St. John’s Ministries calls for community support for emergency shelter services

GREEN BAY – As St. John’s Ministries prepares to open their emergency shelters for another Cold Weather Season starting Nov. 1, the organization is inviting individuals, businesses and community groups to lend a hand and help ensure adults experiencing homelessness have access to welcoming shelter, warm meals, compassionate fellowship and consistent support.

“Addressing homelessness is a community effort, and volunteers play an important role in the work we do,” said Brooke Graham, volunteer coordinator at St. John’s Ministries. “Whether someone gives a few hours of their time, organizes a group volunteer opportunity or commits to serving regularly throughout the season, their involvement helps us provide essential services and create a welcoming environment for the people who come through our doors.”

The emergency shelters open for their Cold Weather Season Nov. 1 and operate through April 30, providing a safe place to sleep for adults experiencing homelessness who may not be eligible for other area shelter programs.

Volunteer opportunities during the Cold Weather Season may include assisting with meal service, helping with daily shelter needs, organizing group volunteer activities and supporting other tasks that help facilities operate smoothly.

Although the number of people utilizing the St. John’s Ministries’ emergency shelters have trended upward over the last several years, Executive Director Jesse Brunette said the numbers began to stabilize last year.

“Four seasons ago, we had 102 people per night on average, then it was 121, then it was 141. We were anticipating perhaps a 20-person-per-night increase between both shelters combined,” Brunette said. “We actually stabilized at 140. So on average, per night at the two shelters, we were one less person than the previous year. That gives me hope that we’ve stabilized in our community, although that’s way too many people experiencing homelessness… In terms of the number of people that we sheltered, we were preparing for close to 700 individuals and that actually decreased as well based on the previous year.”

Brunette said he is hopeful that the stabilization in the amount of people needing to utilize St. John’s shelters is indicative of a stabilization in the amount of people experiencing homelessness in the community, even if some may perceive an increase.

“I think as a community, although people see homelessness much more, I think we’re making good progress, although it may not feel that way…” Brunette said. “Lately, the issue in our community has been about parks and public spaces. Sometimes the behaviors of a very small group of people, some of whom may be experiencing homelessness, are unfairly being perceived that it’s the entire population.”

At the end of the day, Brunette said, he hopes people will “see the human in everyone in our community.”
“Many people who are experiencing homelessness are just caught in a really vicious cycle of poverty, high housing costs, some with substance addiction, some with mental health conditions or chronic health conditions,” he said. “We have to see the human in everyone in our community and treat everyone with dignity.”

Community members interested in volunteering during the 2026–2027 Cold Weather Season are encouraged to learn more about available opportunities and how to get involved.

To learn more about volunteering with St. John’s Ministries, visit stjohnsgreenbay.org/volunteer.