Nov. 10, 2019 1:30p
(WGTD)---As temperatures dip, the coordinator of a part-time day shelter for the homeless in Kenosha is asking people to remember those who are struggling.
Leif Peterson directs the Grace Welcome Center at Grace Lutheran Church on 60th Street. It’s a breakfast program that’s open Thursday and Friday mornings from 7 until 10:30. It also offers showers and clean clothes. Representatives of a county-contracted social service agency are also on hand to work with people who drop in.
Speaking on a recent edition of WGTD’s Community Matters, Peterson says some members of the public still harbor misconceptions about the homeless or near homeless. “Many of the folks that are homeless were not born into this,” Peterson said. “It’ not necessary a generational thing,”
With so many people living paycheck to paycheck, all it takes is a severe injury or illness or a layoff and suddenly people find themselves couch surfing or on the street, Peterson said. “So people wind up working around the clock with various part-time jobs trying to piece enough income together to be able to afford housing which is a high cost.”
In addition to offering the twice-a-week day shelter, Grace Lutheran runs a food pantry, which is open Tuesday evenings.
While the pantry has several mainstay donors, including Festival Foods, more help is needed in the form of either items or cash. Cash is actually preferred because the center is able to stretch donor dollars through various deals that have been cut with suppliers.
Peterson, a retired operations director at Ridgewood Care Center in Racine, says working with homeless people and others who are struggling is an eye-opening experience. “It makes you a stronger person and you have to put things in proper perspective to keep on going.”
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