Outreach center closes to reorganize

Posted: Feb. 8, 2012

City of Oconomowoc - Two years after it first opened its doors, the Pennys and Nichols Center (PANC) is taking a brief respite to better serve its clientele.

Staff and volunteers will take the month of February to reorganize, clean, repair and paint its office. As a result, the center is closed to walk-in traffic until March 3.

Clients come to PANC for free clothing, household items, moral support and referrals to other agencies and churches for help.

"We looked at our building and thought we could make more efficient use of space," said director Chris Miles.

In its two-year history, the number of clients and the number of donations overwhelmed the small start-up that works on volunteer efforts with financial support from grants and donors.

Usage has skyrocketed to the point where the need to reorganize the center to accommodate the influx of people and donations became imperative.

"That means taking some clothing to off-site storage and being more selective," about accepting donations to ensure that the items are clean and in good repair, Miles explained.

In order to accomplish its goals, the center will be open by appointment only until March 3; noncash donations will not be accepted during this period.

"There will be no impact other than not bringing donations in," the director noted.

The center welcomes volunteers willing to help with cleaning, painting, repairing, organizing and training volunteers.

Tasks include repairing walls, putting up shelving and installing a new sink. People are needed to help wash down walls and clean carpets, paint walls, and to organize and distribute clothing and other small items.

"This will take us awhile," Miles said, explaining the need for the 32-day hiatus from walk-in traffic.

Make a difference

In addition, Miles said that between Feb. 13 and March 3 they will be working with people willing to be trained to volunteer on the telephones, provide hospitality and complete daily administration and paperwork.

Also needed are three specific volunteers to assume the roles of program coordinator, donation coordinator and intake volunteer.

"These positions do not require previous experience, but they do require on-site training and people willing to really make a difference," said Nansi Hawkins, pastor at Emmanuel UCC Church in Dousman, who works with Miles on issues facing the downtrodden.

Needs grow

PANC has an affiliation with another Oconomowoc resource, the Oconomowoc Urgent Needs Fund, which was formed to help people who are, or are in danger of, becoming homeless.

The entities are currently seeking solutions for the most vulnerable of the community's residents.

"We make recommendations for financial assistance to OUNCF and manage the cases. Operating/administrative costs are shared between the two factions," Miles explained.

During the period of time in which PANC will be closed for donations, Miles said they hope to get things in order to help serve more efficiently.

"We'll have more space, better organization and getting more volunteers that are focused on certain tasks. I cannot carry the client load myself any longer," she said.

The director said the needs of community continue to grow.

 "Walk-in traffic has increased dramatically. The client load has increased dramatically. At this point we are getting two to three brand new applicants a day for rental assistance," Miles said.

"One day, in 1 ½ hours, we had eight walk-ins looking for gas cards or rental assistance. One woman was dealing with a domestic violence situation in the home," she explained.

"The problems are multi-layered. They get more and more difficult with less and less options," she added.

If you can help, contact the Pennys and Nichols volunteer coordinator, Bonnie Hansen, at (262) 354-5030 or pancvolun teer@gmail.com.

Anyone in need of temporary emergency shelter will be helped by calling their emergency hotline, (262) 354-5030.