Lenten Fundraising Effort Aims to Raise Profile of Shelter for Homeless Kids, Families
Eau Claire's Beacon House quietly aids dozens of families annually
For many Christians, the season of Lent means giving things up. This year, advocates for the homeless in Eau Claire are hoping locals also consider giving something to those who need one of life’s fundamental necessities: a home.
The Beacon House, 309 Lake St., provides shelter and support to homeless families with children. Beacon House is operated by Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley, an affiliate of a national organization with 200 branches nationwide, and relies on the support of numerous local partners, including 20 religious congregations.
Last year alone, 26 families stayed at the shelter, while an additional nine families who previously stayed at the shelter received stabilization support, said Semone Thomas, manager of shelter operations.
“The need for services has increased over the years, and more families are reporting underemployment with wages not at levels to cover housing costs,” Thomas said. There aren’t enough low-income housing units in the Chippewa Valley to support the number of families who need help, she added.
Before becoming involved with Beacon House, Callahan said, he didn't realize that there are roughly 300 homeless children in the Eau Claire school district alone. ... To that end, he hopes (the Illuminating Children's Futures campaign) can raise $10,000 to $20,000.
Bill Callaghan, a volunteer at Beacon House, is behind Illuminating Children’s Futures, an effort to raise much-needed funds for the nonprofit. Callaghan said he became an advocate for Beacon House a decade ago when he read a series of moving stories about Eau Claire’s growing homelessness problem by journalist Julian Emerson in the Leader-Telegram. At first, he wanted to create a new shelter, but at the encouragement of his wife, Laurel, he did some research and discovered the Beacon House.
Callaghan recently spearheaded a public service announcement that has been running twice a day on Eau Claire-based WEAU-TV throughout March and April. He hopes to open the eyes of locals who may have the same stereotypes about homelessness that he once did: “My image was of a 49-year-old man who’s down on his luck,” Callaghan said. Before becoming involved with Beacon House, Callahan said, he didn’t realize that there are roughly 300 homeless children in the Eau Claire school district alone.
However, of the six shelters in the area, only Beacon House serves families with children. By providing long-term shelter to children and families as well as follow-up services, Beacon House can help break the cycle of homelessness, Callaghan said. To that end, he hopes the campaign can raise $10,000 to $20,000. Cash donations can help the shelter meet the needs of its clients, but donors can also help by buying items from the wish list on the Beacon House website. They can also volunteer at the shelter.
“My hopes are for greater awareness of the needs of our most vulnerable population and continued support,” Thomas, the shelter’s manager of operations, said of the campaign.
Learn more about Beacon House (309 Lake St., Eau Claire) on Facebook or by visiting familypromisecv.org, where you can learn about ways to donate and check out the shelter’s donation wish list. The shelter's annual fundraiser, Hike for the Homeless, will be Tuesday, Aug. 19.
