Nurturing Community Northwoods Homeless Shelters, Inc.

NORTHWOODS HOMELESS SHELTERS, INC. – SERVING A GREAT NEED IN POLK COUNTY

Byline:  Virginia Ormsby

The mission of the Northwoods Homeless Shelters is to provide emergency shelter to homeless families and individuals in Polk County and the surrounding area, provide support and case management while its residents are addressing the issues that caused the homeless situation, and assist them in the process of identifying and moving into affordable, permanent housing.

One of Northwoods’ former residents, a single mom with children, came into Northwoods Homeless Shelters, successfully completed the program, moved into permanent housing (a rental unit), and recently purchased her own home. Of her experience, she states, “I want to be very clear, that being “homeless” is never comfortable; but I feel that our stay was made as comfortable as it could have been. If you are looking for a free ride and handouts without putting in hard work, this is not the place for you. However, if you are willing to put in the work and do what you need to do to help yourself, this place is an amazing blessing and steppingstone.”

Northwoods is a small, local nonprofit, located in Amery, that has worked to reduce homelessness in northwest Wisconsin since 1998 by providing the immediate need of shelter, services and supplies, and case management.

Northwoods serves between 50-60 people per year. While the population served is primarily families with minor children, the shelter also serves seniors and even pets. The emergency shelter is provided free to residents and provides all hygiene products, paper products, cleaning products, diapers, wipes, etc. 

One of the biggest challenges, facing Northwoods Homeless Shelters, is the amount of need in this area. Homelessness in rural areas is not readily visible or apparent to the general population. The organization’s biggest accomplishments are actually its residents’ biggest accomplishments. When they realize they need to change behaviors in order to change outcomes, great things can be accomplished. This can be anything from learning how to budget, to working full-time, to putting a savings plan in place, paying off debt, or taking classes.

Northwoods provides desperately needed services. If you are interested in volunteering to help putting mailings together, organizing storage, cleaning units, working events or fundraisers that we have, please email Northwoods at northwoods@amerytel.net