FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE1/20/2023 The Governor’s office announced the upcoming closing of the federally funded Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance program (WERA).  Applications are set to close on January 31, 2023 due to low remaining funds available.  Housing stability services will continue even after rental benefit funds are exhausted. WERA launched in February 2021 to help families avoid homelessness due to pandemic-related financial hardship. The program was administered by the Wisconsin Department of Administration in partnership with WISCAP, the state’s community action … Read More

WHEDA recently awarded $2 million in grant funds to organizations across Wisconsin that provide emergency shelter, transitional residences, and extremely low-income housing, including a $50,000 grant to West CAP. This grant is funded in part by WHEDA and by American Rescue Plan Act in a joint effort to create or improve safe, housing, esspecially for community members with complex needs. West CAP will be using these funds to replace outdated heating systems and install air-source heat pumps and hybrid water … Read More

“When I first came to West CAP, I was homeless and staying at the local women’s shelter. West CAP helped me get housing, they helped pay for gas and books so I could earn my CNA, and they helped me set goals for my future.” Carrie Kittelson has overcome incredible obstacles, including abuse and homelessness, to get where she is today. Last month, on December 20th, she graduated from CVTC-River Falls with a nursing degree. She has already been offered … Read More

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our annual Holiday Gift Drive! Each year, we strive to lighten the burden felt by so many families during the holidays by collecting donations of toys, clothing, and gift cards to give to low-income families in Boyceville, Glenwood City, and Spring Valley communities. This year, we had 60 eligible families register for the program. Thanks to the generosity of local donors and businesses, a total of 181 children will be receiving gifts and needs this holiday season. … Read More

The Andersen Corporate Foundation has generously approved $8,250 in grant funding to support the expanding work of our Homeless Intervention program. This program helps low-income families and individuals who are currently homeless or at risk of being homeless achieve housing stability through rental assistance, case management, and connection to community resources. Last year, our Homeless Intervention program served over 6,000 individuals through program enrollment, case management and referrals. Our Housing Assistance program is managed by Erica Schoch, who leads a … Read More

Hot off the press, the results of our 2022 Community Needs Assessment have been compiled, analyzed, and made available here on our website! Every three years, West CAP conducts a Community Needs Assessment to gather feedback from low-income individuals and community partner agencies within our seven-county service area. The survey is a requirement of the Federal Community Service Block Grant and it asks about a variety of topics including housing, transportation, health, employment, education, and food/nutrition services. The results help us gain … Read More

We are looking for donations of hygiene and 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. If you would like to donate items … Read More

COMMUNITY ACTION TAKES TO THE BIG APPLE! | AGENCY NEWS The National Community Action Partnership’s (NCAP) Annual Convention was held in New York City last week, giving over one thousand CAP reps from across the country the opportunity to connect and collaborate on all-things community action! The theme of this year’s convention was Leadership For Today’s Challenges and Tomorrow’s Solutions. The week was filled with powerful speakers and workshops, including one led by our own Executive Director, Peter Kilde, who gave an engaging … Read More