June 2025 Minutes
Fox Cities Housing Coalition
June 18, 2025
8:30 am
Appleton Area School District Welcome Center
2701 N. Oneida Street -Suite C3
Appleton
Minutes
A. Call to Order
B. Present: Amy Lang, Rachel Youngquist, Connie Raether, Lu Scheer, Shaundra Wagner, Becky Heldt, Kendra Krisher, Tracie LaRue Moen, Kim Luke, Claire Hoslet, Deb Langacker, Susan Garcia Franz, Liz Croley, Betsy Borns, Terry Gottfried, Lisa Strandberg, Molly McGregor, Jodell Gagnow, Adam Hurst, Beth Weiler, Quincy Davidson, Eli Asher, Phillip johnson, Megan Zimmerman, Anna Gerstner, Scarlett Fate, Latasha Hickman, Breanna Rosik, Kim Mehlberg, Hugo Gonzalez, Nicole Hecimovich, Lori Jensen, Megan Santkuyl, Cheryl Spindler, Melanie Haen, Oasis Pacheco, Olivia Galyon, Cheryl Schefe, Lindsey Ross, Laurie McCulloch, Amy Flanders, Kelly Frichner, Lori Jackson, Katie Van Groll, Kim Esselman, Stephanie Van Hulst, Donna Eggert, Leah DeShaney, Jonathan Pylypyv, Jennie Moore, Liz Swecker, Kristine Giornalista, Elizabeth Reyes
C. Approval of May 21, 2025 Minutes: Susan Garcia Franz approves, Laurie McCulloch moves to approve. Motion carries.
D. Treasurer’s Update--Deb Langacker: No deposits, 3 expenses. $11,486.75 balance
E. Coordinated Entry Update--Liz Croley; Attached. Point in Time count coming up on July 23. Need some lunchtime volunteers and one lead for PIT. To house everyone on the CE list would cost over $6 million.
F. Spotlight: Safe Families--Betsy Borns; Started in 2002 in Chicago. Need to wrap services around families who are struggling. Mission to keep families together and kids out of foster care system. Many single moms isolated: NYT study showed the biggest indicator of problems for kids is family isolation. Train volunteers to work with families. Currently about 2000 service hours a month. “Host families” host children (and sometimes with a parent) for respite when parent needs mental health help, SUDS, surgery, jailing of a parent; short term in people’s homes. Also create “family friendships.” Works on building relationships. Each family has a coach and the coach helps the family set goals related to their needs. Also “resource friends” who help with providing resources to families in need. Intake line: (920)561-1515. Website is “iffy” right now so call with referrals or for more info. Hard to help kids with severe behavioral issues or difficult medical conditions. Not guaranteed that they can help because they rely on volunteers. Not a crisis program: The staff work 8-5 Monday through Fridays. Now serving 28 families in the Appleton area, some in Green Bay and some in Oshkosh.
There are 8 chapters in the state. Funding from individuals, churches, grants.
Over 250 volunteers, looking for volunteers who speak other languages. State helped with training, which is about 9 hours.
G. Action Plan Committee Updates if applicable
a. Affordable Housing--Susan Garcia Franz; Community presentation/conversation for over 40 people at Appleton Library on June 16th. Looking for more places to present.
b. DEI--Tracie La Rue Moen: Met in June. Trying to figure out how to support agencies that are doing the work regardless of federal issues. Hoping to have an event.
c. Prevent or Reverse Criminalization of Homelessness Committee--Lisa Strandberg: need to continue to “show up” in spaces to let people know about issues around homelessness and lack of affordable housing.
d. Increase Non-Employment Cash income --Jennie Moore; no changes
e. Report to the Community Ad-hoc Committee--Jonathon Pylypiv; Oct. 9, probably at APL or Fox Valley Tech. Will be printing brochures soon. Looking for ideas for topics, speakers, etc.
H. Other Business:
· AHA opened the voucher waiting list and scattered sites.
· Archive Apartments going up on Wisconsin Ave. Some will be affordable and some market rate: about 48 apartments.
· Some changes for EHH program coming soon.
· City of Appleton will be doing a pride flag raising this Friday 8:30 a.m. at the courthouse. Pridefest this weekend.
· VIDA has openings for their maternity home—single moms either pregnant or with small children
· City of Appleton is considering renaming Memorial Park to Veterans Memorial Park.
· Appleton Chamber is holding a luncheon on June 23rd featuring a panel on the housing crisis. Register at https://members.foxcc.net/chamber-events/Details/2025-june-legislative-luncheon-1413406?sourceTypeId=Website
· Outagamie County Conflict Resolution Center getting underway. Will help people avoid court for small claims, landlord/tenant issues, evictions, etc. They will be speaking at our July meeting. Outagamie County Conflict Resolution Center
I. Adjourn
Next Meeting – July 16th - 8:30 AM over zoom