Homelessness along Wisconsin’s lakeshore
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (WFRV) – Along Wisconsin's beautiful Lakeshore, homeless people will soon have to come out of hiding when the weather becomes unbearable.
Those who will help them recently endured a night without shelter, hoping to build community support for their efforts.
Jennifer Born Rutten is the executive director for Glacial Lakes Conservancy. After living in larger cities, she was surprised to see the housing struggle in her native Sheboygan County.
"I work at a land trust and we have a large preserve where, during the cold winter months, we found homeless encampments," she told Local 5 News. "We have learned, through the Lakeshore Housing Coalition , how to work with them and approach them, and how to give them hope and talk with them with dignity."
The recent "A Night Without Shelter" event was held at Taylor Park in Sheboygan. Some folks brought tents, others popped into their cars for warmth, and others bundled up at the gazebo with hot chocolate.
It was a chance for people who are concerned to learn from experts who address homelessness and other related issues, from food insecurity to substance abuse.
"I'm sure if you scan the park today, there are a million places where people could be residing, and we're not going to see them," noted Emily Kunde, the housing coalition chair . "There's no real way to tell. We know they exist because our shelters and warming centers fill up. And police officers find them on the streets."
They also help to dispel some myths.
"I don't think people understand that being homeless isn't always a choice," said McKenzie Rubina, a social worker with the Family and Neighbors Together program . "There are certain people who want to live where they choose. But for others, it's a lack of affordable housing. We have people coming out of incarceration and dealing with substance issues. We have veterans coming home."
Jason Stewart was among those camping out. He volunteers with a prison ministry and has seen those who have served their time struggle to find housing once released.
"The fact is, these people need shelter, and it's getting colder quickly."
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It's not easy shining a light on such a problem in such a beautiful community, but those on the front lines say they are optimistic.
"I'm a big believer in uncomfortable conversations," Itzchel Garza of the Lakeshore Community Action Program said, "because those conversations can bring change."
