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 nonprofit organization working in partnership with more than 20 area churches to serve local families with children facing homelessness by providing housing, case management, and eviction prevention services.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish has partnered with EPH since 2008. We adopted the lower unit of a duplex used to provide housing for a family with children experiencing homelessness and volunteers from our church help get the home ready for a new family to move in each time it becomes vacant by cleaning, decorating, and stocking it with supplies. We also help with lawn care and snow removal. Our home is known as the Martha House.

EPH has three programs: Transitional Housing, Long-Term Supportive Housing, and Eviction Prevention. Currently, EPH has 21 homes in our transitional housing program and 16 homes in our long-term supportive housing program. The EPH eviction prevention program works to help families in the community at risk of losing their housing due to temporary financial constraints remain in their home and avoid experiencing homelessness with their children. Case management is an essential component of all three programs. EPH case management focuses on family well-being, financial stability, employment, education, housing stability, and home care.

Volunteer Opportunities  

• Join us in caring for our adopted home by cleaning, painting, landscaping, removing snow, decorating, or stocking with supplies when needed.
• Participate in the monthly EPH Family of Faith night.
• Mentor a family.
• Provide office support.
• Serve on a committee.
• Help with special events.

Time Commitment

Periodic and random days and times.

Get Involved

If you are interested in volunteering or would like additional information, please contact:

EPH Board Member
Pat Hermsen, 920-676-2660
Pat.Hermsen@gmail.com

Our Parish’s EPH Leadership Team

Unit Coordinators (Gary & Cheri Shebesta)

• Attends monthly unit/house coordinator meetings
• Assesses property and unit/house and makes recommendations on repairs needed or renovations
• Assists with unit/house upkeep
• Coordinates transition crews to assist with cleaning and small repairs of unit/house upon family changeover
• Coordinates “welcome” and other special meals

EPH Board Representative (Pat Hermsen)

• 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