GREEN BAY, WI — Wise Women Gathering Place, a local nonprofit serving people experiencing homelessness, announced a major boost to its Safe Place Parking program. A $10,000 matching gift from Green Bay residents Bob and Carrie Arnold has moved the organization halfway toward its $60,000 fundraising target for the 2024‑25 year.
Program provides safe, dignified overnight shelter
The Safe Place Parking program offers an open parking lot where individuals can park their vehicles and sleep without fear of being asked to leave. Executive Director Beverly Scow explained, “We have a place where they can come and be safe for the night and not have to worry about being shooed off a residential or a business parking lot. They can have a full night’s sleep.” The lot includes 46 designated spots, portable restrooms and electrical outlets, allowing people to rest in a clean, secure environment.
Community support fills a funding gap
Operating costs for the program total roughly $12,500 each month, a figure that relies heavily on charitable contributions. “There’s not a lot of grants to support a program like this, so we rely on community to help,” Scow said. The Arnolds’ matching gift not only adds $10,000 directly but also encourages other donors to contribute, knowing their gifts will be doubled.
Impact on the homeless population
Last year the program served nearly 400 individuals, providing a stable place to sleep and a bridge to additional resources such as meals, laundry facilities and housing assistance. Scow noted that the program began during the pandemic, was briefly paused, and has since been reinstated to meet ongoing need. “It caused a lot of distress when we couldn’t be the place for people to come, so we want to continue that sustainability and stability, peace of mind,” she said.
Open house invites broader involvement
Wise Women Gathering Place will host an open house on September 30 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to showcase the Safe Place Parking initiative. Community members, local businesses, donors and volunteers are invited to tour the site, learn about the program’s operations, and explore ways to support its continued success.
The infusion of the Arnolds’ gift underscores the power of local philanthropy in addressing homelessness. By keeping the parking lot operational year‑round, Wise Women Gathering Place aims to foster a stronger, safer Green Bay for all residents.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
