Eau Claire’s Day Resource Center Has Served Hundreds Per Month Since Opening
new day shelter receives $600K State grant toward its $6.4 million capital campaign, continues to see higher-than-anticipated amount of guests
In about one year, millions of dollars have been raised toward the $6.4 million capital campaign for Eau Claire’s first year-round homeless shelter, the Day Resource Center (DRC).
As announced in a May 14 media release, another $600,000 in State grant funds – awarded as part of the Non-State Grant Program – has been added to that total, which now sits at $5.3 million.
On paper, the timeline for both campaign fundraising and the facility’s opening – operated by area nonprofits Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council (WDEOC) and Hope Gospel Mission (HGM) – may seem swift.
The DRC initiative, first announced in April 2025, launched with a total $1.5 million already committed thanks to a few months of pre-campaigning.
Behind the scenes, WDEOC staff had already toured about 50 potential locations for the Eau Claire DRC – and toured five daytime shelters throughout the Midwest – prior to the campaign’s launch, which included announcing its future Gibson Street location (the street has since been renamed to 1 Better Way, Eau Claire).
As a nonprofit-operated service, the DRC does not depend on taxpayer dollars through the City, County or State. It aims to offer multiple services under one roof while not duplicating those offered elsewhere in Eau Claire.
Further back, in 2018, the City of Eau Claire formally explored how it could work to end local homelessness, hiring Erin Healy Consulting to conduct a study. That report identified day services as a “critical need” for the city’s homeless population – before the COVID-19 pandemic added to that worsening need.
In just the first four months of 2026 – nearly all of the DRC’s operational history; its first day open was Dec. 29, 2025 – the DRC has consistently averaged 80-100 guests per day, more than initially anticipated.
Between January-April this year, the DRC provided services to 200-300 unduplicated people per month.
Day Resource Center guests, Jan.-April 2026
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
Unduplicated guests
263
229
246
305
Daily average
88
76
86
98
Highest number of guests in one day
106
93
120
116
As a nonprofit-operated service, the DRC does not depend on taxpayer dollars through the City, County or State. It aims to offer multiple services under one roof while not duplicating those offered elsewhere in Eau Claire.
For example, the DRC provides snacks and drinks, but does not serve meals. Other area organizations including The Community Table already offer daily meals – at no cost – for those in need.
The DRC partners with dozens of providers and organizations to offer services to its guests, including the Chippewa Valley Free Clinic, Eau Claire Tenant Landlord Resource Center, Workforce Resource, Inc. and others.
“The unhoused (population in Eau Claire) consist of individuals from Eau Claire, those who have joined the community over the years and residents from nearby small towns with limited resources,” WDEOC reports state.
According to data collected while giving bus vouchers to area homeless individuals in 2023, over half shared they lived in Eau Claire prior to becoming homeless. Over 36% noted other Wisconsin communities and another 12% came from other states.
In the winter of 2024 and into early 2025, the former Community Haven House at 416 Washington St., Eau Claire, regularly served over 80 individuals per day. As the DRC continues through its first full year of operations, it is likely its daily guest numbers will remain consistent – and above initial anticipated estimates.
Learn more about the DRC’s capital campaign online at www.onebetterway.org.
Donations toward the One Better Way campaign are accepted online and by mail • More information about the Day Resource Center (1 Better Way, Eau Claire) can be found online at www.onebetterway.org • Common questions may be answered through this online FAQ
