Chippewa Valley Street Ministry

05/07/2026

Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal - May 7, 2026

It's May, and the weather is warming up. We're seeing an increase in the number of people that we're serving: it has been routine for us to serve 60-65 people per night, and often there are new faces as well as a variety of abilities: fully-able for some, others being in wheelchairs or using walkers. The mental health challenges are apparent each time we go out. The most common items we provide are bus passes, hoodies, boxer briefs, socks, shoes, blankets, and backpacks. Our visitors are grateful for those items — available because of your support and donations — as well as the food, water & Gatorade that we're distributing.

The increased number of people brings the number of people up who can't get into the shelter due to capacity. We talk to people who have been in this situation and ask what they do, and many say that they try to "keep moving." Imagine being up during the day and then having to keep moving all night to avoid getting in trouble for loitering or camping. Most don't want to risk receiving a citation for camping in city limits, as the cost of that is $213 each time. For someone with no- to low-income, an accumulation of tickets is then dings on their legal record, and that becomes nearly impossible to pay off.

The Street Ministry has made hundreds of visits to the local jail and prisons over the last 14 years. We work and visit with people who are incarcerated to prepare them for release or transitioning to prison. In general, incarcerated people become the community's forgotten population. There are often 200+ incarcerated men and women in the Eau Claire County Jail on any given day. Do we give them any thought as we drive by the jail on our way here and there? Being in jail adds another challenge to families, for housing, for jobs. We're not saying that jail is not warranted in some situations, but it can be life-altering to people connected to the jailed individual, and the fall-out can affect those individuals in ways other than just monetary: trauma, changes in relationships, changes in finances, changes in housing, etc.

Regarding jails and prisons, Wisconsin has some of the highest rates of incarceration in the world; please see the graphic below. In Wisconsin, there are approx 18 prisons (16 State and 2 Federal) incarcerating approximately 24,000 individuals. County jails house approximately 10,000 individuals. We urge you to read more information about Wisconsin incarceration info at https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/WI.html There is a vast amount of information pertaining to various populations, types of crimes, costs of medical care, etc.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Street Ministry. Please continue helping us support our work to care for our community's unhoused population.

Please click on the pictures for additional information, and please share!

Blessings,

CVSM Staff

03/19/2026

Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Notes
March 18, 2026

We have had some busy evenings while we've been out since our last journal. We've provided for needs, met new people, and have encountered spring-like weather, only to return to wet and cold weather. We've learned over the years not to fall for Fool's Spring and leave our winter gear in the van and available until the threat of cold weather is gone.

We're observing what appears to be an increase in the number of people exhibiting mental illness symptoms over the last few months. We're not sure what contributes to the cycles of what we see, if anything, but there certainly seems to be periods when we see more people struggling than not. We encourage safety, but conversations can be challenging when it's unclear what someone is perceiving or understanding. The symptoms increase a person's vulnerability as they navigate not just how to get from place to place but to get their basic needs met in a safe and appropriate manner.

The unhoused in our community routinely face uncertainties. For instance, one day last week was in the 50°-60° range, and then this week's winter storm arrived. Some people cannot stay at the shelter, so they need to find a safe place to get out of the weather. Safety, in general, is an uncertainty, and this is especially true for women and those with health and/or mobility issues. It takes skill, perseverance, and knowledge of resources to continue moving forward.

Thank you for your support of the street ministry and the people we serve. We appreciate you!

Blessings,
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.
James H. Cone - Theologian

03/02/2026

Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Notes
March 1, 2026

We don't speak for everyone, but many of us at the street ministry are anxious for the warmer weather to arrive for both ourselves AND the people we serve. The last evening that we were out was in the mid-30°s and the people we served seemed to be in better spirits with the more manageable temperature. We still had requests for cold winter gear, but the requests weren't asked for with the same level of urgency as when it's much colder.

You may wonder what we provide and how much we actually distribute. We've started to keep better track of this information, and in January, we gave out 126 items. In February, we provided 183 items. In addition to the clothing, gloves, underwear, etc., we provide food and beverages as well as blankets, sleeping bags, and bus passes. The bus passes were in high demand last week as we were told that other locations that typically provide monthly passes were out or not providing them. The bus passes we provide are 3 one-way tickets per pack that we purchase at full cost. We are incredibly grateful for you and your support in being able to do what we do.

At the end of one of our evenings of service, a woman paused after taking a bag containing food and beverages. She said that she needed to let us know that she appreciated us being out and for helping her that night and in the past. She continued and said that she never imagined that she'd be in her current situation and homeless. She shared that she had an education, a master's degree, and that she once had a lucrative career. She thanked us again and walked away as she noticed that we had been in the process of packing up. I look forward to talking to her again and learning more about her history and what resources she has and needs. Hearing her brief story was a reminder that each person we encounter has a unique past -- and present. Over the years, we've talked with and served people from various professions: nurses, a retired university professor, an accountant, an attorney... There is no way to know a person's past simply by looking at them.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Please keep the people we serve and the street ministry in your thoughts. Be safe and be well.

CVSM Staff

01/26/2026

Chippewa Valley Street Journal January 25, 2026

The focus of our service lately has been the weather. If you live in the Eau Claire area, you're aware of the bitterly cold weather we've had over the last week or so. For those out of the area, we experienced temperatures in the -20° range with real feel temperatures below -40°s. It wasn't just cold, it was DANGEROUSLY cold.

On our visit to the street on 01-22-2026, we watched the wind blow snow off buildings and the ground in wispy currents. The sky was clear with a crescent moon up high. We didn't serve a great number of people, but those we saw were grateful for the items they received, whether it was food, gloves, boots, or a combination of things. Most of our guests came with face masks on or their hoods pulled tight — there were several people that were so covered up that we couldn't identify them. As they departed to go and wait in line for the shelter to open, most wished us well and offered gratitude. One person expressed a desire to try to rough it outdoors as he does not like staying at the shelter. We strongly recommended him to seek safety in the shelter for the night for safety reasons: he could have been injured or worse if he had attempted to stay out all night.

The morning after we served was colder than the evening when we were out. We are grateful that our guests have a place to go during the day and to be safe. There are people who choose to be elsewhere, and we try to provide items to keep them as safe as possible. The threats of hypothermia and frostbite are very real at these temperatures. We hope that everyone is safe.

We are well-stocked with hand-warmers and provide 2-3 pairs at a time per guest. We have been able to meet other requests for gloves, hats, thick socks, and so on. None of this is possible without your generosity. We'll have an updated needs list in the near future. For now, we are in need of coats, mostly in the size extra-large, and sweatpants that are large and extra-large.

Thank you for your support and blessings to all! Please keep our unhoused brothers and sisters in your hearts.

Please share our journal!

CVSM - Staff

01/24/2026

Someone sent us a message asking if we need and accept blankets but I can't find the message any longer, so first, I apologize for that. Next, YES! We do accept blankets and are always accepting and distributing them.

01/13/2026

12/22/2025

Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal Notes
December 21, 2025

The winter solstice is here, and the darkness has shrouded us. The daylight will be longer starting tomorrow, and some say with the light, hope comes, as well: hope for better conditions for our brothers and sisters who are unhoused; hope for expanded services; hope for housing. Hope is a powerful tool that we've talked about before. Hope fuels motivation and powers all of us to strive towards a goal, and gives us a path to happiness. Hope is essential for all of us.

Some of the people we serve spend the majority of their time alone. This is a personal choice that is driven by a multitude of reasons, including previous traumas, mental illness, safety, lack of trust, etc. One of our friends, in particular, does not feel accepted by his peers and spends most days alone. When he comes to visit, he often stays for an extended period of time and chats with us. He often doesn't need any material items; he needs the social contact and support we offer. While many of us are running around this year excited about Christmas preparations and seeing family, those who are unhoused may have one another, or they may be alone. Please keep them in your hearts during this holiday season.

Many of our visitors come to us needing items to protect them from the cold. Thanks to you, we've been able to provide coats, hats, gloves, sweatpants, and hand warmers without any delay. We've been able to provide snow pants/bibs, boots, and thick winter socks, as well. We're 100% reliant on your support to continue our work. We'll send out an updated needs list in a few days; you can always refer back to the previous list or contact us with questions.

Blessing to All,

CVSM STAFF

12/15/2025

Please share ... thank you!

12/08/2025

Chippewa Valley Street Ministry Journal
December 7, 2025

Greetings from the Street Ministry, we hope this finds you well. Since our last journal, Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas is on the not-so-distant horizon. While many of us celebrate these holidays with family and friends, please remember our brothers and sisters on the street who may not have anyone to be with. It might be a sad and lonely time to be apart from family and friends. We appreciate other organizations that provide meals during these times; we provide extra food or snacks that are generously donated, and wish each person a happy holiday. We hope, as you do, that everyone will one day have a place to call home and have the option to celebrate all holidays, if they wish.

Our volunteer, Ken, was gracious to write the following:

"Winter is the toughest time of year to be without a warm home.

This week brought the coldest nights so far—temperatures around 12° with a steady breeze. It is humbling to meet people who are visibly cold on the streets of Eau Claire, needing the most basic essentials like gloves, hats, and warm layers. We set out chairs so folks can try things on, and most items are worn immediately.

What many people don’t realize is that several of the individuals we serve are students at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC). We are so proud of them—staying committed to their education while navigating unimaginable challenges.

Every night, we hear many types of difficult stories, but we also witness genuine hope. People share their victories with pride: taking steps toward stable housing, starting a new job, finding shelter, or leaving an abusive relationship. These moments matter.

As always, our goal is simple: to offer kindness, support, and a caring conversation without judgment. Thank you to everyone who helps make this work possible. Compassion changes lives—even on the coldest nights."

We've entered the time of the year the temperatures become one of our main concerns. For people still staying outdoors, hypothermia can be a real threat. We are handing out hand warmers, coats, gloves, boots, heavy socks, etc. Blankets and sleeping bags are frequent requests. We hope that people find places to go during the day for a reprieve, but the nights are different: with one shelter available, not everyone's needs can be met, and some people are left outdoors — sometimes by choice and personal preference, sometimes because they do not meet the shelter's requirements. Regardless of the reason, their safety is our concern.

Thank you, as always, for your generous support and donations — keep them coming as we are freely giving out items to keep people safe, and we need to keep our stock up.

Blessings to all, please stay safe throughout this holiday season and beyond.

Please share our news! An updated needs list will be posted at a later date. Please refer to our needs list posted last week for current needs.

CVSM Staff

12/04/2025