As Executive Director of Bridge Street Mission,  I would like to add hopefully a balanced perspective to the public discussion about the unhoused population in Wausau.  With a nightly census of up to 37 men, Bridge Street Mission’s Sober Living Center is currently the largest local provider of transitional housing for men experiencing homelessness and struggling with addiction.  In addition, we operate a day time Outreach Center, where both men and women can get out of the elements during the day.

Although we were founded primarily to provide Christ-centered help to those in need in Marathon County, we have found that many of the men and women seeking services from us-and apparently other providers throughout the city-are from other communities.  As a compassionate ministry, we are attempting to meet their human needs as well as those of local residents.   It does not surprise us, nor should it surprise our local leaders, that a  larger city would draw from other communities in the region.  Just as Wausau draws regionally for shopping as well as cultural and recreational events, we should expect to draw regionally for humanitarian services.   A larger city typically has a more comprehensive safety net for those in need than the smaller communities surrounding it.

All Wausau residents and visitors deserve to have pleasant experiences in the streets, parks and businesses downtown.  This includes the unhoused population, but we should not give them permission to take over space, break the law or prevent others from using public areas.  It is the responsibility of the Wausau Police Department to enforce the safety and proper use of these public spaces and it should not be considered harassment when they do so.  On the other hand, if the community collectively is not providing alternatives, either directly through city services or indirectly through area non-profits, we should expect to struggle with these problems.  Public bathrooms and trash receptables available to all citizens make sense as do year round shelters and other compassionate services.

One of the challenges is that in some cases, the unhoused do not want to access the services available to them.  Many do not want the structure and accountability inherent in receiving these services.  Others have been so traumatized that they fear the very people who are trying to help them.  At times well-meaning people can do more harm than good by meeting temporary needs that allow the unhoused to simply survive without receiving the help they really need.  The task of directing the unhoused population to the resources they desperately need and helping them to function successfully in society again is a long and difficult journey with many setbacks along the way.

We have found the police to be extremely diligent in connecting people to available resources, but if these services are refused and the individual instead elects to linger and reside in public areas, it complicates the job.  In a few cases, these individuals have lost privileges at agencies through their behavior and continue to exhibit some of these same behaviors in public space.  In these cases, they are not being criminalized, but are, in fact, exhibiting criminal behavior which requires intervention by law enforcement.

Trauma and mental health are indeed the major issues among those experiencing homelessness and addictions.  This is why affordable housing, although absolutely necessary and in short supply, is not the solution.  Even when we have adequate affordable housing, there will still be an unhoused population.  Transformational programming which identifies root causes and equips individuals to function in society are critical.

Bridge Street Mission is committed to continue to provide Christ-centered transformational programming and stands ready to cooperate with local leaders, law enforcement and others in the community to address the needs of the unhoused in our community.

Craig Vincent/Executive Director/Bridge Street Mission

The Sober Living Center, located at 1140 W. Bridge St., is a ministry of Bridge Street Mission.  The Sober Living Center is a Christian discipleship program that when fully implemented will include both short term (30 day) and long term (8 month or 2 year) options for men in various stages of need and/or recovery.

These programs are open to any man who is willing to fully participate in programming and abide by program policies. Men are selected from those who complete an application, are interviewed and sign the program agreement. There are nominal program fees associated with the program that can be paid via personal resources, 3^rd party advocates or scholarships. Men must be 21 days sober before being accepted into the program and are routinely tested to maintain a healthy and safe environment.

Our Christ-centered programming provides the support, accountability and skills needed to live addiction free and establish stable and productive lives.  Both the 8 month and 2 year programs are currently open.  Future additions to programming include the opening of the 30 day program as well as employment readiness that includes both the soft skills and hard skills to maintain employment.  Employment tracks being explored are welding, small engine repair, culinary arts and facility management.