Swisschick- To add insult, I'll bet someone referred to that incident as an "accident", too........

4bears - Thank you! I'm much better than was anticipated. Lots of hard work and physical therapy. Still have some issues, but I'm so much better off than what I could've been.

SwissChick, I hope you have or are on the way to a full recovery.. and thank you for pointing out NOT EVERYONE that is in this situation is lazy and not pulling themselves up by the boot straps!!

I do know things happen to people that have nothing to do with "bad choices". Several years ago, I was hit by a 6-time OWI driver. He fell through a loop hole and was charged with only a 2nd. I was hurt severely enough that I lost my job and wasn't able to work for 11 months or so. If it hadn't been for the kindness of friends and family, I could've ended up in a shelter. Not everybody is a victim of their own poor choices. Sometimes they're a victim of someone else's poor choices.

Sorry if I don't see it in the article but does anyone know how many people the House of Mercy can hold?

@ladybird,
Our church is actually between Orfordville and Footville. There are even fewer resources for residents outside of Janesville and Beloit which is part of what has led us to try to develop this ministry in our home area. The goal is for the church to purchase the home and rotate families through it, using it as a stable place to allow them to get back on their feet. We hope to model it somewhat after Whitewater's Bethel house program.

And to people in a position to give. These are the types of charities that make good use of your donation. Their administrative costs are low and the effect is right here in the same community you live in. The money goes directly to work.

About the only thing that kept my wife and I out of Cristin's situation was luck and parents that were in the position to provide housing assistance at critical times.

I can't remember a time that money wasn't an issue in one form or another, and I am a fairly average thirtysomething who has had regular, full-time professional employment for the majority of my career. I pay my bills and can handle regular "emergency" expenses, but actually building savings is a real struggle. Homeownership or purchasing a new vehicle is an unrealistic dream.

In my case, Lemke10, it's less planning for a "rainy day" than having an honest shot at a few sunny days to prosper. It's been a "rainy day" for me for at least the last 5 years. Multiply my experience by all the other people in their 20's and 30's who've never had a real opportunity, and it's no wonder the economy is in its current doldrums.

You are reading too much into this particular situation. But, you are not alone.

You cannot disconnect this from politics.Partisan politics, yes...Both Republicans and Democrats are at fault for the destruction of our economy...That fact cannot be separated from the needs that have been created because of it.

You people who want to make something like this political make me sick.

justmy414 - You made a claim in your 8:47 a.m. comment that it's Walker's fault for homelessness, yet you provided no supportive argument to justify your claim. I'll make a claim that the House of Mercy has had a waiting list well before Walker took office, and I will support my claim by quoting from their webpage:
"From August 1996 through December 2011, the House of Mercy provided shelter and support to over 4,987 individuals....The Center is usually filled to capacity, with a waiting list."
Must see video IMHO:
House of Mercy 2011
http://youtu.be/KYKG_afL02E

Email the reporter and ask exactly how the income was cut by 30%.

When I volunteer at HOM I don't ask myself why people are there. I see the young children that fill the building. They are there through no fault of their own. It's nice to know that while they are there they have good food, a warm bed, and people in the community that care about them.
Working Sunday mornings it's fun to watch Moms sign out with everyone dressed up in their Sunday best on their way to church. I bet the kids would rather be downstairs in the toy room!
BTW: I met "Christin" today. She's a very nice person.

All of these problems emanate from Washington Republicans and Democrats...NAFTA, GATT, etc., etc., etc......

States can accomplish almost nothing in the face of it.

The homeless problem in Wisconsin is hardly Scott Walkers fault!!!! You need to get over the fact that you lost and move on you bitter loser. Like was said below, homelessness was here before Walker, and will be here after Walker. He is NOT the cause.

yada

'in the newstory below'

the "Uppidity" blog is hardly a "news" source.

Homelessness is a problem in every city. Madison which has an unemployment of around 5%, still has a HUGE number of homeless people. I think Janesville actually does a better job helping the homeless than Madison, considering the unemployment rate we have.

I agree. Makes me feel good there still are some good caring people in this world.

I am so encouraged to read so many comments by people who are compassionate rather than judgmental toward people who are suffering. There is so much negativity in online forums these days, that the kind and empathetic comments on this one are like a breath of fresh air.

Ladybird, your response touched my heart. I was diagnosised with breast cancer two years ago and am very grateful that my husband and I both had insurance that paid for most of my treatment. No one deserves to get sick. Good luck! Check into programs through American Cancer Society. You migth be able to find some help through those programs.

"Actually, it's Walker taking office who resulted in homelessness, bankruptcies and the loss of talented workers."

--------------------------------------------

Actually, there has been homelessness, job loss and bankruptcies since before Walker... and there will be long after Walker.

Walker isn't cool, but you can't blame everything wrong in the world on one person.

Saying there are no absolutes seems absolute. And on another point, generalizing is the easier, softer way of dealing with reality.

Actually, it's Walker taking office who resulted in homelessness, bankruptcies and the loss of talented workers.

billnewbie, in your post below pertaining to the story above, you comment: "There but for the grace of god go I." Can you comment further on god's selection process when it comes to dispensing his grace?

All I take away from this story is that she was doing well, then Obama got into office and everything went south. And if he gets re-elected there will be no hope in sight.

I feel sorry for lemke, but he will have to answer for his attitude some day. I was fortunate to be born before ww2. After that war we were about the only industrial power left whole and were able to supply the world for quite a while, not anything special, just lucky. Now we are being faced by corporations that only see profits being made, not by innovation but, just by cutting wages and benefits. They are being supported by one political party more than the other but they are both guilty. Both Industry and our politicians are chasing an old industrial model and that has past us by. Meanwhile millions of people are being thrown to the curb and we find all kinds of reasons to blame them.

yada..another far left leaning link...

Before you say - Not another Walker story - Focus and stay with it & you will learn. I am not saying you will agree 100%, but some very valid points raised in the newstory below.

"Walker's War On The Poor...Part Deux"

http://uppitywis.org/blogarticle/walkers...

This article has really touched me as a Mother with two girls and a grandson a few months old that I to am in the same situation. I have always had savings to fall back on while working for worst case scenario. But in last six months I have used all that to take care of me and my children. I couldn't predict that I would end up going to Dr six months ago and my doctor telling me that I have stage three breast cancer and that I need start chemo asap. With my xx husband being out of state its harder to catch up with any means of child support. Applying for disability benefits has been a very long wait so far. So we lost our home that resided at for years and our stability. I do blame myself all the time and feeling like I failed my girls and grandson. But also I didn't choose to get cancer either. Im thankful a friend has offered me and mine a place to lay our heads. Do I or my kids want to be like this no we dont. But we have no other option. As a community there is not much to help my family out. House Mercy runs a great program and have been on their list. Im glad to hear of a church trying to.make it possible for a purchase of a home for a family. I go to a really Nice big church in.Beloit and have been for seven years and I have spoken to.many board members of church and they can't help me. So to hear of this church in Janesville really does touch me. I do try and stay positive that something will happen or give really soon. For my kids sake..Just to see them smile again and then I to can smile. Just thought I'd share my situation because I don't wish anyone to be like these ladies in story including myself. Some if us don't ask for this to happen let alone deserve to be in the situation. :(

spscdpo wrote,"Where did our compassion for our fellow human beings go?"

That really says it all.

Regardless of which way you lean politically, answer this question in your own heart and mind.

Lemke must be one lucky SOB. He sounds like he has never been down and out. I have seen hard working people who by no fault of their own are one paycheck away from being homeless. My 24 y/o daughter for instance. Works very hard, never calls into work, supports her daughter pretty much on her own, because the judge thinks that baby daddy should only have to pay $17.00 a week even though he makes more money than she does. In the last few years she has faced several health issues that require missing significant time away from work. While her employer lets her take the time off she only gets paid for a small amount of the time that she misses and has to find a way to afford her share of her insurance premiums. My point is when someone is faced with a health issue and has to miss work even if you planned for a rainy day how long does this last if you are already living paycheck to paycheck. Where did our compassion for our fellow human beings go?

LEMKE... the only thing I can say is generalizing isn't always the wisest choice. There are never any absolutes. I am happy for you, obviously you have made all the perfect choices... many don't have the means due to a very colorful array of reasons. Please don't generalize.

I want to add, why in the heck are we putting together programs to gather items and money, etc., for other states and countries when locally, we should be taking care of our own neighbors.

Lemke10, you are certainly entitled to express your opinion and I respect that. Others are entitled to express their opinions as well. In my opinion, you have made valid observations and expressions in some past articles but this time you are making sweeping negative generalizations that make you sound like a politician. JMO

This seriously hurts my heart. There are many other people / businesses who are able to help with 'debt forgiveness' who just aren't. If I had the means, I certainly would. I pray for all these people who truly are in a situation because of true hardship. :(

Our church is attempting to get a transitional ministry program started that would help with situations like Mandi's. The goal is to purchase a home that would house a family for a maximum of a year, giving them a stable base to use as an opportunity to get back on their feet. Stories like hers are heartbreaking.

With politicians of both stripes utterly destroying our job base over the last 30 years, it's not hard to see how people everywhere are becoming destitute.

I love how everyone always attacks the one who’s willing to voice a real opinion and a real opinion, of course, always comes with controversy. America is its own demise. I go out of my way to support the American worker. I have an American made car, only buy American made shoes, I refuse to visit place that obviously take advantages of hiring undocumented workers, etc. So when someone who drives a Toyota, wears Nike shoes, and has D&G sunglasses loses their job I will refuse to fell sorry for them. They spent the good times living carefree, and didn’t give a damn about the American worker while they bought goods made by minors in India and Vietnam. You Walmart/ big box store lovers are killing America and are too ignorant to understand why. If I feel sorry for anyone it’s the kids of these parents who can’t even put a roof over their kid’s head. No kid deserves that ever!

Lemke10 has a point in that we are often the victims of the poor choices we make. However, very few of us, if any can say we've made only good choices all our lives. The fact is that some folks make many poor choices but never face dire consequences while others make just a few poor choices yet have to live with severe consequences all their lives. Lemke10 should remember the old adage that is so very true. "There but for the grace of God go I". That's why all of us who are more fortunate should be supportive of places like the House of Mercy and people such as Mandi and Christin. Not because we condone poor decisions or want to enable them but because we've all made poor decisions ourselves, even though we may never have faced homelessness as a result. After all, suffering such as hunger and homelessness still leave people suffering no matter why they suffer. And in these particular cases, innocent children are suffering too. Besides, Mandi and Christin and a host of others foks have learned some hard lessons about poor decisions. They don't need their noses rubbed in it. They need their most basic human needs met. The counselling they also receive will help them learn to make better decisions. We should all support that as well.

@Lemke - It's pretty easy to make a judgement when you don't know the specific circumstances. Savings can dwindle pretty quickly even if you have them during times of crisis. No one, and I mean no one, can plan for every circumstance.

It's hard to believe there are people like Lemke10 in this world.

One thing I take away from this article is that Lemke10 is an insensitive, cold hearted, know it all, judgmental person who probably has never faced hardship and lumps all of those in need into one negative category. Nuff said.

This is an excellent program, and should have all of our respect and support.
My only other comment is that we need to stop sending money to Libya, China, Saudi Arabia, etc. and give it to programs like this instead.

I can't believe that I'm the first one to say how enraged this article makes me feel. All I read was, "I don't work as much as I used to" or "I'm hurt and I can't work." Thankfully for these people they do not live in the 1800's when it was survival of the fittest. All I got out of this article was that people made poor financial decisions by not planning for a rainy day. They spent paycheck after paycheck and did not plan for the future. I bet a retirement plan for any of these people is non-exist. Ultimately stuff like this doesn't come down to misfortune; it comes down to work ethic and common sense. Someone people got it, some people don't.

My friend told me about this article and suggested that I take the clothes my kids have outgrown there. I will be dropping off two garbage bags of clothes on Monday.

The community really does a great job helping the people there, and Shirley, Rejeana and Erin are the best!
Last month the Gazette ran the article "Fresh produce a precious commodity" about House of Mercy, and someone stopped by after reading it and donated a box of homegrown tomatoes and another box of zucchini during my shift as a volunteer. A couple weeks ago when I was there it was lots of bananas from a church, and the kids loved them.
I wonder what tomorrow morning will bring?