$35,000 Matching Opportunity

Each day in the Fox Cities, hundreds of people experiencing homelessness wake up feeling rejected and invisible. Many people see them only for their current circumstances rather than recognizing them as the unique individuals they are.

They are not statistics. They are not a burden. They are not invisible. Like you, they are individuals with names, stories, and dreams. They are part of our community; they are your neighbors.

Your support is essential to their well-being. Through your compassion and empathy, you show those experiencing homelessness that they are seen, heard, and cared for. Your investment has never been more vital. When you donate financially during December, SECURA will match your contribution dollar for dollar, up to $35,000. Nationally and regionally, the housing shortage means demand for Pillars’ services continues to grow. At a time when homelessness is on the rise, you can provide:

A safe, welcoming environment where people can heal and feel acknowledged.
Access to critical resources like hygiene products, clean bedding, and hot meals.
Supportive services to assist with housing navigation, budgeting, and job searches. ·
A renewed sense of hope for people who need to know they’re not alone in their journey.

Michael* is one of the individuals who has faced homelessness here in the Fox Cities. I met him one day at one of our two shelters. Michael lived with and helped care for his ailing parents for several years. His experience with homelessness began when his mother passed away and his father was placed in assisted living. He soon began to struggle with his mental health, and in a moment of crisis, someone urged him to try Pillars’ Adult & Family Shelter.

At Pillars, with help from people like you, Michael is finding hope and the chance to rebuild his life. He reconnected with a former employer and has started to work again. Michael was amazed at how much money he was able to save – more than he ever had before. Thanks to his savings and the support of his case manager, he has moved into a place of his own, a one-bedroom apartment with Pillars as his landlord. He couldn’t wait to cook in his own home and make his mom’s Impossible Pumpkin Pie recipe.

Michael described his experience with homelessness: “People driving past will give you real dirty looks. If we’re sitting at a bus stop, people throw cigarette butts or coffee cups at us. It’s like we’re pretty much nothing. I wish they would understand that we are struggling, too, just like everyone else trying to pay bills and find housing. We are not bad people. We just fell on hard times.”

When you give, you offer more than just material assistance; you communicate to someone struggling that they are seen, they matter, and there is a path forward. You provide not only a place to sleep at night but the opportunity for a better tomorrow.

Will you join in helping people feel seen? Will you donate to give people like Michael the opportunity to feel hopeful about the future? When you do, SECURA will double your impact.