The Next Step Social Justice Center
Bringing America Home
April 2 - 3, 2008 || Green Bay, WI
Conference on services available for the homeless,
civil rights for the homeless and human rights for the homeless.
National speakers, free events, more information here.
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Our first newsletter to be mailed out for general distribution was in March of 1990;
the "Backsteps" section is a review of past events and accomplishments,
the "Nextsteps" section is for upcoming plans and events. [archive]:
Backsteps and Nextsteps (March, 1990): Volume 1, Issue 1
In December 2007, the option was added of receiving the newsletter by email in an electronic format;
for current issues, please subscribe here: Backsteps and Nextsteps
WE EACH ARE CALLED TO TAKE THAT CRUCIAL NEXT STEP FOR JUSTICE
History of The Next Step Social Justice Center:
WHAT WE DO
Ignited by the challenge of Mitch Snyder, spokesperson for the
Community for Creative Non-Violence, and the
U.S. Bishops'
Pastoral Letter on Economic Social Justice,
we organized as a group in February 1986
to work on behalf of the homeless.
LEGISLATION
1987 - Kept vigil, fasted, volunteered and lobbied Congress to help pass
THE STEWART B. MCKINNEY ACT
which funds emergency needs as well as education for kids, job training, counseling and health care.
1989 - Organized five busloads of people to participate in
THE NATIONAL HOUSING NOW! march on Washington, D.C. where
commitments were made to provide affordable housing.
1990 - Served as a Public Member on Task Force on Homelessness for the
Wisconsin
Legislature which led to public hearings and the passage of the
Interest on Real Estate Trust Act (IRETA)
to provide funding for homeless programs.
1996 - Researched County Budget
and educated local advocates to help restore General Relief assistance to
homeless.
WHO WE SERVE
1987 - Opened and operated ROOM AT THE INN, emergency shelter for single men,
drop in center and meal program for community in coalition with
The United Amerindian Center and the
Brown County Task Forces on Hunger and Homelessness.
1990 - Opened and operated CROSSROADS
SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER AND SHELTER FOR FAMILIES AND SINGLE WOMEN.
Private, non-profit, and tax exempt-- totally dependent on volunteers and private donations.
1999 - Opened and operated MARIE'S FIRST STEP, a child care center to serve the needs of children living in
Crossroads and Louise de Marillac Shelter in partnership with
St. Vincent de Paul Society.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING: HOUSING NOW! FORUM
2002 - Organized and cosponsored a Housing Now! Forum with the
Brown County Task Force on Homelessness.
RESEARCHED COUNTY BUDGET
2003 - Helped organize public testimony and prayer vigil in response to the call to
eliminate funding for non-profit, non-mandated human service programs.
$500,000 dollars in proposed cuts were restored along with General Relief.
"If everyone does a little, no one has to do too much" - KSOM