July 23, 2026 – Last weekend, Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley held our first-ever Brat Fry to help promote our upcoming Hike for the Homeless. I expected to spend the day talking about the Hike. Instead, I was reminded why we walk. While visiting with someone at our table, I mentioned Beacon House. The moment she heard those words, she became visibly emotional. After taking a moment to gather herself, she shared that she had lived at Beacon House with her family when she was five years old. She spoke with gratitude for the support her family received, shared that life has turned out well, and expressed a desire to give back to others. That conversation has stayed with me all week. It's a reminder that the impact of this work isn't measured only in nights of shelter or families served. Sometimes it's measured years later, when a child who once needed help grows into an adult who is thriving and wants to help someone else. I'm also grateful to everyone who made our first Brat Fry a success. One of our board members stepped forward to organize the event, and two additional board members spent their Saturday volunteering alongside staff and community supporters. Their leadership helped make conversations like this possible. We set out to promote the Hike for the Homeless. Instead, someone reminded me why we walk. If you'd like to be part of creating more stories like this, we invite you to join us at this year's Hike for the Homeless. https://www.familypromisecv.org/hike-for-the-homeless — Semone Thomas Executive Director Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley

July 22, 2026 – Thank you for your continued support. This week we're asking for help restocking blankets and bathroom essentials for families staying in our shelter. A warm blanket and fresh towels provide more than comfort, they help families feel safe, cared for, and at home during a difficult season. Items we're requesting this week include: Cans of Lysol Laundry Detergent Scotch Brite Bleach Window Curtains Bath towels Washcloths Shower sponges How to help: Click the Amazon Wishlist link below, choose an item, and Amazon will ship it directly to us. https://a.co/0dPksKF8 Thank you for helping us provide comfort, dignity, and hope to the families we serve.

July 21, 2026 – Did you know? 100% of the proceeds from the raffles at the Hike for the Homeless go directly to the Beacon House. A huge thank you to Sunnydaze Decor Outlet Store, Bravo Salon & Spa, Xcel Energy & Not Justa Coffee Shop for donating these amazing prizes to our cause! Want a chance to win these and many more amazing prizes while doing something amazing? Join us on August 18th at River Prairie Park in Altoona, WI for the 23rd annual Hike for the Homeless! Enjoy raffle prizes, silent auction items, and a community hike to raise awareness and make a difference. 👉 Click the link below to register and be part of this impactful event! https://www.familypromisecv.org/hike-for-the-homeless #FamilyPromise #FamilyPromiseCV #ChippewaValley #EauClaire #hikeforthehomeless

July 20, 2026 – One Person Can Make a Difference Volunteer with Family Promise - Beacon House Behind every family who finds stability is a community that chose to care. Volunteering doesn't always mean making a huge commitment. Sometimes it's preparing a meal, helping organize donations, spending time with children during an activity, or lending a hand with a special project. Every hour you give reminds a family that they are not facing life's challenges alone. If you've been looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in our community, we'd love to welcome you. Learn more about volunteer opportunities: https://familypromisecv.org/volunteer #Volunteer #FamilyPromiseCV #BeaconHouse #ChippewaValley #CommunitySupport

July 18, 2026 – We are here until 6pm. Come get a Brat or a Burger. Festival Foods Mall Drive.

July 16, 2026 – 🌭 Brat Stand Fundraiser! Join us at Festival Foods on Mall Dr 📅 Saturday, July 18th ⏰ 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Brats • Chips • Drinks All proceeds support the Hike for the Homeless & Beacon House 💜 Come grab a bite and support local families in need! #HikeForTheHomeless #BeaconHouse #EauClaireEvents

July 15, 2026 – What Community Looks Like — What Gives Me Hope As I reflect on what response is and does, how relationships move mountains, and the impact of coordination, I keep coming back to one question: What gives me hope? The answer is people. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to meet community members, partners, volunteers, donors, housing providers, educators, healthcare professionals, faith leaders, and advocates throughout the Chippewa Valley. In different ways, each conversation has reminded me that community is not built by one organization or one person. It is built by people who are willing to keep showing up. What gives me hope is not that any one person has all the answers. What gives me hope is knowing there are people who care enough to answer the phone, make an introduction, share a resource, offer their time, or say, “I may not be able to solve the whole problem, but I can help.” That kind of response matters. Every conversation, every partnership, every act of support, and every opportunity created for a family becomes part of something larger. Community is built by people who believe families deserve dignity, opportunity, and the chance to move forward. If you believe that too, I invite you to be part of this work. Volunteer. Give. Open a door. Make an introduction. Share a resource. Become a partner. Every step forward matters, and every person willing to show up helps build a stronger community for families. To learn more about Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley, visit www.familypromisecv.org.

July 14, 2026 – Thank you to our Bronze Sponsors! 🧡 Your generosity and support help make the Hike for the Homeless possible. Every contribution plays an important role in helping us provide hope and support to families experiencing homelessness in our community. Thank you for partnering with us and helping make a difference. We truly appreciate your support! 🥾💙 #HikeForTheHomeless #ThankYouSponsors #CommunityStrong #EndHomelessness #ChippewaValley #FamilyPromise #BeaconHouse

July 9, 2026 – A heartfelt thank you to our Silver Sponsors! 🤍 Your support helps make the Hike for the Homeless a success. We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and commitment to helping families experiencing homelessness in our community. Thank you for standing with us and helping make a difference. We couldn't do it without you! 🥾💙 #HikeForTheHomeless #ThankYouSponsors #CommunityStrong #EndHomelessness #ChippewaValley #FamilyPromise #BeaconHouse

July 8, 2026 – Your support helps turn a house into a home. Every day, families staying in our shelter rely on everyday household essentials to keep their living spaces clean, safe, and comfortable. As these items are used quickly, we're asking our community to help us restock our shelves. Our most urgent needs include: 🧺 Garbage Bags 🧴 Laundry Detergent 🧼 Disinfectant Spray 🫧 Bleach We're also in need of: • Conditioner • Hand Soap • Window Cleaner • Floor Cleaner If you'd like to help, you can purchase items directly from our Amazon Wishlist, and they'll be shipped straight to our shelter: https://a.co/0dPksKF8 Every donation, no matter the size, helps us provide families with the basic necessities they need while they focus on building a brighter future. Thank you for helping create a welcoming place where families can feel safe, supported, and cared for.