Welcome Home

to the Portlight Shelter

We’ve been helping people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless in Ozaukee County since 2015.

The Portlight Shelter isn’t the drop-in type facility most people think of when they hear of a homeless shelter. It’s part of a program aimed at helping people get back on their feet. The shelter can house as many as 20 adults and children at one time, and clients must participate in weekly case management meetings. Those housed at the shelter can reside for a maximum 90 days, although the average stay is about 47 days.

Shelter Amenities

  • 4 Shared single rooms with two twin beds, closet space, and TV

  • 4 Family rooms with two full beds, one twin bed, closet space, and TV

  • All rooms have a fully furnished kitchenette with cabinet space, sink, fridge, microwave, and coffee maker

  • All rooms have a fully furnished private bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, and cabinet space- family units have a shower over tub

  • 1 single and 1 family ADA compatible rooms 

  • Basic needs are provided: hygiene, food. Home-cooked meals are provided M-F.

  • Trainings for guests in the program: rent smart, budgeting, parenting skills, cooking, resume building, etc

  • Child Play & Engagement Room

  • State-of-the-art community kitchen

  • Community room 

  • Laundry room in both men’s and women’s wing

Community Solutions

We strive for the safety and well-being of individuals and our entire community by providing immediate access to the basic needs of food and shelter for homeless persons. Family Promise of Ozaukee provides wrap-around case management to address situations that prevent individuals from being actively involved in the lives of their children and families. Additionally, case managers will work with immediate family and friends to assist with reunification.

We work collaboratively with community service providers to ensure individual health conditions are addressed and that clients have access to basic physical and behavioral health services.

We work with our guests to increase income and address the financial stability of individuals upon exit of the program. We partner closely with employers and Workforce Development to ensure individuals in the program will have priority access to programs that offer employment opportunities.

History

Family Promise of Ozaukee County has been providing shelter services to homeless families and single women since 2015.  Prior to COVID-19, our shelter program used congregations to provide accommodations, meals and hospitality to 4-6 households.

Because of the pandemic, the county was left with no shelter and an increased demand for services. The pandemic caused two issues:  First, the churches closed leaving the organization with no place to shelter people overnight.  Second, the number of phone calls from people seeking shelter increased dramatically. 

Family Promise responded by working with a local motel to increase capacity — making ten motel rooms available to households who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.  In addition to meet the demand, the organization expanded their service delivery demographics to include all household types, including single men and couples with no children.   Since April 1, 2020, these rooms have been at capacity. In order to accommodate our needs, we then decided to open the Portlight Shelter.