Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal
January 6, 2025
2025 has arrived and we wish you all good health and happiness in the New Year. We continue to be busy providing essential services and items to keep our community's unhoused population as safe as possible. The darkness settles over us as we arrive at our usual site but we have noticed that the shadows are coming a little later each day — there is promise of warmth and light as we all go through each day.
We gained followers and more support over the last year -- THANK YOU! We note regularly that we could not provide our services without you, our support network. Before we talk about the current happenings that we're seeing, we want to remind everyone reading this what we do. The street ministry started in 2012 and even though we have grown, our mission remains the same: treat those we serve with unconditional love, dignity, and respect. While we provide clothing and food, our presence and service extend further than that. We are a ministry of presence and often provide care by listening and accepting people for who they are and for the situation they are in. Sometimes by saying less, there is more communication. We are prepared to serve up to 70 people each evening when we go out with food, beverages, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, and other items that are requested. We are an all-volunteer organization that is faith-based but we do not proselytize. We do not require any identification for services as over many years we've learned that people are often more open and willing to talk if they feel less exposed. We meet our brothers and sisters where they are at — not just physically but also where they are socially and emotionally. We are out in the elements with those we serve whether it be rain, snow, cold, or heat. We don't have the protection of a roof just as many of our brothers and sisters do not have the protection of shelter. We work with our friends on the street, travel to rural areas to provide support, and are available for other circumstances. We have made hundreds of jail/prison visits to provide support while someone is incarcerated to remind them that they matter and have someone in their corner. We've developed an incredible support system that has allowed the street ministry to operate solely on donations for our entire existence.
Pictured are a few of our amazing volunteers: Tim, Steve, Adam and Karen
Last week we encountered a man who arrived at our tables shivering and telling us that he needed "everything." While we gathered clothing and a coat, we listened to his story. He wasn't sure how the process worked to get into the shelter or what to do the following day. We encouraged him to use the resources in the community to be safe, warm and fed.
Another man that we've known for several years arrived with a walking boot on his foot. Once his requests for clothing were filled, we assisted him to the shelter. It was unclear as to what his injury was related to, but we all agreed that it was helpful to not have snow banks or slushy sidewalks for him to contend with.
We continue to hear people talk about staying outdoors at night. This is concerning with the cold air upon us. There are reports of frostbite and damage to skin from the cold. One man complained that he couldn't feel his feet due to the cold and cried in pain. We were able to provide thick, warm socks and boots prior to him walking back into the darkness. We encourage use of the shelter but for one reason or another, some people can't or won't stay there. When it is cold out, our conversations are sometimes short to allow the person we're serving time to move on to hopefully safer and warmer areas.
As we move forward into 2025, please take time to review our journals to learn what is happening out on the street, we share what we see and hear. Our needs list is updated, please help us support our unhoused brothers and sisters.
Thank you, blessings to all.
CVSM staff
CVSM staff
We gladly accept new AND gently used items.
*Please be sure any used items are clean and in good condition.*
Financial donations - we purchase city bus passes regularly to provide to the people we serve for transportation to work, appointments, and general use. These are costly to purchase in the quantity that we need. We also purchase items that are not donated and are limited in our stock.
Winter boots - warm, in good condition, no dress boots - please.
Sweatpants - People will layer sweatpants over jeans or other pants. We need sweatpants in sizes L and larger
Please note the following information for donations:
Checks and/or gift cards can be mailed to:
CVSM
PO Box 51
Eau Claire, WI 54702
Electronic donations can be made at our Facebook page and our website:
facebook.com/chippewavalleystreetministry
chippewavalleystreetministry.org
For all other donations, our usual drop-off location is:
Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd
1120 Cedar Street
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 834-2959
(We recommend calling ahead to confirm
the office will be open to accept your donation)
Please contact us to schedule a drop-off if you need a specific time.
Contact us through email, Facebook, or our website.
facebook.com/chippewavalleystreetministry
chippewavalleystreetministry.org
