PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An emergency homeless shelter will open this winter in downtown Appleton, serving as a haven during extreme weather for those who can’t stay at other local shelters.
The Providence Promise shelter will be located at 314 N. Appleton Street, a block north of the Appleton Public Library. The Mission Church currently occupies the building, but is selling it to Providence Promise as the church moves to a new location.
The Appleton Common Council unanimously approved the permit for the shelter Wednesday night.
Ministry started out of St. Joseph Parish two winters ago
Parishioners at St. Joseph welcomed the homeless in Appleton to stay there during extreme cold two winters ago. Last year, it purchased motel rooms during cold spells to protect them.
“We didn’t want people to freeze to death,” said Steve Wuerger, president of Providence Promise. “As good Christians, we have to do more than just come to church every week and pray and believe in God. We have to walk the walk.”
The ministry expanded beyond St. Joseph and sought a permanent location, eventually finding the building just north of College Avenue in December.
Homelessness rising in the Fox Cities
According to a report from the Appleton Public Health Department, 169 individuals were homeless in summer 2025 — up fourfold from 2022, when that number was 40.
“There is tremendous need for shelter year-round, but particularly in extreme weather,” said Eliza Cussen, community engagement director for Pillars Appleton, one of the city’s main homeless support organizations.
The Providence Promise shelter will look to collaborate, not compete, with groups like Pillars.
“The important thing for us is going to be that we identify and fill the gaps together and that we’re not duplicating efforts,” said Cussen.
Added Wuerger, “We’re looking at ways to fill the gaps and the needs that exist, and we’ve been working with the city’s public health department to determine what those needs are.”
Shelter can house up to 50 people
The shelter will be open to the homeless in extreme weather situations, or those who aren’t able to get into other homeless shelters due to mental health issues, addiction or criminal records. Individuals will be interviewed prior to admittance and no drugs or alcohol will be allowed in the shelter.
Wuerger also hopes to have a hygiene station open to all homeless members of the community.
“I think it’s important that we treat these people with dignity and respect, because they’ve lost those things for some reason,” said Wuerger. “And if we can provide that to these folks, maybe they’ll start believing in themselves again, and they’ll want to move through the other channels to get them back to self-sufficiency. And if we can do that, that would be fabulous.”
Fundraising about halfway
Providence Promise has raised about 52% of its funds. It hopes to raise $3.25 million for the center. The building cost about $1.7 million, which has been completely raised. The group hopes to renovate the building before opening it as a shelter.
All funds have been raised privately, though Wuerger said it may selectively choose grants to apply for. If all goes to plan, the shelter will open this December.
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