February 2025 Minutes
Fox Cities Housing Coalition
February 19, 2025
8:00 am
Meeting via Zoom
Minutes
A. Present: Deb Langacker, Connie Raether, Rachel Youngquist, Nhia Ly, Jennie Micke, Heidi Frederickson, Megan Wanke, Leah Deshaney, Kendra Krisher, Kem Esselmann, Cheryl Spindler, Cynthia Whitely, Molly McGregor, Tracie LaRue Moen, Donna Eggert, Richard Dodge, Kim Luke, Katie Van Groll, Lori Jensen, Laurie McCulloch, Claire Hoslet, Cheryl Schefe, Jodell Gagnow, Laura Jackson, Bonnie Nussbaum, Shaundra Wagner, Daniel McGinnis, Amy Flanders, Stacey West, Anne Tretinyak, Kimberly Mehlberg, Wayne Timm, Ivy Casarez, Susan Garcia Franz, Eli Ascher, Breanna Rosik, Jon Pylypyv, Scott Schnurer, Killy Kohl, Cass Robinson, Elizabeth Reyes, Kris Mielke, Megan Zimmerman, Quincy Davidson, Liz Bredberg, Kristin Smet, Breanna Mekuly, Jackie Gonzalez
B. Approval of January 15, 2025 Minutes: Deb moves, Jodell seconds, approval. Motion carries.
C. Treasurer’s Update--Deb Langacker; Invoices were sent out in January. $2025 revenue. No expenditures. Balance of $11,228.31
D. Spotlight – HeadsUp Fox Cities, Jennie Micke: Laura Kuehl is ED. Had a difficult time in foster care and a group home and now leads Heads Up. Serves any youth who have had contact with the foster care system. National statistics: most calls are around housing. Works with youth age 16-24 in Calumet, Outagamie and Winnebago counties. Take referrals from anyone, including self referrals. When they meet with a youth, they do a safety plan and provide them with any needed resources. They assist youth with setting goals and removing barriers to success. Collaborated with Pillars to provide housing at the former Pillars Ascend location. They provide lifeskills training. Can take youth ages 18-24 and unaccompanied 17 year olds in their housing program. Residents get their own bedroom with shared living room and kitchen and bathrooms. Total capacity of 12 in the housing program. Youth must have several barriers to independent housing and those who truly want to participate in the program but have the ability to live without 24/7 staffing. Youth need to be able to be employed within 90 days. Program fees are $325 a month with $25 per month going to a security deposit. They collaborate with many community partners. Grants and donations are their funding sources. Open house April 24th. Let Jennie know if you’d like an invitation.
E. By-laws--Rachel Youngquist:
a. Need changes due to request by BoS.
b. Vote will be March meeting
F. Report to the Community Event Planning Work Group; Kim Mehlberg, Jon Pylypyv, Cynthia Whitely, Leah DeShaney willing to serve. Ideas for speakers: Ryan Dowd, Kevin Adler (Jodell has his contact info), someone from AARP or Townmakers: Charles Marohn, Jr. and Daniel Herriges from StrongTowns
Suggestion: Maybe a survey of all members can be sent to see what the members believe would be the most beneficial for all members and the community. Bonnie Nussbaum to Everyone 8:50 AM
Charles Marohn, Jr. and Daniel Herriges from StrongTowns.
Gotta run; I have a client. Thanks, All!
G. Committee Updates
a. Affordable Housing--Susan Garcia Franz: Bonnie Nussbaum presented info on the Zion project and the Townmakers strong towns initiative. Still presenting at community groups. March 3rd advocacy training at 1st United Methodist in Appleton, 10 a.m. with a live streaming option.
b. DEI--Tracie La Rue Moen: Met in February talking about challenges happening around DEI work, Point in Time survey, connecting with World Relief, and about a possible survey around agencies that might be affected by funding issues.
c. Increasing non employment income: Creating reports through Clarity.
H. Faith Based Housing Summit: Putting together a document to share with the Housing Coalition. The affordable housing subcommittee is working on the legislative issues around housing.
I. Update on New Projects; for information to help clients, send them to Pillars and Pillars will help them find resources
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (200 N. commercial, Neenah) is opening a day shelter in Neenah from 8:30-4:30 Monday through Saturday when temp is below 10 degrees. Community lunch held on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Looking for volunteers.
St. Joe’s (404 W. Lawrence, Appleton) had 35 guests for their “all night meditation.” Will be open through Feb. 21st possibly longer depending on weather. Also looking for volunteers. They have a grab and go and a hot meal on Tuesday afternoons. This is “under the radar” due to various concerns.
Other Business;
· Sent out a survey on meeting more frequently in person, will discuss in March: Link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4jByjCnVBViZ0y6EXoXyzb7UXd6pRBXcxPoVBbfpW2Bfb2Q/viewform?usp=sharing
· Youth vouchers available through Appleton Housing
· Fox Valley Veteran’s Council event March 7th. More info on their website. https://www.foxvalleyveterans.org/ball
· Kristi Clover’s new email is kristiclover@gmail.com
· Hold the Date for Tuesday, March 18, for another listening session at the library to advocate for some Comprehensive Plan and land use map changes that will allow for a wider variety of housing stock being built.
J. Adjourn; Connie moves, Susan seconds. Motion carried.
Recording:
Passcode: 7d*5HSgu