GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – While Christmas may bring family and fun for many, not everyone is feeling the Holiday spirit this year.
Kris Olson of NEW Community Shelter said that is the case for many of their homeless residents.
“We do experience some people not feeling the greatest right now because they are in our program, but we do try to make things special.”
Olson said the community helps provide little gifts, but the staff provides the holiday spirit.
Staff will participate in games and fun on Christmas Eve.
Olson said the staff also provides the residents the support to continue improving their situations.
“Staff comes in an we make breakfest for them and we bring our families to make it as festive as we can for them.”
Olson said allowing staff to bring their families gives staff the oppertunity to help out at the shelter, but not have to be away from their families for work.
Olson said it is also eye opening to family members that participate, and she remembers her first Christmas working at the shelter.
“We gave this man some white T-shirts for Christmas and he just stared at them and said he can’t remember the last time he had a new clean white t-shirt.”
Residents at NEW Community Shelter become part of a program with the ultimate goal of getting back in the world on their feet.
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Olsen said the community helps provide little gifts, but the staff provides the holiday spirit.==============================
While Christmas may bring family and fun for many, not everyone is feeling the Holiday spirit this year. Kris Olsen of NEW Community Shelter said that is the case for many of their homeless residents.
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Olsen said the staff is there to provide that Christmas spirit. They do that with games and fun on Christmas Eve, and presents on Christmas day.
