Building Awareness. Inspiring Action.
The Advocacy Committee is responsible for keeping the Coalition informed about issues, decisions and opportunities that affect the clients that we serve who are struggling with homelessness, poverty and the factors that surround these issues. The committee assists with gathering information about the emerging needs and gaps in services identified by the Service Providers committee. This committee develops coherent, unifying messages about needed services that the Public Relations Committee can use to inform the community and that the Coalition members can use to advocate for the development of these services.
The Goal
To develop and promote the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition’s mission and culture, both internally and externally through the: -Evaluation of qualitative and quantitative data leading to a well-crafted message regarding homelessness and housing in Brown County -Sharing and distribution of larger BCHHC conversations to the broader community -Advocacy for and support of agencies providing services -Giving a voice to people faced with housing and/or homelessness challenges and the agencies that serve them -Work to influence public policy
Brown County Health & Education Impact Study
To advocate via online form, go to: https://wied.house.gov/contact/email-me
Feel free to cut and paste the text below and edit to personalize:
I am writing to respectfully request your support of the Senate’s 2026 LHHS Appropriations Bill, which protects funding for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) Program.
This program is a smart, cost-effective investment in Wisconsin communities. Federal RHYA dollars allow local agencies to leverage limited state and local funds (Wisconsin contributes less than $600,000 annually to youth in housing crises) and prevent long-term costs by stabilizing youth before issues escalate into crime, dependency, or chronic homelessness. They protect community safety by keeping vulnerable young people off the streets and connecting them with stable housing, education, and employment.
The Senate’s bipartisan recommendations are fiscally responsible and support communities through partnerships that respect local control and priorities. They maintain current RHYA funding, ensure fair competitive grant processes, and restore Street Outreach as a standalone program that connects at-risk youth directly with services.
Youth homelessness is at an all-time high in Wisconsin, affecting more than 20,000 children each year. Without federal partnership, our communities will face higher costs in law enforcement, incarceration, emergency care, and welfare dependence. House of Hope is seeing record numbers of minors in Wisconsin facing homelessness and housing instability after being neglected or abandoned by their guardians. Over the past four years, 1 in every 4 households served in the House of Hope Green Bay emergency shelter has been a child experiencing homelessness on their own.
These are not handouts, they are strategic investments in prevention. By supporting RHYA, you are strengthening Wisconsin families, protecting taxpayers, and ensuring safer, more productive communities.
Thank you for your leadership.