SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac Gives $20,000 To Holy Family Warming Shelter

Thanks to a collaborative community effort, those experiencing homelessness will find hope through the new Holy Family Warming Shelter, set to open this fall. 

SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac is supporting this important initiative through a $20,000 gift. 

The check was presented by Dawn Vandenberg, regional director – Mission Integration with SSM Health, and Katherine Vergos, president, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital. The donation was received by Michelle Ludtke, director of Operations with Holy Family Catholic Community, and Erin Cobb, director of Human Concerns, Holy Family Catholic Community.
            “The shelter will serve as a temporary refuge for individuals experiencing homelessness in the Fond du Lac area, particularly during the harsh winter months,” according to the Very Rev. Ryan Pruess, Holy Family Catholic Community. “Our mission is rooted in the Catholic values of compassion, dignity, and care for the less fortunate. The shelter will be open to individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs, embracing the spirit of inclusivity and solidarity.” 

The positive effects of this warming shelter will extend beyond providing immediate shelter, Very Rev. Pruess explains. “By offering a supportive and compassionate environment, we hope to empower individuals to regain stability, rebuild their lives, and reintegrated into society.” 

“Much like SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac, the Holy Family Catholic Community worked to address an unmet need within the Fond du Lac area, and took immediate steps to find a solution,” Vandenberg says. “We know that the number of individuals and families that are facing difficult financial times continues to grow, and it’s important that their needs are met through the support of others.”  

The Holy Family Warming Shelter will open November 15 at 73 E. First Street, a central location which is accessible to both public transportation and other organizations downtown that offer support.  

The Warming Shelter will operate on the Christian values of compassion, dignity, and care for people of all backgrounds and beliefs. It will offer up to 30 individuals a warm, clean place to sleep; and hot, nutritious meals every night from November through April.  

While the parish will run the Warming Shelter, it will thrive through the collaboration of the larger Fond du Lac community. Numerous sources will fund the Warming Shelter, including government grants, private donations, and corporate sponsorships. There will also be employment opportunities at the shelter, as well as those to volunteer and donate food.  

Those interested in supporting the shelter are invited to contact Erin Cobb at the Holy Family Parish Office at 920-921-0580. For more information on the shelter, please visit hffdl.org/warming-shelter. 

In 2023, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac has donated more than $600,000 to local non-profit organizations in Fond du Lac and surrounding areas. This investment helps ensure access to health care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, train the next generation of health professionals to care for those in need, and fund programs to address the most pressing health needs of our communities.  

“Each year, SSM Health reinvests in our communities through charity care as well as contributions to community health improvement services,” according to Vergos. “We work together with community partners to provide a safety net, helping people access preventative care, investing in critical services, and bringing hope to individuals in difficult times. The work being done by Holy Family certainly embodies these great efforts.”