Home » Sam Phillipps

James’s Story

James Owens has received the 2025 Client Achievement Award because of all of the monumental progress that he has made since entering our program. James and his children were accepted into our Permanent Supportive Housing program in April 2024. Prior to entering our program, James had been homeless for 5 years and was living in his car. Due to his living situation, he lost custody of his children. Shortly after completing his tenant briefing, James moved into a 1-bedroom unit … Read More

West CAP Execs Attend WISCAP Advocacy Day

Our Executive Director, Tim Mather, and Associate Director, Samantha Phillipps spent a couple days down at the Wisconsin State Capitol on April 8th & 9th for the annual WISCAP Advocacy Day! This annual event gives Community Action professionals the opportunity to come together and meet with state senators and representatives to discuss issues related to poverty in our districts. Tim and Sam also gave a presentation with Couleecap Director, Hetti Brown, on Housing & Energy Solutions for Wisconsin as part … Read More

Chelsie’s Story

Chelsie enrolled in the Nursing Skills Program with West CAP in the Fall of 2023. At the time, she was working at Amery Hospital as a CNA with no health care benefits. Her rate of pay was $13.03/hour and she was working 22 hours a week to support herself and her young son. Through the Nursing Skills Program, Chelsie received support to cover her tuition and mileage reimbursements driving to and from class.  She graduated from Northwood Tech in December … Read More

Accepting Donations for Homeless Intervention

We are looking for monetary donations to purchase household essentials for our Homeless Intervention program. This program provides case management to help homeless individuals and families find affordable and stable housing across seven WI counties. The worst feeling for our case managers is finding a client a place to live after they have been on the street or living in their car and they are brought to an empty unit with no essentials. Funds will allow our case management staff … Read More

USDA Food Orders Cancelled Leaving Local Food Outlets in a Lurch

In late March, it was announced that $500M in Commodity Credit Corporation funding is now cut for foodbanks and emergency food providers, which is allocated through the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Read an article announcing the cuts here. This is one of the three main ways that The Emergency Food Assistance Program receives food to feed food-insecure individuals and families across the nation. These cuts will affect the food supply at area food banks, including those West CAP … Read More

Wisconsin Residents at Risk as Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Employees Abruptly Fired 

GLENWOOD CITY, Wis – A program that keeps Wisconsinites safe by ensuring homes stay warm and cool during extreme temperatures is at risk after abrupt actions by the federal government. In early April, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fired all employees of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, which helps residents pay heating bills and address energy emergencies. LIHEAP provides energy assistance to low-income households with high energy costs. The program ensures energy security, prevents … Read More

Sarah’s Story

Prior to entering our program, ‘Sarah’ and her 3 young daughters were living in a shelter, as they were fleeing domestic violence. Sarah was referred and approved to enroll in West CAP’s Rapid Rehousing program. Shortly after enrolling in the program, her case manager helped her find and move into a 2-bedroom rental unit. The program allows Sarah to hold the lease in her name, and she pays 30% of her income to her rent. The program assistance covers the … Read More

Back To School Supply Program 2022

West CAP has a long tradition of collected backpacks and school supplies throughout the summer to help school-aged children in need. This year, instead of providing students with backpacks and supplies, West CAP will be giving all supplies directly to the schools, which include: Boycevillle, Colfax, Glenwood City, Elk Mound, and Menomonie. Any monetary donations will be used to purchase what the districts have asked for specifically, or will go to the school Angel Funds, which pay for things like … Read More

Governor Announces WEDC Grant to Increase Nursing Workforce

  Governor Tony Evers visited River Falls, WI last week to announce more than $5 Million in grants being awarded to help meet the increasing demand for nurses across the state.  Wisconsin’s community action association, WISCAP, received a $4.8 million award through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) second round of the Workforce Innovation Grant Program, which aims to create solutions to Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce challenges. Through the grant, ten member agencies of WISCAP, including West CAP, are receiving funding … Read More

Please Note:

West CAP office locations will be closed to the public for walk-ins on Wednesday and Thursday, February 22 & 23 due to snow and subsequent staffing shortages.