The Next Step Social Justice Center

The first newsletter to be mailed out for general distribution was in March of 1990; the "Backsteps" section was a review of past events, the "Nextsteps" section was for upcoming events. 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 Income Real Estate Trust Act 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