Homeless Services For Single Parents With Young Children
The Homelessness Emergency
A single Hubber with a young child asked specifically about Homeless Services in Wood County, Wisconsin.The information below can lead seekers of social services to the correct county and non-profit agencies in their own hometowns. Check the telephone directories under County and City listings, call City Hall, or dial 311.
Emergency Assistance
If you are a homeless single parent family, you are in an emergency situation. You need to find shelter and food for yourself and your children and in winter, shelter is even a greater priority.
Wherever you are located, find the local social services referral network, which has been called CalVac, FirstLink, Helping Hands, and other names in Franklin County Ohio. If you have a cell phone, can borrow one, or can get to a payphone (which are dwindling in numbers in the USA), dial O for Operator, answer the question about your city and state, then ask for the number of the social services referral network in your city. If the operator does not understand, tell him or her that you have children and are homeless, are in trouble, and need help. Ask what emergency agency can help you. You should receive a toll-free number to the social services network. Call them and ask for help.
If you receive no help from the telephone operator, go to the local police station or fire station and ask for help in finding shelter. If that fails, go to the local churches, synagogues, or other houses of faith. Many now lock their doors during the day because of crime, but their offices are usually open Monday - Friday daytime hours and services may be held on Sunday morning and/or evening, Saturday evening, Friday evening, or Wednesday evening. Catholic churches often hold the most services, including morning mass early every morning and/or each evening, with several on Sundays.
Another avenue of help is the local public library. The staff should be willing to help you find phone numbers and addresses of homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters, if that fits your need. They should also have a phone that you can use. Targets of domestic violence oftne decide to leave or become homeless suddenly for another reason. The Dayton, Ohio main libtrary has in the past been famous for a huge bulletin board in the main lobby that lists all the helping associations and their phone numbers.
If all this fails, then try a local hospital or doctor's office.
If everything fails, call the local newspaper and TV stations and report your problem. Media attention often helps.
Specific Types of Assistance
Homeless shelters in your city usually include:
- Shelters for Homeless single women
- Shelters for Homeless single women with children or couples with children
- Shelters for Homeless couples and Homeless Men with children
- Shelters for Homeless men
- Domestic Violence Shelters (DVS)
Once you are in some sort of shelter or safe house, social services connections can be made or continued in order to help you obtain long-term housing, food, income, job training, childcare and other supportive services.
Hotlines and Additional Information
- Where to Get Help for Domestic Violence
Some of the same Hotlines and other resources will help with homeless families. - How to Escape an Abusive Relationship.
Have you seen red flags? -- Do know someone that is being abused? Are you being abused? Abuse is about CONTROL - verbally, physically, sexually, emotionally, financially, spiritually... Find out more...
Near the Wisconsin River In Central Wisconsin
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeHelp From Marshfield Clinic
Marshfield Clinic: Main Campus Contacts
1000 N. Oak Ave.
Marshfield, WI 54449
Phone: 715-387-5511
Toll Free: 1-800-782-8581
Fax: 715-387-5240
Type of Housing Provided In Wood County
Day Shelters - Help for homeless and low-income people when the shelter their staying makes them leave during the day. Case management, laundry, showers, meals and basic hygiene may by available.
Emergency Homeless Shelters - Short term relief for the homeless & low-income people. People usually have to leave during the daytime and return at night, with some meals offered.
Halfway Housing - Transitions peope from shelters or homelessness to permanent housing over the course of several months to two years.
Permanent Affordable Housing - Residents 30% or less of their income towards rent.
Shared Housing - Housing shared by low income persons is good for families, the disables, and others wanting some companionship and social support.
Important Locations In Wood County WI
Wood County, Wisconsin
The agencies, non-profit organizations, and services listed here should be available in all US States, often through county offices.
In many cities, one can dial 311 and receive information that will help.
In isolated areas of the country and in less densely populated areas, several counties may be served by only one office, making it difficult to find and receive help. Ask about transportation options, because some agencies in some areas can help with that.
Social Services - Wisconsin Rapids
Wood County Courthouse
400 Market Street; 3rd Floor, Room 312
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm M-F; Phone: (715) 421-8600
24-Hour (Crisis Intervention): (715) 421-2345
24-Hour (Law Enforcement): (715) 421-8700
Social Services - Marshfield
Marshfield City Hall
4th Floor, Suite 404
Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm M-F; Phone: (715) 387-6374
24-Hour (Crisis Intervention): (715) 384-5555
24-Hour (Law Enforcement): (715) 384-5345
SALVATION ARMY
Rosemary Huber
140 11th Avenue South; Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
715-424-2581
RUNAWAY SHELTER
The Family Crisis Center
1616 W. River Drive; Stevens Point, WI 54481
715-345-6511 or Toll Free: 800-472-3377
Shirley's House of Hope:
- PO Box 207, Marshfield. Phone: (715) 486-9000
Wisconsin Rapids Homeless
- 340 14th Street South, Wisconsin Rapids; Phone: (715) 423-7771