Several years ago, Anne Marie was overseeing a food pantry. One day, an open sign outside the pantry caught the attention of a woman driving by. Curious and in need, she stopped in. She explained that she was a mother of two who had recently lost her job and was living in her vehicle. She was struggling and unsure where to turn.
Anne Marie and the pantry provided a meal for her and her children and connected her with housing resources and employment opportunities.
Experiences like these inspire Anne Marie, who built her life and career dedicated to helping others. During that time, she noticed a gap in community services: people were homeless with nowhere to turn.
With the help of her community and other passionate individuals, Anne Marie opened Shepherd's House in 2022, a shelter in Portage County. The shelter serves a diverse population, including families, children, teens and a growing number of older adults struggling to live on a fixed income.
“We're seeing an increase in the senior population. That really is concerning. We certainly don't need elderly people who are frail, sleeping outside in the cold,” said Anne Marie.
To address the unique challenges faced by their residents, Shepherd's House goes above and beyond to help individuals transition from emergency housing to stability and independence. This often includes connecting older adults with part-time jobs that supplement their fixed incomes and helping them secure housing designed to serve seniors with low incomes.
Every shelter resident actively works toward securing employment and/or housing, and many also participate in counseling classes designed to prepare them for long-term success. Through partnerships with local community organizations,Shepherd's House creates a comprehensive support system that empowers residents to regain stability.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on is being a resource and guiding individuals, step by step if necessary, to help them access the support they need,” Anne Marie said. “We give them the information, but they have to do the work.”
The shelter provides breakfast and dinner to ensure their residents have the food they need to thrive. Thanks to their partnership with the Foodbank, they are able to offer fresh, nutritious meals prepared by a retired volunteer chef who helps ensure they are unique and flavorful.
Shepherd's House continues to create hope and change for their community by providing nourishing meals and a pathway to stbility. We’re grateful for their partnership!
Stories of Hope