Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Leonette Kochan reflects on the needs of the homeless in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
The city of Manitowoc, like many municipalities across the country, is experiencing a shortage of affordable housing. This is specifically evident for residents in the homeless shelters, e.g., Hope House shelter for families, The Haven, men’s shelter, and the Warming Shelter, overnight accommodations for the homeless during the cold weather months. As residents of these facilities are ready to transition out to self-sufficient living, there is not affordable housing in the city.
To address this problem, the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Manitowoc, with support from other faith denominations in the city have formed a nonprofit called The Neighborhood of Manitowoc Co. Inc. The Neighborhood, with help from donors and grants, has purchased the abandoned McKinley public school in the city and is in the process of renovating it and building affordable apartment units in the facility for Hope House, the Haven and The Warming Shelter residents as they prepare to move beyond these shelters.
A second project underway is to seek a permanent location for the Warming Shelter. Its current location is no longer adequate and it will temporarily be housed for the coming winter in what was previously Sacred Heart Parish facility, which also now houses Lakeshore CAP. The Neighborhood is currently in conversation with the city of Manitowoc zoning councils to find a permanent location. The St. Francis of Assisi Parish office building, soon to be vacated, was not approved by the city for the permanent Warming Shelter. But the city has several other recommended sites for consideration.
The efforts of The Neighborhood are supported by the presence of our Franciscan Sisters attending meetings of the City Planning Committee and City Council as the case is made for continuing to provide zoning permission for these entities on behalf of the homeless.
Currently the City of Manitowoc is undergoing a revision of its zoning structures and is recognizing the voices of those who advocate on behalf of the homeless. The city is committed to continuing to provide locations for these needs, including considering the possibility of tiny houses, as requested by The Neighborhood.
In addition to generous tithing from our Franciscan Congregation to many social service agencies in the Manitowoc area and beyond, our Sisters’ local presence is visible through their service on Boards of Directors of Hope House, The Neighborhood, Incourage (domestic violence shelter), The Crossing (crisis pregnancy center) as well as Sisters continuing to volunteer regularly at Hope House, Habitat for Humanity’s resale store and at Froedtert Holy Family Medical Center. Our Sisters also support various activities sponsored by social service entities. Recently several attended the Manitowoc Cardboard City event sponsored by organizations addressing homelessness.
Sister Michelle Marie Ozuna, Jean Wakefield, Executive Director of Habitat of Humanity and Sister Mardelle Meinholz at the Cardboard City event.
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