Wood will unveil the “See Me” campaign in front of City Hall and media is invited to attend. The “See Me” sidewalk images will remain installed on city sidewalks through the remainder of the summer. People interested in learning more should visit www.iamstjohns.org or stop by one of St. John’s three locations at St. John’s Homeless Shelter, The Micah Center or Wellspring.
For further information, contact Alexa Priddy, Director of Community Engagement, St. John the Evangelist Homeless Shelter, Inc. at 920-617-8700 ext.117 / apriddy@sjehs.org , or Public Arts Coordinator, Laura Schley at 920-448-3142 or laurasc@greenbaywi.gov.
