EPH in Green Bay is supported by eleven churches, each responsible for an apartment in a quiet neighborhood close to local schools. The apartments are owned by EPH, but churches provide oversight and maintenance for short terms while families are preparing to transition into permanent housing. Most families are headed by a single mother. Families typically have personal and financial problems which are dealt with by social workers from The Salvation Army.
Union is responsible for Upper Luke, an apartment near downtown Green Bay, and for Jubilee House, the first house to offer long-term residency - a year or more. When a client moves into a permanent apartment, our coordinator assesses the condition of the apartment and calls the clean team, which prepares the apartment for the new resident. On the day the new resident moves in a hot meal is provided, along with grocery staples, to get the family started. Our maintenance person works with the tenant to maintain the property, shoveling snow, raking leaves, etc. and to check periodically the smoke detectors, heating and plumbing systems. The coordinator works with The Salvation Army which provides services needed by the tenant: counseling for debt reduction, preparation for GED, job interview preparation, arrangements for child care. The typical length of resiency is two to six months, but there is no set term.
The current Union Advisory Board consists of: Wendy Holland, coordinator; Carolyn Haglund, clean team chair; Duane Howell, maintenance person; Ginny Carpentier, hot meals/staples chair; Nancy Siewert and Jan Neal Board of Directors representatives; Sally Barker, secretary, and Elaine Peterson, committee chairperson.
