OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Homelessness among veterans is a significant part of the overall crisis in the U.S. And, conditions for our veterans here in Northeast Wisconsin is no different.
The Day by Day Warming Shelter in Oshkosh has been open for more than 11 years.
During that time, executive director Molly Yatso Butz tells FOX 11 there’s been a consistent trend in homelessness.
“We serve 20% are veterans so each year we typically serve around 200 people per overnight season, which is Oct. 15 through April 15.”
She says this year’s numbers are running the same. Around 15 veterans are clients at the shelter.
“We find that they are very humble, they are not very pushy with the services that they can receive.”
Yatso Butz says the shelter takes a different approach with veterans, because they have more housing options.
“Understand what’s available to them and we can kind of help manage those resources for them.”
A partnership with DAV Winnebago County Chapter 17 has helped navigate the needs for veterans around Oshkosh.
For example, Chapter 17 member Mike Hert saw there was a need to help homeless veterans get through winter.
The group put together backpacks with supplies.
“We contacted our national headquarters and got these fantastic backpacks and then our auxiliary which supports the chapter got some gift cards for some of the local eating establishments and then the chapter itself filled it up with those warming items that people would need.”
“It does bring such joy and I think they are very proud, proud of what they have done and look for a better future,” said Yatso Butz.
“It can be really tough for a veteran to transition from the military and the civilian world going from a combat zone and then coming home,” said Hert.
Hert tells FOX 11 by giving out the backpacks, he’s come to the realization that the DAV can do more.
“Having a friendly ear to bend that you can talk with, and they get it.”
The long-range mission of Chapter 17 is to enhance relationships with vets. Hert says working with the Day by Day Warming Shelter, is just the kind of collaboration that’s need in the community–to help our veterans in need.
Starting next week the Oshkosh Public Museum is inviting people to the White Christmas Exhibition where you can donate items to benefit homeless veterans at the Day by Day Warming Shelter.
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