GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Safe Shelter in Green Bay has been in operation since November of 2021 and since the facility has opened it has seen in an influx of people who have no place to stay.
"I know one family came in and they were in their car for seven weeks before they actually came in to shelter,” said Pearl Webster, Safe Shelter executive director.
Webster explained they had been relying on an emergency solutions grant to keep the shelter running. However, with the grant expiring on Thursday they're going to need more money.
"It’s going to take a lot of work on our part to get out there and get grants. Because many, many [grantors] will not offer grants to an entity that is not one or two years old and that has not proven their ability to be successful,” Webster said.
In the meantime, as an Oneida tribal member, she is relying on help from the nation.
“...I can’t expect them to continue to fund us. Our budget is $500,000 a year...” Webster said.
With the shelter's budget as it stands, she says she's going to have to get creative.
"My plan is to really do some personal visits to business units and foundations to utilize every grant that I can have access to,” Webster said.
The shelter said they welcome all backgrounds and walks of life.
"I thought I had a responsibility for my native brothers and sister so to speak. I've seen a lot of it, so I knew it was out there,” Webster said.
And it is not just adults spending the night at the shelter, but children, too.
Veterans are among those who receive help.
“The little ones come up and give you a hug and say 'Hello Miss Pearl, how are you today?' You might have the worst day in shelter, but at the end of the day you know that you're doing good and making a difference,” Webster said.
If you're interested in learning more about the shelter, click here.
