The Beacon, the homeless day resource center operated by Catholic Charities in downtown Madison, has a need for volunteers.
Tag: beacon
The Beacon has new shuttle for guests
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| At a recent recognition event, donors, along with staff members of Catholic Charities Madison, stand by The Beacon’s new 14-passenger shuttle, which is used to transport guests between the homeless day resource center and overnight shelters. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) | ||
MADISON — “To have this in service for our homeless men, women, and children to be picked up at shelters in the morning and dropped off in the afternoon is unbelievable,” said Catholic Charities Madison CEO and President Jackson Fonder during a recent event thanking donors for their help in supporting the purchase of a 14-passenger shuttle for The Beacon.
The Beacon is the comprehensive day resource center in Madison for people experiencing homelessness in Dane County, which is operated, in part, by Catholic Charities Madison, along with Dane County, the City of Madison, and United Way of Dane County.
The 2017 Ford Transport replaces an older shuttle that Fonder described as being “on its last leg,” and he told the donors, “you guys came to the rescue”.
The more than $60,000 raised for the transport came from a lead donation from Caritas Foundation, a major donation from the Oscar Rennebohm Foundation, and additional support from the Eric D. and Steven D. Hovde Foundation, the Fiore Companies, MGE Foundation, Steve Brown Apartments, and Urban Land Interests.
Helping the homeless
“Transportation is one of the largest issues than inhibits our folks from getting help,” said Fonder.
He added when people experiencing homelessness can’t get adequate transportation, they “give up,” and the new shuttle “prevents them from giving up.”
The Beacon shuttle transports about 100 people per day from their overnight shelters in the morning to The Beacon, and then back to those shelters in the evening when the center closes for the day.
In the future, The Beacon will be evaluating other uses for the shuttle based on guest needs.
The Beacon presents community update
MADISON — On April 4, staff members of The Beacon, along with members of the Madison Police Department, presented stories of successes and challenges from its first few months of operation.
A comprehensive day resource center for people experiencing homelessness in Dane County, The Beacon opened in October of 2017. It is a joint venture among Catholic Charities Madison, Dane County, the City of Madison, and United Way of Dane County.
The Beacon, ‘a very special facility,’ opens
“This is more than a shelter. This is more than a hangout. This is where people come so that we can help them remove obstacles, get connected to services, and get out of homelessness,” said Jackson Fonder, president and CEO of Catholic Charities Madison.
Continuing St. Mother Teresa’s work
It doesn’t seem possible that it has been 20 years since the death of St. Mother Teresa.
She died on September 5, 1997. I remember that year well, because Princess Diana died on August 31, just a few days before Mother Teresa.
Connection with Princess Diana
The two were connected by more than the proximity of their deaths. They had met and Princess Diana had said that Mother Teresa inspired her to help the poor.
Catholic Charities seeks volunteers for The Beacon
MADISON — Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Madison is excited to be opening the new Homeless Day Resource Center in Madison — named The Beacon — this October.
To be able to operate The Beacon seven days a week, 365 days a year, Catholic Charities needs to find volunteers who are able to commit to monthly or weekly shifts in a variety of positions. These include: