(Update Posted November 5, 2024)

Hello to our agency partners – case managers, social workers, peer support specialists!

       First of all, thank you so much for allowing Father Gene’s Help Center to serve the clients that you directly support. Clothing is an important piece of the recovery and stabilization process. It very practically protects the human body from the elements but also serves as a means of self-expression and identity. When we have clothing that we feel good in, we are better able to navigate the challenges of daily life.

       For much of the past 50 years, the pre-packed order model has been our primary tool to serve the community. This year, we have packed over 1200 orders for individuals and families and over 90% of those have been orders for community agencies like yours.

       In recent years, since 2020, we have expanded our services to include the client shopping experience that allows individuals to select clothing for themselves and their family members. Over 16,000 people have been served through the client shopping experience so far this year. We have found that client shopping is both more efficient and a more dignifying experience for the people we serve. We have found that clothing is a means to an end – dignity. It is not only what people receive, it is how they receive it, enhanced by the ability to select garments that resonate with their personal style preferences.

       We have decided to phase out pre-packed orders so we can better serve all our clients. The last requests for clothing will be accepted on December 1, 2024 in an effort to have all orders completed and available for pick up by December 19th 2024, which is the last day we will be open to the public before closing for the holidays.

We are committed to continuing to serve your clients and are willing to discuss ways of making this possible. We understand that this change may create some challenges for you and for the folks that you work with, especially early on, as we figure it out how to accommodate the different circumstances of different agencies. The simplest method would be to encourage your clients come to the center on their own, reliant on their own transportation and as their schedules permit. Some clients may benefit from transportation provided by from an agency representative. For residential programs, we are open to discussing the possibility of pre-scheduled group shopping times. For clients who may be completely homebound, we are open to discussing inviting an agency representative to shop on behalf of a client (with client name and DOB provided).

       As a reminder, shopping days are Monday through Thursday, as well as most first Saturdays. Shopping hours start at 9 am and all shopping must be completed by 2 pm. We welcome our final parties of shoppers at 1:30 pm, but it is recommended that folks arrive no later than 1 pm to ensure they have sufficient time to browse before we close. Clients are eligible to receive help with clothing once every 90 days. Because we operate on a first come, first served model, and because we limit how many parties are shopping at one time, there may be a wait.

       If this change is of serious concern to you and the folks you work with, please start a conversation with us to figure out a solution that works for you as well as for FGHC. My direct email address is director@fathergeneshelp.org and I can be reached by phone at 414-258-4357, ext 101.

       Thank you all for everything you do to support folks in need in the greater Milwaukee community.

       Best,

       Jessica Luebbering & the team at FGHC