FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2022
Contact: Steve Schauer
(920) 471-9896 | sschauer@stjohnsgreenbay.org
St. John’s receives first-time grant from Otto Bremer Trust
Funds support general operating costs associated with forward movement towards housing, employment for over 1,000 annual visitors
GREEN BAY, Wis. — St. John’s Ministries applied for and received a $50,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Trust of St. Paul, Minnesota for general operations support throughout its organization. The funds will support shelter services, basic needs fulfillment, forward-movement workshops and programming at the Micah Center and Wellspring, guest transportation, and continue to allow St. John’s Ministries to serve guests with the dignity they deserve.
“The entire grant process with the Otto Bremer Trust (OTB) has been wonderful, from start to finish,” said Tony Schneider, community engagement specialist. “The support from OTB, and their interest in our services and community has been excellent. It is reassuring to know there is so much support, even a state away, for our brothers and sisters experiencing homelessness right here in Green Bay.”
The 2021-22 emergency shelter season was the busiest St. John’s has ever seen. A total of 564 guests were provided shelter and an average of 115 guests were served each night. With the current housing crisis in the community, St. John’s is expecting to see similar numbers in the coming season beginning on November 1, 2022.
When its seasonal emergency shelter of last resort is closed many guests continue receiving forward-moving services at the Micah Center and Wellspring. Guests are required to attend at least six workshops each week to remain eligible for services at any of St. John’s locations. Exceptions are made by case managers for guests employed during daytime hours, guests moving forward in other ways and guests with mental health concerns.
Workshops and services offered are based on the needs of the whole, and often present opportunities for community members and partners to offer outside services otherwise not available due to transportation barriers often faced by guests.
Workshops and services include, but are not limited to: The Joseph Project, Positive Choices, Goal Setting, Resource Management, Communication Goals, Financial Wellness, TedTalks, Employment and Housing Assistance, Relationship Building, Healthcare Services, Mental Health and AODA, Alcoholics Anonymous, Recovery Support, Haircuts, Circles of Support and Art Therapy.
Support for guests does not end when they have secured housing of their own. Once a guest no longer needs services, they can choose to participate in St. John’s Ministries’ aftercare program. This program sees a guest become housed, and have a direct connection with their case managers for follow-up visits 30, 60 and 90 days after becoming housed to ensure forward-moving progress is still taking place.
About St. John’s Ministries:
St. John’s Ministries’ mission is to honor the dignity, restore hope and create lasting change for those experiencing homelessness or housing instability in the greater Green Bay community. At St. John’s Ministries, we believe that each person is unique, with the same inherent worth as the day they were born. We meet each of our guests right where they’re at and walk alongside them on their journey. Our vision is that through a spirit of familiarity, rapport and trust, each person will leave better than they came. Services are provided across four locations. At our two seasonal emergency shelters of last resort, we provide adults experiencing homelessness with a safe place to sleep during the harsh winter months. At the Micah Center and Wellspring, our two daytime resource centers, we equip adults experiencing homelessness – as well as community members at-risk – with the tools to achieve self-sufficiency. StJohnsGreenBay.org
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