LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
SHARON POMAVILLE
Serving the Center as a board member, committee volunteer, donor, and Executive Director for the past 17 years has been an honor and a humbling experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community through the Center’s work. As we celebrate 42 years of service to Kenosha County, I welcome you to the next chapter, a historic investment in Western Kenosha County: The Sharing Center’s Brick By Brick Growth Campaign!
I’ve witnessed incredible growth in the community needs over the years. The 2008 recession and housing market crash took those we serve nearly 9 years to recover. The Impact of the COVID pandemic stressed our resources in ways we’ve never experienced before. The post-COVID recession caused three times as many people to seek assistance, requiring us to increase capacity in all programming substantially, implement new crisis services, and partner heavily with the community and other nonprofits to meet the need.
When I arrived as director in 2012, our annual budget, including the value of in-kind donations, was under $200,000. That is significant, as it included staffing the equivalent of two full-time employees. This year, our budget is reaching $2.5 million, as the amount of food and goods we distribute has quadrupled. The intense need demands more trained, compassionate staff to assist. We are now a mighty team of six, plus 300+ dedicated volunteers.
The Growth Campaign will fund a building expansion to meet the burgeoning need, which shows no sign of slowing or stopping. Years ago, we outgrew our facility’s capacity. The campaign will also include funding to meet our day-to-day needs, the capacity to plan for the future strategically, and investment in market-rate housing for seniors and families.
I hope you will join me in traveling this highway together for the next few years. Together, we can break the cycle of poverty and trauma for generations to come, increase employment and education for all, and create a brighter future of health and happiness for rural Kenosha families.
We’re launching a historic investment into western Kenosha County
​The Sharing Center Growth Campaign is a three-year, $8 million capital campaign focused on investing in the health, well-being, and sustainability of western Kenosha County through the Sharing Center’s facilities, programming, and strategic growth. The campaign has four priorities: sustaining operations, building expansion, program growth, and housing.
PRIORITY
1
Sustain Operations
$1.5 MILLION
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Keep the lights on
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Sustain staff levels
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Fund existing programs
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Continue to serve community
PRIORITY
2
Expand Brick x Brick
$3.5 MILLION
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Expand capacity, storage, and community space
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State-of-the-art facility that will serve for decades to come
PRIORITY
3
Programs & Rural Initiatives
$1 MILLION
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New programs
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Development of case study on best in practices
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Additional staff to support new programs
PRIORITY
4
Future Housing
$2 MILLION
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Long term project
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Development of housing solution for Western Kenosha County
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Modify current location
WHY NOW?
We’ve outgrown our current space and to position ourselves for the future, expand programs, and scale our impact, we need to make a transformational investment into The Sharing Center.
HOW WILL THIS TRANSFORMATIONAL GROWTH BE SUSTAINABLE?
Our campaign is based on stewarding and maximizing the resources you entrust to The Center. Priority 1 ensures we keep our current programs and staffing levels stable—we’re keeping the lights on. The other three priorities focus on careful, intentional, and achievable plans to address growing needs, a growing population, and the fact that we are western Kenosha County’s only emergency crisis center. We intend for new programs, facility growth, and a housing initiative to carry us for another four decades.
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WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T REACH OUR GOAL?
​We will continue to offer high-quality service and respond to crises. We will assess our financial resources and campaign progress and make decisions that best steward the resources you entrust to us. To begin this process for our building project (Priority 2), we must raise at least 75% of the funds.
WHO WE Are
The Sharing Center (The Center) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983 by Rick and Kathy Fors. Initially serving out of their trailer home, it quickly outgrew that space. Since then, It has moved to its current location, the former Trevor-Wilmot Fire Station. The Center is run by six employees, a Board of Directors, hundreds of volunteers, and a supportive base of grantors, sponsors, and donors.
WHAT WE DO
We meet individuals and families where they are. Our food and resource programs help them achieve self-sufficiency. Over the last 40 years, our programs have grown, innovated, and increased in scalability. These programs include food, career connections, housing, domestic violence, school meal and supply programs, and clothing and resource distribution. We believe that when those in need have the resources to avert a crisis, they can focus on the most important priorities to achieve self-sufficiency.
HOW WE DO IT
In our 5,000-square-foot warehouse/community space, we distribute all of the resources entrusted to us by our supporters. We have a pantry distribution schedule, community programming, and by-appointment services. Our space provides us with the flexibility and confidentiality to serve. We serve approximately 6,500 unduplicated individuals, distribute nearly 500,000 pounds (230 tons) of food, and have an economic impact on the community of $2.4 million.
