Ecumenical Partnership for Housing (EPH)
An estimated 60 percent of homeless people in Green Bay are families with children. Recent reports suggest that the number of homeless children in the area exceeds 1,000. Few local facilities can accommodate the unique needs of sheltering families, so families with children remain significantly underserved. Our parish is one of many local churches who have stepped up to serve the need.
About Ecumenical Partnership for Housing
Ecumenical Partnership for Housing (EPH) is a volunteer-based organization that is a partnership of 19 area churches. The organization offers transitional and long-term supportive housing to homeless families. Together they give local homeless families the safe, nurturing environments; case management; budget counseling, and other resources needed to forge a positive path toward personal and familial stability. The program’s success relies entirely on the generosity of people sharing their time and financial resources to help support these families because EPH receives no public funding.
Currently, EPH owns 35 units dedicated to serving the most marginalized families in the Green Bay area. Those homes are always full with multiple families consistently on the waiting list. Each participating congregation is responsible for cleaning and repairing (minor repairs) its respective home after a family moves out and before another family moves in. The changeover time is rather short, thus prompt volunteer response is important. Family changeover rates vary. The average family stays between 9 to 12 months in transitional housing depending upon the progress made and the ability to obtain permanent housing.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our Parish is responsible for the Martha house (lower portion). General parish volunteer roles include the following:
- Cleans home after family has moved out (approximately 1-2 times/year)
- Assists with collecting items to stock pantry before a new family moves in (approximately 1-2 times/year)
- Assists with welcome meal (approximately 1-2 times/year)
- Assists with minor repairs and renovation (approximately 1-2 times/year)
- Assists with yard care (mowing, shoveling snow, and raking)
General EPH volunteer opportunities include:
- Stuffing envelopes
- Volunteering for EPH committee involvement
- Assisting with EPH marketing
- Assisting with minor home repairs for any EPH transitional or long-term supportive housing unit throughout the year
- Moving furniture from our warehouse to the home on an as-needed basis throughout the year
Time Commitment
Periodic and random with the exception of the parish EPH leadership team. Volunteer meetings are conducted one or two times per year.
Get Involved
If you are interested in volunteering or would like additional information, please contact:
EPH Board Member
Joan Lucas 920.621.2950
Joanlucas88@gmail.com
EPH Unit Coordinator
Gary & Cheri Shebesta 920.676.2646
GBucky78@sbcglobal.net
EPH President
Lisa Maas 920.676.2253
Lmaas3@new.rr.com
Our Parish EPH Leadership Team
Unit Coordinator (Gary & Cheri Shebesta)
- Attends monthly unit coordinator meetings
- Assesses property and determines extent of repair and renovation
- Assists volunteer and EPH staff with renovations and upkeep
EPH Board representative (Joan Lucas)
- Attends monthly EPH meetings and commits to various EPH committees
- Supports EPH community initiatives
- Assists with coordination of parish EPH initiatives
- Assists with annual mail campaign
Volunteer Coordinator (Gary & Cheri Shebesta)
- Maintains volunteer database
- Coordinates transition crews to assist with cleaning and small repairs of apartment upon family changeover
- Coordinates “welcome” and other meals
- Assists with periodic communication with identified volunteers
- Submits bulletin information
- Assists with mail campaign