To the editor:
This is in regard to the story from May 14 entitled, “Council denies homeless shelter permit.”
I was initially disheartened by the conversation at the City Council meeting regarding the issuance of a conditional use permit to Shawano Area Matthew 25 (SAM 25) to create an emergency center/shelter on Green Bay Street. As a family physician in Shawano and Menominee counties, I know poverty and homelessness are something many of my patients struggle with on a daily basis.
The notion that these individuals choose this lifestyle is simply untrue. Most of these people have dealt with personal tragedies, physical and mental illness, single parenthood, addiction, abuse, neglect and just bad luck. I am frequently awed by the determination and courage these individuals display as they fight each day to survive. I do not know that I could be so brave if I had such a battle to fight.
That being said, I appreciate the fears voiced at the council meeting at the thought of a shelter in this community. There was not much focus on the fact that the emergency center would also be used to house a clinic for those who are without health care coverage. In addition, SAM 25 hopes to use the center to help individuals in need find and coordinate the resources in our community that can help them out of poverty.
I think the City Council’s decision should be a rallying cry to bring people together to make our community a place that more effectively supports and lifts up those who are struggling with poverty and homelessness. We need our churches, schools, civic organizations, businesses and citizens to be working together to bring this vision to reality. There is much to do before we reach this goal, and it will take the time, talent and treasure of many.
I invite you to join Shawano Area Matthew 25 as it forwards its three goals: that everyone in the Shawano area has a meal and safe place to sleep every night, that they have access to medical care they can afford, and that they are aware of the community resources for those affected by poverty.
We welcome everyone’s input, especially if you are in possession of a property you think would work better for a project like this. Please contact one the board members or come to the next meeting to discuss the possibilities.
SAM 25 meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the back room of Angie’s Daily Grind & More, or see us at www.sam25.org.
Dr. Shannon Daun,
SAM 25 board member
Editor’s note: This letter was co-signed by SAM 25 board members Muffy Culhane, Faith Webster, Sherry Smith, Joe Guenther, Pat Pawlak, Ludene Balke, Brian St. Louis and Pastor Allen Christensen.
