APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Three separate, non-profit groups in the Fox Cities have become one.
That includes the ‘Fox Valley Warming Shelter’, ‘Homeless Connections,’ and the ‘Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities’.
The trio will now carry out their mission under one name, ‘Pillars’.
“Pillars lift up, pillars endure,” explained Joe Mauthe, Pillars executive director.
Mauthe tells FOX 11 with 3 agencies now as one, the new mission is to provide shelter, support, and solutions that address housing needs in the community.
“Shelter is more than a place to put your head down at the end of the day, shelters are a couple of hot meals a day, shower facility, case management services.”
Mauthe said the agency provides 133 beds for adults and families experiencing homelessness each night.
He said that means the agency provide a total of more than 45,000 nights of shelter to people experiencing homelessness in the Fox Cities.
“Through this merger, there are no wrong doors,” said Heidi Dusek, executive director of J.J. Keller Foundation.
Dusek tells FOX 11 each agency had different resources; the collaboration will allow clients to be helped from beginning to end.
“Where they need to go is the question they no longer have to ask.”
For example, a client may start at the adult shelter, move to the family shelter and then find housing in the housing program.
“And they don’t have to tell their stories over and over again,” Dusek said.
Directors say no one will lose their jobs. The merger will also allow for a bigger budget and the agency will be able to provide more case management.
Mauthe said this is about more than homelessness, he said it’s about helping people get back on their feet until they get a home of their own.
The new organization has multiple sites in the Fox Cities:
Pillars Adult Shelter, formerly known as the Fox Valley Warming Shelter, at 1928 W. College Ave. in Appleton.
Pillars Adult & Family Shelter, formerly known as Homeless Connections, at 400 N. Division St. in Appleton.
Pillars, formerly known as Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities, at 605 E. Hancock St. in Appleton. This will be the organization’s primary mailing address.
Ascend, at 990 Apple Blossom Drive in Neenah.
