News

Throughout 2024, Bethel House has been celebrating its milestone 30th anniversary year.

“For thirty years, Bethel House has been providing critical support in homelessness prevention for families in the greater Whitewater community,” states Jessie Dugan, Bethel House Board Chair. “Maintaining our position as a small, grassroots nonprofit while strategically growing and evolving over the past three decades is a testament to the founders and continued supporters of this great organization.”

Founded in 1994 by the dedication of Ken Kidd, Jim Winship, Carole Scharinger, Dick Triebold, Don Triebold, Richard Telfer, and Mark Olm, Bethel House has continued to be supported almost solely through the generosity of those founders, partner churches, local foundations, and other generous community members.

“I have worked in the nonprofit world for almost twenty years, and the generosity I have seen from the Bethel House donor base and community in the past two years has left me truly humbled and awestruck,” states Megan Hartwick, Bethel House Executive Director. “Not only are their investments generous and consistent, but our donors truly believe in our work and understand its importance.”

That importance is directly reflected in the number of families Bethel House has supported over the past thirty years and the impact of that support. In 2024 alone, Bethel House provided $20,801.24 in emergency assistance to support 79 local families, helping to keep 141 children housed.

“Too often, we hear from families facing eviction because they are $300 behind on their rent,” Hartwick notes. “More often than not, those families missed work to stay home with a sick child, and those days without pay left them unable to fully pay their rent. Our Bethel House program provides critical support for those families to help keep them and their children safely and stably housed.”

The heart and soul of Bethel House support is delivered through its Transitional Housing program. Bethel House operates seven housing units where families can live for up to a year while actively participating in an extensively supported case management program. The program focuses on addressing the specific needs and goals of each individual family.

Bethel House has aided families in obtaining car insurance, a driver’s license, setting up their first savings account, and earning GEDs. Families work on creating a resume, paying down their debts, and sticking to a monthly budget. Each family is required to pay 30% of their monthly income to Bethel House as a “rental payment.” Those funds are kept in a savings account on behalf of the family and returned to them when they successfully complete the program.

“Our donors love to talk to us about our Transitional Housing program,” Hartwick adds. “They appreciate and respect that we have a structure in place to truly work to change the financial situation of our families and provide them a level of stability they didn’t have before entering our program.”

The organization also fully furnishes each home before a family moves in, and the items moved in are the family’s to keep when they move out. All items are supported through local donations.

“Outside of financial investments, the most significant form of support we receive from this incredible community is the donations to furnish our homes,” Hartwick states. “From beds to dressers to curtains to pizza cutters to garbage bags, this community shows up to help ensure every house of ours feels like a true home to each new family who moves in.”

And Bethel House support doesn’t stop there. From referral services to application support to a free in-office toiletry pantry, Bethel House aims to meet families where they are and find a way to avoid ever telling a family, ‘we can’t help you.’

“While our support is focused on families in the Whitewater community, we also recognize individuals who fall outside of those parameters that are still deserving of assistance,” Hartwick states. “As much as our capacity allows, we are happy to support Section 8 applications, referrals to community and regional services, and we offer access to free toiletries. Sometimes, the difference between a family being housed or homeless can be ensuring a housing subsidy form is filled out correctly. We are proud to support that prevention work.”

That work would not be possible without the continued support of this community, and that support was substantial in 2024.

“Early in the year, we launched a 30th anniversary campaign to raise $3,000 of extra support for our organization, outside of our other fundraising efforts,” Dugan adds. “And, of course, the generosity of our donors far surpassed that, contributing $9,000 to that specific campaign.”

In May 2024, Bethel House hosted its 2nd Annual Spring Raffle fundraiser at 841 Brewhouse. The inaugural event raised $9,525 in 2023, so Bethel House set a goal to increase that to $10,000 in 2024. Through generous sponsorships, in-kind support, and cash winners who donated their prizes back to the mission, the event raised a total of $14,443.

“The Spring Raffle has been such a wonderful, fun addition to our overall fundraising strategy,” Dugan states. “It brings our donors together in an accessible way while raising critical funds for us during a time of year when our emergency assistance requests are at their highest. We’ve been pleasantly surprised by the support for this new event, and we look forward to continuing it for many years.”

Then, in November 2024, Bethel House hosted its annual Fall Dinner at Staller Estate Winery in Delavan. The event welcomed 165 guests for a five-course dinner and wine pairing and included live orchestral music, an extensive silent auction, and a short program to update guests on Bethel House’s work.

“Our Fall Dinner is a beautiful celebration of the work Bethel House provides,” Dugan adds. “The event serves as our primary fundraiser and allows our team the opportunity to publicly thank all those who play a critical role in supporting our ability to serve families.”

A goal was set to raise $30,000 at this year’s dinner to mark the 30th anniversary celebration. Through increased sponsorships, a successful auction, and the generosity of donors and attendees, the 2024 event raised $40,000.

“To say we were humbled by the support shown for our Fall Dinner during this anniversary year would be a drastic understatement,” Hartwick states. “To surpass an already ambitious goal by $10,000 says so much about the folks who invest in our work, and it serves as such motivation and inspiration for us to continue the legacy established 30 years ago.”

To honor that legacy, the Bethel House board and staff presented special thank you plaques to the founding members of the organization.

“We could not have let the 30th anniversary of this organization pass without recognizing the incredible efforts of those whose caring power started this organization,” Dugan notes. “It was an honor to acknowledge the foresight and compassion of those seven individuals for all they have done over the past 30 years. Their legacy inspires our work each day.”

Bethel House is eager to continue that legacy heading into 2025, with a continued steadfast focus on support, advocacy, and community partnerships. Details on how to support Bethel House in 2025 can be found on their website at www.bethelhouseinc.org.

“Serving Bethel House for the past two years has been an absolute honor and privilege,” Hartwick adds. “This organization is so special, not just because of its critical work and its impact on families who call our community home, but because of the kindness, compassion, and generosity shown for the work. Everyone who contributes to Bethel House in any way is a part of our mission to prevent homelessness for local families. And we should all be proud of that.”

Anyone with questions can contact Bethel House at 262.473.2715 or director.bethelhouse@gmail.com.

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Bethel House is an ecumenical project helping families facing homelessness in the Whitewater area. Bethel House provides transitional housing, emergency financial assistance, and case management to families in need.

Bethel House utilizes seven private housing units where families can live for up to one year while working on the issues that led to their homelessness. Case management services include budgeting, debt repayment, job searching, resume creation & building, life skills & decision-making, accessing other community resources & services, and much more.

Bethel House services are provided to clients free of charge and with understanding and compassion. Clients are always treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve. For more details, visit www.bethelhouseing.org or call 262.473.2715.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by Bethel House.

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Join us at The Chapel Whitewater as we celebrate the birth of our Savior on Christmas Eve at 3 PM.

 https://chapel.org/thechapelwhitewatergatheringtimes/

445 N. Warner Rd.
Whitewater, WI 53190

Chapel Kids Notes:
CK available for infants through preschool.

Fairhaven Senior Services is excited to announce that we have received our Occupancy License for our 3^rd and 4^th Floor Assisted Living!  We appreciate everyone’s patience during the past year plus and can’t wait to turn the next page on the story of Fairhaven Senior Services.  Residents will start to move onto our 4^th Floor on Wednesday, January 8^th and we are targeting for 3^rd  Floor to be on Tuesday, January 14^th.  Rooms are starting to fill up.  For more information or to set up a tour, please reach out to Brian Robinson- Director of Marketing, Community Relations and Leisure Services at 262-473-2140 or by e-mail robinsonb@fairhaven.org.  Again, we are extremely excited to announce this amazing news.  

Editor’s note: This announcement was received from Fairhaven Senior Services.

City of Whitewater Introduces Colby the C.O.W. – Your Multilingual Virtual Assistant

The City of Whitewater is proud to announce the launch of its newest digital tool, Colby the C.O.W. (Chatbot of Whitewater), a chatbot designed to assist residents, visitors, and businesses with a wide range of inquiries. Colby is not just any chatbot—it’s a multilingual virtual assistant capable of answering questions in 82 different languages, ensuring accessibility and inclusion for all members of our diverse community.

“We’re excited to introduce Colby the C.O.W. as part of our commitment to improving communication and service delivery,” said Becky Magestro, Chief of Staff. “Colby is here 24/7 to provide quick, reliable answers to questions about city services, events, permits, and more. Plus, its multilingual capabilities make it an invaluable resource for our residents and visitors from all over the world.”

What Can Colby Do? Colby the C.O.W. is equipped to:

• Answer questions about city services such as garbage collection, utility bills, and parks and recreation programs.
• Provide information about upcoming events and city meetings.
• Guide users through the process of obtaining permits, licenses, and other city documentation.
• Offer details about local attractions, resources, and community programs.
• Communicate in 82 different languages, making city information accessible to non-English speakers.

How to Access Colby the C.O.W.
Colby is available on the City of Whitewater’s official website at www.whitewater-wi.gov. Simply click the chatbot icon located on the homepage to start a conversation. Users can type their questions or select from a list of common topics to get immediate assistance.

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La ciudad de Whitewater Presenta Colby the C.O.W. – Su Asistente Virtual Multilingüe

La ciudad de Whitewater se enorgullece en anunciar el lanzamiento de su nueva herramienta digital, Colby the C.O.W. (Chatbot of Whitewater), un chatbot diseñado para ayudar a los residentes, visitantes y empresas con una amplia gama de consultas. Colby no es un chatbot cualquiera, es un asistente virtual multilingüe capaz de responder preguntas en 82 idiomas diferentes, lo que garantiza la accesibilidad y la inclusión de todos los miembros de nuestra diversa comunidad.

“Estamos muy contentos de presentar Colby the C.O.W. como parte de nuestro compromiso de mejorar la comunicación y la prestación de servicios”, dijo Becky Magestro, Jefa de Personal. “Colby está aquí las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana
para brindar respuestas rápidas y confiables a preguntas sobre servicios de la ciudad, eventos, permisos y más. Además, sus capacidades multilingües lo convierten en un recurso invaluable para nuestros residentes y visitantes de todo el mundo”.

¿Qué puede hacer Colby? Colby el C.O.W. está equipado para:

• Responder preguntas sobre los servicios de la ciudad, como la recolección de basura, las facturas de servicios públicos y los programas de parques y recreación.
• Proporcionar información sobre los próximos eventos y reuniones de la ciudad.
• Guiar a los usuarios a través del proceso de obtención de permisos, licencias y otra documentación de la ciudad.
• Ofrecer detalles sobre atracciones locales, recursos y programas comunitarios.
• Comunícate en 82 idiomas diferentes, haciendo que la información de la ciudad sea accesible para personas que no hablan inglés.
  
  Cómo acceder a Colby el C.O.W.
  Colby está disponible en el sitio web oficial de la ciudad de Whitewater en www.whitewater-wi.gov. Simplemente haga clic en el icono del chatbot ubicado en la página de inicio para iniciar una conversación. Los usuarios pueden escribir sus preguntas o seleccionar de una lista de temas comunes para obtener asistencia inmediata.
  

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL.)

Ross Walton is a WUL Hometown Hero, and he was nominated by Madeline Kanas, “For always giving hours of his time, energy, and resources to help out fellow community members and businesses.”

Madeline said, “As a Whitewater native, Ross has always given back to his community. He has worked alongside the City of Whitewater and UW-Whitewater to enhance what our community has to offer. Those who know him personally, know he will drop everything to help others. He has been the first on scene to a few of the fires at John’s Disposal. Ross is very humble and likes to stay out of the spotlight, but I feel it’s time to publicly acknowledge all he does for our community.”

WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.   

Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com 

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. The Whitewater Historical Society wishes everyone a Merry Christmas via this greeting postcard from 1917 sent to Clara Williams of Whitewater. Many think that the modern image of Santa came from the Coca Cola advertisements in the 1930s, but this 1917 card shows that modern Santa was already illustrated in the early 20th century.

(Whitewater Historical Society, greeting post card collection)

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

At its December 17 meeting the City of Whitewater Common Council declined to adopt the part-time closure of Starin Road that was recommended by the Public Works Committee. Out of concern for pedestrian safety, University staff had requested approval to erect an electronic gate which would close the portion of Starin Road from Warhawk Drive to the street to the east of the bookstore. It was suggested that the closure occur on Monday through Friday during the university’s fall and spring terms, possibly from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

After a period of public comment and Council debate that lasted for approximately an hour, it was decided to implement the following traffic calming measures through the spring semester:

• Install a yet-to-be determined number of stop signs within the area of concern, [which it appears might extend to Prince Street and Starin Road.]
• Reduce the speed limit to 15 miles per hour from the current 25.
• Install temporary speed humps (which are usually not as high as a speed bump and are longer).

It was decided that the Council will review the outcome of this trial in its second meeting in June, with the expectation that if it is not deemed to be successful in improving pedestrian safety, they would consider moving forward with what might be described as a part-time closure. There was interest expressed in the possibility of a somewhat shorter daily closure, focusing on the heavier pedestrian traffic periods. Though there was ultimately unanimous approval of the motion, Council members Greg Majkrzak and Orin Smith had favored moving ahead with the Public Works Committee’s recommendation as soon as possible.

Public comment on the original recommendation began with a rather lengthy, impassioned presentation in favor of the closure by Brenda Jones, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administrative Affairs. It was her view that the drivers who would be most affected by the closure are university employees and students. She disagreed with stereotypes of large numbers of students being distracted by using their phones while crossing the street. She did not feel that the concerns from police, fire and EMS that the closure would significantly delay emergency responses, as those personnel could be provided with electronic access.

Comments from students, other community members, and council members about the original proposal were very mixed. Council member Brown spoke about the increasing popularity of “green zones” for pedestrians in university campus properties. A number of comments were made about hazardous street crossings for public school students. Douglas A. Bradley III, Whitewater Student Government president, spoke in favor of the proposal, stating that he feels more safe crossing Main Street than Starin Road. Jani Kau Mortensen, who retired from the university as a shuttle driver, spoke against the proposal, feeling that it would put all the responsibility on drivers. She indicated a need to correct an urban legend that if a student is hit by a vehicle, they get their college expenses covered. Jeff Knight indicated that when the Starin Road extension was planned there was an extensive traffic study conducted, and he feels it is time for another. Larry Kachel felt that there should be an answer to the concerns “with less pain,” suggesting various approaches, including those that ultimately were part of the alternative plan offered by Council member Hicks.

Editor’s note: A previous Banner article regarding this matter, including reference to city staff comments, may be found here.

Willow Brook Golf Course will be hosting a Christmas party for their last Fish Fry of the year! A toy and food drive will be hosted with opportunity to win a variety of gift baskets.

Be sure to wear your Christmas Spirit!

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club.

The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club thanks everyone in Whitewater for purchasing poinsettias this holiday to raise funds to help children. 

Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Co-President Corey Davis said, “We were delighted to be able to sell florist-quality poinsettias again this year, with the funds helping children in our community and the world as well as brightening your holidays.” 

Special thanks go to Kiwanian Albert Stanek for leading the sales and distribution, as well as the First United Methodist Church for hosting the plant delivery and staging area.

Whitewater Kiwanis is a group of dedicated volunteers who help both children of the Whitewater community and the world. Over the past several years the club raised funds to make possible the recent installation of the city’s first piece of inclusive playground equipment, a We-Go-Round, in Starin Park.  Annual donations are also made to provide shoes and winter clothes for students, as well as support for organizations such as the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House, The Community Space, and the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club.

If you have an interest in helping youth in Whitewater, you can check out Whitewater Kiwanis on Facebook and join our Club by contacting Corey Davis at davisc@uww.edu.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from Thursday at 6 a.m. until Friday at 6 a.m. Technically the advisory only applies to the Jefferson County portion of the city, but the forecast for the city in general is for 2-4″ of snow. The system is anticipated to arrive in our area between 9-11 a.m. on Thursday.

According to the weather service, “Light to moderate snow will overspread southern WI Thursday morning from west to east. The snow will remain fairly steady north of Madison and Milwaukee through Thursday night and into Friday morning, while the snow may be intermittent from Madison to Milwaukee and south to the IL border for Thursday morning into the early afternoon, then steadier snow later in the day and night….Only minor blowing and drifting snow is expected with this storm.”