URGENT UPDATE: The WAVE Project in Warren, Michigan is racing against time to secure $68,000 in donations to continue its vital services for the homeless this winter. As temperatures plummet, this nonprofit organization serves as a lifeline for hundreds in the metro Detroit area, but they urgently need funding to keep their doors open.
Since its inception in 2018, the WAVE Project has operated an overnight winter shelter at the Trinity Christian Community Center, providing a safe haven for those experiencing homelessness. “There are literally hundreds of people in our communities, not just Wayne County but Macomb County and Oakland County, experiencing some form of homelessness,” said Todd Gordon, co-founder and executive director of WAVE Project.
Just last winter, the WAVE Project facilitated over 6,300 stays at their shelter, offering not just a warm place to sleep but also hot meals and companionship. “A lot of people don’t want to talk to them or be around them, and what they need is somebody to give them a hug, to sit down and have dinner with them,” stated Sheila Chauvin, project manager for the Macomb County Winter Shelter.
With several traditional funding sources dwindling, the shelter is facing a critical shortage that could impact its operations. “We will be very heartbroken if we can’t be open, along with all the people that need us,” Chauvin added. The goal is to keep the shelter operational seven days a week for 12 weeks, starting at the end of December.
To achieve this, WAVE Project must raise the $68,000 within the next 23 days. Gordon emphasized the financial challenges, stating, “Our budget consists of having security on site to ensure safety for volunteers, staff, and guests. We have to pay for utilities in this old building. People wouldn’t believe what it actually costs to keep this place warm.”
Without adequate funding, the shelter’s operation could be severely affected. “If we have $41,000, we’re going to operate for a month. We’re going to do it as best we can,” Gordon explained.
Every contribution, whether it’s $10 or thousands, counts towards maintaining this essential service. “It is very important to us and all the people in our community that are unhoused that they have somewhere to go,” Chauvin emphasized.
Additionally, the WAVE Project provides mobile showers and distributes clothing to individuals in need, further extending its impact on the community.
As the winter season approaches, the call for support is urgent. Those looking to help can contribute directly to the WAVE Project’s fundraising efforts to ensure that the shelter remains open and operational for those who desperately need it.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops, and consider sharing this urgent plea to help spread the word.
