Wausau outreach coordinator: shelter has served 310 unduplicated people since May; partners aiding elderly guests
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Summary
The committee heard that Wausau’s shelter has served 310 unduplicated people since opening May 1, including 44 new arrivals last month; outreach staff said volunteers and inter-county collaboration helped house seven new guests and expected two elderly residents to move into stable housing this week.
Tracy, the city’s outreach coordinator, briefed the Public Health and Safety Committee on Nov. 17 about shelter operations and homelessness-response work during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.
"We have seen 310 unduplicated people come through the shelter doors since May 1," Tracy said, adding that 44 new individuals entered the shelter in the prior month and staff successfully housed seven of those new arrivals. Tracy said the shelter was working to house two elderly guests — one in her 70s and one in her 80s — before colder weather sets in.
When asked whether the new arrivals were from Wausau, Tracy said many identify as Marathon County residents and that some were not born and raised in Wausau but have lived in the community long enough to consider it home. She said the shelter has seen people arriving after recent incarceration and evictions, and that the coordinator is collaborating with regional partners and police for "soft handoffs" to avoid simply dropping people at the shelter.
Tracy credited volunteer support from local businesses and other counties (Portage and Langlade were mentioned) that have provided volunteers and donations; she also said she is coordinating donations to meet medical and mobility needs among older guests. The committee placed the outreach report on file.
