Waukesha Shelter for Women and Children to Close Unless 'Angels' Can Help

Siena House, a Waukesha homeless shelter for women, children and families, will temporarily close its doors next month unless some “angels” in the community can help keep it going, staff at the shelter said.

“I tell all the ladies who ask that there are angels out there in Waukesha County and they will come through for us,” said Carrie Schlee, staff member at Siena House.

In looking at finances for the year, staff at Hebron Houses of Hospitality, the organization that runs the shelter and two others in the area, knew they were going to have to make some hard decisions.

The recent recession has resulted in decreased donations was not unexpected but decreases in government grants and United Way funding have caused the staff members in the organization to realize they could either run Hebron or Siena House – not both – unless something changes, Schlee said.

“There is a $90,000 deficit they are trying to fix so that Siena House can stay open,” Schlee said.

Residents have a month to find some place to stay; if not, they may have the option of going to Hebron House. However, if they have some income, there is grant money available to help with rapid re-housing, Schlee said.

Currently, Siena House shelters 17 people – 14 women and three children. During peak demand, the house can be filled with up to 28 or 29 people. There are people at all levels of need at the house, including people they are helping to reunite with their children, Schlee said.

The closure is hopefully temporary, a month or two, during this slower season, Schlee said. The organization chose to close during this time of the year, when people have their tax refunds and are more willing to let someone stay with them. Once that money runs out, the shelters see an increase.