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Announcement:
With the continually updating information about COVID-19, we are trying to take every precaution to protect our clients, staff, and community members. We are committed to serving those in need in our community, even while this pandemic is going on. So to respect everyone’s precautions and still effectively serve, we are limiting our office hours and we are utilizing a video conference platform called Doxy.me to meet with clients and colleagues. Limited in-person meetings will be available. Please call the office or send us an email for more information about scheduling an in-person or video meeting. In addition, we are not currently accepting furniture donations at this time. We are still accepting donations of toiletries, cleaning products, and paper products. I wish everyone good health! Kristy  We have a PACKERS quilt this year!
This incredibly detailedquilt is a king/queen size and includes the names of Packers players on individual footballs. If you look closely, you can see that the stitching is in the shape of Aaron Rogers, complete with the “12” on the shoulder. Made and donated by Carolyn Behrens. The drawing for the quilt will take place at the Bethel House Spring Luncheon on April 15th (you don’t need to be present to win). Tickets are available through Bethel House Board Members or at the Congregational Church at 133 S. Franklin Street. For more information call Nikole, Bethel House Nonprofit Intern, at 262-473-2715. Tickets are twelve for $10, six for $5, or $1each.  Join us at the beautiful Staller Winery on November 9th as we celebrate 25 years of serving local families!
The talented Tyler Sailsbery will be creating a five-course fall-inspired farm to table menu that pairs with locally made wines from Staller Winery. Update: We are sold out of spots! Thank you everyone for the overwhelming amount of interest in this event! This year’s quilt is called “Meet Me in Paris.” This romantic quilt is a queen size and features beautiful spring floral fabrics. Made and donated by Beverly Jeka of Fort Atkinson. The drawing for the quilt will take place at the Bethel House Spring Luncheon on April 9th. Tickets are available through Bethel House Board Members or at the Congregational Church at 133 S. Franklin Street. For more information call 262-473-2715. Tickets are twelve for $10, six for $5, or $1 each.  Food and Wine Fundraising DinnerSaturday, November 10, 2018 |
Wines by | All wines at this family-owned winery are made on site from cold hardy grape varieties. These wines range from dry oak-aged reds to sweet whites, as well as Port and Ice Wine. Owners Joe and Wendy Staller have earned many awards, including SE Wisconsin's #1 Winery and the Indiana International Wine Competition at Purdue University. | Dinner by | Chef Tyler Sailsbery is passionate about real food and where that food comes from. In his quest to educate and encourage local farm to table seasonal eating habits he has published numerous recipes, taught various classes, and appeared on the Food Network and Wisconsin Foodie. He owns two Whitewater restaurants, The Black Sheep and Casual Joes. Much of his culinary passion and inspiration come from being raised on a farm and eating simple natural foods. |
Registration is available HERE!
"Helping Families in the Heartland" was the theme of the Bethel House float in Whitewater’s Fourth of July parade this year, and the float won First Prize in the Neighborhood and Adult Category.
Bethel House helps families through its seven private housing units where families can live for up to one year while working on the issues that led to their homelessness. We also aid far more families who are on the brink of homelessness by providing financial support to help them get through a rough spot and remain housed. The following accounts are for three of the 17 families aided with financial support in the last three months.
Bethel House helps families through its seven private housing units where families can live for up to one year while working on the issues that led to their homelessness. We also aid far more families who are on the brink of homelessness by providing financial support to help them get through a rough spot and remain housed. The following accounts are for three of the 17 families aided with financial support in the last three months.
- A single mom with one small child got behind on rent after her car broke down and she struggled getting to work. Bethel House helped her with $240 to get caught up and avoid eviction.
- A single mom with one child was homeless for several months and was staying at motels and on friend’s couches. She found an apartment but couldn’t come up with the entire first month’s rent and security deposit. Bethel House helped with $250 towards the first month’s rent and she was able to move in.
- A single dad of two children got a disconnection notice for his electricity after he lost his job. He got a new job and Bethel House helped with $140 towards his electric bill so he could arrange a payment arrangement for the balance.
Digital Stories from Former Clients
If you were to be asked: "What does a homeless person look like?" what would be the first image the pops into your head? It probably would not be an individual who lost his job and then his house, or a college graduate. In reality, people who have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives are more like the rest of us than you would think.
In order to help the public get a better idea of the families that Bethel House serves, former clients were invited to tell any story they wanted about the time they were homeless, and Bethel House would work with them on producing a digital story. These digital stories combine a spoken narrative with photos, video, and a soundtrack. No recognizable images of any family member would appear in the digital story. The first story, Recovering from the Recession, is above.
In order to help the public get a better idea of the families that Bethel House serves, former clients were invited to tell any story they wanted about the time they were homeless, and Bethel House would work with them on producing a digital story. These digital stories combine a spoken narrative with photos, video, and a soundtrack. No recognizable images of any family member would appear in the digital story. The first story, Recovering from the Recession, is above.
Bethel House Developing Financial Management Materials
One of the most effective parts of the Bethel House case management program for families who are staying in one of the transitional housing units is a financial management program, in which families learn to pay off debt and begin saving. We currently utilize Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Curriculum. Although useful, it is not aimed at struggling working-class families, and does not address issues such as the dangers of payday lenders that are applicable to the families Bethel House serves.
For that reason, we decided to develop our own curriculum. We have received financial support from the Pillar Grant program of the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties. An advisory committee has been formed, with representatives from local financial institutions, Community Action, a community credit counseling agency, and UW-Whitewater.
The Advisory Committee will assist Dr. Jim Winship, Bethel House Vice-President, and Kristy Weinberg, Bethel House Executive Director, in developing the materials. These materials will be used by Bethel House with its housed clients, in a six-week class Bethel House offers to the general public through its Rebuild Program, and will be made available free of charge to other non-profit organizations.
For that reason, we decided to develop our own curriculum. We have received financial support from the Pillar Grant program of the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties. An advisory committee has been formed, with representatives from local financial institutions, Community Action, a community credit counseling agency, and UW-Whitewater.
The Advisory Committee will assist Dr. Jim Winship, Bethel House Vice-President, and Kristy Weinberg, Bethel House Executive Director, in developing the materials. These materials will be used by Bethel House with its housed clients, in a six-week class Bethel House offers to the general public through its Rebuild Program, and will be made available free of charge to other non-profit organizations.
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