Chippewa Valley Street Ministry - April 10, 2025
Greetings from the Street Ministry. The number of people we're serving is on the rise, but curiously, we're not always seeing the same people consistently. We continue to serve young and old, young and elderly, and able-bodied and ability-challenged. One gentleman is in a wheelchair and propels himself backwards — a challenge to his safety but an efficient means of traversing the city.
As noted in our previous journal, the challenges of the recent cuts in governmental aid are noticeable in many programs that we partner with, and this is a cause for concern. Michelle Pride of Feed My People provided the following information relating to the cuts and effects of policy changes. Please take a look. The Street Ministry depends on food from Feed My People to provide food to our brothers and sisters on the street. Without this resource, we (and other programs) will struggle to provide the food portion of our services to people in need. We are living in uncertain times but we will be here to support those in need. We believe that it is our responsibility, collective
A young woman came to our table -- she appeared to be in her very early 20s -- who was hesitant to provide any information to us. This was understandable as she had no history with us and no reason to trust us. She did finally share that she is fairly new to being homeless and that she was scared. We discussed safety and some options of where to go during the day and night. We encouraged her to return and visit the next time we were going to be out and she replied that she had no intention of being homeless for very long. She did not want to stay to visit and we hope that she was able to fulfill her plans to get off the street. Women of all ages are at risk of being taken advantage of or hurt and this was a real concern for this woman.
Another woman that we've seen a few times welcomed the chance to sit and rest. She has numerous medical complications ranging from spinal problems to cardiac complications to both of her feet causing pain — all diagnoses that complicate, and are complicated, by being homeless. She talked about qualifying for limited services through a disability program but nothing that she felt would be helpful without housing. We encouraged her to call the local aging and disability office to be reassessed. She admits to being miserable surviving from day to day in her condition.
Tess and Steve assist a mobility-challenged friend.
He had fallen multiple times but declined hands-on assistance.
Our services are provided only because of generous donations from our support system. We are made up of unpaid volunteers that are dedicated to helping people in need. We are the only organization (that we are aware of) with the longevity we have of being in the elements, on the street, and with the people we serve. We are in need of financial donations to continue our work. We are aware that there are multiple organizations frequently asking for your help and donations — we try to focus on the people we serve and not always on the 'how' we serve, but we are now asking for your help. No donation is too small; anything helps and is appreciated. Donations can be made online at our website and Facebook page or mailed. As we are approaching our thirteenth year of service, please help us support some of our community's most vulnerable members.
Chippewa Valley Street Ministry
PO Box 51
Eau Claire, WI 54702
Our street ministry is based on being a "Ministry of Presence" with the people on the street. While there is considerable concern amongst our brothers and sisters regarding the possible limited services at the shelter and other benefits, we will continue walking with our friends during their journey — through the darkness to the light, through the sorrows to their joys. We will continue to encourage hope where there is little and continue to just be with our friends. We are obligated to protect the fragile, the innocent, and the least of them, our sisters and brothers, to be servants to all that we meet here in the street.
CVSM staff
Something to think about as we enter Easter ....
..By North American standards, Jesus could
be considered neither a successful person,
nor could he be considered morally respectable.
He identified with the prostitutes and drunkards,
the unemployed and the poor, not because he felt
sorry for them, but in order to reveal God's judgment
against social and religious structures that oppress
the weak. Jesus was born like the poor, he lived
with them, and on the cross he died like them.
be considered neither a successful person,
nor could he be considered morally respectable.
He identified with the prostitutes and drunkards,
the unemployed and the poor, not because he felt
sorry for them, but in order to reveal God's judgment
against social and religious structures that oppress
the weak. Jesus was born like the poor, he lived
with them, and on the cross he died like them.
~ James H. Cone - Theologian
