Continuum of Care and Point In Time - Community Outreach

Twice a year, once in January and the other in July, on the 4th Wednesday of these months, is a census type thing where we go in search of those who are homeless for what ever reason, and try to get as much information as possible.  I've been participating the last 4 years, and have participated 5 times, the last two, being a team leader...  I've met many interesting people who I've ridden/driven with, being that we go in teams of about 4 people.  These two nights, from about 10pm-3am, are the points in time we do the count, and that's why it's called Point In Time, and gets used to gather numbers for the city/county, state, and national counts to go into the official census.

This is all part of what is called the Continuum of Care, to ensure that those who need help get what they need, whether it's shelter, food, counseling, or anything else.  For those of you who know, Racine's Hospitality Center, run by Rev. Kevin Stewart, was in danger of closing it's doors earlier this month.  With the new funding, they are able to continue to stay open for the remainder of the winter, with other plans for the future, to have a 24/7 location and program for those who are homeless, but are not qualified to stay at the Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization (HALO).  There are a number of reasons why people don't qualify for HALO, such as alcohol use, undiagnosed/uncontrolled mental illness, drug addiction, and more.  It has to be, for the fact that even though the men's and women's sections, while separate, are still in the same building, especially since many of the women have their children with them.  This is where the Hospitality Center comes in, to help with those who are in limbo even with a homeless shelter in town.

We did not find anyone last night with our Point in Time search.  This probably means that A) all of the other programs are doing an awesome job, or, B) people are more generous in the winter and taking in people.  But, this doesn't mean that this is 100% effective.  There is always that margin of error.  So, my fellow social media groupies, I would like for you to help me out on this, and try to help the homeless situation.

For the Racine/Kenosha area, here are places who can help with finding emergency shelter, for single people, those with children, or for kids who are runaways or otherwise displaced in many of these situations.

Just remember, when there is other crises, such as domestic violence and/or sex abuse, the homeless situation is compounded, and no, it isn't that easy to "just leave".  Racine still has a high level of poverty, despite the fact that the unemployment numbers have gone down.  Because so many are still underemployed, or their pay is so low, the poverty level is still just as bad, or maybe even worse, because of the lack of funds.  To have both issues of violence and poverty, it is even more difficult than ever, to be able to escape.  I am so very thankful to the Women's Resource Center is here - for those who need emergency shelter for domestic violence issues - 262-633-3233.

Housing:
Housing Authority of Racine County - 262-636-3405

ResCare (for those with eviction looming, minor child(ren), significant loss of income, etc) - 262-637-9774

Energy Services (utility assistance including energy and possibly water) - 262-633-6000

Shelter:
HALO (permanent homeless shelter) - 262-633-3235

Women's Resource Center (for those victimized by domestic violence & sex assault) - 262-633-3233
                                       (Western Racine County) 262-763-6226 x113

Love and Charity (for those over 40) - 262-634-7059

Safe Haven (Youth shelter) - 262-637-9557

Inn Program (Kenosha) - 262-658-1713

Women's Horizons (Kenosha DV shelter) - 262- 652-9900

Hospitality Center (hospitality w/o agenda) - 414-405-4519

Bethany Apartments (affordable transitional housing with support for those exiting abuse shelters) 262-633-9446

Transitional Living Center (Burlington - temporary shelter & necessities to teach independent living skills) 262-767-1478

Center for Veterans' Issues (supportive housing and services for Vets) 262-633-3235

Medical and Counseling Support:
Center for Veterans' Issues (support and counseling for Vets) 262-633-3235

HOPES Center (counseling and case management for Racine's poor and mentally ill) 262-898-2940

Health Care Network (free or low cost health care including dental for those with limited income) 262-633-2400

Racine County Human Services (workforce development to apply for medicaid and foodshare) 262-638-6353

Med Advocates (discount prescriptions) 800-273-1842

St. Mary's Charity Program 262-687-4011

Women's Resource Center (support/counseling after DV) 262-633-3233

Legal, Vocational, and other:
Legal Action of Wisconsin (nonprofit legal service for low income in Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties for those needing help by other services listed above) 262-635-8836

Racine Vocational Ministry (employment assistance) 262-633-8660

United Way of Racine County (community encompassing program for education, income, and health of residents) 262-898-2240

Food Pantries:
Emmanuel Lutheran Church - 725 High Street - Racine, WI - Tu/Wed/Thurs - 9:30-11:15am - 262-633-4949

Harvest Outreach, Inc - 2000 W. 6th St. Racine, WI - Mon thru Fri 9:30-11:30am & Tue 1:30-3:30 - 262-632-6288

Holy Communion Lutheran Church - 2000 W. 6th St. - Racine, WI - Mon & Fri 1-3pm and Tue 5-7pm (except 1st Tue of month) 262-632-8802

Midtown Church of Christ - 1705 13th St. - Racine, WI - Wed & Thurs 1-3pm - 262-637-9133

Northside Food Pantry - 3825 Erie St. - Racine, WI - Tues & Thurs 2-4pm - 262-639-2441

Racine Northside Catholic Pantry (St. Vincent) - 926 LaSalle St. - Racine, WI - Tue 1-3pm, Wed 9:30-11:30am - 262-633-2243

Second Missionary Baptist Church - 1250 Lathrop Ave. - Racine, WI - Mon & Tue 6-8pm - 262-633-6180

Wayman AME Church - 424 N. Memorial Dr. - Racine, WI - Tue & Thur 11am-1pm - 262-632-1650

Meal Sites:Sundays - Our Savior's Lutheran - 5-6pm - 2219 Washington Ave. Racine, WI 262-633-2243

Mondays - Our Savior's Lutheran - 5:30-6:30pm - 2219 Washington Ave.  Racine, WI 262-633-2243

Tuesdays - St. Vincent's (Head Start) - 5:30-6:15pm - 1020 Grand Ave. Racine -

Wednesdays - Zoe Outreach Ministries - 4:30-5:30pm - 2130 Racine St. Mt. Pleasant - 262-619-3027

Thursdays - St. Patrick's Church - 5:30-6:15pm - 1100 Erie St. Racine - 262-632-8808

Thursdays - All Nations' Church - 5:30-6:30pm - 1502 W. 6th St. Racine

Fridays - Greater Grace Temple - 5:30-6:30pm - 522 N. Memorial Dr. Racine - 262-634-6246

Saturdays - First United Methodist - Sack Lunch - 12pm (noon) - 745 Main St. Racine - 262-633-7632


I hope this is helpful, and if you meet anyone who needs this info, please help with a print out with this info on it.  I do have some printed forms for those who want it.  Thank you for helping.  Feel free to email me, lika.yvi@gmail.com for more info, if you need.