Chippewa Valley Street Ministry notes May 11, 2025
We're serving more people than a few months ago, and we expect that number to grow. At least 4 people left the area for employment, and we hope they find some stability and success. Other people are employed locally and are working to try and get into housing. And still others are just trying to survive with whatever resources they have and can find. While many of us are enjoying the warmer, summer-like weather, our brothers and sisters need to be cognizant of water sources and heat-related injuries.
A man resting during an early Spring day.
We met a woman who is pregnant with twins. She is desperately looking for housing or someplace to stay long-term. We've provided some comfortable shoes and clothing for her and listened to her concerns. We saw her a few times while being out, and didn't see her last Thursday, we're hoping that's a good sign.
We continue to watch and ask for updates regarding the local shelter and what their status is as far as needing to decrease services relating to funding. The guests who stay there will face even more challenges if they are displaced each night. We are willing to support our guests however we can, but we are financially unable to support the needs of tents and sleeping bags if those items are confiscated by authorities for ordinance violations such as camping on city property. We are in need of other items and those will be reflected on our needs list. Many of our guests are highly anxious about the possibility of not being able to stay at the shelter at night; some have been victimized and feel more vulnerable outside of the shelter, some don't have the physical ability to be outside night after night due to chronic illnesses, mobility, etc.
A man is trying to get some sleep.
Sleep is one resource that cannot be provided by any organization, but is often the most needed resource.
Not all women celebrate Mother's Day. As I write this on Mother's Day, my thoughts turn to the women who are mothers on the street that we serve: were they able or welcome to contact their mothers or their children? Do the people we serve reach out to their mothers on this day? Is this holiday like so many others, and is "just another day" to survive? We don't often have time to delve into family relationships while we're out, and sometimes, that might be best to avoid triggering any traumas or starting a conversation that can't be finished. The people who provide services become a family to our brothers and sisters, and perhaps, for now, that's enough.
Thank you for your support and interest in the street ministry. Please review our current needs list, and if you are able to assist, please do so. As a reminder, we are a 24/7 all-volunteer service that operates only on the donations we receive. Our donations have decreased, and we're asking for some help.
Blessings to All,
CVSM staff
