SIDE BY SIDE INC.
Lake Geneva, WI
Website | Phone: (262) 581-5927
Mission:
The mission statement for Side by Side is “Volunteers responding to neighbors in need of compassion, hope, community resources, and financial assistance”. We are an all-volunteer organization. Since 2006 we have been helping persons living in the Lake Geneva area who are struggling to pay late rent or utility bills. For families “living close to the edge”, an unexpected illness, job layoff, accident, car repair, etc., can threaten them with eviction or utility shut-off – possibly leaving them homeless. Since 2006 we have spent over 1 million dollars helping these families. 98% of all monies raised go directly back to persons in the community. Most people don’t realize that 51% of Badger students have family incomes that meet the federal guidelines for free or reduced price lunches.
Community Resources:
Every month, Side by Side helps 6 to 16 families who are struggling to pay rent or utilities. After proving need, Side by Side volunteers interview the applicant and provide resources as needed. If it’s decided that we can help, we will pay a landlord or utility company directly to help the applicant catch up on their payments in arrears. If necessary, we will work with other agencies to help the family stabilize. Common referrals are to the food pantries, diaper pantries, housing authority, department of human services, and the job center, and domestic violence programs.
Most Urgent Need:
The most urgent need for Side by Side is money. Since 2024, we have had a 50% increase in families seeking our assistance. Rents are extremely high in the area – especially since Covid. The amount that we need to spend on each family to make a meaningful difference continues to increase. Competition for grant monies is very competitive since many human services organizations have lost federal funding. Since we have very little overhead – all monies that we raise go to helping families in need.
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