Press release was collaborated on by the five Green Bay shelters.
If you are in need of assistance please visit shelterGB.org. St. John’s two daytime resources centers are also available for those at-risk or who are homeless: Micah Center (920-617-8700) and Wellspring (920-857-9587), which is a female daytime resource center.
GREEN BAY, Wis. — A coalition of Brown County shelters is unveiling a new initiative designed to increase awareness that safe shelter is available in the region before individuals are in an emergency situation. Representatives from five nonprofits are getting the word out that regional shelters have capacity and want to provide rooms, safety, food, and resources to meet all the needs of the multiple demographics hit by homelessness. Participating organizations are St. John’s Ministries, Freedom House Ministries, Golden House, House of Hope and NEW Community Shelter.
Together, these organizations provide a support system for anyone in a crisis situation or experiencing housing instability.
“We have the combined resources to help individuals and families before they are in crisis,” said Terri Refsguard, CEO of NEW Community Shelter. “Additionally, our organizations are prepared to help with specific needs beyond housing instability including employment counseling, addiction counseling, education and more.”
“We want everyone to know that our organizations have capacity and the resources to help and living on the streets is not your only option,” Refsguard said.
Leaders report that housing needs are more critical in the winter months and since the eviction moratorium expired in October, evictions are rising. In addition, the stress of the holiday season can be a tipping point for individuals who are staying with friends or relatives in temporary arrangements. Leaders from the organizations say that being homeless is a temporary situation and does not have to define individuals or a family.
Each of the participating organizations offers shelter and these additional services:
- Freedom House Ministries accepts families.
- Golden House provides safety and support for individuals experiencing domestic violence.
- House of Hope provides emergency shelter for youth and families.
- NEW Community Shelter provides adults from Brown County year-round emergency shelter as well as support and guidance to help solve homeless issues including, but not limited to, alcohol/drug addictions and mental health.
- St. John’s Ministries provides shelter for adult men and women.
The individual organizations have collaborated to provide a streamlined process for anyone seeking shelter. Information is aggregated on one website at shelterGB.org and one hotline at to make it easy for anyone in a crisis situation to get answers with one phone call.
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